October

Club bestows honour of Life Vice-President on Seamus Gibney

At the Mullingar Harriers AC Annual General Meeting held on Friday 14th October in the Newbury Hotel, Club Chairman, Bobbie Begley, had the pleasure of announcing to those present that in recognition of the contribution made by Seamus Gibney to Mullingar Harriers AC since the Club was founded in 1975, that the Club’s Executive unanimously endorsed a recommendation to bestow the honour of Life Vice-President on Seamus. In tribute, Bobbie said that Seamus is one of the founder members and a former President of the Club, and remains a loyal supporter and continues to work tirelessly in the background on behalf of the Club. Seamus was clearly delighted and warmly tahnked the Club for the honour.

Annual General Meeting 2007

Honorary Secretary, Greg Duggan, reported on the highlights of the past year and outlined the success of the Club across the board at juvenile, junior, senior and master level. The juvenile section continues to dominate at Leinster and National cross country, and in the last year increased the numbers qualifying for National finals in indoor and outdoor track and field championships. The standard bearers for the Club continue to be Martin Fagan and Mark Christie. 2008 is an Olympic year and both are reported to be currently in great shape and running extremely well, so perhaps 2008 will be the year they make the really big breakthrough to the top flight? The small group of master athletes also enjoyed good success, with many Leinster, National and even a British title being won, as well as much success on the road race circuit. Greg gave a short slide show presentation on the improvement works at the Club grounds and though there will be short-term pain with some inconvenience caused, the long-term gains will be significant. The principal works are a new entrance, improved parking, a new long jump pit, soil will be deposited on the areas outside the track improving its use as a jogging or running trail, and a new security fence will be erected.

In his Treasurer’s Report, Sean McMullin confirmed that the Club is in a sound financial position with a reasonable surplus of income over expenditure and a healthy bank balance, reflecting Sean’s excellent stewardship of the Club’s finances.

The Chairman’s Report, presented by Bobbie Begley, covered a lot of topics, including the perennial issue of coaching. Acknowledging the work of the current team of coaches, there is a need for more parents to get involved, even if only in a small way such as assisting the current coaches at training, especially now that there are a very large number of juvenile members. Bobbie told the meeting that he would like to provide an all-weather tartan runway at the new long jump pit, and start a programme of annual trips abroad to cross country and/or track and field competitions, to reward the success of the older juveniles and to encourage their continued participation in the sport. The Club was founded in 1975, when it didn’t even have grounds or any premises to call its own, but with the current improvement works, Bobbie considered that as well as a new entrance, the Club could consider that 2008 will see a new start too. Bobbie concluded by thanking the outgoing Committee for their work during the year and wished the incoming one success.

Club President, George Bell, paid tribute to all associated with the Club, particularly the athletes who continue to do themselves and the Club proud. He also thanked the outgoing Committee and wished the incoming Committee every success.

Silver Medal for Shane Heffernan at Special Olympics World Games

Congratulations to Shane Heffernan who won a silver medal in the long jump at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China. Shane has worked hard in training since early in the year, focusing all the time on Shanghai, and it is terrific that all his hard work has paid off with a well-deserved medal. For the record, he was 5th in the final of the 200m. He can be justifiably proud of his achievement.

August

Ironman UK

Some of the members of the Midlands Triathlon Club competed at the Ironman UK Triathlon in Sherborne, Dorset on 19th August. Many of the Midland Triathletes are well known to us because some are also members of Mullingar Harriers and others train regularly with us. An Ironman Triathlon is an endurance event comprising a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile cycle and rounded off with a full 26.2 mile marathon run. For safety and logistics reasons, the entry was limited to 1,250 and there were cut-off times for completing each of the individual disciplines.

Among the large entry were Brian Boyle, Richard Chapman, Brigid McCabe, Nicky McCabe, John O’Reilly and Sonja Statham. When the times of all the 1,250 competitors were accumulated, Brian Boyle was 226th overall (51st in his category) in 11 hours 17 minutes, Richard Chapman was 263rd overall (67th in category) in 11:26, John O’Reilly was 565th overall (144th in category) in 12:30, Nicky McCabe was 817th overall (10th in category) in 13:26, Sonja Statham was 831st overall (25th in category) in 13:31 and Brigid was 996th overall (5th in category) in 14:36. Congratulations to one and all on their fabulous performances, which are the result of much dedicated hard work and very serious commitment.

July

Spar Mile Challenge

Mullingar was one of 28 locations throughout Ireland where the event took place on the 7th of July and the large banner flags and advertising boards provided by Spar and AAI added to the colourful atmosphere at the Club on the day. Despite the forecast, which must have put many other people off, a small but enthusiastic number of runners, joggers and walkers took part in glorious sunshine. There were three races during the day, and everyone who took part agreed that it great to test themselves over a proper measured mile with accurate timing. Age was no obstacle and competitors ranged from 4 years of age to over 65, and everything in between.

Meanwhile at the the flagship Morton Mile event in Santry, Martin Fagan posted a very impressive time of 4.04.45 against a top class field of athletes. Well done Martin.

March

Kevin Duggan honoured with AAI Juvenile Star Award for 2006

At a gala function in Claremorris, Co. Mayo last Saturday, the Waterford Crystal Athletic Association of Ireland (AAI) Juvenile Star Awards were presented. Based on performances in National Championships in 2006, one juvenile athlete from each County in Ireland was chosen to receive an award and Kevin Duggan was honoured to be chosen for Westmeath. The award was presented by Breda Synnott, Chair of the AAI Juvenile Committee, and also present was Michael Heery AAI President and Ossie Kilkenny, the Chairman of the Irish Sports Council.

Kevin joins a very select group of Westmeath athletes honoured in this way. Previous recipients for Westmeath include Joe Ryan, Marian Sheridan, Orla Clarke, Martin Fagan, Mark Christie, David Hynes, Justin Collins and Shane Boggs – a veritable “who’s who” of juvenile Westmeath athletics. Well done to Kevin on receiving this well-deserved recognition.

February

Sarah Mescall honoured as Westmeath Examiner Sports Star of the Month

At the formal launch in the Mullingar Park Hotel last Thursday of the Westmeath Examiner Sports Star of the Year gala award ceremony, the first of which will be held next February 2008, our newest International athlete, Sarah Mescall, was announced as the first monthly winner of 2007. This is a great honour for Sarah and for the Club. Separately on Thursday, the monthly winners for 2006 were presented with their awards, among them Mark Christie (February) and Martin Fagan (June and August). Congratulations to all three Stars. Confidence is high that both Mark and Martin will join Sarah and feature as monthly winners during 2007.

January

Leinster Star Awards for 2006

Congratulations to Stephen Moran and Sarah Drew who were awarded Leinster Star Awards for best juvenile athletes in Westmeath in 2006, and to Justin Collins (North Westmeath AC) for winning the Senior Award. The Awards were presented at a function in Carlow on 6th January.

Mullingar also retained the Jimmy Morrissey Perpetual Trophy for best juvenile cross country Club in Leinster.