Limerick Athletics - Weekly News Update

Community Games Regional Finals

LIMERICK athletes performed well at the Community Games Regional Finals, Clonmel with a large number qualifying for the National Finals in Carlow on Saturday, August 24.

Highlights included Zoe Haugh who took Gold for Regional in the U8 80m. Jack Young won Gold for Feoghnagh-Castlemahon in the U12 600m, while Megan O’Shea was also a Gold Medalist as she won the U16 100m in the colours of Crecora/Patrickswell.
Thanks go to Limerick County Managers Phil Roche and Aine O’Sullivan who looked after the Team.

The first Limerick Community Games were held in 1969 and counts amongst its ‘Alumnus’ Frank O’Mara, Niall O’Shaughnessy, Rosemary Ryan and Sarah Lavin.

Liscarroll Open Sports

MAISIE Stokes was 1st in the U9 60m, 300m and Long Jump at the Liscarroll Open Sports, with Elisa Fahy 1st in U11 100m and 600m, while Ruairi Boyce also took a hat-trick of medals, 2nd in the U12 100m, 3rd in the Shot Put and Long Jump.

Streets of Galway 8K

WEST Limerick’s Karl Lenihan travelled to the City of the Tribes and was 1st M45 and 12th overall in 26:23.

Other times included Shane Ryan (29:52) Claire Knight (39:49)- both Dooneen, Mark Lenihan (31:17) and Robert Maharg (34:22) both West Limerick.

Ger Meehan, who was home in 45:42 maintained his record of attending all 39 editions, one of just two others to do so.
UK Event

Ide Nic Domhnaill set a pb of 15:41.93 for 4 th place at the British Milers 5000m Track meet in Bury, Greater Manchester last weekend.

Munster Champion

Sharon Goldsmith, of Limerick Country Club, was named as the Munster F55 Half-Marathon Champion for an excellent time in the Great Limerick Run last May.

Parkrun

Belinda Brenna, a visitor from the UK, was 1st overall at Limerick Parkrun in 19:06 at the University of Limerick, joining a small group of women to finish first overall at this popular event.

Training Tip

“Keep your easy days easy” - Joe Chawke

Fit4Life

West Limerick Athletics Club are looking at organising an 8 week Couch to 5k programme. This will be on Thursday nights at the Limerick Regional Athletics Hub with coaches from the club, from late
September onwards.

This was a hugely successful experience in 2023 and the final 5k run was held at the hub in November. Further details to follow.

Fixtures

As part of Kilmallock Heritage Week, an Open Sports Day will take place on Tuesday evening 20th August, open to those aged 8-18, including throwing, running, jumping and medals, with an emphasis on fun.

Limerick's first ‘Butterfly Run' takes place over 5K in Mungret Park on Saturday, October 12. Proceeds will go to the Feilecain charity and families experiencing loss, who need their help.

The Charleville Half Marathon, this year incorporating the National Championship takes place on Sunday, September 15.

1990

West Limerick AC brought an end to 14 years of domination (and 19 titles in 20 years) by Limerick AC to take the County Senior Cross-Country title West for the first time since their formation. On their side in Plassey with 6 to score were John Scanlon (3rd), Henry Downes (4th), Michael MacDonnell (5th), Tom Brouder (6th), Joe Chawke (10th)and Tom Fitzgerald (12th) as they claimed their first title by 39pts to 43.

Masters Athletics

Jim O'Connor, of Limerick AC, finished 1st in the M60 Pole Vault event at the National Masters T&F Championships on August 4 in Tullamore with a vault of 2.60mtrs, while he also vaulted 2.80, a new national record at the AAI Games on July 14 at Morton Stadium, Santry in Dublin.