Limerick Athletics - Weekly News Update

Sarah Lavin visits Newcastle West

LIMERICK Olympian Sarah Lavin travelled to Newcastle West for a West Limerick AC Juvenile training session much to the delight of the club’s young athletes.

Sarah took the time to share her knowledge, going through technical drills and warm ups with the children. It was an incredible evening and one athletes, parents and coaches will long remember. Thanks you Sarah.

Munster Half Marathon Championship

Congratulations also to West Limerick club member Amy Murphy who has been confirmed as the Munster Half Marathon Champion for 2024 with a great time of 1:28:27 in Limerick in May.

Dooneen’s Carolin Godard was 2nd in 1:34:56 with Rachel Hosey, of Emerald, taking bronze in 1:36:30. Joe Chawke was 1st M55 in 1:36:06 with Kilmallock’s Tony McMahon 1st M65 in 1:36:38 and Tommy Madden of the Country Club 2nd in 1:48:07.

Around the Country

Tralee Corporate 5k and 10k

This event was held in Tralee on Saturday morning. West Limerick had great results with Niall O’Callaghan taking first place in the 10K in 34:12 with John Fitzgerald 3rd in 36:33.

Clubmate Padraig O’Donnell was 3rd in the 5K in 16:31.

Tanya wins in Clare

Dooneen’s Tanya Cox made the short journey to the Banner County where she won the Lissycasey 5K in a time of 19:42, well done Tanya!

Parkrun

Limerick AC athlete Darragh Whelan warmed up for next weekend’s ‘All Ireland Finals’ with one of the fastest times ever recorded at Mungret Parkrun, finishing in an impressive 16:04.

Schools International

Next weekend is a big one for three young Limerick athletes as the trio of Aine Frawley, Meabh Purtill and Emer Purtill make their Irish International debuts at the Schools International for Combined Events in Glasgow, Scotland.

It features athletes from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. The combined events consists of hurdles, high jump, shot put, long jump and 800m. Points are awarded based on performance across each event.

The athlete with the highest points total after the five events is declared the winner. Both Aine Frawley and Emer Purtill will be competing in the junior age group (U15s) while Meabh Purtill will compete in the intermediate age group (U17s).

The girls will compete in both the individual and the team event. The Limerick athletics community wish them the very best!

Fixtures

West Limerick AC will host a series of 5K races this Sunday, November 17 at the Regional Athletics Hub, where over 100 athletes from their Fi4Life programme will run their first 5K.

The Athletics Limerick 10K returns on Thursday, December 26 at 12noon from in Caherdavin Community Centre. Entries €15 on Eventmaster, €20 on the day. Volunteers are also needed, so consider joining in if you’re not
running!

Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships take place next weekend in Castle Irvine, Co Fermanagh. Limerick have medal hopes.

Kilmallock’s Olympian

John Flanagan from Kilmallock won the Gold in the Hammer and the Oympic Games in Paris representing the U.S.A. He followed that up with further victories in St. Louis in 1904 and London 1908 where he set a world record of 51.92 metres at the age of 40.

He was also a coach to Dr. Pat O’Callaghan who won Gold for Ireland in 1928 and 1932.

Training Tip

"Viewing regular morning and afternoon sunlight is critical for regulating our circadian rhythm and obtaining adequate Vitamin D throughout the winter months. If this proves to be difficult then a viewing a SAD lamp can serve a similar purpose with
respect to entraining our circadian rhythm" - Mike Carmody