COOLQUILL AC

Apologies for not updating these notes in a long time, and I will try to correct this oversight in the future. First of all, I assure all of you that this club is alive and very much running, forgive the pun, and will be for the foreseeable future. I will just give you a small resume of 2003. The year saw a revival of the juvenile side in a bigger way than had been for a few years. Our first competition, for our younger ones, was the county Indoors in Nenagh in April. After only limited training, we had an opening day win for Ger Fennelly in the U/9 200m we also had Ellen Lanigan, Kenneth Ivors, Liam Galloway, Jason Hayes and William Ryan taking part. In the outdoor track and field held this year in Kilkenny in May, we had a good few juveniles taking part. Top honours for us were, Ciara Walsh and Lorraine O’ Shea. Also giving a good account of themselves were Jenny Logue, Laura Oates, Leanne Walsh, Niall Walsh, Liam Galloway, Ger Fennelly and William Ryan. In November, the cross country was in full swing and in Ballynonty at the “B” championships, we came away with a load of medals, amongst them were Emma O’ Dwyer, Avril Collins, Ellen Lanigan, Lorraine O’ Shea, Niall Walsh, Eamonn Butler, Ger Fennelly, Orla Butler, Ciara Walsh, Jenny Logue and Una Ryan. This brought and end for our juvenile athletes for the year and what a good one it has been and augurs well for 2004.

Coolquill winners of the U/10 girls County cross country “B” championship held in Ballynonty.
L to R: Ciara Walsh, Orla Butler, Ellen Lanigan, Lorraine O’ Shea, Jenny Logue, Avril Collins, Emma O’ Dwyer.

Parents, Supporters and Athletes of Coolquill A.C. at the county cross country championships ’03.
Back L to R: Seamus Lanigan, Beryl Lanigan, Delores Logue, Richard Butler, Leslie Smyth (County Chairman), Ena Collins, Padraig Collins, Phil O’ Dwyer (Club Chairman), John Fennelly.
Front L to R: Orla Butler, Jenny Logue, Ellen Lanigan, James Lanigan, Ger Fennelly, Eamonn Butler, Kate Collins, Emma O’ Dwyer, Avril Collins, Laura Lanigan.

On the adult side of the club scene, there is virtually some sort of activity throughout the year. Some of the high points would be winning the O/40 county team title on the road in July. The four lads that took the title were Joe Keaney, Tom Cahill, Michael Murphy and Matt Alexander.

The club also hosted the event from the clubhouse. The ladies race was also staged and in this we had an individual winner in the O/50’s with Hillary Collins taking the title. Kay White was third O/35, with Edie Smyth third O/40. In August, we staged the Michael Cahill Memorial 5K road race for the seventh time in memory of a fine athlete and friend. This race has always brought athletes from all over the country and further afield. We are always aware of the huge support we get from our sponsors, Civil Defence, Presentation School and athletes and we are very thankful to all concerned. From the proceeds of this race, a generous donation goes to a local charity each year and in 2003 Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel were the recipients.

Presentation to Scoil Aonghusa, Cashel by Coolquill A.C. for gym equipment from the proceeds of the Michael Cahill 5k road race.
Back L to R: Leslie Smyth, Tadgh Vaughan, Nabeal Chaudney, Noreen Kerwick (Special needs assistant),
Ann Moynihan (Teacher).
Front L to R: Brian O’ Leary (Special Olympics Motor activities participant), Oisin Gott, Matt Alexander,
Paul Cope, Phil O’ Dwyer.

During the year we had three from the club competing in the mountain running events, Ross Alexander, Tadgh Vaughan and Matt Alexander, and they all preformed well and getting among the prizes on a regular basis. Both Matt and Tadgh completed the necessary number of races for the Munster championship. Matt finished 2nd in the Super Vets section and Tadgh 6th in the Senior section.

We also during the year, had some excellent results on the road scene, with the club represented at most events. In the cross country season just gone by, we had teams in all races, those being the County Novice, Intermediate, Senior and Masters within the county. At Munster level, Tadgh Vaughan was selected on county teams for both Novice, Intermediate as well as the Senior race. In the Munster Veteran cross country, Leslie Smyth, John Cahill and Matt Alexander claimed silver club medals, and they were also on the county team which came second also. Our AGM was held in October, and the following officers were elected. President: Matt Alexander, Vice President: Andrew Galloway, Chairman: Phil O’ Dwyer, Secretary: Tadgh Vaughan, Treasurer: Edie Smyth and PRO: Leslie Smyth.

On the 1st of February, in Nenagh, Joe Keaney took part in the National Masters Indoor O/40 section and won a marvellous silver medal in the 400m, and went on later in the day to come third in the 800m. On the following day, Sunday the 2nd, Ross Alexander came third in the Irish Universities Hill Running championships. On Feb. 7th Ross Alexander struck gold in the 2k walk in Nenagh at the University Indoor championships.

On Feb. 8th in Dungarvan, Tadgh Vaughan took part in the National Intermediate cross country, and in the Veteran race Leslie Smyth was fifth county man home in the National event but outside the medals. Last Sunday the 29th February, saw the kick off of the County road championships scene, and it began in Ballynonty, with the staging of both men’s and ladies novice titles to be decided. We had six men competing in the four mile race. Our first man home in 12th was Ross Alexander, followed by John Lanigan in 14th. We then had our track specialist Joe Keaney 19th followed by Matt Alexander in 25th. Andrew Galloway with a good run in 27th and the ever reliable Michael Murphy in 28th. The lads came fourth in the team section.