Tir Chonaill A.C. Notes
Club reviews another outstanding year
A well-attended and positive club Annual General Meeting held in the Central Hotel Donegal Town, two weeks ago, reviewed a very successful and remarkable 2011 year of competition, coaching, and administration.
Outgoing Secretary, Michelle Harvey, in a detailed report highlighted the numerous successes of the season. National Long and Triple Jump champion, Mary Mc Loone, continues to lead the senior end of the club. Her victories and performances at Irish Indoor and Outdoor championships and when representing Ireland in the Europa Cup received special mention. The clubs under age group also made their own piece of history when Karl Griffin – he smashed numerous National underage records and medalled in the U18 European Youth Olympics in Turkey in August; Kate McGowan, smashed a 12 year old IrishU15 Hurdles record at the National championships and was a winner at the Celtic International when she defeated the best Under 16 athletes from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Karl and Kate’s performances led the juvenile section to an unprecedented thirty two medal haul of medals at various Irish championships in events as diverse as Pole Vault, Shot Putt, Hammer, Long Jump, Sprints, Hurdles, 800/1,500m and Cross country. The importance of club/school link was also highlighted and the record breaking performances of the Abbey Voc. School winning junior girls team in Tullamore last June detailed.
The masters and fit4life sections of the club continue to grow and expand thanks to the professional development work of Paddy Donoghue, in the Ballyshannon/Bundoran area and of Kevin Mc Glynn and Richard McCarthy in Donegal Town. The numbers of club athletes competing in local and National cross country, road races and distance races is most encouraging. All coaches within the club were thanked for their huge contribution during the year.
Internally Tir Chonaill hosted and was associated with a number of very successful competitions. On the track two meetings in early 2011 attracted huge numbers to Donegal Town. The Tir Chonaill open invitational attracted over 400 competitors from all over Ireland and for the first time in the county we viewed outstanding Pole Vault, [Men] and Hammer, [Women] competitions when National champions graced the meet and recorded close to 5metres/ 50metres. Outstanding competition, electronic timing, a huge supporting crowd and all day sunshine made this event one to remember. Successful and well organised road races in Ballyshannon and Donegal Town –both part of the Donegal League, and the Cara Bundoran 10 mile Challenge in early March attracted large fields. The later, attracted over 500 runners/walkers to Bundoran and planning is at an advanced stage for an even bigger and better event in 2012. Keep Saturday 10th March free and why not make a new year’s resolution and aim to either run or walk this family friendly event – click into www.carabundoranrun.com.Club Easter and Summer camps attracted over 250 children, primary schools relays 400, sportshall competitions over 500, club presentation evening on the Donegal Bay water bus 150, were also highlighted.
Outgoing Treasurer, Marie Rooney, reported that the club was in a very healthy financial situation. She thanked all for supporting various fund raising initiatives and had a special word for the main club sponsor Cara Pharmacies. Eamon Harvey, Track Development subcommittee, reported that clubs new facility at the Abbey Voc. School was used extensively throughout the year by walkers/joggers/track and field athletes. He indicated that the final payment had been made to the contractor and that the debt on the €485,000 facility had now been reduced to €30,000. He also thanked the numerous club members and the community for their continued fundraising support. The goal is to have the debt cleared in 2012.
Chairman Paul O’Gara thanked the various club officers for their very important input during the year. Most of this work is done behind the scenes and is vital for the successful and on-going development of the club. He thanked Michelle Harvey, who was standing down as Secretary following a two years stint in the position. The commitment and support of club coaches, athletes, parents and the general public were also acknowledged. The financial support received from the community, sponsors and Cara Pharmacies was also highlighted. The local media and Ollie Thomas who does such a good job with www.tirchonaillac.com and the clubs Facebook page were also praised. ‘We are a large club catering for over 300 members – we have much strength as has been highlighted in the various reports. My wish for the coming year is that we continue to work as a close and supportive unit’.
2012 Committee
Chairman: Paul O’Gara, 087 8410230; Secretary: David Doherty, 086 8011540; Treasurer: Marie Rooney, 087 6722631; Assistant Treasurer: Brenda Morris, 087976368; Registrar Anne Mc Gowan, 087 2249204:P.R.O. Eamon Harvey, 087 2797548;
Coaching Contacts: Paddy Donoghue, 087 2376389: Eamon Harvey, 087 2797548; Richard McCarthy, 087 9375599: Kevin McGlynn, 087 2968096; Paul O’Gara087 8410230; Michelle Harvey, 0868454320
Club Christmas Function
Recently invites and details have gone out for Friday night’s- 9th December annual Christmas get together. If you have not indicated your attendance please ring either Brenda 087 9776368 or David 086 8011540
Club calendar 2012
The 2012 club calendar is on sale – €5 – and can be purchased from club members and from a number of newsagents across the club catchment area. The picture content of the calendar – over 120 photographs- highlights the varied and numerous club activities and successes of 2011.The club wishes to thank the local businesses for their sponsorship and encourages all club members to support and shop locally over the Christmas period
Sportshall in Raphoe
Hosted by the Lifford club, a number of our younger athletes experienced the fun of sportshall athletics for the first time last Saturday morning in the spacious gymnasium at Deele College, Raphoe.Thanks to the Lifford club for the invite, to Tir Chonaill coaches Susan Gillespie, Patricia Boyle and Anne McGowan who travelled with our athletes. Well done to Katherine McClay, Siofra Mauerhofer, Beibhinn Reid, David McGuckin, Lucy McGowan, Eabha Morrow-Hayden, Sophie Tracey, Sean Boyle, Gary Griffin, Dermot McGuckin, Shane Breslin and Mark Jordan
Club warm weather training
Forty two club members and friends will depart at 6am from Belfast on Saturday 31st December for eight days of training in the Algarve. Final preparations for this camp, located in Monte Gordo, are now being put together. It’s a nice way to start the New Year
Cara Bundoran Run 10 mile Challenge 2012i t
Nearly six hundred runners/walkers completed the inaugural Cara Bundoran 10 Mile Challenge in 2011. The local organising committee led by Canice Nicholas and Paddy Donoghue have decided that the race should be even more successful in 2012 and have put a lot of behind the scenes work ensuring that Saturday 10th March 2012 will be a day to remember for all who complete the challenge.
A comprehensive race web site – www.carabundoranrun.com supports the race with an online entry system, detailed preparation and training advice from SAF Fitness, plus numerous items of support for the fitness/athletic enthusiast. The race will have
- Chip Timing
- Mile Markers – Split Times given at Every Mile
- Water Stations
- Souvenir Technical Fabric T-Shirt for ALL FINISHERS
- High Quality Goodie Bag for ALL FINISHERS
- Course Accurately measured using the Jones Method
- Over €2,000 in prize money
You are invited to make a new year’s resolution, enter the race now, and on the day either walk, jog or run the event.
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