Senior Section News
Ballycotton On The Radar

With just under four weeks to go the Ballycotton ‘10’ on March 21st those who have entered this year’s event are now very much gearing their training towards the big day. Anticipation is beginning to build with the word ‘Ballycotton’ being heard frequently at training each week.

It’s now the time when runners are considering the ‘trial run’ around the famous course, an idea that has become a ritual for many people in recent years. Certainly for those running the race for the first time it is something to seriously consider. In the next few weeks there will hopefully be a number of different groups organised within the club. This year with the advent of the new blog and the email service it should be easy to stay in touch, so if you or your friends are planning such a venture let us know and we will spread the word.

Neilus Aherne

Our own club member Neilus Aherne, Sports/Holistic Therapist is the man to contact for any advice on injury prevention and treatment over the next few weeks. In the countdown to Ballycotton, it’s important to have the legs in tip top shape - Neilius may be contacted on 086-8438355 for appointment and advice.


ESB 5K
Before and after the red letter day on March 21, we have plenty of other races to enjoy as spring progresses and we all look forward to the extra hours of day light to assist training flexibility.

On Sunday there was a gathering of 280, somewhat smaller than expected for the ESB 5K in Mahon. No great surprise to see our club very well represented with plenty of excellent times recorded.

Congratulations to Neilus Aherne top man Over 50, Donal Broderick 2nd over 40, Joan McCarthy 3rd Over 50 and Kathleen O’Connell 3rd Over 55. Well done also to our runners who collected prizes as part of teams. The Midleton UDC team were third home in grade A of the mens whilst the newly formed Flexible Connectors team topped grade C.

The full results will be on the BHAA web site during the week. As usual we will also send a copy to all e mail contacts.

Cross Country

Well done to Joan Mc Carthy who formed part of the winning ladies winning team in the Bank Of Ireland All Ireland cross country held on UCC Farm on Sat 20th Feb.. Joans superb run in the final lap earned her team victory by a single point and she herself finished 5TH overall.

Carrigaline ‘5’

Next up after this week’s concluding East Cork 3K race on Tuesday is the 22nd running of the Tommy Ryan Memorial Race in Carrigaline on Sunday morning next February 28. It’s the usual 11am start for this race which has the reputation of a providing a tough test due to it’s regular climbs. It is an ‘up an down’ 5 miler, but a great fixture to take in as part of Ballycotton preparations. Race HQ is the local Community Centre in Carrigaline, where entries will be taken from 9.30am and refreshments will be served afterwards. For first timers travelling to the race – take the by pass on the approach to the town which points you in the direction of the Crosshaven Road. The Community Centre is only a short distance away on the road which runs parallel to the Main Street.

For anybody wishing to travel east rather than west there is also a 10K race in Dungarvan at the same time on Sunday morning next organised by West Waterford AC.

Janssen 4 Miler

On Sunday week, March 7th the Janssen ‘4’ Mile Race appears on the fixture list for the first time. This is another BHAA event and it will be familiar ground for anyone who covered the same distance in the FMC race just last month. Again a very large turn out is expected for the 11am start. Mark Murphy at Janssen -086-1713786 is dealing with all enquiries regarding this inaugural event.

Paddy Desmond Memorial

Jimmy Murray and the team at Rising Sun AC are again anxious to highlight the annual Paddy Desmond Memorial ‘4’ Mile Race, which was very well supported by our club last year. As then it will be an 11am start again this year in Ballinhassig on St Patrick’s Day.

Bantry ’10’

It was a bit like ‘Beauty and The Beast’ when the Bantry ‘10’ took to the road for the first time on St Valentine’s Day. The beautiful scenery was of the picture postcard variety but the severity of the course left almost everybody reflecting on whether or not they had run the toughest ‘10’ in the land.

All credit to our trio of athletes who made the long journey and enjoyed the scenery, the sunshine and the sandwiches.

Donal Broderick approaching peak form was 17th overall in a line up which numbered in excess of 200. Fergal O’Meara, who is accelerating his Paris Marathon plans had another fine run, whilst Denis Kelleher also made it three ‘10’ mile races on successive Sundays as he continues to measure his comeback after injury. – Well done guys!



Fixture Guide
Sun Feb 28 – Dungarvan 10K – 11am

Sun Mar 7 – Cork BHAA – Janssen 4 Mile – Little Island – 11am
Sun Mar 7 – Adare 10K – 2pm
Sun Mar 14 – MunsterSenior/Novice Road Championships – Clare venue
Wed Mar17 – Paddy Desmond Memorial – 4 Mile – Ballinhassig – 11am
Sun Mar 21- Ballycotton ‘10’ = ENTRIES CLOSED
Sun Mar 28 – Munster Masters Road Championships – Limerick venue

Attention -New Members

It’s great to see our club membership continuing to grow and January brought many new faces again. A warm welcome is extended to all and hope we can all do our best to make you most welcome.

Club Colours

- Just a brief word to members that a limited number of club singlets (20 euro) are still available to purchase. It’s always nice to wear your club colours with pride on race day!

Keep In Contact

- Finally, a reminder to new members who have forwarded their e mail address to us over the past few weeks. Unfortunately I was a little unsure of one or two contact details. If you get this email and have not previously responded, we would appreciate if you do same. Thanks in advance for your co-operation.
Remember to keep up to date with all the latest Midleton AC news by checking out our up to the minute club blog – if you have not already found it just check http://www.midletonathleticclub.blogspot.com/ for all the latest club news.
E mail contact is midletonac@ireland.com
Telephone enquiries regarding the club may be directed to Danny McCarthy on 087-2403940
Until next time ‘keep on running!

FINAL REMINDER
A meeting of the club will be held on Monday February 22nd at 9pm in O'Mearas Lounge, Main Street, Ballinacurra.
The meeting is mainly to appoint people to vacant positions within the club eg Social Committee, Clothing/Gear Organisers, Weekly Subscriptions Collections, Captains etc.
All are welcome to attend but people who are willing to help with the organisation are especially welcome.