February Newsletter 2019.
February was another successful month for St. Abban's AC. We had some great performances at all levels in the indoors, with plenty more events to come.
The road season has also started with the Laois Novice on February 24th and it was great to see some new faces representing the club.
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Ruby Millet, National Long Jump Champion
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Saragh Buggy National Triple Jump Champion.
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Millet leaps into Europe
Ruby Millet booked her place on the plane to The European U20 championships in Boras, Sweden this summer with a jump of 6.15m. Competing at the AAI Indoor Games in Abbotstown on Sunday the 3rd of February. The jump improved upon her B standard of 6.12 which was set the previous week. Her 4th round improvement has guaranteed Ruby a place at the championships and marks an incredible start to her indoor season, a just reward for her dedication and hard work.
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Cheryl Does the Double
Cheryl Nolan began the National Intermediate Cross Country Championships in Dundalk IT as one of the favourites having won the Novice Championships in December 2018. As the race progressed Cheryl broke away with 3 other athletes. A strong pace was maintained across the surprisingly good terrain and as they came into the second last lap, Cheryl forged a gap which she maintained until the finish line to add the National Intermediate title to her Novice crown.
The event also included the Master and Juvenile B championships which also saw a number of club athletes to the fore. First out of the blocks and setting the tone for the day were Cara English 13th (U11 Girls) and Jessica Murray 23rd (U13 Girls) in the girls with Kalem Buggy 28th (U11 Boys), Evan 35th English and Seán O’Sullivan 44th (U13 Boys) also competing. A very strong team effort saw our U15 Boys take home gold medals for both club and county. Adam Buggy led the team home in 11th, with Lee Murray 14th, Eoin Cawley 24th and Darragh Carpenter 40th. , each playing their part in the team victories. Adam also received an individual medal for his top 12 finish.
The Masters followed the example set by the younger age groups. Dick Mullins, Paddy Harding and Dinny Whelan combined to win bronze medals in the O65 event, while Dick also claimed a bronze individual medal in the over 70 category.
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AAI Games
We had a number of athletes competing at the AAI Games on Sunday last. Saragh Buggy 13.11, 1st Senior Women Triple Jump. Jamie Pender, Paul Byrne and Eoghan Buggy faced each other in the Senior Men’s 400m. Jamie took the victory in 48.56, followed by Paul 2nd in 49.32 and Eoghan 4th in 50.54. After last week’s victory at the Junior and U23 Championships Daena Kealy had to settle for second on countback with a clearance of 1.65m. Cara Maher finished 10th in the 800m in a time of 2.22, while Maisy O Sullivan returned from Kenya to run a new PB of 9.42 in the women’s 3000m.
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 Leinster Juvenile Indoors Day 1 and 2
We had a number of athletes competing in Day 1 and 2 of the Leinster Indoors. We had some fantastic performances, with everyone battling hard for positions in the fiercely competitive event. Maya Brennan 1st U14 high Jump 1.51m, Cara Maher 3rd 800m, Niamh Graham 4th Shot Putt, Aoibhín McDonald Long jump, Jessica Murray, Rachel Ayers and Aisling Cawley all competed in 600m. Seoighe English; Long Jump, High Jump and 5th 800m. Adam Buggy, Lee Murray and Eoin Cawley 800m. Katie Baldwin Long Jump and Hurdles. Sarah Graham 2nd U18 Long Jump.
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Armagh 5k
Cheryl Nolan was justly rewarded for her excellent form recently, by been selected to represent Ireland at the Armagh International Road Race. Cheryl was a member of the Irish team that finished in 3rd position. She completed the 3k in 9:40 a new PB, which sets her up nicely for the upcoming track season.
Cian Kelly also made his return to racing where he ran in a hugely competitive men’s 5k. Cian ran a massive Pb of 15:09, taking 20 seconds off his old mark.
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Nessa Millet, Maisey O' Sullivan and Saragh Buggy at the National Indoor Championships
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National Senior Indoor Championships 2019:
The backbone of our exceptionally strong Senior Ladies team were on show in Abbotstown over the weekend where our female athletes gathered no less than 4 National medals. First up, on Saturday was Ruby Millet who continued her exceptional start to the season jumping 6.20m in the women’s Long Jump. The jump is a new National Junior Record and secured her the gold medal. Not to be outdone by her training partner Saragh Buggy also claimed the gold medal in the women’s Triple Jump with a jump of 13.05m, to add to her growing collection of National medals. Buoyed on by her sister Ruby, Nessa battled the whole way to the line and managed to secure a bronze medal in the women’s 400m in 55:33. Maisy O Sullivan, who recently returned from a training block in Iten, Kenya also grabbed a bronze medal in a time of 4:24 in the women’s 1500m.
In the Men’s 400m Paul Byrne 49.70 and Eoghan Buggy 50.94 were unlucky not to secure qualification to the Final, while Cheryl Nolan also competed in the women’s 3000m. Nicole Kehoe Dowling was just outside the medals in the Women’s Shot Putt with a throw of 10.80m.
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Laois Road Novice Winning Ladies Team 2019
The county road campaign began today with the Laois Road Novice. The club had big numbers in the ladies and men’s race . The women were first to race and performed excellent, taking team gold. The ladies also took home two individual medals with Lucy Deegan taking 1st place and Mary Doyle finished 3rd .
The men were out next and battled hard to finish 4th team.Well done to all athletes who competed and represent the club today
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Fit4Life
Stage 1: Luggacurren, Wednesday 8thMay
Stage2: Rossmore, Wednesday 22rd May
Stage3: Newtown, Wednesday 5th June
Stage4: Wolfhill, Wednesday 19th June
Stage5: Moneenroe, Wednesday 3rd July
Stage 6: Ballylinan, Wednesday 18th July
Stage 7: Graiguecullen, Wednesday 31stJuly
Stage 8: Monavea, Wednesday 14thAugust
Thanks to Adrienne, Michael and Noeleen for all their motivation!
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Another good month for the Fit4Life group with great numbers in attendance and people making steady progress while enjoying the atmosphere. This couch to 5K group will complete the 3k challenge on Wednesday night February 27th.
St Laurance O' Toole's in Carlow are hosting their Fit4Life 5km on Sunday 10th March. You can walk Jog run. Medal to all participants.
Fit4Life continues every Monday and Wednesday at 7.30pm as we continue to prepare for our own Fit4Life league starting on Wednesday May the 8th in Luggacurren.
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Upcoming Events
- Leinster Senior & Masters Indoors 2nd March.
- Leinster Juvenile Relays 3rd March.
- National Masters Indoors 10th March.
- National Juvenile Indoors Day 1 & Day 2 on the 30th and 31st March.
- National Juvenile Indoors Day 3 , 6th April.
**It is important to check closing dates for all competitions!
- Student Games 14th April
- Laois Senior Road Race 7th April
- Laois T&F Championships 28th April
- Open Sports 6th May
- Leinster Novice and Masters Road Race 6th May.
- Fit4Life League Luggacurren 8th May.
- Laois Intermediate 12th May
- Fit4Life League Rosmore 22nd May
- European Championships Finland 25th May
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Finland Update
Our ladies team are busy fundraising for the European League Championships in Finland. Bag packing has been secured in Dunnes Stores, Graiguecullen on Friday the 8th and Saturday the 9th of May. We'd appreciate if you could support by volunteering for a slot.
Contact Dymphna at 087 6814252.
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Upcoming Courses:
St. Abban's AC are hosing a Level 1 AAI course every Wednesday evening for 5 weeks beginning the end of March.
Contact us if interested.
**High Jump practice in the clubhouse,every Thursday evening at 7:30pm**
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