Clonmel AC 1971-2021

Clonmel Athletic Club Celebrates 50 years

Covid 19 has had a devastating effect on not only our lives but the sport the we love. We are all very proud of the longevity of our Club and we have many members who have given their hearts and souls to ensure it will continue into the future. It is fitting that in this our 50th year we have been granted the funding for a new state of the art international standard running track and training facilities. So we have many positives to keep us going in these very dreary times and we can look forward to producing the superstars of the future.

As editor of these reports over the past two years I have linked in with many of our past members, some on the other side of the world now leading their own lives but who never forgot their experiences as young Clonmel AC athletes. We are hoping those far and wide around the globe will participate in our 50th celebrations. I invite you to join in on our little challenge as part of our celebrations. You can do it as a family or individually. See all the details below and the link to enter the challenge. Thank you for making our club great over the years and please if you have any memories you would like to share or old photographs we would love to hear from you.

Clonmel Athletic Club celebrates 50 years of activity in 2021 and to mark this wonderful achievement we are promoting our 50 Mile + Celebration Run. This event is open to everyone 13 years of age and older. This Celebration Run caters for all levels of fitness, be it Walking, Jogging or Running or any combination as we want as many people as possible to celebrate with the Club on reaching this wonderful milestone in the Club’s history. While we set 50 miles as the target, people are encouraged to Walk, Jog or Run as many miles as they like during the eight weeks. Some people like to measure their workouts in Kms so we will also accept 80km. They can then submit their weekly total, every Monday night to this email address – http://www.clonmelathleticclub@gmail.com. Then once they have achieved the 50-mile target, they will be added to our Achievers list which will be updated on all our Social media platforms every Tuesday night, the very best of luck to everyone. The secret here is to do all your workouts at your pace while at all times adhering to the Covid 19 Regulations in place. So, you can set your own weekly targets and work towards them. These overall targets of 50 miles or 80Kms can be reached at any time over the 8 weeks. You can register for this event by registering as a Guest at https://ClonmelAC50thCelebrationRun.itsyourrace.com/regi…/ If you have any queries, please send same to this email address – http://www.clonmelathleticclub@gmail.com.

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11th November 1978

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Fox does it and does it in style

Last week’s paper posed the question could “Fox do it? Well in no uncertain manner Billy Fox himself, unfolded the answer with a brilliant and stunning victory in the men’s 4 miles novice cross-country championships which was held last Sunday in the ideal setting of Powerstown Park Racecourse. This was to date the race and performance of his running career, and can only but give him great confidence in himself and his ability for the remainder of the season.

The emotion in the last half mile was unbelievable, a glorious sensation, said fox after the race, which was run in ideal conditions. Foxe’s time of 21.19 minutes for the distance was exceptionally good, particularly when one considers the up and down terrain of Powerstown Park.

Tipperary’s John Carroll led quickly unravelling knot of contenders at the early stages of the race, but soon it became apparent that the challenge for individual honours was going to be between Fox and Jim Sheehan of Nenagh, or so it seemed! After a mile, Fox calmly established his own rhythm on the race and sailed on, in high spirits. Accompanied at this stage by Carroll, Sheehan and Maloney of Thurles, it appeared as if these four were going to run the show. But lurking behind and looking very strong but Sean Hughes of Thurles AC, a man who was to play at deciding role in the destination of the team award.

At the two mile point, in the shadows of it now fast approaching evening, Fox bolted out on his own. Sheehan was clearly shocked at the move and was unable to react. Sensing that he had opened up a gap, Fox capitalised on the situation and ran brilliant 3rd mile, Building up what was almost an unassailable lead, a lead which he held all the way to the finish, to become the third, Clonmel AC athlete to win this event in the last four years, not a bad record for any club.

Meanwhile back in the race a fierce battle was ensuing between Thurles, Nenagh and Clonmel for the team award and it was here that the strong running of Hughes was the deciding factor, for he confounded all the experts by coming through in the last 3/4 of a mile to take second place, thus insuring that the team award went to Thurles. I believe for the first time ever, with the favourite, Clonmel in second place and Nenagh in third.

The Clonmel team on the whole performed reasonably well in addition to Billy Fox. “Biffo” O’keefe and Martin O’Brien ran very well being placed sixth and eight respectively. Full credit also to Richie Wade, who finished 11th and was the fourth scorer on the Clonmel team.

Blanche, an Exciting Prospect

Catherine Blanche, at 14 years of age, was arguably one of the youngest competitors in the ladies race, which was over a distance of 1 mile, and she surprise everybody by finishing in third place. The most notable feature of her run was the fact that she fought all the way, and indeed over the last half mile she made a very determined effort to catch Imelda Barret of Killenaule, the winner, and it was this effort, I feel, that cost her second place in the race as it was only over the last hundred metres that the Nenagh girl past her. Relatively new to the sport, Catherine Blanch is a name to be remembered, and I think we will be hearing a lot more of her in the near future. The Clonmel ladies team had a surprising victory beating their old rivals Nenagh by a margin of some five points. The team was Catherine Blanche, Monica Clooney, Bernadette Cadogen and Dolores Kennedy. So all in all a successful day for the local club, who were congratulated by a senior county board chairman Mr. Michael Guinan for the excellent organisation in their handling of this fixture. Mr Guinan then also made special reference to the ladies on the committee, who did trojan work in providing soup and sandwiches for all and sundry after the races.

Coaching Course

Next Sunday, an all day coaching course is being held for all the distance athletes in the club. This course is open to any member of the club from 14 years of age up at and will include as well as the obvious practical work, indoor discussions, questions and answers etc.

John Fitzgerald and name once almost synonymous with these dispatches is back in training and may soon be featuring again. John who was forced to retire due to a number of pressing problems, has been averaging about 25 miles a week in recent times and feels it won’t be too long before he can increase that to his once familiar mileage, Something in excess of 60 miles per week.

Another of the senior panel back in action is Pat O’Donnell, who last season was plagued with a nagging me injury. Now back to full fitness, he hopes to be in shape for the county intermediate 6 mile Championships, which will be held in Borrisoleigh on Sunday 19th of November.

Annual Dinner Dance

A final reminder About the clubs dinner dance. Remember the date is November 17 the venue is the Clonmel Arms Hotel and a limited number of tickets are still available.

AGM

Annual general meeting of the clubs management committee is being held next Monday 13th November in the Clonmel Arms Hotel at 8 o’clock all are most welcome.

 

4th November 1978

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Can fox do it?

The answer to that question will be known at about 3.30 next Sunday afternoon when the athletes will have completed the 4 miles distance of the men’s novice race, a race in which the battles both for the individual and team titles will be one of the closest and most keenly contested in recent years.

Clonmel’s Billy fox has been installed as the favourite for the individual title by many. But I personally feel that the Dark horse could well be Jim Sheehan of Nenagh, who is in brilliant form at the moment. Sheehan, winner of the all-Ireland under 16 steeplechase last year in Limerick, is one of the best prospects to emerge on the middle distance seen in Tipperary for some time, and it is my opinion that Billy fox will have to run the race of his life to steer clear of Sheehan who is noted for his tremendous finishing kick. John Moloney of Thurles AC, a brother of it Irish international Tommy Moloney, will carry the hopes of the mid Tipperary club in the quest for honours. Indeed Maloney had about 60 m to spare over Fox last Sunday when he came home ahead of him in the second leg of the senior league, a distance of just over 4 miles.

The destination of the team title appears to be wide open, with strong contingent from Premier, Thurles, Nenagh, Rockwell, Templemore and Clonmel all battling. I am prepared however, to stick my neck out here on this issue. I think the Clonmel team might just shade it. The team has been considerably strengthened by the addition of a newcomer, Barry Lawlor, who ran exceptionally well and finishing second in Thurles last Sunday. I gather also that cadet Biffo O’Keefe will make the journey down from Galway and his presence should considerably strengthen the forces.

It must be pointed out here nevertheless, that if Clonmel are going to snatch the team title, then men like Doyle, O’Brien and Denmead will have to perform much better than on their recent outings, which is to say the least, were most disappointing. Clonmel are entering two teams in the men’s race, and at the time of going to press the final team selection were not to hand. I feel sure however that Richie Wade, Vincent Mullins and Michael Carey will be strongly considered for selection on the squad. I hear also that T J Corby will be lending his support to the team on Sunday.

Dinner dance

As mentioned in previous dispatches the club second annual dinner dance will take place on Friday night, November 17th in the Clonmel Armss Hotel. Tickets are presently in circulation and anyone wishing to purchase same can do so by contacting any member of the management committee or the parents finance committee. The committee of course is delighted to announce that the special guest of honour will be Ireland’s European 1500 m silver medallist Eamonn Coghlan.

Parents Finance Meeting

I have been asked by the parents committee to make reference to their annual meeting which is being held next Monday night at 8 pm in Hearns hotel. Last year the attendance was over 40, and it is hoped that there will be an even greater turnout this year. The parents committee presently consists of 13 people and I might point out at this stage, that without their assistance to club could not possibly survive. Their task while not an arduous or time-consuming one is however a very vital part of the club structure. All members of the club are aware of the wonderful work that has been done and all our hopeful that next Monday night’s meeting will furnish a committee who will carry on that task and so guarantee the future expansion of the Clonmel Athletic Club. – JH

 

 

28th October 1978

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Fine run by Billy Fox 

The age old saying better late than never certainly held through for Billy Fox, who Sunday week gave his best performance since joining the athletic club way back in 1971. At the mature age of 21 he is certainly matured in his approach to training and that maturity paid it’s dividends when he finished second to a very much back in form Dessie O’Connor over a tough and relentless 3 1/2 mile course at Borrisoleigh.

This race was the opener of the 1978/79 season and the turnout of athletes was reasonably pleasing. From Clonmel’s point of view, the numbers who travelled could well have been bigger and it never ceases to amaze me that we still have quite a few of the older athletes in the club, seniors included, who will impress all and sundry with their dedication to training but who on the day of competition rarely turn up to compete.

Second Leg- at Thurles

The second leg of the County senior cross-country league will be held in Thurles on October 29th and it is hoped that by the time better performance will be returned by some of the athletes whose lack of fitness was blatantly obvious last Sunday week.

County Novice for Clonmel

Clonmel, will this year for the first time, stage the county novice and what a great treat it would be to provide a local winner on home territory. The men’s distance is over 4 miles and for the ladies the distance is 1 mile. After Sunday’s run, the pressure will certainly be on Billy Fox, who has now, I am reliably informed, been firmly installed as the favourite for the men’s title.. If fox wins the novice it would be third novice titled to come to Clonmel in the previous four seasons, past winners being Patrick Donoghue and John Fitzgerald.

Clubs Dinner Dance

The Atlantic club’s second annual dinner dance is being held on Friday night November 17th and tickets are now available from any committee member. If this year’s Dance is anything as successful as was last years, then a great night is in store for all. I am delighted to be able to say that the special guest of honour will once again be Eamonn Coghlan, our European silver medallist in Prague.

5th August 1978

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Relay victory makes history ( By our special correspondent)

Running with precision and coolness of a seasoned squad, the Clonmel boys under15 relay team not just their names into the history books in the nicest possible way, by winning the all-Ireland relay Championships in Limerick last weekend.

In doing so they became not only the first relay team from Clonmel ever to win and national title but also the first boys team in the county of Tipperary ever to achieve that distinction. On reflection I can say that this was undoubtedly one of the most memorable ocassions in the club’s history.

It was a victory achieved in fine style, with a gap of about 20m between Clonmel and the second place Clare team. In all, 12 teams drawn from some of the strongest clubs in the country, qualified for the championships. Heats where necessary and the Clonmel squad of Seamus Clancy, John O’Brien, Paul Reid and John Garrett, duly obliged by winning the first heat in a time of 48.86 seconds which was a personal best time for the team. 30 minutes later came the final and this is how it went.

Disadvantage

Unfortunately Clonmel had the disadvantage of being drawn in the outside lane six. Seamus Clancy 1st to run, was last to move from the start, this due to the fact that the sound of the starters gun would be heard partially sooner on the inside lanes. However, Clancy, running with the determination of an athlete possessed and with the desire for victory, ran superbly, as he had done in the earlier heat, and handed over the baton to John O’Brien with very marginal lead. The broad shouldered O’Brien stormed down the back straight and increase the lead to about 5m, handing over the baton to Paul Reid. At this stage the screams of support from the Clonmel contingent were gathering momentum and Reid reacted accordingly, increasing the lead and handing over to the anchor man John Garrett who completed the final hundred metres in devastating style, breasting the tape to record time of 47.9 seconds, and new personal best for the team and for gold national medals for the club.

Of the many comments passed after the victory one of the most notable came from national sprints coach, Jim Kilty, who said it was one of the most facile an impressive victory’s he had ever seen in the age groups, in a relay and commented that the baton changing was brilliant.

Denmead is Back

Robert Denmead, a name once synonymous with many of the big headlines, bounced right back with a very fine second place in the under 16 1500 m steeplechase, one of the most gruelling of all the track events. Denmead who has had rather a long temporary lapse in form was beaten by his old rival, Jim Sheen of Nenagh who won the event in the new national record time of 4. 23.2. Denmead time for the race was 4.35.6 which was a personal best time for him. This success can do a lot for Robert’s confidence and I confidently predict that he will be back in the in a big way in the not so distant future.

Bronze for Clooney, McDonnell and Clancy

The clubs tally of Ireland medals was completed by Monica Clooney, Pat McDonnell and Seamus Clancy, each of whom finished third in the representative events and receive bronze medals. Monica Clooney brought to a conclusion a most successful season for her, finishing third in the 400m for girls under 17 in a tie and at 59.2 seconds, her second fastest time for this distance.

Pat McDonnell, a gritty competitor at the best of times, won his first national medal since 1974, when a putt of 12.23m was sufficient to give him the bronze, it is interesting to note here that had McDonald gone anywhere near his personal best this season, of 13.40 m, he would probably have finished second.

Seamus Clancy had the distinction of being the only club athlete to win two national medals, one of course as a member of the relay team and a bronze in the under 15 triple jump, where he finished only 3 1/2 inches behind the winner, Stephen McIntire from Strabane Athletic Club.

John Garrett apart from his performance on the relay team, can feeling more than pleased with his showing. He finished fourth in the high jump, fourth in the final of the hundred metres and fifth in the final of the 200m.

John O’Brien, competing in the long jump, had his best performance at national level, finishing fifth. Monica Clooney already mentioned above, was also 5^th in the final of the 200m, and Dessie Doyle was fourth in the 2000m Steeple chase.

One athlete not to be forgotten on this occasion is John Landers, who was the first sub on the victorious relay team. Landers, was actually on the team on the occasion of it winning the county championships and later in the Munster Championships. Unfortunately for John, he became ill during the preparation for Limerick and when he resumed training was unable to win back his place from the replacement sub nominated earlier who was Paul Reid. Such are the joys of sport.

8th July 1978

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Doyle and Mullins Make the Headlines

                                                 

In what can be described as a historic week for athletics in Clonmel, two of the clubs athletes Dessie Doyle and Dessie Mullins have stamped their names on yet another new era of success and achievement for the local club. For Doyle, this has been a week he is not likely to forget for a long time. Last Monday the Postman delivered to his door in Pearce Park a letter from the Irish School selection committee, informing him that he had been selected to represent Ireland in the quad-triangular international between Scotland England Wales and Ireland. The match will take place next Saturday in Haverdford West in Wales and Dessie will leave from Rosslare this Friday with the rest of the Irish team and officials and he will return the following Tuesday all expenses paid. And so dial has the honour of being the 1st to Clonmel born athlete to represent his country at school level at this present era of athletics in the town.

To represent one’s country in sport and international level is an honour that money try to achieve but few attain.. And now one can only hope that this achievement by Dessie Doyle is one which will spark off an even greater enthusiasm amongst the present crop of athletes in the club will hopefully endeavour to attain and to gain the glory and pride of having the green singlet on.

Dessie Mullins was the second history maker in the club this week when he brought back the gold medal for the junior men’s under 19 long jump from last Saturday’s Munster Championships held in Limerick. And conditions which have been regarded as extreme even for the middle of winter, let alone the summer. Mullins had to overcome driving rain and very strong crosswinds, which must have made special judgement difficult to win this one with the best leap of 6 m 20 cm. This is some 20 cm short as his best jump, which he achieved earlier in the season, when finishing 2nd to Anthony Barrett of  Killenaule who is unquestionably the countries number one Long jumper at the moment. Mullins is now preparing for the National Junior under 19 Championships to be held on July 16 and a good result here could put him in line for international representation on the Irish junior men’s team.

 Belfield International

Once again the club hope to be taking a bus to Belfield for the Donore Harriers Calor Kosangas athletics spectacular which this year is drawing some of the biggest names in international Athletics ever to be seen in this country. Last year some 40 of the club’s members had the thrill of seeing the fastest mile race in the world for 1977 when John Walker beat Eamonn Coghlan.

National panel under 15, 16 and 17

At present and for the past three weeks the clubs national panel on the 15, 16 and 17 have been hard training and preparation for their championships which take place on July 29 and 30th. The panel, 10 in all our training up to 6 and seven times a week on the pre-planned schedule, which, is hoped will bring the desired results. The largest previous number of qualifiers for the national championship in these age groups, from the Clonmel club, was eight and so this panel by its number of 10 has set a new club record already. Let’s hope that this trend continues. The panel is, Monica Clooney, John O’Brien, John Garrett, John Landers, Seamus Clancy, Brian Green, Robert Denmeade, Martin O’Brien, Dessie Doyle, and Pat McDonnell.

 

17th June 1978

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

All Ireland College Title for Clooney

Last Sunday’s Independent wrote of the great joy of winning, which was the  picture on the faces of the boys and girls who had the ability and character to win titles at the highly competitive all Ireland schools track and field Championships which were held at Belfield.

That statement certainly was true in the case of Clonmel’s Monica Clooney, who succeeded in winning the first colleges gold medal in the present area of athletes in Clonmel and the first colleges gold medal to come back to Clonmel in at least 20 years. It was also the first national victory for Clooney, at any level, who has been an active competitor since she was 11 years of age. Now at the age of 16, she can hopefully, look forward to the very probable glory and honour of representing her country when the Irish schools team will be selected in about three weeks time. Monica’s time of 59.1 seconds equals her all time personal best for the 400 m, and having seen her run the race I feel quite confident that time can be brought down to around 56.5 seconds before this season is over. An interesting feature of Clooney’s victory was her composure and relaxation before, during and after her race, something which was clearly lacking in summer for more recent performances.

Doyle Takes Silver in Steeplechase

Dessie Doyle representing his school, the Central Technical Institute, finished a very strong second in the intermediate boys 1500 m steeplechase in a time of four minutes 28.8 seconds which was a personal best time for him by a whopping 10 seconds. The winner of this gruelling track event, McQuaid of Arondale Vocational School, Belfast, had just one advantage over Doyle, He was able to master the water jump. Doyle wasn’t, and that was clearly the deciding factor in the race, in which he beat Doyle by a margin of six seconds. Doyle was obviously and understandably delighted with his performance, and he also must now be a strong contender for selection and the Irish schools team.

Early Exit for O’Brien

Anthony O’Brien, who only the previous weekend figure promisingly in the headlines, with his record winning high jump in the Munster Championships fails to produce anything like his best form and was eliminated from the high jump at the very mediocre height of 1.55 m which is well short of his best. In fairness to Anthony, it must be said that he is one of the best competitors in Clonmel at the moment, and this result would have to be regarded as being just a minor setback.

Pat McDonnell, also a member of the club finished fifth in the intermediate shot, representing his school, Rockwell College. McDonnell also failed to strike his top form in the highly competitive shotput competition, which was won by C. O’ Donnell of Colaiste Iognaid Ris with a winning put of 15.14 m.

Tipp Town Open Sports

Last Sunday the club was well represented at Tipperary town open sports. The perpetual cup which is presented each year to the top club at these sports, has for the past three years been won by Clonmel. Unfortunately, such was the case this time and a gallon Clonmel outfit to be content with second place, finishing just two points behind Charleville, who won the cup for the first time. The fact the Clonmel came so near to winning the cup is all the more noteworthy when you consider that many of the club’s leading athletes were not allowed to compete as they were kept home for a training session in preparation for Sunday is Munster Championships under 15, 16 and 17. At the time of going to press I did not have the detailed results from Tipperary but I gather there were some very excellent performances and congratulations are due all round to the team and to the officials with them on the day.

 

10th June 1978

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Fine win by Sunderland

Simon Sunderland of Clonmel Town FC fame and now a new recruit of the senior ranks of the Clonmel Athletic club, had a remarkable if not surprising victory in the men’s 200 m on the second and final session of the county senior track and field Championships which were held in Nenagh last Monday. Sunderland’s victory was the fourth in all for the Clonmel club in these championships and it climaxed the best performance by the club since day one the Tobin Cup in 1976. Indeed, that very same trophy might have been making it’s way back to Clonmel this year had the club been able to call on the services of the full complement of senior athletes, but unfortunately this was not the case. For Sunderland this was an achievement gained by a superbly fit athlete who must have enormous potential as a sprinter. It would be very interesting to see how he goes in the remainder of the season.

Long jump best for Mullins

Although finishing in second place behind Anthony Barrett of Killenaule,  Dessi Mullins can feel very satisfied with his performance in the long jump, achieving a personal-best of 21 foot and a half inch. Breaking through the 21 foot barrier should prove a major psychological boost for Mullins and I now predict a very successful season for him.

Others to produce good results where Monica Clooney, who finish second behind Imelda Barrett in the ladies 400 m, Pat McDonnell who finished third in the men’s shotput and the men’s 4 x 400 m relay team, who took second place behind Nenagh. The team was Dessie Doyle, Joe Holden, Dessi Mullins and Simon Sunderland. Best ever Munster display By junior squad.

On Saturday and Sunday of last weekend the Munster B L O.E. Track and field Championships under 11, 12, 13 and 14 where held on the grounds of the National College of Physical Education and the Clonmel panel of 29 athletes in all, performed with pride and distinction to record the club’s best overall results ever in these age groups at Munster level, with the final medal total of two gold, five silver and twelve bronze, and are quite remarkable total of 15 personal best performances.

O’Brien Sets New Munster Record

Anthony O’Brien, now surely a household name, certainly at least in Baron Park, his home territory, Once again was the star of the show for Clonmel, winning the under 14 high jump with a leap of 1.69 m (5 ft 6 1/2 ins) And beating the old record by an astonishing 10 1/2 cm, or just over 4 inches. O’Brien also won the javelin with a winning throw of 107 feet, and to round off and extremely successful weekend for him he finished third in the triple jump under 14.

Anne Delaney also had a successful weekend with two silver medal performances in the under 13, 80 m and in the high jump. Indeed her run in the 80 m sprint was most impressive and there was very little daylight between her and the winner, Noelle Morrissey from Nenagh, who the previously previous week and one no less than six gold medals in the Munster colleges Championships.

Paul Keeley finished a very strong second in the under 14, 400 m in a good time of 58.7 seconds and might possibly have one this one had his tactics been a little bit more organised. Paula Kearns had her first taste of success at Munster level when she finished runner-up in the girls under 13 shotput with a personal best performance of just over 28 feet. Paul McGabhann, who for the past three years has always got himself injured at the wrong time, did very well to finish second in the triple jump with a leap of 10.59 m, equalling his personal best and just 6 and 1/2 inches behind the winner. The clubs bronze medal winners were Aileen power, third in the high jump and 800 m under 11, Brendan White, third in the long jump under 12, Martin O’Brien, third in the triple jump under 13, Deirdre O Meara third in the high jump under 13, Derek Pike, third in the 800 m under 11, Claire Ryan, third in the shotput under 13.

The boys under 14 relay team also finished a good and indeed surprise third. The team was Anthony O’Brien, Paul McGabhann, Brendan Denmeade and Paul Keeley. Others who performed extremely well were Brendan Denmeade, Michael Power, Marion Phelan, Eddie Kissane, Geraldine Ryan and Celestine Morrison.

15th April 1978

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Track and field season

With two preseason track and field match is behind them, and presently being in the middle of a comprehensive program of preparation, the Clonmel at Leeds are approaching the start of the championships proper, with an afternoon with an optimistic air of confidence. Certainly if the results in Nenagh and Limerick are used as a guideline then there is every reason to be confident, providing of course that the present impetus of training is maintained. The first of the championships take place on the 30th of April and the season goes on right through to about August.

Finance Committee

The 13 members who comprise the finance committee have been very active lately and their most recent venture, a jumble sale was a great success. They are very much the backroom people in the day to day running of the club, who are, I am glad to say, successfully providing the fuel to keep the club going. To give you, the reader, an idea of the frightening cost of keeping the other lady club going here is just one item from the current list of bills, the transport cost of the clubs recent match with Nenagh, for which two buses were required to carry no less than 120 at least, from Clonmel was £100.

Ready to run along way

To say the 186 female competitors who took part recently in an international women’s marathon yes all 26 ¼ miles of  it. Sponsored by non-order then Avon cosmetics this was the latest venture by the women’s athletic Association, who have formed a group to try and have the longer distance races for women, including the marathon, included In the Olympic Games, The longest distance at present being the 1500 m. In 1970 the female record for the marathon was three hours and seven minutes. It is now down to the quite incredible time of two hours 34 minutes and 48 seconds a time which many average male athletes would not be able to compete with. Apparently officers of the International Olympic Committee continue to voice patronising concerns for the health of female runners and have shown it by allowing them to compete in nothing longer than the 1500 m in the Olympics. Yet many people associated with athletics feel that these people are making judgement on things they know nothing about and a strong campaign is on the way to have distances up to and including the marathon included in the Olympic programme, a campaign which has received the backing of one of the world’s leading research psychologist, Dr Ernst Von Aaken of West Germany, himself a coach of Olympians. So then, a major boost for women’s lib, who would have thought that some day we are likely to see women taking part in the most gruelling of all events, the Olympic marathon, a cool distance of 26 miles 385 yards

18th March 1978

Clonmel AC Notes

Club Athletes at the annual awards evening 28th January 1978

FINE DISPLAY BY CLONMEL ATHLETES

Although beaten by 44 points by a full strength Nenagh squad, the Clonmel club had, overall, a very successful outing in this annual match between the two clubs, hosted last Sunday by Nenagh and run off on the CBS all-weather track in some very inclement weather conditions, which certainly affected some of the race times.

Despite the fact that Clonmel took a staggering total of 114 competitors to Nenagh they were still short about ten of the ‘big guns’, a fact which was clearly reflected as the points were being totalled up at the end of the evening. On a much brighter side, however, the performances of many of the local athletes provided great hope for the fast approaching track and field season.

CAN BE VERY PLEASED

A number of the athletes can be very pleased, with their results such as Martin (Nobby) O’Brien who had a fine win in the u/16 1500m., when in a thrilling finish he just breasted the tape ahead of Sean Finn of Nenagh, with Clonmel’s Robert Denmead, rapidly returning to something of his old form, taking third spot.

Then there was John O’Brien’s jump of 18′ 5″, his best ever by over 1′ ,9″; Dessie Mullins, still nursing a hamstring injury, leaping just over 20′ with apparently little effort to take , the senior mens first prize; Monica CIooney’s fast finish to clinch the premier position over Nora O’Grady in the ladies 400m; Dolores Kennedy’s runaway victory in the ladies 1500m; Paul McGabhann’s superb run in the 400m. which he won by the incredible margin of over 30 metres; Michael Carey’s equally devastating win_ in the u/18 1500m; Jennifer English’s thrilling victory in the u/14 1500 in which she just held off her club mate Catherine Blanche in a nail biting finish which wasn’t decided until they reached the tape; Hilda Delaney’s very impressive sprinting (out of her age group); Anthony O’Brien’s cast iron victory in the javelin; high jump ‘supremo’ Richie FalIon’s runaway victory in the men’s 100m and Vincent Mullins’ strong finishing power which enabled him to win the men’s 800m.

YOUNGER GROUPS SHOW GREAT PROMISE

This mammoth 56 event programme also catered for the younger members of both clubs and they too didn’t fail to provide some thrilling competition and indeed some excellent results. This was the day of ‘new finds’ with marvellous displays of running from Eddie Kissane, who won the 800m u/12; Michael Power, winner of the long jump.) u/10; Clare Denmead and Pearl Fraher first and second respectively in the girls u/10 200, then Jude Barry and Catriona Maunsell who between them fought out yet another of the many exciting finishes of the afternoon when taking first and second places in the girls u/12 800m.

Suffice to say, that with an entry of some 114 athletes from Clonmel for this match, the scribe, here, has omitted more than one name worthy of mention in this report, but I hope I can sufficiently rectify this in the general statement that this was a performance of which the Clonmel Athletes can be justifiably proud and one which gave the Nenagh Club a little more than a fright.

Clonmel AC athletes who represented Clonmel High School 11th March 1978

Dr Pat’s Olympic Anniversary Recalls:

Clonmel AC notes 1978

A great Day for the Irish!

Dr Pat O’Callaghan recalls a great date for the Irish to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Olympic gold medal to be won by Ireland as an independent nation. Aer Lingus and the Association of Sports Journalists in Ireland will honour Dr Patrick O’Callaghan, winner of the Olympic hammer championship in Amsterdam in 1928.

At the Aer Lingus sports gallery lunch in Jury’s hotel Dublin on Monday December 18^th. as Dr Pat O’Callaghan on the first of his two Olympic gold medals in Amsterdam. Also a special guest at the lunch will be the legendary Mrs Fanny Blanco Koen, Holland’s most famous athlete who won four Olympic gold medals at the London Celebration of the games in 1948.

Dr Pat O’Callaghan, born outside Kanturk, County Cork, but now resident in Clonmel for many years, made his first impact on Irish sport in July 1927, when he won his first national championship in the hammer. One week later he represented Ireland for the first time in the triangular international match against England and Scotland at Manchester.

He retained his national title in 1928 and his winning throw of 162 feet 6 1/2 inches qualified him for the Irish team to compete at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam. Shortly before the trip to Holland Pat O’Callaghan improved to 166 feet and 11 inches but outside of Ireland was given very little chance of winning a medal at the Olympic Games.

In Amsterdam he qualified for the Olympic final with a throw of 155 feet 9 1/2 inches which was the third best throw in the preliminary rounds behind Ossian Skoeld of Sweden who laid with 168 feet 3 1/2 inches. With his second throw in the final Pat O’Callaghan reached 168 feet and7, 1/2 inches which in fact turned out to be the winning throw of the 1928 Olympic Games final.

So on August 1st, 1928 the 22 year old became Olympic champion and for the first time in the history of the Olympic Games the Irish flag was raised to the victory masthead four years later of course with his last throw of 176′ 11″ in a dramatic contest with Villa Porhola of Finland, Pat O’Callaghan won his second Olympic gold medal at the tenth celebration of the games at last Angeles.

Among Dr Pat o’Callaghan’s other major achievements in athletics where;

Hammer national champion; 1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934,1935, British AAA champion 1933, American champion 1933

Shotput National Champion; 1930, 1931, 1930, 1934, 1935

High jump National Champion; 1930, 1931, 1932 (tie)

Discus; National Champion 1931

50 lb for distance; NationalChampion 1928 1930 1931 1932

56 lb for height; National champion 1927, 1930

In 1930 Dr Pat O’Callaghan won 5 Irish titles on the same afternoon and surpass this in 1931 when he took six Irish Championships in the hammer 168′ 11″, shotput 45 feet 4 1/2 inches high jump 6’, discus 132’ 1 1/2 “ , 50 lb for distance 26’ 9 1/2 inches and 56 lb over the bar 14’

Apart from his Irish and world records with the 56 lbs weight,  Pat O’Callaghan also set European records of 183′ 11″ in 1931 and 186′ 10″ in 1933. In 1937 he threw 195’ 4, ¼” which exceeded the world record of 189’ 6 ½”  set by Paddy Ryan in America in 1913, but although this was ratified by the N.A.C.A. then under international suspension it could not be recognised by the international amateur athletics Federation.

One of the other outstanding performances in international athletics came at the Swedish games in Stockholm in 1930 when he won the hammer event took second place in the shotput and also finished second in the high jump with 6’3″.

In recent years Dr Pat O’Callaghan has been voted to the Texaco Hall of Fame and has been named as athlete of the century. Dr. Pat will go down in the history books as most definitely one of Ireland’s greatest sports stars.

 

 

 

December 1977

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Clonmel A.C. Looks Back

With the onset of 1978 and the present being a relatively quiet time, here surely is an opportunity for the scribe to reminisce so to speak on the major achievements of Clonmel Athletic Club in the past twelve months and to write briefly on its hopes and plans for the year to come.

On the administration side, things have certainly changed and have changed for the good as the club now functions actively under the capable jurisdiction of two committees which between them comprise of, no less than, 20 people. The Finance committee being the greater in number is made up of 13 parents under the leadership of Mr Edmond Cooney who is the chairman. The other officers on the committee are Mr Dick Delaney, vice-chairman; Mrs Elizabeth McCarthy hon. secretary and Mrs Betty Hewitt, who looks after the purse strings. The purpose of this committee is, needless to say, self-explanatory and it is hoped that the goodwill and generosity of the people of Clonmel will ensure the successful completion of their task.

The Management Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Joe Holden, has, this year taken on a new image and indeed ‘women’s lib’ has received a boost with the positions of secretary and assistant secretary both being filled by members of the fairer sex, Mrs Nuala Tobin and Mrs Margaret Denmead respectively. Other committee members are Mr Paddy Mullins vice-chairman, Mr Peter Keiran hon treasurer, Mr Billy O’Reilly asst. treasurer, Mrs Bridget Mullins and Mr Michael Cagney. The Presidency if the club is held by Very Kev. Canon Coady P.P. V.V.

Result and performance wise, season 1976/77 has been a most lucrative one indeed, with the colours of Clonmel having been worn with pride and success in Tipperary Town at the start of the season and as far away as Donetsk in the U.S.S.R. at the end of the season, with I can assure you many successful stops in between.

Amongst the more notable of the club’s team achievements were. The Bill Hyland Memorial Cup—for the best senior club in County Tipperary track and field league; The John Nagle Trophy for the best juvenile club at the Waterford City annual sports, The Joe Whelan Perpetual Cup for the best club at the Tipperary Town open sports. The Nenagh A.C. trophy—for winners of the men’s 6 x 1 mile annual road race relay championships and of course those two fine wins by Eamonn O’Meara and Martin
‘Nobby” O’Brien in the club’s “International” match with Medway A.C. and Elliot-Reed A.C. on the occasion of their recent trip to London. This trip was surely the most successful venture ever undertaken by the Clonmel Athletic Club, with a party of 45 in all enjoying a wonderful week in the sports orientated atmosphere of the world famous Crystal Palace National recreation centre. For the record this was in fact the Athletic club’s third such trip to London and I believe they are planning to go again next year.

The purchase of the new club singlets this year was a major policy and financial decision but it was one which I feel will only help to enhance the club’s already growing reputation as being one of the best organised and most progressive clubs in the country. The growing popularity of the club has necessitated the introduction of a third “collective” training night in the week, all of which, I am delighted to relate, are held in door and the average weekly turnover of attendance has now reached the staggering total of 190 approximately.

So, to that brief look forward to 1978. Well for immediate starters I hear that plans to hold on to the trophy won last January in Nenagh for the 6 x 1 mile road relay include the hard training of some 15 to 20 athletes all of whom will be fighting for their places to make the team which will travel to North Tipp on January 2nd to defend the title.

Plans for the provision of a track are I believe still in their infancy but it is hoped that a firm commitment will be forthcoming in the not too distant future from the powers that be in our Town Hall. Indeed it was most heart-warming to hear such strong reference to this subject by Eamonn Coughlan and Rev. Fr. Lavelle both of whom were guest speakers at the club’s very successful first annual dinner dance which was held recently in the CIonmel Arms Hotel.

Hopes are very high that the success rate that will be achieved in the coming twelve months will surpass all previous performances and if the trend of the past year is anything to go by I feel that this target is well within their capabilities.

September 1977

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Trip to London’s Crystal Palace

Last Sunday morning, Thurles railway station was alive with as the CIonmel Athletic Club party of 40 had just returned after a wonderful week at the world famous Crystal Palace. The trip will go down in the athletic clubs history as being the most successful venture ever undertaken. Right from the very beginning this trip was earmarked for success, marvellous weather, first class accommodation, the expertise of ‘London guide ‘Billy O’ReilIy and the tremendous atmospheric of the Crystal Palace complex made this tour an unprecedented success.

The Crystal Palace National Recreation Centre is surely a complex to be envied by all who are not fortunate enough to have the use of it. Amongst facilities are an eight lane 400 metre tartan track and Stadium with seating for 30,000; six squash courts, nine lawn tennis courts, indoor running arena, indoor and outdoor soccer pitches, two fabulous indoor swimming pools and a diving pool. And those are but a few of the vastly extensive facilities which cater for almost every sport one could care to imagine. This then was the sports orientated atmosphere in which the Clonmel party spent one full week, availing of and participating in most of the sports I have mentioned. It was also a week of truly international flavour, as staying in the hostel along with the Clonmel athletes, were a school from Manchester, a group of Nigerian footballers, a team of walkers from the USA and a small party of Swiss skiers.

Football Challenge!
The presence of the Manchester school, led of course to the inevitable — a challenge to a full game of soccer.Billy Fox took over the role as Manager of the Clonmel team. A brief report of the match will do — the half-time score Manchester 0 Clonmel 3, the full time score Manchester 4 Clonmel 3 — enough said!

Triangular Athletic Match
On the Thursday the Clonmel athletes were collected at the Palace and driven by coach on the 40 mile journey down to the university grounds in Gillingham for the triangular match between themselves, Elliott Reed AC and Medway AC, an event that was to prove one of the highlights of the whole week. Having received a bit of the magic ‘rub’ from Billy O’Reilly, the Clonmel athletes entered the frey with the visible spirit of the fighting Irish on foreign soil and gave a most creditable performance against these two highly organised clubs both of whom draw from a population of around 3/4 of a million, and who would laugh if asked to train on the sometimes pathetic facilities available to the Clonmel athletes.

A brace of individual victories from Martin (Nobby) 0’Brien in the 1500 m and Eamonn O’Meara in the high jump were the high points of CIonmel’s performance, which also saw Monica Clooney taking second in the 800m, Marian Brett second in the long jump, Tony Mullins third in the 100m and third in the 1500m, Anthony O’Brien third in the high Jump and Pearl Fraher third in the 100m. There were also notable performances from Michael Carey, Brendan White and Richie Waldron. At the end of the fixture the Clonmel athletes, referred to as the ‘Irish athletes’ over the public address, were called to the centre of the arena where they were individually presented with the crest of the host club, Medway AC as a souvenir of this most historic occasion, with the chairman of the club, Mr Chris Alexander saying that he hoped that this would be the first many meetings between the three clubs.

On the touring side of the trip the Clonmel athletes visited the London Planetarium, Madame Toussauds, No. 10, Trafalgar Square, Picadilly Circus, Croydon Shopping Centre, The Tower of London, together with the Crown Jewels, Tower Bridge, the HMS Belfast and they crossed the River Thames by ferry. All in all a packed week and one, which I feel sure, will remain firmly imprinted in the memories of all who had the opportunity of availing of the chance to travel.

A Word of Thanks
In particular to Brendan O’Mahony and the staff of Raffertys Travel Agency whose first class organisation made it all possible, to Canon Coady, the club president for his nice gesture on the day of their departure and last but by no means least, to the staff of the Crystal Palace whose marvellous hospitality made everyone feel they were still at home.

 

13th August 1977

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Hyland Trophy Retained by Clonmel A.C.

Clonmel A.C. retained the Bill Hyland Trophy when they took their second successive Co. Track and Field League Title. They clinched the title when the final when the final leg was run off in Killenaule last week. Clonmel had 60 points to spare over Tipperary Town so victory was not gained quite so easily this year. Trophies were awarded to the top female and male athlete. The female award went to Jackie Pearson of Tipperary while John Fogarty Thurles Crokes took the male award.  The awards were presented at a repast served by the ladies of Killenaule AC. The individual awards were kindly presented by Rev Brother W. Hennessy of the Catholic Memorial School, Boston.

Upset

There was a major upset in the 800 metres when John Fogarty beat Liam Hennessy. Fogarty beat Hennessy at his own front running game. John Hickey of Tipperary scored a smooth victory in the 100 metres, while in the ladies section the talented Monica Clooney Clonmel, had a clean sweep in the track events. Mary Maher of Roscrea with a fine throw of 33. O5 metres in the javelin won easily.

Results

Men – 100 metres – 1^st J. Hickey (Tipperary Town); 2^nd G. Ryan (Killenaule) 3^rd P. Moloney (Thurles) 400 metres – 1^st V. Mullins (Clonmel) 2^nd D. Mullins (Clonmel) 3^rd S. Hughes (Thurles); 800 metres – 1^st J. Fogarty (Thurles) 2^nd L. Hennessy (Tipperary) 3^rd B. Clancy (Premier)

1500 metres –  1^st P. O’Dwyer(Premier) 2^nd J. Fogarty (Thurles) 3^rd J. Fitzgerald (Clonmel)

3000 metres – 1^st M. McHugh (Premier) 2^nd M. Cleary (Premier) 3^rd J. Moloney (Thurles)

Relay – 1^st Thurles, 2^nd Tipperary Town,  3^rd Clonmel

Long Jump – 1^st G. Ryan, 2^nd L. Tierney, 3^rd V. Mullins

High Jump – 1^st G. Ryan, 2^nd L. Tierney, 3^rd T. Moloney

Ladies – 100 metres – 1^st J. Pearson (Tipperary) and M. Clooney (Clonmel) Deadheated 3^rd C. Barrett (Killenaule) 200 metres – 1^st M. Clooney (Clonmel) 2^nd M. Delaney (Clonmel)3^rd C. Barrett; 800 metres 1^st M. Clooney (Clonmel) 2^nd D. Kennedy (Clonmel) 3^rd M. Nolan (Premier) Relay – 1^st Clonmel, 2^nd Tipperary A, 3^rd Tipperary B

 

30th July 1977

Clonmel Athletic Club Notes

Athletes share the Honours at Belfield 

Dessie Doyle, with a gold medal in the 1,500 steeple chase and Monica Clooney with a silver in the 400m both produced an aggressive display of running to share in the medals at last weekend’s National B.L.O.E. under 15, 16 and 17 Championships which were held on Ireland’s new Tartan Track at Belfield.

For Doyle this was certainly a medal worth waiting for and wait he did this being his fourth appearance in a National Championships. But it was a victory worthy of the occasion as he proceeded to destroy the opposition and came home a clear winner in a time of 4 minutes, 41 seconds. This was just six seconds short of the Irish record which, I feel, he could have broken had he any opposition over the last one and a half laps when he was entirely on his own. This was a wonderful start for Clonmel to these championships and Dessie’s victory sent a wave of confidence through the camp a wave that was to be added to by Monica Clooney’s wonderful performance.

Monica competed in the 400m. In her heat she comfortably qualified for the final by finishing third. The final itself was one of the last track events of the programme and by this stage a very strong wind had developed, which did not particularly help Monica. Nevertheless in the final she pulled out all the stops to take second place behind Irish International, Ann McKenna from Monaghan, clocking a personal best time of 59.2 seconds, which was easily worth 58 seconds had the weather conditions been normal.

Margaret Delaney had to be content with two fourths in the 100m and 200m., but nevertheless this was a plucky performance for her to finish fourth in an All-Ireland of such a high standard is no mean achievement. Eamon O’Meara took sixth in the high jump with a personal best of 1.7m, which is fractionally short of 5ft. 7ins.

Geraldine O’DonneIl finished fifth in her long jump but failed to qualify for her 200m final. Pat McDonnelI, just recovering from a bout of flu clearly showed that although he has the potential, his recent ill health set him back considerably as he failed to make any great impact on this occasion.

In the under 15, 1500m our contenders were Robert Denmeade and Martin O’Brien, but the early pace proved too much for the boys, who ran way below what they are capable of finishing well down the field. Overall this was a most gratifying performance, with the achievement of one gold, one silver, two fourths, a fifth, two sixths, four personal best performance and the opportunity of some truly marvellous competition.

Killenaule August Sports Day

The big attraction on the athletic front will be the Klllenaule Open Sports on August Monday, with a full programme of events for senior men and ladies and also for Juveniles of all ages. This year the ladies committee have taken on the catering, so nothing will be left undone. For a super day’s sports come to Killenaule on August Monday, the Bank Holiday.

Fine Jump by Ryan. 

Gary Ryan showed great form on Sunday in the National Championships to jump 6ft. 1 inch in the under 16 high jump and gain second place. Well done, Gary.

County League Final 

The final of the County Senior League will be held on Wednesday, August 3rd, in Kilenaule Sportsfield (7.30). This should be a fine end to the competition, with the Bill Hyland Trophy going to the best club.

Carmel Barrett won the 100m. in the Community Games finals in Templemore and there were good displays by A. Gaynor and the boys relay team.