2006 Cross Country

Dec 16th - All-Ireland Cross Country Dungarvan

Edel Kieran and Catherina Mullen made the long journey to Dungarvan for the Irish cross country championships today and both produced outstanding medal winning performances. Edel got off to a great start in the under 13 1000m, moving to the front of the field with the lead pack from the gun. Enjoying the dry conditions underfoot, Edel finished well in tenth place, and helped the Ulster team to victory in the inter-provincial. Catherina was competing a year above her age in the under 17 2000m, however she put in a very strong opening kilometer which took her into the lead pack and held on well to reach the finish line in eleventh place, for which she received an individual medal. Both girls were delighted with the result, which made the long journey worthwhile.

Christmas Draw

Thanks and well done to everyone who contributed to the Christmas hamper draw - both sponsors and sellers! The big winner on the night was juvenile club member Phelim Myles who scooped the top prize of a Christmas hamper. The club's younger member's clearly enjoyed the occasion, not least Barry Cooney who picked up a consolation prize of a tin of cholcolates.

Cavan Winter League - Overall Result

Well done to all club members who competed recently in the Cavan Winter League. Special congratulations are due to athletes who won individual medals: Padraig Donagh (1st u12), Ciaran Corrigan (2nd u12), Edel Kieran (1st u14), Sinead O'Neill (2nd u14), Catherina Mullen (1st u16), Lisa Clerkin (1st u18), Conor McCarey (3rd senior men), John Joe Rogers (1st masters), Albert Eakins (2nd masters). Teams: Boys u14 - 1st, boys u12 - 2nd, boys u10 - 2nd, girls u12 - 3rd, girls u14 - 2nd. Overall points: Annalee 148, Shercock 92, Innyvale 65, Bailieborough 57, Mullahoran 9.

November 11th - Ulster & NI Uneven Ages Cross Country

The second stage of the Ulster juvenile cross country championships were held today at the Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal. Shercock athletes featured in a number of age groups and performed well, achieving top 12 positions which qualified them for the nationals in Waterford. Niall Clerkin produced a good run to finish fourth (u13), a result that was nearly replicated by Edel Kieran (5th u13). Catherina Mullen put in a great effort to finish fourth under 17, a year above her normal age group. Paul Fitzpatrick took a brief break from his racewalking schedule to have a run out in the under 19 6km and was pleased enough with his run, in which he finished in twelfth place. Shercock had only two teams competing on the day, both in the under 13 age group, in which the boys finished sixth and the girls finished 8th. Also running well for Shercock was Celine Clerkin (20th u15), Barry Cooney (34th u15), Pauric Donagh (30th u13), Ryan Rogers (34th u13), Senan McGeever (70th u13), Emma Duffy (42nd u13), Siobhan O'Reilly (77nd u13) and Darina Fitzpatrick (92nd u13).

Nov 4th - Cavan Senior Cross Country

Conor McCarey (pictured left) led home the Shercock men's team with a strong closing lap which saw him move up the field to third place at the finish of the men's 10km race at the county championships in Canningstown today. Conor was followed home by his brother Brian who shook off the effects of a hard run in the Dublin Marathon last Monday, in which he dipped under the 3 hour mark for the first time with a time of 3:59:51, and produced his best run to date over the country to finish in fifth place. The team was anchored by veterans Albert Eakins and Eamonn Gargan who helped secure second place overall behind hosts Bailiborough. The individual title was won for the first time by Fionan O'Reilly (Annalee) with defending champion Martin Fulton (Bailieborough) second.

October 31st - Kevin McCloy in Action at Scottish Universities Freshers Match, Kelvin Hall

Kevin McCloy had a winning start to the indoor season when he recorded a fairly useful 50.74s on his way to victory in the final of the 400m at the Scottish Universities Freshers Match in Kelvin Hall. Kevin hopes to concentrate on the 400m for the indoor season to further build up his speed for the outdoors when he will undoubtedly focus on his preferred 800m distance at which he made something of a breakthrough during 2007. The 400m event promises to be one to watch for the club in 2008 as James Ruxton returns from an injury layoff to try to reclaim the club record he lost to Kevin earlier this year. A number of Shercock's young bloods are also eyeing the quarter mile as a target event and will be keen to challenge the two big guns if given an opportunity - watch this space!

Oct. 27th - Ulster & NI Cross Country Championships, Jordanstown

A small group of athletes from the club traveled to Jordanstown today to compete in the provincial cross country championships on a well prepared course at the University of Ulster. Catherina Mullen fared best, producing a strong run to emerge from the pack and finish in third place in the under 16 2000m, which was won impressively by Ciara McGeehan of Lisburn AC. Padraig Donagh also enjoyed a positive run in the under 12 1000m when, competing in his first provincial championships, he finished well up the field in 5th place. Edel Kieran (u14) and Barry Cooney (u14) also qualified for the national championships when they finished in 11th place in their races.

Nov 4th - Cavan Senior Cross Country

October 31st - Kevin McCloy in Action at Scottish Universities Freshers Match, Kelvin Hall

Oct. 27th - Ulster & NI Cross Country Championships, Jordanstown

October 20th - South Ulster Development Day

This weekend saw a recess in competition. However, Monaghan played host to the first get together of the recently formed South Ulster Development Squad. There was over 60 of the region's top young athletes in attendance at the Beechill College venue.

Athletes in the u14 to u19 age bracket who have shown a high level of performance in the last 12 months or so were invited to attend along with their club or school coaches. Several athletes from Cavan clubs Annalee, Shercock, Innyvale and Mullahoran were in attendance.

Squad days are intended to bring athletes and their coaches together with their peers in a squad environment, to provide a focus for the athletes as they progress through the age groups, to supplement their existing training programs, and offer coach and athlete alike the opportunity to benefit from the differing perspectives of a variety of experienced coaches.

Eamon Harvey, Regional Development Officer for the Northwest region assembled an excellent team of event coaches to work with the athletes and all disciplines were catered for. Eamonn coached the Hurdles while the rest of the coaching team was made up of Francis Shaw Fermanagh, Sprints, Paul McNamara Galway, Middle Distance, David Doherty Donegal, High Jump and Shercock's John McGeever and Hugh Fitzpatrick coached the Long Jump and Throws respectively.

October 14th: Cavan Novice and Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country

The continuing good weather made for ideal conditions at the second day of the county cross country championships in Ballyhaise today. There were encouraging performances from a number of club athletes as they prepared for the provincial championships in a couple of weeks time. Niall Clerkin led home team-mate and under 12 champion Pauric Donagh in the under 13 event. Paul Fitzpatrick held off the challenge of Annalee AC's Aodagan O'Reilly to win the under 19 title. Catriona Mullen continued her strong turn of form to win the under 17 event while Lisa Clerkin put in a solo run to take the under 19 title. Edel Kieran was an impressive winner of the under 13 race but Celine Clerkin had to be content with second place on this occasion in a strongly contested under 15 competition. Full photographic coverage may be seen on the club's new on-line photo album at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ShercockAC

October 6th 2007: Cavan Juvenile Even Ages & Masters Cross Country

Good weather and dry conditions underfoot made for good running at the first stage of the county cross country championships in Kilnaleck today. While there were large numbers in the younger age groups, a poor turn out in the older age groups gave some cause for concern. There were some good individual performances by the Shercock competitors, including wins for Ann Carroll (masters), Catriona Mullen (u16), Lisa Clerkin (u18), Pauric Donagh (u12) and Barry Cooney (u14). Silver medals were won by Albert Eakins (M45), Paul Fitzpatrick (Junior), Celine Clerkin (u16), Niall Clerkin (u14) and Barbara Ward (u14). Bronze was earned by Shane Duffy (u10), Kieran Corrigan (u12) and Edel Kieran (u14). The next stage of the county cross country championships, juvenile uneven ages and novice, is due to take place in Ballyhaise on Sunday next, October 14th at 11:00am.

Oct 3rd - Donegal Secondary Schools Open Cross Country

Three of the club's young cross country runners made the long journey to the Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal today to test themselves against strong opposition in the Donegal Secondary Schools Open Cross Country. Despite testing conditions brought on by the wet weather, they each gave a good account of themselves with Catherina Mullen impressing most with a positive run from the front to win the senior girls event. Celine Clerkin (St. Louis, Carrickmacross) also impressed when she finished a close second in the third year girls race. Barry Cooney (St. Aiden's, Cootehill) tested himself at the front end of the field in the second year boys race and finished well in sixth place. Also representing St. Aiden's was Blaithin Hughes who finished next behind Celine in the third year girls event.

Sep 30th - Berlin Marathon - Strong Performances by McCarey Brothers

The 2007 Berlin marathon will long be remembered for the outstanding performance by race winner Haile Gebreselassie in setting a new world record of 2:04:26 for the distance. For the Shercock quartet of Conor, Brian & John McCarey and Conor Crowe, the day will hold even stronger memories as they recall their individual achievements of setting new personal bests for the greatest distance race of them all. John McCarey was first to cross the line, dipping just inside the 3 hour mark with a 2:56:29 clocking with brother Conor not far behind, timed at 2:57:06. Brian overcame a cramp which brought him to a temporary halt at the 22 mile mark and pushed on to finish well in 3:10:17. Conor Crowe also ran well, coming home just inside three and a half hours with a time of 3:29:14.

October 6th 2007: Cavan Juvenile Even Ages & Masters Cross Country Good weather and dry conditions underfoot made for good running at the first stage of the county cross country championships in Kilnaleck today. While there were large numbers in the younger age groups, a poor turn out in the older age groups gave cause for concern. There were some good individual performances by the Shercock competitors, including wins for Ann Carroll (masters), Catriona Mullen (u16), Lisa Clerkin (u18), Pauric Donagh (u12) and Barry Cooney (u14). Silver medals were won by Albert Eakins (M45), Paul Fitzpatrick (Junior), Celine Clerkin (u16), Niall Clerkin (u14) and Barbara Ward (u14). Bronze was earned by Shane Duffy (u10), Kieran Corrigan (u12) and Edel Kieran (u14). The next stage of the county cross country championships, juvenile uneven ages and novice, is due to take place in Ballyhaise on Sunday next, October 14th at 11:00am.







Oct 3rd - Donegal Secondary Schools Open Cross Country Three of the club's young cross country runners made the long journey to the Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal today to test themselves against strong opposition in the Donegal Secondary Schools Open Cross Country. Despite testing conditions brought on by the wet weather, they each gave a good account of themselves with Catherina Mullen impressing most with a positive run from the front to win the senior girls event. Celine Clerkin (St. Louis, Carrickmacross) also impressed when she finished a close second in the third year girls race. Barry Cooney (St. Aiden's, Cootehill) tested himself at the front end of the field in the second year boys race and finished well in sixth place. Also representing St. Aiden's was Blaithin Hughes who finished next behind Celine in the third year girls event. Sep 30th - Berlin Marathon - Strong Performances by McCarey Brothers The 2007 Berlin marathon will long be remembered for the outstanding performance by race winner Haile Gebreselassie in setting a new world record of 2:04:26 for the distance. For the Shercock quartet of Conor, Brian & John McCarey and Conor Crowe, the day will hold even stronger memories as they recall their individual achievements of setting new personal bests for the greatest distance race of them all. John McCarey was first to cross the line, dipping just inside the 3 hour mark with a 2:56:29 clocking with brother Conor not far behind, timed at 2:57:06. Brian overcame a cramp which brought him to a temporary halt at the 22 mile mark and pushed on to finish well in 3:10:17. Conor Crowe also ran well, coming home just inside three and a half hours with a time of 3:29:14.

April 8th - Cavan Road Championships Shercock AC Celebrates a Decade of Success with Tenth McCormack Cup Win Shercock's senior and masters distance runners were out in force in Stradone today for the county road championships, which were held on a relatively flat course which proved popular with the athletes. In the absence of defending champion Noel Carroll, Bailieborough's Martin Fulton started the senior men's 10km race as favourite however the form book was turned on its head as Shercock racewalker Paul Fitzpatrick moved steadily up the field, took the lead at the half-way point and ran on strongly for a comprehensive, if unexpected victory. Conor McCarey also impressed for Shercock, finishing well up in fourth place after a strong finish. The men's team was completed by good runs from Brian and John McCarey, however the performance was not enough to win the team event, which went to a strongly packed Bailieborough quartet, with Shercock a close second. Elsewhere there were positive results in the men's masters categories with Colin Watterson taking the M35 title, John Joe Rogers winning the M45s and Albert Eakins finishing second in the same event. The masters team packed well to take the team honours. In the senior ladies race Karen Ruxton ran well to finish in third place while Ann Carroll led home the Shercock ladies masters with a second place finish in the M35 category. Team mates Margaret Carroll and Andrea Burns secured silver for Shercock in the ladies masters. The overall competition for the McCormack Cup proved to be the tightest in recent years with Shercock and Bailieborough in close contention. When the points were added Shercock had done just enough to hold off the Bailieborough challenge, achieving a total of 28 points to Bailieborough's 24, which completed a decade of success for the club in the Road Championships.

Paul Fitzpatrick was an impressive, if unexpected winner of the senior men's 10km.	Conor McCarey produced a great finish to finish fourth in the men's race.

Brian McCarey was next to cross the line for Shercock	John McCarey completed the scoring for the men's team.

Karen Ruxton ran well to take third place in the senior women's event.	Ann Carroll produced a great run to finish second in the Masters M35

John Joe Rogers was in a class of his own as he led home the masters M45 race.	Albert Eakins also impressed to take silver in the Masters M45.

A relaxed Colin Watterson on his way to victory in the masters M35.	All smiles at the presentation of the McCormack Cup to Colin Watterson, Chairman, Shercock Athletic Club, by Carol Kiernan, Chairperson, Cavan Athletic Board.

March 11th - Weekend Round-up - Paul Fitzpatrick Breaks New Ground Paul Fitzpatrick showed impressive form at the Manx Harriers Open in the Isle of Mann on Saturday when the Irish junior champion smashed his personal best for the 5km racewalk by over a minute. Just three weeks ago Paul set a PB of 23:12 when finishing seventh at the Irish senior indoor championships in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. In Douglas he improved this mark by over a minute as he broke into new territory with a 22:10 timing. Paul shared in the success of the Irish contingent at the popular meet where Ballinamore's Colin Griffin won the 30km event in 2:13.16. Photo: Manx Harriers Philip Daly set a new personal best for 60m when he finished second in the final of the Scottish Universities Indoor Championships in a time of 7.22s. Philip picked up his second silver medal of the day in the shot putt with a best effort of 9.02m Cavan Spring League: Well done to all our juvenile athletes who turned out for the second leg of the Spring League in Bailieborough. Results will be posted when they become available.
March 4th - Glaslough Harriers Road Race The picturesque county Monaghan village of Glaslough provided an ideal backdrop today for the annual open road races hosted by the local club - Glaslough Harriers. The feature event, the men's 5km, was won for the fourth successive year by hometown favorite Patrick Cassidy. Shercock's Conor McCarey produced his best run to date to finish well up the field in eight place with his brother Brian just two places further back in tenth. The men's team was further boosted by a strong run by Michel Muldoon with Noel Ruxton completing the Shercock quartet. The juvenile races saw impressive runs by Niall and Celine Clerkin. Niall led out the under 13 800m but took an unscheduled detour into the Castle Leslie estate which left him at the back of the field when he regained the course. A determined run saw him overtake everyone to finish in first place with a storming finish. Celine was equally impressive as she overcame the challenge of the hilly course to win the under 15 1000m by a clear margin.

Conor McCarey produced an impressive run finishing the 5km circuit in 8th place.	Brian McCarey was close behind, also running well to finish 10th.

Celine Clerkin showed fine form when winning the under 15 1000m by a clear margin.	Niall Clerkin sprints for the line on his way to winning the under 13 800m.
Weekend Roundup - 23rd-24th February 2007 24/2/07 Cavan Spring League - Well done to all our juvenile athletes who took part in the Spring League in Shercock on Sunday - results are available in the results section. 24/2/07 Noel Carroll (right) made a positive return to competition in Athlone today after a long layoff due to injury. Competing in the Irish Universities Cross Country Championships, Noel covered the 10km course in 37:02 minutes. After a conservative opening 5km, he made steady progress up the field in the closing laps, eventually finishing in 23rd position. He had the added satisfaction of leading home the Sligo IT team which finished in sixth place overall. 24/2/07 Paul Smith finished 17th in the AAA under 17 indoor championships long jump with a best effort of 5.95m. 23/2/07 Peter Muldoon set a new PB for the 3km walk in the US today when he won the Virginia Intermont - Kings College Invitational in a time of 12:57.

January 28th - AAI B Cross Country & Inter County Relays, Killybegs Eight of the club's juvenile athletes journeyed to a blustery Killybegs in Donegal today to compete in the B Cross Country Championships and cross country relays. Following the lead set by the club's seniors the day before, they had a very successful outing and everyone returned home with a medal in hand.

Barry Cooney produced a great run from gun to tape to take the silver medal in the under 13 1200m.	Sinead O'Neill ran the race of her life to finish an impressive second in the under 13 1000m.

Lisa Clerkin took a break from her duties behind the camera to produce a great run in the under 17 2000m in which she finished seventh.	The Cavan boys under 12 cross country relay team led from start to finish to take the gold medals in Killybegs. Shercock's Niall Clerkin (third from left) and Pauric Donagh (far right) clearly enjoyed the experience.

The Cavan Girls under 12 cross country relay team included Shercock's Edel Kieran and Emma Duffy (centre) who helped the team to the silver medal position.	Shercock's Lisa Clerkin, second from left, featured on a strong county under 14 team which won the girls relay event.

April 22nd - AAI 10km Road Championships Congratulations to our senior men's team who finished in eighth place overall in the AAI 10km Road Championships in Navan on Sunday. The team was led home by John McCarey (right) in a time of 36:56 minutes, followed by Brian McCarey (37:13), Conor McCarey (37:20), John Joe Rogers (37:36) and Albert Eakins (43:54). It was the first time that the club was represented in the competition and paves the way for future participation at this level by the Shercock seniors. Results Links: Team Individual
Shercock Kids on The Den - Bupa Run 2007

Three Shercock athletes recently featured on RTE's The Den as part of the promotion for the BUPA Run For Ireland.	Niall Clerkin, Edel Kieran and Pauric Donagh are put through their paces in front of the cameras at Powerscourt Waterfall in Wicklow.

Race Day - RTE Presenter Paddy McKenna with the threesome before the start in Dublin's Phoenix Park.	Success all round - Pauric, Edel and Niall were in celebratory mood following their 3km run in the Junior race.