In conjunction with the GAA the Athletics Club are hosting a seminar on Monday 9th March, 7:30pm Conna Hall. This is available to all juvenile athletes aged 13 and older, adult athletes, coaches and parents of juvenile athletes. We would encourage all eligible athletes to come along and take this change to learn more about the role of diet in their general well being and sports development.

For well over four decades, Dan McCarthy has made a major contribution to athletics, not just in his local East Cork domain but also at County level. A native of Ballynoe on the Cork/Waterford border, Dan’s first love was hurling in which he won East Cork Junior ‘A’ and ‘B’ medals with his beloved St Catherine’s. With the formation of BLE in 1967 came a new athletic club in the village, also named St Catherine’s. Dan’s involvement here led on to him becoming Vice-Chairman of the East Cork Athletics Board. In September of 1979, Dan was elected Chairman and he remained in that same position until August 2009 – 31 years of service to what was one of the first divisional boards of athletics in this country. During his tenure as chairman, he was responsible for the introduction of a road race championship and also for re-introducing a number of perpetual trophies which had lapsed over the years. Those three decades also saw many well-known athletes emerge from the East Cork region, including two Olympians, Liam O’Brien and Sonia O’Sullivan.

Dan also served for many years as Vice-Chairman of the Cork County Board and it was with great satisfaction he welcomed the revival of St Catherine’s AC in 2009, being elected President on its formation and which position he still holds today. Always willing to help out at any event in a variety of roles, for the vast number of people now involved in road running, Dan McCarthy is the unmistakably figure who fires the starting gun at virtually every race in East Cork.

At probably the best-known event of all, the Ballycotton ‘10’, Dan has been starter on around 35 occasions and has sent an estimated 45,000 runners on their ten-mile journey. There is no doubt that not one of those 45,000 could say they didn’t get a fair start – because impartially, fairness and a willingness to help others have been the hallmark of Dan McCarthy’s sporting life.

He is indeed a worthy recipient of this Hall of Fame award.

Dan McCarthy receiving the Hall of Fame Award

A great crowd from st catherines ac  travelled to tallow on 26th for the annual 5k road race. Congratulations to frank hayes who was first home and to caoimhe hayes who was first under 16 girl home and well done to all club members all running very well.

A total of 55 runners and walkers traveled to Conna to support our annual Christmas 3k with proceeds going to St Vincent De Paul. A big thank you to everyone who took part on the night. Thanks also to everyone who helped out. On behalf of St Catherines A.C. we would like to wish you all Happy Christmas and we will see you in the new year. You can find the full results below.

Starting Line

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Now that we are approaching Christmas here are a few important date for the club…

•8th December little athletics & Juvenile finish up for Christmas break.
• club social 12 December in Winners enclosure( to be confirmed )
•16th December Christmas 3k & final night for seniors & fit 4 life.
•juvenile resume 15th Jan in hall ( to be confirmed)
•little athletics 12th jan
•adult training resumes 6&7th jan
* AGM  11th December

Carraig-na-Bhfear AC hosted the East Cork Uneven age cross country championships on Sunday last. As a result of the recent heavy rain, conditions were slippy and challenging in places. This was an event that was really enjoyed by athlete’s, both juvenile and adults. It was just regrettable that we couldn’t make up teams for some of the age groups.

Results were as follows: Girls U-9: Sarah O’Connell (10th) Boys U-9: Conor Hayes (7th), Jack Kiely (15th), Cian Dunning (16th), Daniel Harte (20th) Girls U-11: Lucy Aherne (13th), Doireann Hayes (17th), Lucy Barry (18th), Cliona Dunning (25th), Karina Hartnett (33rd) Boys U-11: Gearoid O’Brien (11th), Nathan Sheehan (21st) Girls U-13: Meghan Carr (2nd), Laura Mellerick (10th), Hazel Sheehan (15th) Girls won a Team Bronze Boys U-13: Kevin Barry (4th), James Hayes (13th), Tom Hartnett (14th)Girls U-15: Laura Hayes (1st), Sara Barry (2nd), Caoimhe Hayes (3rd)……Super performance by the girls which won them a team silver as well.

In our adults section our team brought home a team bronze.

BEST OF LUCK Best of luck to club coach Frank Hayes and club member Kathleen O’Brien who will represent Ireland this weekend in Nottingham as they compete in the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country. THE NATIONALS Good luck to Meghan, Caoimhe and Laura in this Sunday’s National Cross Country Championships in County Louth.

Juvenile training continues every Monday and Thursday nights 7 – 8pm in Conna pitch. Little athletics takes place every Monday evening 7 -8pm in Conna Hall. Interval training Tuesdays 7-8pm, Fit4life Wednesday 7 – 8pm School run/jog/walk Mondays 9.30am Conna School.

For more information see our website at www.stcatherinesac.org or follow us on Facebook

Sara Barry, Laura Hayes & Caoimhe Hayes who took 1st three places in the U-15 Girls, 3500m race.

The East Cork Cross Country Championships will be held on Sunday in Ballinahina which is just outside Carrig na bhFear. The course will be signposted from the village.

You can find a map to Carrig na bhFear here

St Catherines AC hosted the Cork AAI Cross-Country Championships –  Masters & Uneven ages (9-19) last weekend. Thanks to everybody who helped to make this a successful event. Some photos from the event below…