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Tallaght AC Have Arrived.April 19th 2009 was the day to be there at the National Road Relays in Raheny with 5 Teams in total representing the club. It soon became very clear that we were not just there to make up the numbers as in previous years. First off was our Ladies Masters team which was lead by our top female Jacque Boyle with 2 more fine Athletes Peig Dunne and Paula Murray. They performed better than any other team Senior or Masters that Tallaght have entered before and finished 6th team overall in a very competitive race. This will give the Ladies who are mainly coached by Ray Fitzsimons the confidence to compete at a higher level.
Now the fireworks begin.
Masters Men ..??????
First out of the blocks was Niall Coppinger for our junior masters team( M35) and Derek Quinn for our senior masters team (M50).
What a run by Niall to come home first after the1 mile leg and Derek not fully fit coming in a close second. Niall handed over to the rocket Davey Byrne while Derek passed the baton to the oldest man on the team 52.5 year old Desie Shorten.
Davey like last year ran superbly for the 2 miles & 60 metres in well under 10 minute to keep our junior masters in the lead., Desie on the other hand being a little older took a little longer but still kept our senior masters in contention in 2nd place.
Now the main man of the day 36 year baby face James Crowley which took off from Davey and ran the race of his life to break the tape for his first time and the clubs to win the junior Masters followed very closely by Raheny.
Then in came new signing Brendan Ryan almost unnoticed because James was still running around with the tape stuck to his chest to win the Masters M50 race by a long way to Tullamore and Liffey Valley.2 Gold in the Bag.
The main race of the day was about to begin and we had 2 strong teams competing, but it was our first team that was going to impress the huge crowd of spectators that turned out on a beautiful sunny day.
Thomas Fitzpatrick got us off to a great start with a 9.30 two lapper handing over to ever the gentleman and stronger than ever Anthony Leghio 4.25 . Then entered the great man himself Sean Connelly pitched against his great pal and rival Vinney Mulvey, but 13 seconds adrift . Sean had a lot to do but did it brilliantly over the tough 3 laps to give Eoin Dunne a good lead going into the final 2 lapper. Eoin took off and also ran brilliantly to take an incredible silver medal for the first time in the clubs history
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Our second senior team of Peter Fitzsimons, Sean Murray, Jeetun and Luke Colman also ran a great race and finished well up the field. Peter is just getting stronger by the day and Sean now a Master took a huge chunk off his time from last year. Jeetun ran a great 3 lapper in a little over 15 minutes and Luke followed it up with a fine run to keep the team well up the field in a truly very respectable position.What a day.
Now with the final stages of the new track to begin today, we can begin to dream realistically about our future as a top class athletic club with hopefully at least one member making it to London and a few more aspiring to make the big time soon.
Well done to everyone who has kept our victorious teams motivated, Niall for the Masters, Sean for the seniors and Ray for the Ladies. Great support too from Gary and Cecil.