Sligo Sport

NOVEMBER 2015, ISSUE 2, VOLUME 1

EAMON MCANDREW

Sligo man brings home silver medal from World Cup

From His First “Try A Tri” Triathlon To Putting Himself Among The World’s Best At Ironman In 6 years!

Ladies Try a Tri

Sean McGowan Hits Bullseye in Turkey

a Huge Success

Sligo Harriers Hunt

CSSC Swimmers Scoop Medals Galore Dublin Marathon 2015 Roundup

Karate Kid Liam Codd Retains Title in Benidorm

Pole & Aerial Dancing with Jayne Lynna

KICK Boxing Clever with Des Leonard

Sligo All Stars In Action

Health Benefits of Cycling & Injury Prevention

• Running • Cycling • Hill Walking • Kayaking • Basketball • Archery • Mountain Biking • Equine Events • Boxing • Hiking • Rallying • Karate • Surfing • Fishing • Shooting • Handball • Sailing • Workouts • Tennis • Horse Racing • Canine Agility • and much more!

2

SLIGO SPORT OCTOBER, 2015

NOVEMBER Your critical guide to sports contents

and leisure activities in Sligo W

elcome to this months edition of Sligo Sport. This is Sligo’s first dedicated sports paper and from here on it will be published monthly and will be available in most outlets throughout the county on the first week of each month.

Sligo Sport plans to provide a monthly results service for most of the sports taking place in Sligo. With numerous sports and leisure associations catering for the sporting needs of Sligo's growing population, Sligo Sport will give these clubs coverage.

It will have regular coverage of cycling, surfing, fishing, autocross, rallying, road races, gymnastics and endurance sports. It will offer similar coverage to basketball, tennis, rowing, boxing, equine events, golf,pitch and putt and much much more. If you are or know someone who is a member of a local club be sure to get them to contact us with all their latest news.

This month we talk to Eamon McAndrew who’s lifestyle seven years ago had him smoking 20 cigarettes a day and tipping the scales in and around 14 stone.

Fast forward to today and Eamon tips the scales at approx.

11 stone, no cigarette in sight and a few weeks ago he finished the Barcelona Ironman in a qualifying spot for the World championships in Kona Hawaii. Mark Foley chats to him inside.

Kickboxing is alive and, well - kicking in Sligo. With a decorated club based in Collooney that has produced athletes who have not only competed, but triumphed on the world’s stage, it’s an amateur sports association that is punching well within its weight. Eamon O Neil caught up with coach Des Leonard from the Collooney Kickboxing Club.

Seattle-born Jayne Lynna runs Sligo Pole & Aerial, classes in pole dancing and aerial silks, set up last year as the first training of its kind available in Sligo. Here, she talks to Kate Winter about the fitness side of a dance form which has for too long had a not-so-positive reputation.

With the huge increase in cyclists in Sligo over the last three years, partly due to the Bike to Work initiative there has never been a better opportunity to get back on your bike and start cycling with expert advise from locally trained coaches. Shirley Foley advises how we can avoid injuries and the health benefits of cycling This along with lots more makes Sligo Sport one you cannot miss.

Seamus Casey - Editor We would love if your club could submit pictures and reports on what is happening in your organisation on a regular basis and we will be sure to include it. It is important that we get as much involvement from clubs such as yours from the get go so any info you have please send it to seamus@sligosport.ie or feel free to contact me on 085 2498067.

Managing Director/Editor: Seamus Casey seamus@sligonow.ie Design: Stephen Finney steve@sligonow.ie

Sales: Alan Gaffney alan@sligosport.ie Richie Bradley richie@sligosport.ie Lisa Gilmartin lisa@sligosport.ie

Editorial: Kate Winter Eamon O’Neill John Graham Cian Love Patrick McCarry

10

EAMON MCANDREW Bring yourself back 7 years ago, do you remember what you were doing on a general basis day to day? Eamon McAndrew does, his lifestyle had him smoking 20 cigarettes a day and tipping the scales in and around 14 stone.

Fast forward to today and Eamon tips the scales at approx. 11 stone, no cigarette in sight and a few weeks ago he finished the Barcelona Ironman in a qualifying spot for the World championships in Kona Hawaii.

14

ENTERTAINING & COMPETITIVE 2 Months to Astro League

15

LADIES TRY A TRI 2015

19

SLIGO MAN BRINGS HOME SILVER MEDAL FROM WORLD CUP

20

HIGH NELLIE, TANDEM, HYBRID OR RACER The Health Benefits of Cycling and Prevention of Injury

22

SLIGO POLE & AERIAL DANCING WITH JAYNE LYNNA

24

SLIGO HARRIERS BELTRA & BALLINTOGHER

28

CONNACHT MOTOR CLUB Autocross at Lagan Quarries

30

KICK BOXING CLEVER WITH DES LEONARD

31

CSSC SWIMMERS SCOOP MEDALS GALORE

32

BOOK REVIRW The GAA & Revolution in Ireland 1913–1923

34

LETTING THINKING FLOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR GAME

35

SLIGO ALL-STARS BASKETBALL CLUB AND SLIGO GAA U12 UNITE IN UNIQUE PILOT PROJECT

38

NO LIMITS: GET ACTIVE

40 44

DUBLIN MARATHON 2015 ROUNDUP WORLD MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2015

47

SERVICES DIRECTORY

Photography: Jordan Cummins Patrick Regan jumpingthegun.com outdoorfitnesssligo.com Cian Love Sportsfile

Published by: IBS Publications Limited Unit 7, NW Business Park, Collooney, Co. Sligo F91 NX0T Tel/Fax: 071-9154538 Web: www.sligosport.ie Email: info@sligosport.ie

The information in Sligo Sport is carefully researched and believed to be accurate, but the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Statements or opinions expressed herein are not necessary those of the editor or publisher. Advertisements within the publication are not endorsed by the publisher. Neither are any claims made within the advertisements. Before consuming any products mentioned in the publication readers are advised to consult with their general practitioner or equivalent professional for opinion or advice.

CONEY ISLAND CHALLENGE RACE The Coney Island Challenge took place on Saturday 17 October. All competitors started from Sligo Rugby Club in Strandhill. Numbers were great for this years run and by all accounts all who took part enjoyed it!! They were blessed with fabulous weather, fabulous scenery and fabulous competitors. Roll on next year

EJ Menswear Sponsors Karate Kid! E J Menswear was proud to sponsor 21year-old black belt Liam Codd from Ballygawley, Co.Sligo. Liam was defending his title this week in Benidorm, Spain in the World Championship for Karate.

Liam was fighting semi contact in the 80kg category and has been with WTKA Ireland for the last 12 years. The defence of his title began with Liam fighting Thursday, Friday and Saturday with the aim of reaching the final on Sunday.

Liam faced tough competition over the four days with opponents stepping up from Brazil, Spain, and Portugal and further afield. No match for the man from Ballygawley, Liam succeeded in winning 4 gold medals and 1 silver.

Congratulations Liam from all the team at Ej menswear.

4

CONNACHT CROSSCOUNTRY LEAGUE

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Golf Classic in aid of Sligo GAA Players World's Greatest Sligo GAA Supporter Fundraiser A Golf Classic in support of Rose Cawley's bid to become Sligo GAA World's Greatest Supporter aid of the Sligo GAA Players Development Fund will be held in Tubbercurry Golf Club on Saturday 14th November.

Tee off times available from 8.00 a.m. Teams of 4.Entry fee €100.

First prize Four ball in the K Club.

For more information contact Niall Murphy 0876633082 Daniel Maye 0871276885 Keelan Cawley 0871120212

Ireland U15 Basketball Development Squads Andrea Horgan, Mary Gilmartin, Alison O’Sullivan and Linda Lally North Sligo Athletic Club was well represented in the 1st leg of Connacht senior crosscountry league in Leitrim Village.

We had two teams a women’s and men’s team, the men’s team finished in 1st position with

The North Sligo mens team Ray Gillen,Jimmy Currid, Niall Hoey and Peter Duignan

36 pts and the woman’s finished 2nd with 31 pts.

Niall Hoey led the men’s team home with a fine performance to finish 2nd,Ray Gillen finished 10th,Jimmy Currid finished 11th and Peter Duignan finished

13th.The women’s team were led home by Linda Lally with a very good performance to finish 3rd,Andrea Horgan finished in 7th position,Mary Gilmartin finished 9th and Alison O’Sullivan taking 12th spot.

LONDON MARATHON 2016 From Concern Worldwide

J

ust to let you know that we are discounting London Marathon entries for all members of Sligo AC. On the 24th April 2016 you can take part in one of the world’s greatest sporting events. The London marathon takes in many of London’s famous landmarks, including the Tower of London, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace: · Deposit: To register we require a deposit of €300, however if you or any of your members quote the name of

your running club, we will reduce their deposit to €200. · Fundraising: We ask each person to raise a minimum of €2250. · Group Discount: If 5 or more runners sign up, we will reduce the fundraising target to €2000 pp Your fundraising covers the cost of the following tour package: • Return Flights • 2 nights B&B based on twin/double sharing • Guaranteed Race Entry • Private Coach Transfer to Race Start from the hotel. (Runners only)

• Services of your Sports Travel Guides; • The security of a fully licensed and bonded travel agency.

• Travel Insurance With 12.2 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, all of the funds raised from this challenge will support Concern’s Syria Crisis Appeal.

If you require more information, please drop me an email or give me a call on 01 417 8028 E siobhan.oconnor@concern.net Places are filling up quickly, register NOW to avoid disappointment!

Connacht Badminton Junior Open (Grade A) 2015 The Connacht Junior open takes place in Summerhill College on the 28th and 29th of November.The online entry closes on 20th November This competition may be reduced to a one day event depending on the number of entries received.

Notice of this will be given in due course. For full details contact Paul Dolan on 087-6100108 paul.dolan5@yahoo.ie

Well done to the U18 Girls who played in their first blitz of the season this month

North West Physiotherapy

Chartered Physiotherapists Shirley Foley MISCP Mary Mulvany MISCP Ray Finan MISCP

Ireland’s U15 International Development Squads for the 2015-2016 Season have been announced.

34 girls and 34 boys were chosen from a process which began at Post-Primary Schools Inter-Regionals and included open trials before a final trial session in Gormanstown College, Co Meath last Saturday.

Congratulations to Luke Sherlock & Paul Frain on making the U15 Squad. This programme will be under the guidance of renowned American coach Pat Price. Fantastic achievement and added incentive if any was needed to work even harder to make the final 12. Best of luck lads.

Sligo Yacht Club Annual Prizegiving Dinner The Annual Prize Giving Dinner will take place in the club house, on the 21st November at 8pm. Tickets are available from any committee member.

Rally meeting confirmed Sligo Rovers can confirm that the Rally Around Rovers fans meeting will take place on Tuesday 17 November in the Clarion Hotel.

The meeting, which was promised as part of the supporter-led fundraising drive which raised €76,000, will take a look at the future plans for Sligo Rovers and reflect on the current year.

All 680 members of Rally Around Rovers will be entitled to attend the meeting. The meeting was initally planned for this week but due to members being involved in the process to appoint a new manager, it has been deferred for 17 November.

Members of the six-supporters that headed RAR and the club’s management committee will attend. It will begin at 8pm.

Upper Pearse Road, Sligo • Tel: 071-9162334 /9171912 Email: info@northwestphysio.ie www.northwestphysiotherapy.com North West Physiotherapy Sligo

Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic Assess • Diagnose • Treat • Rehab

• Sports Injuries • Back and Neck Pain • Orthopaedics • Manual Therapy • Trigger point dry needling • Flexibility Assessments • Orthotics Clinic Times: Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm

6

Sligo Walking Club new season Saturday of each month, leaving from the car park of the Institute of Technology, Sligo at 10.00 a.m.We also walk every Tuesday, leaving from the car park of the Carraroe Retail Park (Curry’s end) at 10.00 a.m.

To facilitate parking, we pool our cars where possible. The walks on the 3rd Saturday of the month are challenging, longer and tougher than our other walks, usually in the hills: however, we still maintain a reasonably leisurely pace!

One of the features of our activities which has proven most popular with our members has been the occasional walking weekend away.

We do enjoy socialising! Contact us at sligowalk@gmail.com

T

he new walking year started on 1st. November 2015 and if you have not re-enrolled yet, you will need to do so. All walkers who need to fill out either membership or disclaimer forms are requested to arrive at 9.45 am at meeting point, to avoid holding up the departure.

Sligo Walking Club was formed in 2009 by a group of local people who were eager to do 2-3 hour walks in the wonderful local countryside, without over-taxing themselves, while enjoying the company of other like-minded people.

We do coastal, woodlands and hill walks at a reasonably leisurely pace in Sligo and the surrounding areas, all the year round.

We walk on the 2nd, 3rd. and 4th

A

October Sligo Bridge Club Results 26th Oct 2015 North/South 1st. A.McGill & M.Jennings 2nd. A.Flanagan & P.Neiland 3rd. K.Keane & T.Godsell East/West 1st. H.Demmel & G.McCafferty 2nd. H.Gillen & J.Noonan 3rd. M.Dufficy & O.Williams 19th Oct 2015 North/South 1st. M.Mc Gowan & B.Johnson 2nd. H.& S.Gillen 3rd. O.Bourne & M.Burgess 4th. K.Keane & T.Godsell East/West 1st. P.Kilcawley & G.McCafferty 2nd. A.Pugh & A.Mullen 3rd. T.& A.Daly 4th. M.Heraughty & C.Johnson 12th.Oct 2015 North/South 1st. S.Gillen & C.Gill 2nd. P.O’Hara & A.McGill 3rd. P.Kilcawley & G.McCafferty 4th. M.Kennedy & N.Faul East/West 1st. T. & A. Daly 2nd. J.Hargadon & H.Demmel 3rd. O.Williams & E.Canning 4th. C.Lappin & L.Walsh

AIT Baseline Indoor Track & Field Meeting

IT Athletics invites entries for the 3rd annual ‘AIT Baseline Indoor T&F Meet’ from athletes looking to lay down a marker for the coming indoor season.

Similar to previous years, this will be a low-key event where athletes will have the opportunity to test

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

themselves in several non-standard events on the state-of the-art Athlone IT International Arena track.

While many athletes may not yet feel fully race-fit, the programme comprises of several events often used in training to assess fitness, or lay down a base-line. So get down to AIT on Wednesday 16th December to lay down your base-line and kick off your indoor season.

NB - as this is presented as a timetrial event, rather than a formal competition, seeding and associated lane draws are not guaranteed in any track event. All track events will run as heats only.

Categories of competition include Open Men and Open Women only

(Juniors, Seniors & Masters are all welcome to compete).

Entries must be made on-line by close of business on Monday 14th December. Entries are now open at https://events.athleticsireland.ie/ps/e vent/listings. Cost is €5 per event payable on-line. Athletes must be eligible for senior competition as per AAI rules. First event 7pm. List of events below in likely running order actual timetable to be finalised upon close of entries.

Events: Open Male & Open Female 60m, 300m, 3000m, 600m, 150m, LJ, SP, HJ. (NB 2 x 200m relay will be added if sufficient interest please email paul@athleticsireland.ie to indicate interest in 2x200m)

5th Oct 2015 North/South 1. M.Dufficy & G.Hynes 2nd. P.O’Hara & A.McGill 3rd. M.Heraughty & C.Johnson 4th. P.Keyes & O.Bodeker East/West 1st. U.Gleeson & M.Brennan 2nd. J.Hargadon & H.Demmel 3rd. S.O’Hara & M.Jennings 4th L.Carty & M.Conlon

Carrowmore Archers The next Carrowmore Have A Go session will be on Sunday November 22nd. In just one hour we will teach you the basic skills required to shoot a bow and arrow.

Sessions are at 1130 and 1.00, €15 adult, €10 child (9-18). Contact David on 0834004130 to book a slot. If you have been to a session recently and enjoyed it, be sure to tell your friends

SPORT GUARDS, BITE GUARDS & BLEACHING TRAYS ADA provides a range of sports and mouth guards and other retainers with our easy to use self impression kits.

Mouth guards, which are now mandatory for GAA players, can be bought over the counter but these are not recommended by dentists or us at ADA dental laboratory due to their insufficient protection. Proper sports guards are custom made to the dental impression taken from the player and guarantee a secure fit.

Advanced Dental Aesthetics • 28/29 Castle Street, Sligo F91 E820 • Tel: 087-4558741 • www.adadentallab.ie • info@adadentallab.ie

7

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Collooney, Co. Sligo Tel: 071-9167988

Champions of Healthy Living

Check out our Live Well range

We've sourced our Health & Wellbeing range with great care so that you and your kids' meals are healthier and tastier

8

Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club 10th Anniversary Celebration Dinner

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Catch of the week

A great turnout in the Sligo Park for the Innisfree Wheelers Cycling Club Celebration Dinner. It was great to have two Champions in attendance, Stephen Roche and Mark Scanlon. It looked like all the tables were filled and a good night was had by all!

A honourable mention in fishing Ireland magazine to a local Sligo Company.

“Speaking of quality and awards, this weeks ‘Catch of the Week’ goes to an unusual catch. Skipper Daryl Ewing of Sligo Boat Charters went out of his way to make sure he had a satisfied customer.

During the charity event to raise money for the RNLI, angler Kieran McGowan accidentally dropped his much loved rod and reel overboard into the deep blue sea. Daryl later organised a diver to go back out to retrieve the rod and gave it back to Kieran the following day. A lovely gesture and a very happy customer.”

Members of the Ladies Cyclling Club with Stephen Roche

Easkey/St.Farnan's U16 Connacht Hurling Champions

Markree Riding Stables join the Sligo Harriers on hunt

10

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

EAMON

MCANDREW

By Mark Foley

B

ring yourself back 7 years ago, do you remember what you were doing on a general basis day to day?

Eamon McAndrew does, his lifestyle had him smoking 20 cigarettes a day and tipping the scales in and around 14 stone.

Fast forward to today and Eamon tips the scales at approx. 11 stone, no cigarette in sight and a few weeks ago he finished the Barcelona Ironman in a qualifying spot for the World championships in Kona Hawaii. Operation Transformation doesn’t come close, the word inspiring comes

to mind, but that’s all I knew about “Mousey” McAndrew, that and he knows how to train hard!

Meeting Eamon I was curious to find out what made him tick, what motivated him, from the reputation he had earned he was clearly a leader, an athlete that his fellow triathletes in Sligo triathlon club looked up to him as well as his competitors. In a very short time this Ballina native has gone from doing a “try a Tri” triathlon to putting himself among the world’s best at Ironman, in 6 years?!

As a young fella Eamon played rugby, some Gaelic football and a bit of athletics,

collage brought him to Sligo where he has stayed, married to Clodagh and the proud father of 4 year old twins Noah and Emma, as he says himself “ I stopped sport at 25 and took it up again at 34” A bet at a wedding is what re-ignited McAndrews interest, a few weeks before the Warriors run, he told his friend who had been training for 3 months he would beat him, the bet was placed, and others at the table also backed “mousey”, with just two training runs behind him McAndrew finished 3 minutes ahead of his friend, taking the bet and the associated bragging rights.

The Fire had been lit!

A couple of months later Mousey took part in his first triathlon a Try a Tri event, “I bit and crawled my way through that 250m swim, at that stage of Triathlon an Ironman seems like an Everest” McAndrew had re started his aerobic training and began his first year in triathlon, nothing major was achieved just completing and getting around, but the signs were there, the results were good and the weight began to drop, “about a stone a year” and the aerobic engine started to become more efficient. A significant showing of potential and promise was at the 2012 Dublin marathon, at 12 and a half stone, Eamon finished in 3 hours 15 mins, a time many a seasoned athlete would give their right arm for.

It was his third year in triathlon that Mousey started to get some traction. “I started to win races, my biking had improved it had taken 3 years for me to get that level up” 3rd spot in the National duathlon championships 2011 was a good days work.

McAndrew praises the sport Triathlon for its clever structuring of race distances and the age categories, it allows people to work their way up and always something to aim for and compete for.

Ironman – 3.8km Swim, 180km Cycle, 42km run Half Ironman – 1.9km Swim, 90km Cycle, 21km Run Olympic Distance – 1500m Swim, 40km Cycle, 10km Run Sprint Distance – 750m Swim, 20km Cycle, 5km Run

There is a mind-set that comes with McAndrew to his sport, the training involved and his approach to racing and competing. “At the beginning of a triathlon there may be 200 people lined up for the swim, all in wetsuits, I will look at them all and say I’m going to beat you all, that’s the mind-set. I go out to try and win it every time, whether I do or not, I go out to try and win it every time.”

Another example of the winning attitude is earlier this year while training for the ironman, Eamon needed to attend a funeral at 11am, a training session on the bike also needed to be done. 4.30am wake up call, on the bike at 5am and finished just after 10am, what has to be done has to be done. Clearly a driven man, McAndrew explains the commitment he gives his training, and committing 100% to the structured training routines he received from his coaches Colm Casey and Ross McLynn.

“As soon as I started adhering to the training programs Colm gave me, within months my performances started improving, my swimming is the weakest, I am strong on the bike and a good runner, the structured training is essential. I race it’s all or nothing, I race to compete” I pose the question to Eamon, that mind-set, that winners mind-set, where does that come from? “I am not entirely sure” he says, “they call it the chip, a chip in the head, it switches on, you got to be chipped!”

11

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015 PHOTO: JAMES WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

The Blog by Eamon that he put up on Sligo Tri Clubs facebook after Barcelona

I also suggest to Eamon that in a relatively short period he has become a figure within the sport and within Sligo Triathlon club that is looked up to, a leader possibly? A captain so to speak? I refer to a picture taken before a triathlon in Rosses Point where he is giving a pep talk to a group of Sligo triathletes, it’s a scene similar to a captain speaking to his players before an All-Ireland final in Croke Park, and how does he relate to that role? “firstly I am a coach within the triathlon club and I like to give back, coaching is about engaging with people and pitching them at the right level, content is important but no good if you can’t get it across, I feel I do that well, that group picture, I remember it well, the club was in the running for the national series, men and women and I pulled them all in and got them riled up!” did it make a difference? “Yea I say it did, people feed off that it has to benefit, I remember saying to the female team, you’re going to race today like you stole a bra from Penny’s!” Mousey continues “winning races and leading races, it’s some feeling, and winning races from behind

My Journey to Ironman Barcelona What a day..what a week! Ironman Barcelona this year with all my training buddies and we had a ball in Spain. Having done Mallorca the previous year I knew what to expect and I was very relaxed. My training this year had gone perfectly. I raced a half-ironman in Meath in early June - a month after my Mum passed away and I was definitely not ready to race. I remember wishing for a puncture on the bike after 50km and eventually pulling out after 10km on the run. Previous to this I was chasing glory in the duathlons but at 12 stone and a nick- name of ‘’tommy two pints’’ I was never at the races.

After Meath I started to commit to the cause as I could see I had a mountain to climb. Colm and Ross rolled out the “20 week plan to Ironman Barcelona”. I got a solid block of training done up until our two week holiday in Lake Garda in Italy at the end of July. I had only managed to drop a pound or two at this stage. I have a very understanding wife and when we go on holidays my training window is early morning till lunch. So I biked long and steady pretty much every day for the two weeks. Some days I bricked swim/bike and I would run in the evenings. All in all, I probably trained 50 hours plus in the two weeks. I love Italy, for me,it’s a training Mecca.

So my bike and run were starting to come on line, however my swimming was way off. I raced the Caroline Carney in early August. My swim was well off as I was the last of our crew out of the water. However that day I had a massive bike. I held 295 watts for the 41km,( something that I had never done before in a triathlon). I was so focused on my bike that day that I forgot to eat. As a result of the very high intensity on the bike I blew my run, posting a 38min when I expected a 36min. I was very pleased though, because this was a means to an end.

Continued over the page...

that’s even better” Motivation Speaking to Eamon and feeding off his enthusiasm and nearly feeling his burning desire to go out and compete and tear up the road or water is inspiring but how does he keep it going in such a tough sport, does the motivation ever fade? He explains, you train for your event specifically, if its ironman you’re going for, then its long hours and not doing loads of Sprints or Olympic distance events, pacing is important, nutrition is even more important, “you don’t drive the car to Dublin on just enough petrol to get you half way, but in triathlon people tend to do that on race day, they forget nutrition” he explains how he got help from “Good for You” and their nutritionist Michelle who he explained pulled his diet in order and he learned to stay on top of his nutrition during training, pre-event and during his event.

His performance in Barcelona he puts down to good coaching from Flow Coaching, Colm Casey and Ross McLynn, Help from Chain Driven Cycles and also the group that trained together “we made Ironman a team

sport, we are a unique bunch, but we are rivals as well as friends, in Barcelona, 2700 people started but strip that away I was only thinking of the 5 Sligo lads and they were the same, I knew Gary Higgins was coming for me in the run, Ross had to be caught, and Rutherford was a steam train on the bike”. Eamon wrote a blog post-race and it’s very modest and one who seemed very grateful after a superb performance and a massive commitment in training. “I had a super race, but till I break 3 hours for the marathon in an ironman I won’t be happy, I now have it figured out how to break 3 hours for the marathon.”

McAndrew’s five tips for anyone looking to do well in triathlon 1 – Broadcast it put your training plan up on the fridge 2- Set a goal, and sub goals 3- Work on your weakest discipline 4- Don’t buy expensive equipment to go faster – loose weight first 5- Commit to it, - use a group similar to your level.

Eamon finished the Barcelona Ironman in 8 hours 44 minutes Inspiring.

12

Ironman Barcelona was all about the swim for me. If I swam badly, I would chase the race and an ironman is all about pacing not chasing.

So I started to swim five times a week. I swam twice on a Monday,(morning 3km and evenings 3km), and a further 10km over three more sessions. Suddenly I was not at the back of the swim group any more, I was holding and pushing the pace. I also changed my wet suit to a Zone 3 Aspire and this gave me a boost in the open water.

Time to Race Ironman Barcelona Race:Ironman Barcelona Weight: 10st 8pound-race weight Bike: Bottecchia Chorotonjust serviced and Sponsored

by Chain Driven Cycles Form: The stars were aligning(confident) Coaches: Colm and Ross(Flow Coaching-Plan executed) Swim -3.8km-0.59 I planned to swim on Ross’s toes but it was every man for himself at the start. The rolling start was great as it allowed people to find space and a bit of rhythm. The sea was lumpy which suited me as I have a fast short stroke. I felt relaxed on the swim and did

loads of sighting- I also got a lot of draft. People who had done a previous ironman and that had finished in the top 10% got gold hats and everyone else got yellow ones. I decided to draft only off gold hats. Normally I swim slightly long due to poor sighting. This time I swam straight. I asked the guy at the swim exit for the time and he said 58min. I knew from that moment that I was right on it. I had a predicted time of 1.02. I also did not feel any fatigue from the swim. I would have done it again…..

Bike 180km-4.38 My plan was to bike slightly below my target watts for the first hour. However, when I got on the bike I felt invincible. I passed Kev at 1km and said “hello”. He nearly crashed his bike when he saw me.”

Mouse…, What the *%@#?” I biked hard, above my predicted watts for the first 1.30, and at one of the turnarounds I could see I was in the second pace line. I was in a pace line with about thirty riders who were all strong and committed riders.

Riders settled in, allowed the 10m draft rule and rode hard.

In this group people knew what they were at and how to race an ironman bike. We had a draft marshal on us for I would say 90% of the race. I eat like a horse on the bike. I had 7 bars and 7 gels and 4.5 litres of ISO. I also had two pees (without stopping of course!). I felt good on the bike. The conditions set up for super fast splits.

Run 42.5km-3.07 I was relishing the run. I had done a run test three weeks previous and ran 8.45 for 3 km so I was looking to go close to 3 hours and dreamed of the holy grail of breaking it. This is where I made my only mistake in the race. In T2 I switched on my garmin for the first time and it wentlooking for new satellites.

I could not get an accurate pace until about 7 km on the run. I felt I was running a bit fast but when you come off the bike your legs feel light for the first half hour. When the pace came through it was reading 5.55 per mile pace (3.45km/h). I had just run 5 km in 19 minutes which should

have taken 22.30. At 20km I lost a gear and I dropped from 6.45 to 7.00 pace. I held for a finish average of 7.04 for a time of 3.07.30. The initial surge at the start of the run had cost me dearly.

I finished 4th in my age group- 1st, 2nd and 3rd were within 40 seconds in front me.

The old Irish record which was never on the cards was 4 minutes away. Oh dare to dream….The record was broken by Brain McCrystal on Sunday and now stands at 8.41. Congratulations to Brian on this achievement.

So, I am delighted with my result- I qualified for Kona, smashed 9 hours and got to race shoulder to shoulder with my team mates of whom I am very proud. I raced 2500 people,more importantly I raced 9 people from Sligo. I chased Kev,Ross and Colm on the swim. I chased Ross on

the bike. I chased and passed Ross on the run while running for my life from Gary.

What a bunch of aerobic animals. My friends at Sligo Tri – Sligo Tri - Till you Die! Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way.

My wife and kids, friends and family. My coaches Colm and Ross (it appears we now have the secret to Ironman success under lock and key in Sligo). Stephen in Chain Driven Cycles for all my nutrition and bike tech. And finally - to my team mates who made training so enjoyable and competitive.

What a year we have had, I trained all year with a smile.

The lads made me chase them all year, right until the final in Barcelona. You see in Sligo Ironman is a team sport.

I may have to change my name to Mighty Mouse…

(Modest, as always…)

PHOTO: JAMES WRIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

Fitness is an addiction - the more you get, the more you want. It was starting to come to me. My weight was now down to just over 11 stone. I trained hard for the next three weeks with my team mates. We followed the plan religiously. When you are following a plan it makes you feel guilty if you miss a session. My swimming was still off but they were some positives. I was now swimming consistently 3 times a week.

The Lost Sheep-(two wordsSuper Race) I thought I had swam well however I came out two minutes down on the lads, which meant I was still off.

That day my bike was humming, I held 260 watts across the Kerry mountains. I remember getting off the bike and saying to myself “Run to Bust”- so I did. I tried to blow the system but because I had now been training long, the body would not stop giving. I ran 6.08 per mile for the 13 miles up and down hills. I finished 6th that day, behind the top racers in the country. Again the race was a means to an end.

Coach Casey pulled me aside and told me a few home truths. My bike and run were on a par with the best of them but my swimming was shocking. He told me

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Is sport an important part of your life?

Does your vision allow you to maximise your sporting potential?

We carry a wide range of sports eyeware fitted with your prescription and where suitable, contact lenses for unhindered movement, so no excuses for not improving your game!

We also offer Maui Jim & Bollé Sunglasses which are polarised for UV protection.

Carroll House, 15/16 Stephen Street, Sligo • Telephone: 071-9170169 • Email: info@deirdrecooke.com • Web: www.deirdrecooke.com

Avena Leisure is North West Ireland’s ultimate health experience and the perfect lifestyle choice. Come and explore our 20m pool with hydrotherapy suite, jacuzzi, steam, sauna and treatment rooms, our impressive gym with 3 fitness studios and our year round special offers. A large, easy accessible underground parking facility is also contained within the complex to provide that extra comfort to our members.

With 23 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, 8 fixed resistance machines, cable crossover, Olympic barbell set and free weight dumbells you are sure to get great results.

Personal training sessions can be organised to boost your program needs, encouraging proper form, maximising results, promoting greater progression and a more positive performance.

Call us on 071 9130882 to arrange a tour at your convenience. See what we have to offer and discuss a plan to suit you.

14

SLIGO ASTRO LEAGUES

T

his weeks result in The Kevin Egan Cars, Sligo Premier Division - Puddle View Celtic FC 0 1 Corky's FC Corky's on the Quay got back to winning ways tonight with a hard fought victory against Schillaci's new look thanks to a 1st half strike from Trevor Henry.Puddleview started the stronger of the teams and were unlucky not to go ahead when Conor Lynch broke down the right and slide in Kevin Egan who seen his shot saved at the foot of the post by Stephen O'Hara in the Corkys net. Puddleview created chance after chance but time and time again could not find their way past the experienced Corkys rear-guard with O'Hara blocking 90% of the efforts.Corkys were now getting more and more into the game

and broke away with a counter attack of their own with Stuart Rutherford breaking the offside trap and squaring the ball to Trevor Henry on the edge of the box to fire home into the roof of the net 01.Halftime came and went with both manager's keeping faith with their starting 11 and the 2nd half also started much like the 1st with Puddleview having all the possession but could not beat O'Hara in the Corkys nets who was putting in a man of the match performance saving shots from Scanlon, Lynch, Egan and 2 outstanding saves from Cawley and a one on one duel with Danny Andrews who had Egan square at the back post for a tap in.Corkys are now 2nd in the table and close the gap at the top to 1 point behind Foleys who have no fixture this week.

Graham Cawley presenting Didi Hamann with a match ball

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

SLIGOUNDER ALL20’sSTARS PHOTOS: Jordan Cummins • Email: jordancumminsphotography@gmail.com

The Sligo All Stars under 20’s played against KCYMS, Kerry on October 17th in the Basketball Ireland Hula Hoops U20 Mens National Cup, in the Mercy. It was a hard fought match with the All Stars tailing for most of game. However the lads pulled off a great come back in the forth quarter with the All Stars turning around KCYMS’ 15 point lead to win by 2 points, Sligo All Stars 65 V 63 KCYMS. Next round Vs TITANS Basketball Club, Galway on 14/15 on November.

Sligo All-Stars Scorers: Tobi Brockmann 15 Philip Hamilton 14 Oisin O’Reilly 10 Mark Chambers 10 Julian Jarmolowicz 6 Lee Sherlock 4 Sean Snee 3 Luke McLoughlin 2

15

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

LADIES TRY A TRI 2015

T

he fifth annual women’s initiative took place on Sunday Oct 18th, in near perfect conditions at Sligo Sport Complex and Cleveragh Park. The women put in some hard training over 6 weeks guided by Sligo Triathlon Club’s coaching team. The initiative is possible due to funding that is provided by Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership under Women in Sport.

The event kicked off at 11am with the first wave of less experienced and very nervous swimmers undertook 10 lengths. All women were out of the pool in under 14minutes and made their way to the transition area to commence their cycle. Wave two set off in the pool at 11:25, where faster swimmers demonstrated some excellent skills in the water with the fastest time of 5:39 for Shelly Brady and Alannah Watters following closely behind her in 5:44. Wave two completed their 10 lengths in under 10minutes and made

their way to their bikes. The bike course consisted of 5 laps (10km) along Cleveragh Park. Elaine Garrett posted the fastest bike split of the day in a time of 21:02 followed closely by Bridget Sherlock in 21:44.

Unfortunately Alannah Watters came off her bike and lost her strong position in the pack after her swim. The run consisted of an almost 4km route that took the competitors to the back of Doorly Park along the river, and finishing at the top of the long hill opposite the Sports Complex. Shelly Brady posted the fasted run time of 21:59, with Bridget Sherlock 22:39 and Mary Shanley 22:40.

Bridget Sherlock managed to hold onto first position. It was very close for Emily Madden in less than a second after and third place went to Sarah Mc Daid two seconds after. It was an exciting finish and an emotional day for all of the competitors. Kate Hawney, Sligo Triathlon Club’s Women’s Officer reports ‘all

the ladies are winners in my eyes. The coaches and I observed the personal challenges that these women faced and took on over the

past 6 weeks. The miracle was not that they finished but rather they had the courage to sign up. The initiative gives women confidence to participate in sport and they go forward as role models within the community. It’s a fantastic event and Sligo Triathlon Club is proud to be a part of it. I hope to see most of these women participating in our annual Try and Tri event in April.’ Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership’s Community Sport Development Officer acknowledged the club’s effort in co-ordinating and delivering the programme, stating ‘the success of this programme lies on the support and dedication of Sligo Triathlon Club’s volunteers, members and coaches. A true testament to the success of this programme is to see so many previous participants over the last number of years now return as volunteers to support new ladies getting involved. ‘ Based on the success of this initiative, Sligo Triathlon Club are now recruiting for a new

‘Get Men Moving, Try a Tri’ programme, starting the 10th November, The programme will include a 5-week training programme commencing 10th November followed by a Try a Tri event which will take place on Sunday 13th December consisting of 250mt swim/10km bike/4km run. The total cost for the training and event is €50 and includes discounted annual membership to triathlon Ireland. Places can only be secured by payment of the amount in full through paypal via Sligo triathlon club: http://www.sligotriathlon.ie/m ens-initiative/

This initiative is open to males with limited or no previous experience within triathlon.

With Christmas approaching and dry November upon us why not challenge yourself, your work colleague, brother, house mate, or friend’s and give yourself an early present as the worst thing that will happen is that you learn the intricacies of triathlon, the various disciplines, lose some weight and gain fitness and friends along the way.

North West Counselling Counselling for people with addictions eg. Drugs, Alcohol, Gambling • ALSO COVERS GENERAL COUNSELLING • Relapse Programme • One-to-one Counselling • Referral system for private clients to White Oaks Rehabilitation Centre • Addiction and General counselling available

Counsellors are professionally trained and are fully accredited or working towards accreditation.

For appointments ring: 087-2879707 OR 074-9723822 Email: tabourhouse2004@eircom.net Tabor House, Drimark, Donegal Town Afternoon, evening and weekend appointments available

Helping people to recover

16

M.Donnelly Interprovincial Wheelchair Hurling League

T

he Breaffy House Sports Arena was the venue as Connacht GAA hosted Match Day Three of the M.Donnelly Interprovincial Wheelchair Hurling league on Saturday 18th October. The Connacht GAA side came to Breaffy with a strong hand of players, but went down to a stronger Ulster side on a scoreline of 1-0 to open the days proceedings.

The Westerners later got back onto winning ways later in the day as they went on to beat reigning league holders Munster on a scoreline of 3-1. The final game of the day saw the hosts come from behing to record another 3-1 win - this time over their

Leinster oponents.

The days events were put together by Connacht GAA along with the support of the Mayo Sports Partnership, while the cameras and interviews by Irish TV also brought a sense of occasion to the day.

Match Day 4 of the league now moves onto Munster GAA which will be hosted in the Kingfisher Club in Waterford City on Saturday 7th November.

The Connacht Panel on duty on the day were as follows: Fergal Mahon (Western Gaels Roscommon) Sarah Cregg (Western Gaels Roscommon) Liam O’Boyle (Knockmore -

Mayo) Peter Egan (Kilmovee - Mayo) Pat Carty (Tourlestrane - Sligo) Stephen Melvin (Owenmore Gales - Sligo) Shane Curran (Moycullen - Galway) Aidan Hynes (Calry - Sligo) Tom Fleming (Charlestown Mayo) Val Leneghan (Charlestown Mayo) Match Day 3 Results: Rd1: Ulster 1 Connacht 0 Rd2: Munster 5 Leinster 2 Rd3: Ulster 4 Leinster 0 Rd4: Connacht 3 Munster 1 Rd5: Ulster 3 Munster 1 Rd6: Connacht 3 Leinster 1

Sligo Rovers Christmas Draw They are available online, from any committee member, in The Showgrounds and will be in our Christmas shop which will open in the coming weeks.

Sligo Rovers are launching the 2015 Christmas Draw which has 10 great prizes to be won in the build up to the festive period.

The prize list is headlined by a trip for two with flights, accommodation and tickets for a Manchester United game in Old Trafford. A full list of the prizes is below.

A ticket costs €5 or you can buy a book of three for just €10.

The draw will be held at the Club Shop on December 23rd.

Full list of prizes: 1. Trip for two to Old Trafford including match tickets, flights & one night’s accommodation plus two executive lounge passes at Ireland West Airport Knock with complimentary parking.

2. One night’s B&B at the Twelve Hotel, Barna.

3. 2016 Rovers Season Ticket 4. €150 Christmas hamper 5. 20kg freezer-ready lamb, value €150

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Bus to Bosnia Herzegovina game in the Aviva The Republic of Ireland Supporters Club North West are Running a bus to the Ireland V Bosnia Herzegovina game on Monday 16th November.

The Bus will depart the City hotel in Sligo Via Colloney and collecting Supporters in Carrick on Shannon.

There are some match tickets available sold to non club members on a first come first served basis. This is a very important game for Martin O' Neills men and should be another Cracker in the Aviva stadium.

The bus will depart City hotel at 2 pm Sharp on the 16th November ( Carrick on Shannon at 2.40pm ) and arrive at the Aviva at 5.45 for a 7.45 Kick off. See Our facebook page for further details or contact Padraic at 089 406 8845 for further details.

Exploring Mental Health

Bressie Mental Health Awareness Campaigner Bressie (Niall Breslin) has made a 2 part documentary "Ironmind" which aims at exploring mental health in an empowering and inspiring way following 4 people on a journey of Self awareness and self discovery in order to deal better with their minds.

Sligo Sports Mark Foley is one of the four that took this journey.

It will air on RTE 2 at 9.30pm on Sunday 22nd and 29th November

Dates for Scór na nÓg Finals 6. Four-ball in Co. Sligo Golf Club 7. Two tickets for any Ireland 2018 World Cup qualifier at The Aviva Stadium 8. €50 Food centre voucher 9. €50 Top Oil voucher 10. €50 Top Oil voucher

The Scór na nÓg finals have been set as follows: Scór na nÓg Quiz: Corhownagh Hall Ballisodare 15th November at 3pm Scór an nÓg: Ballintogher Community Centre 22nd November at 3pm Please note that all competitors must be under 17 on January 1st 2016.

For more info please contact Keith Henry (irishculturalofficer.sligo@gaa.ie) or Catherine Gallagher (catherinegallagher7@yahoo.ie)

17

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Locals and Visitors enjoying the Surf Summit Andrew Kilfeather (Adventure Photography)

M. FINNEGAN

MINI BUS & COACH HIRE

Over 40 Years Experience transporting Passengers all over Ireland Wide selection of vehicles from 14 to 54 seaters to suit your needs

Call us now on 087-247-9536

18

NEW 7 WEEK SELF-DEFENCE COURSE STARTS NOVEMBER

A

lliance Jiu Jitsu Sligo, will have a new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) for Self-Defence course starting on Monday Nov 2nd and will run for 7 weeks (Monday & Wednesday at 7.00pm). This is a great opportunity to start training in BJJ, which many recognise as one of the most effective martial arts in the world.

Sign up and become part of this fantastic, life-changing martial art. The benefits of this course for

you include; • learning practical self-defence • building fitness • learning new skills • increasing confidence • relieving stress • set you up for further life changing training in BJJ • and much more…

With a strong focus on selfdefense, the Alliance Fundamental Jiu Jitsu Program incorporates the same Jiu Jitsu first taught at the original Gracie academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

during the 1960′s. Chokes, armlocks, takedowns, sweeps and defences against many common strikes, grabs, holds and pins. In addition, emphasis is given to methods of avoiding confrontation and awareness of surroundings. All techniques covered in the classes are taught by our highly experienced instructors.

Alliance Jiu Jitsu Sligo offer the only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training in Sligo, with highly qualified coaches, great facilities, and a great reputation. They are passionate about what they do and they want share it with you.

Places on this course are EXTREMELY LIMITED so contact Ryan on 086-8759056 or email info@sligobjj.com.

SLIGO SPORT OCTOBER, 2015

Run As One Dog Agility Club AKA Markree Dog Agility Club Markree Dog Agility clubs new name was voted for at the recent AGM. After two rounds of votes they ended up with a winning suggestion; Run As One Dog Agility Club, suggested by Ash Dolan. A bit of rebranding to do but they expect to start using the new name from 1st January 2016. They will probably be known as Run As One most of the time - Dog Agility Club is more of a subtitle they hope to use for people who don't know what they do.

2015 league results!

1. Pamela & Benny 23.12 2.

2. Pamela & Toby 36.59 3.

3. Seamus & Spooks 69.87 4.

4. Ava & Poppy 165.96

Active Leadership Training Courses

A

ctive Leadership Training courses will run on the 13th and 20th November, for leaders, coaches & volunteers involved in sport and recreation in Sligo.

The course will be held in the regional sports centre and is being run by Sports Ireland and Sligo Sport and recreation Partnership The cost of the course is €40 and 50% grant aid is available from SSRP for coaches, volunteers involved in sport and recreation in Sligo and to avail of this contact SSRP on 07191 61511 COURSE DETAILS: The award is designed to provide trained, knowledgeable and enthusiastic community based physical activity leaders. Leaders

will be equipped to work in a wide range of locations including local clubs, community groups, workplaces, community centres and sports’ clubs.

Leaders will also aim to increase participation rates in physical activity in a variety of practical ways including: • Encouraging a wide range of people, such as friends, colleagues and contacts to take up active leisure pursuits • Applying their knowledge and skills to plan, organise and lead safe, enjoyable activity sessions with small groups and • Assisting in the planning, organising and running of community sports days • The intended outcome is that the trainee leader will be competent and confident in

taking charge of a group for physical activity sessions.

Specifically, the successful leader will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to plan, organise and lead physical activity sessions within their own group setting. At the start of the course, trainee leaders should be over 18 years and following the course, the successful leader will be able to: • Understand their role as a leader and how they will apply it within their organisation • Display an ability to plan and lead a fun physical activity session demonstrating leadership skills such as communication, observation and group management Demonstrate an ability to safely lead a group of up to 16 people

Congratulations to Ballymotes Connor Finn who won the U13 Connaught Handball 60x30 title.

Connor beat Mayos Lorcon Conlon in the final.

Give Tennis A Go Something new and exciting for teenagers in Sligo.

Give tennis a go with this great opportunity starting in November at Sligo Tennis Club.

5 'Get up, get active' sessions on Saturdays from 23.30pm starting Nov 7th including foot tennis, cardio tennis, fast 4s and tag tennis. The cost is €50 and this includes membership of Sligo Tennis Club until April 31st 2016, and students can avail of 6 tennis courts, 4 squash courts, 5 badminton courts and 2 table tennis tables. A deal not to be missed!!

For more info contact Olwyn on 0863514123

Glencar Water is a natural water from deep within the rock strata of the Dartry Mountain range

25 Litre refillable container excellent value only €10

(Fill your 500ml Bottles for only 17.8 cents)

Telephone: 071-9135553 www.glencarwater.ie

The Main Health Benefits are as follows: • Low in sodium, can be used in a low sodium diet • Low in Nitrates; associated with stomach cancer and ‘blue baby’ syndrome • High in Zinc; good for the immune system and women’s reproductive systems • Low in Aluminium; associated with Alzheimer’s Disease • Low in salts of Potassium and Calcium leading to a clean, pure taste.

There is no chemical treatment of the water at Glencar bottling; the water is bottled in its purest form

19

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Sligo man brings home silver medal from World Cup

T

he INDO [Irish National Darts Organisation} sent a darts squad to represent the Rep of Ireland at the WDF World Cup of Darts 2015, in Turkey last week.

The team consisted of 4 men, 4 ladies, and 4 youths[2boys + 2 girls}.

The squad was captained by

David Concannon Roscommon, with Sean McGowan Sligo, Benny Grace Kilkenny + Dave OConnor Dublin, making up the men’s squad, managed by Mayo man- Ollie Monaghan.

The Ladies squad was Robyn Byrne Dublin, Ron Skeffington Mayo, Catherine Fleming Mayo & Caroline Breen Galway,

managed by Anne McGowan Sligo.

The Youth’s was Leah Fox Sligo, Jamie OConnor Carlow, Mark Connolly Louth and Brendan Casey Clare. Managed by Noel Redmond Wexford and Annette Quinlivan Limerick.

This squad made history;

The Ladies had never won any medals at a world cup, and this year they returned with 11 bronze medals!! Caroline + Leah were semi-finalists in the pairs, the ladies squad lost to England in the semi-final of the team event, and the ladies finished in bronze position overall!

The Rep of Ireland never had players compete in a final in any code, and our men, competing with 37 other countries, reached the final of the ‘team event’, where they narrowly lost out to England in the final! It was fantastic to have our 4-man team in a World Cup Final, and the lads did us all proud!

The team defeated Finland 9-6 in the semi-final to book a place in the final against England, who overcame Northern Ireland 9-4 in the other last four clash.

Ireland had trailed Finland 4-2 at one stage, then led 6-4, which was pulled back to 7-6 but pushing on to win 9-6.

Overall this was a fantastic achievement by all the squad!

And it shows the INDO has moved forward in leaps and bounds over the last 3 years!

Local players Sean McGowan, known as ‘skipper’ had a super week, proving his worth on the big stage! Leah Fox also showed up very well, with Leah + Brendan qualifyi

An Aladdin’s Cave of Soft Furnishings and Services to Transform Your Home

Celebrating 25 Years in Business - Help us Celebrate!

Our Professionally trained staff, with years of experience in all aspects of Window treatments and soft furnishings will offer you a personal service not

25% OFF

READY MADE CURTAINS FABRICS TO ORDER

20 % OFF ROLLER BLINDS / VERTICAL BLINDS & WOOD FINISH BLINDS

Union Street, Sligo • Telephone: 071-9146299 • email: sales@plan4.ie • Visit us online @ www.plan4.ie

20

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

High Nellie, Tandem, Hybrid or Racer The Health Benefits of Cycling and Prevention of Injury

W

ith the huge increase in cyclists in Sligo over the last three years, partly due to the Bike to Work initiative , Bike for Life, and Sprocket Rocket programmes, run by Sligo Sport and Recreation, Innisfree Wheelers, and Eir Og cycling clubs and The Urban Cycle training, funded by Sligo Co. Council. there has never been a better opportunity to get back on your bike and start cycling with expert advise from locally trained coaches.

Shirley Foley advises how we can avoid injuries and the health benefits of cycling Always follow the rules of the road, stopping and in

groups, especially in traffic, which in my experience is the most common time that injuries occur with fractures the most common injury .

Don’t buy a bike with too high a spec. which can be very difficult to control on uneven ground resulting in falls.

Always start and finish your cycle with a 5 minute stretching programme for feet, calf, quads, hamstrings, shoulders, neck, thoracic spine and low back areas.

Avoid prolonged bending (flexion of the spine) ie. sitting after long cycles to prevent the onset of back problems.

Try to maintain good neck, thoracic and low back posture when cycling, “Chin tucks” ( 5 every 20 min.) can prevent the onset of neck/shoulder pains and aches during long cycles,

which is a very common problem.

Always wear weather appropriate clothing.

Keep well hydrated and nourished on long cycles.

Regular maintenance of your bicycle will ensure trouble free cycling.

Did you know ? … Cycling is one of the best ways to achieve fitness and has many health benefits.

Cycling is good for your immune system The immune system protects the body from infection and systemic disease. Moderate activity such as cycling strengthens the immune system and will contribute to a healthy life.

Cycling is good for your muscles - An all in one work out During cycling most of the body’s muscles are activated and toned • calf, thighs, hips - pedalling.

• abdominal muscles and back muscles - work to stabilise the body • shoulder and arm muscles support the body on the bike.

Cycling is good for your bones Exercise and the accompanying strain on the skeletal system improves bone density and strength which will help to prevent the onset of osteoporosis. When cycling outdoors your body manufactures Vitamin D which helps absorb the calcium necessary to

SHIRLEY FOLEY, CHARLEI ROBERTS AND SIOBHAN TREACY

strengthen bones.

Please note that as cycling is a non-weight bearing activity.

So to prevent the onset of osteoporosis 30 min. of weight bearing exercise daily is also recommended. eg, walking, jogging , dancing to maintain and improve bone health.

Cycling is good for your joints The cyclic movement nourishes joint cartilage helping to repair and prevent joint problems. As cycling is a non-weight bearing exercise it is often the only exercise people with joint problems can take part in. eg osteoarthritis of hips, knees and shoulders.

Cycling is good for your waistline Cyclists burn calories while cycling and as it ramps up your metabolism you will continue to burn calories

even after the cycle is over.

Cycling is good for your mental health Cycling has a considerable relaxing effect due to its uniform and cyclical movement. This has been shown to counteract anxiety, depression and other psychological problems.

Cycling is good for your heart and lungs Cycling is essentially an aerobic exercise and will train the heart and lungs to be stronger, reducing the risk factors that lead to heart attack. Regular exercise reduces the likelihood of heart attack by 50%. .

Shirley Foley is a keen leisure cyclist and Chartered Physiotherapist working at North West Physiotherapy Sligo.

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

County Sligo Cross Country Running

Well done to all the Sligo Ac athletes who took part in the County Sligo cross country at sligo racecourse on the 25th of october. Great running by all in testing underfoot conditions

First teams to play on the new astro pitch in the Ursuline School

Coursing success for Ougham Kennels Tubbercurry and Kilcoyne family at Loughrea Connacht Cup meeting,

The Mercy senior b team

"Ougham Ellen" owned by Mickey Kilcoyne and trained by his brother Luke was an impressive winner of the â‚Ź1,500.00 Knockadickeen All Age Bitch Stake & Richard Ward Memorial Cup.

The Ursuline senior b team

Pictured are Ger Mahony Loughrea presenting Trophy to Cameron Kilcoyne, Tom Skeffington assistant trainer holding greyhound "Ougham Ellen" Winning owner Mickey Kilcoyne receiving the Cup from Robert Ward Loughrea, also in photo Michael and Luke Kilcoyne.

21

22

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Sligo Pole & Aerial Dancing with Jayne Lynna

PHOTO:LUIS DIAZ

S

eattle-born Jayne Lynna runs Sligo Pole & Aerial, classes in pole dancing and aerial silks, set up last year as the first training of its kind available in Sligo. Here, she talks to Kate Winter about the fitness side of a dance form which has for too long had a not-so-positive reputation.

How did you first get involved in such unusual practice as pole and aerial dance?

It started out as a Groupon voucher in Dublin! I moved to Dublin five years ago to study at Trinity and when I got there I was interested in doing and seeing everything that the city had to offer. I signed up for Groupon and came across pole dancing, so I signed up for it.

I have to admit, the first classes I went to were with a woman that was good, but she wasn’t so tuned into technique, so even though I got it, I didn’t feel that same attraction to it that I did later on. The second woman that I learned from was amazing and really drew me in. After one month, I did my very first showcase! I bought my first pole and from that moment on I was completely hooked.

ally gives you energy. When you come to class at the end of the day, you might be feeling tired, but you will leave highly energised. And being in a room full of laughter and positive attitude is also very good for you!

And does one need any specific skills or traits to be good at such pursuits?

Well, anybody can do it!

People who come from a gymnastics background would probably

have an advantage, as would dancers, though upper body would be a challenge for them at first. Any kind of fitness level, be it from yoga or pilates, helps too. But I would say the key thing is probably motivation and having an open mind when you come to a class. And being able to laugh at yourself, but also to push past that and perfect the move too, is important.

What about pole for men?

There are some amazing male pole dancers out there! They have to work hard to get the flexibility needed, but they are naturally at an advantage with the upper-body strength side of it. The men who do get involved with pole usually end up being very good at it. And you can do a lot with a man basing in a doubles performance, that you could never do on your own.

I’ve had one or two men come in to classes, genuinely wanting to learn pole. And not just to look at the girls, in fact, in some cases, it’s the girls who end up staring at them! They do all male pole classes in Dublin, but that hasn’t quite taken off here yet...

What are the physical benefits of practicing pole and aerial?

When you look at the body movement and the muscles that are being engaged, it’s a real workout. You are carrying your entire body weight all the time when you’re pole dancing. It’s a beautiful, expressive workout. I had one girl last year who went from a size sixteen down to a twelve, just from doing pole with me once or twice a week. You gain upper body strength, get a great core workout, and basically

tone your whole body.

There’s a lot of dopamine released doing it too. It actu-

PHOTO: JASS FOLEY

Do you know much about the history of pole and how it shifted from something with seedy connotations to something that is very much considered an art form, and a competitive sport too?

The early history of pole dancing is actually something called Chinese Pole, which was very acrobatic and was dominated by men, believe it or not.

It evolved a lot and was brought into the stripper industry, which it’s now best known for, but there are several sides to it, really. A lot of people push it for sport and fitness, so you have the Pole Sports Federation who are trying to get it to the Olympics and then you have the performance arts side, which is Pole Theatre, where it’s being used more expressively, and then you still have the whole dance element too. The truth is that a lot of the early classes were run by people who came from a stripping background, but from very early on, it was businesswomen and all different types who came along to train, for fitness and stress relief and confidence building. And with a little bit of being sexy at the same time!

You have aspirations to compete internationally, in the World Pole Championships. What kind of training and conditioning does that take?

The level of fitness and intensity is very high at that level. And they

have very strict guidelines as to performance, because they are trying so hard to get the sport taken seriously and to get it to the Olympics. So there’s certain moves banned and very rigid rules about costume, etc.

To get to the elite category, which is what I aspire to, I’d be training every day, for three or four hours. A good hour long warm up in the morning including a good stretch to get the muscles moving. I’d move on to some of the conditioning side, repeated straddles and things like that. I’d practice some routines and try to come up with some new moves too and just dance away with good music on!

And cardio is important, even just to fight against the production of sweat. The more you start piecing moves together and working, the more your hands start to sweat, so you really have to build your endurance to stop your body doing that as much. There’s also a lot of fear in a competitive setting, which means your hands start to sweat, too, so it is a genuine struggle sometimes!

And what kind of diet/fitness regime do you follow, or would you recommend?

I really believe in balance. Although cutting back on meat has really helped me, just because even though I love a nice steak dinner, I find after I eat I get so tired and really heavy feeling. I haven’t been able to get to being truly vegan yet but all my friends who have say they have found they have so much more energy since they have. I like to have everything balanced, and I don’t eat a lot of junk food at all. A lot of fruit and veg, and proper portion sizes.

One thing I have to say really made a difference was cutting back on alcohol a lot. Even just a glass of wine or two can impact on training and focus.

What does the future hold for you?

I’d love to have a pole studio, but that would likely take funding. On the aerial side, I’d like to keep growing with that but the space is more particular. I need height! My partner has actually started his own rockclimbing business here in Sligo so I think the long-term goal is to get a space together where he can do rock-climbing and I can do aerial in a shared space. There’s also a man in Strandhill, Matthias, who is opening a yoga studio and he’s asked me to come and teach aerial yoga there, so we’re looking at rigging points out there. There are lots of plans!

23

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

SLIGO HARRIERS IN BELTRA & BALLINTOGHER

Now Open at Collooney Roundabout

Top Quality Animal Feeds From Also specialising in equestrian, yard and agri supplies.

North West Agri Supplies, Unit 3 Rathrippon Business Park, Union Rd, Collooney, Co Sligo • nwagri@eircom.net • Tel: 071-9118892

24

PAT EDDERY

Eddery rides for the last time in Great Britain on November 8, 2003

Dancing Brave wins the 1986 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

R

acing is in mourning at the death of 11-time champion jockey Pat Eddery, who has passed away at the age of 63.

Through his association with Peter Walwyn, Vincent O’Brien and Prince Khalid Abdullah, Eddery, born into a racing family in Newbridge, Co Kildare, in 1952, was a constant force in the top races during the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Eddery, who rode more than 4,600 winners and won 14 British classics in a 36-year career, is regarded as one of the greatest jockeys of all time.

Among his most famous victories were the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe of 1986 on Dancing Brave.

Kildare-born Eddery, who retired in 2003 and was awarded an OBE in 2005, had been suffering from ill health.

Only Sir Gordon Richards has ridden more winners in Britain than Eddery.

Eddery’s achievements put

25

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015 SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

him on record as one of the greatest jockeys of all time.

He won 14 British Classics, including three Derbys aboard Grundy (1975), Golden Fleece (1982) and Quest For Fame (1990).

However, his performance aboard Dancing Brave in the 1986 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is widely regarded as one of the most memorable of his career.

In one of the classiest fields ever assembled, Eddery made his challenge last, down the centre of the track, to snatch victory.

Other famous successes include those of Pebbles at the Breeders’ Cup, Silver Patriarch in the St Leger which marked his 4,000th winner - and Zafonic in the 2000 Guineas.

RTÉ Racing pundit Ted Walsh has paid a glowing tribute to the late Pat Eddery, describing the 11-times English champion jockey as a “supreme artist”.

Eddery.

“Pat Eddery was one of the best jockeys of all time no

matter what the generation and a supreme artist aboard a horse,” was Walsh’s assessment of the Kildare native.

Reflecting further on Eddery’s talent, Walsh added: “He was one of those fellas that had a gift like a great musician or a great actor. He was very, very gentle with horses, you never saw him having a tussle with a horse.

He was just a beautiful rider.”

Eddery’s career spanned a great era for flat jockeys that included Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen and Willie Carson, but for Walsh the Irishman was the best of the lot.

“He was superior to a lot of them. He rode every Classic winner in England you could ride and he won the Arc four times and the Breeders’ Cup on Pebbles. He was universally acclaimed as a world-class jockey and could hold his own all over the world.

“He was a star apprentice that turned into a super jockey.”

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing

manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah, in whose silks Eddery had some of his greatest days, said: “It is extremely sad news.

“He spanned the greatest era for jockeys ever. Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen, Willie Carson - all were exceptional yet Pat’s ability was unquestioned.”

Grimthorpe believes Eddery’s championship tally was testament to his abilities in a perceived golden era for jockeys.

Eddery, who had been suffering from ill health of late, began a training career following his retirement, with the highlight being the victory of Hearts Of Fire in a Group One in France.

Bruce Raymond, a former weighing room colleague, described Eddery as a “fun guy” and “ultra competitive” “It’s very sad. He’d been unwell for a long time. I just knew him as a good, fun guy.

Everybody knows he was a great jockey,” said Raymond.

“We used to play cards and

have lots of fun. I can’t imagine anyone being in his company and not enjoying it.

“I was with him abroad Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, everywhere. We travelled together. He was good, fun guy and very generous.

“He was blooming tough to ride against and cool. He was ultra competitive. He would beat you in a photograph and laugh about it afterwards.”

Clive Brittain trained Pebbles and used Eddery when he was an up-and-coming apprentice.

“It’s a sorry day. He was a great friend and an integral part of my success at Carlburg,” said Brittain.

“He was at the top of the tree for so long, but he was a green kid when I first started using him.

“You always got 100% from Pat, be it in a Classic or a Brighton seller.

“I never used to discuss tactics with him really and I certainly didn’t with Pebbles.

She was drawn 14 at the Breeders’ Cup and it was all

people were talking about.

“Pat just said ‘it’s a race, the best horse will win’ and she did. He never panicked and gave her a brilliant ride. He was just so confident in everything he did.

“He made so few mistakes, like Ryan Moore today, and that’s what sets the best apart from the others.

“He came to me as an apprentice on the advice of Frenchie Nicholson and he ended up riding my three biggest winners.”

Willie Carson, an contemporary of Eddery’s and arch rival in the saddle told Sky Sports News: “We are all going to be very sad that we have lost one of our real champions in the racing industry.”

Carson told Sky Sports News: “We are all going to be very sad that we have lost one of our real champions in the racing industry.”

Eddery was the main man in the jockeys’ room when Michael Hills began his riding career.

“He was just a fantastic character. He was a legend and we all looked up to him,” he told At The Races.

“Being in the weighing room with him on a daily basis was just such fun.

Dancing Brave was trained

by Guy Harwood for whom Eddery rode many bigrace winners when he was retained by Khalid Abdullah.

When Harwood retired, his daughter Amanda Perrett took over at Pulborough and she found Eddery a big help as she set off on her training career.

Perrett said: “Dad held him in the highest esteem. He was one of the greatest jockeys of all time.

“His win on Dancing Brave in the Arc was a truly phenomenal ride.

“From my point of view, Pat was instrumental in helping us when I took over from dad and he rode a Group One winner for me in Indian Lodge in the Foret.

“Pat and dad were a great combination when he was riding for Prince Khalid.

“It was a sad day when he stopped riding.

“He was a wonderful

horseman and a great friend to us throughout his riding career.”

Analysis: Horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght “For sports fans whose interest flourished in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Pat Eddery was a constant source of racing success along with Willie Carson and Steve Cauthen.

“Famous for his precisionjudgement and a strong, ‘busy’ style, in rhythm with his mounts, during a close finish, Eddery’s best-known success was on the great Dancing Brave in an high-class Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1986.

AP McCoy, 20-time champion jump jockey, described Eddery as a “true genius in the saddle”.

Eddery’s successes also include Derby wins aboard Grundy (1975), Golden Fleece (1982) and Quest For Fame (1990).

“I was 13 when I first met Pat and he was first jockey to Peter Walwyn. He took me and my twin brother Richard under his wing.

“He was great to me and was a person I would always turn to for advice. He would always give you a great opinion and was always for you. He was a fantastic man.

“He had an amazing racing brain and horses loved to run for him.”

Eddery was the main man in the jockeys’ room when Michael Hills began his riding career.

“He was just a fantastic character. He was a legend and we all looked up to him,” he told At The Races.

“Being in the weighing room with him on a daily basis was just such fun.

“I was 13 when I first met Pat and he was first jockey to Peter Walwyn. He took me and my twin brother Richard under his wing.

“He was great to me and was a person I would always turn to for advice. He would always give you a great opinion and was always for you. He was a fantastic man.

“He had an amazing racing brain and horses loved to run for him.”

AIRE approved Est 1997

‘An Equestrian Establishment with a difference’ • Lessons for all ages and levels of experience on school horses or riders own horse • Dressage & showjumping training to advanced level • Off road trekking in scenic Ox Mountains • Training shows, camps, 4 week intensive courses, clinics and Student training.

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Qualified trainer (BHSAI, HSI & FETAC) Resident rider with proven compe""on record Homebred schoolmaster horses Horses & ponies for sale from Beezies Stud Top class, all weather & customer friendly facili"es

Call Simone: 087-6793696 / 071-9184207 • www.woodlandsequestrian.ie • Loughill, Lavagh, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo

24

PAT EDDERY

Eddery rides for the last time in Great Britain on November 8, 2003

Dancing Brave wins the 1986 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

R

acing is in mourning at the death of 11-time champion jockey Pat Eddery, who has passed away at the age of 63.

Through his association with Peter Walwyn, Vincent O’Brien and Prince Khalid Abdullah, Eddery, born into a racing family in Newbridge, Co Kildare, in 1952, was a constant force in the top races during the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Eddery, who rode more than 4,600 winners and won 14 British classics in a 36-year career, is regarded as one of the greatest jockeys of all time.

Among his most famous victories were the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe of 1986 on Dancing Brave.

Kildare-born Eddery, who retired in 2003 and was awarded an OBE in 2005, had been suffering from ill health.

Only Sir Gordon Richards has ridden more winners in Britain than Eddery.

Eddery’s achievements put

25

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015 SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

him on record as one of the greatest jockeys of all time.

He won 14 British Classics, including three Derbys aboard Grundy (1975), Golden Fleece (1982) and Quest For Fame (1990).

However, his performance aboard Dancing Brave in the 1986 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is widely regarded as one of the most memorable of his career.

In one of the classiest fields ever assembled, Eddery made his challenge last, down the centre of the track, to snatch victory.

Other famous successes include those of Pebbles at the Breeders’ Cup, Silver Patriarch in the St Leger which marked his 4,000th winner - and Zafonic in the 2000 Guineas.

RTÉ Racing pundit Ted Walsh has paid a glowing tribute to the late Pat Eddery, describing the 11-times English champion jockey as a “supreme artist”.

Eddery.

“Pat Eddery was one of the best jockeys of all time no

matter what the generation and a supreme artist aboard a horse,” was Walsh’s assessment of the Kildare native.

Reflecting further on Eddery’s talent, Walsh added: “He was one of those fellas that had a gift like a great musician or a great actor. He was very, very gentle with horses, you never saw him having a tussle with a horse.

He was just a beautiful rider.”

Eddery’s career spanned a great era for flat jockeys that included Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen and Willie Carson, but for Walsh the Irishman was the best of the lot.

“He was superior to a lot of them. He rode every Classic winner in England you could ride and he won the Arc four times and the Breeders’ Cup on Pebbles. He was universally acclaimed as a world-class jockey and could hold his own all over the world.

“He was a star apprentice that turned into a super jockey.”

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing

manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah, in whose silks Eddery had some of his greatest days, said: “It is extremely sad news.

“He spanned the greatest era for jockeys ever. Lester Piggott, Steve Cauthen, Willie Carson - all were exceptional yet Pat’s ability was unquestioned.”

Grimthorpe believes Eddery’s championship tally was testament to his abilities in a perceived golden era for jockeys.

Eddery, who had been suffering from ill health of late, began a training career following his retirement, with the highlight being the victory of Hearts Of Fire in a Group One in France.

Bruce Raymond, a former weighing room colleague, described Eddery as a “fun guy” and “ultra competitive” “It’s very sad. He’d been unwell for a long time. I just knew him as a good, fun guy.

Everybody knows he was a great jockey,” said Raymond.

“We used to play cards and

have lots of fun. I can’t imagine anyone being in his company and not enjoying it.

“I was with him abroad Hong Kong, Italy, Germany, everywhere. We travelled together. He was good, fun guy and very generous.

“He was blooming tough to ride against and cool. He was ultra competitive. He would beat you in a photograph and laugh about it afterwards.”

Clive Brittain trained Pebbles and used Eddery when he was an up-and-coming apprentice.

“It’s a sorry day. He was a great friend and an integral part of my success at Carlburg,” said Brittain.

“He was at the top of the tree for so long, but he was a green kid when I first started using him.

“You always got 100% from Pat, be it in a Classic or a Brighton seller.

“I never used to discuss tactics with him really and I certainly didn’t with Pebbles.

She was drawn 14 at the Breeders’ Cup and it was all

people were talking about.

“Pat just said ‘it’s a race, the best horse will win’ and she did. He never panicked and gave her a brilliant ride. He was just so confident in everything he did.

“He made so few mistakes, like Ryan Moore today, and that’s what sets the best apart from the others.

“He came to me as an apprentice on the advice of Frenchie Nicholson and he ended up riding my three biggest winners.”

Willie Carson, an contemporary of Eddery’s and arch rival in the saddle told Sky Sports News: “We are all going to be very sad that we have lost one of our real champions in the racing industry.”

Carson told Sky Sports News: “We are all going to be very sad that we have lost one of our real champions in the racing industry.”

Eddery was the main man in the jockeys’ room when Michael Hills began his riding career.

“He was just a fantastic character. He was a legend and we all looked up to him,” he told At The Races.

“Being in the weighing room with him on a daily basis was just such fun.

Dancing Brave was trained

by Guy Harwood for whom Eddery rode many bigrace winners when he was retained by Khalid Abdullah.

When Harwood retired, his daughter Amanda Perrett took over at Pulborough and she found Eddery a big help as she set off on her training career.

Perrett said: “Dad held him in the highest esteem. He was one of the greatest jockeys of all time.

“His win on Dancing Brave in the Arc was a truly phenomenal ride.

“From my point of view, Pat was instrumental in helping us when I took over from dad and he rode a Group One winner for me in Indian Lodge in the Foret.

“Pat and dad were a great combination when he was riding for Prince Khalid.

“It was a sad day when he stopped riding.

“He was a wonderful

horseman and a great friend to us throughout his riding career.”

Analysis: Horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght “For sports fans whose interest flourished in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Pat Eddery was a constant source of racing success along with Willie Carson and Steve Cauthen.

“Famous for his precisionjudgement and a strong, ‘busy’ style, in rhythm with his mounts, during a close finish, Eddery’s best-known success was on the great Dancing Brave in an high-class Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1986.

AP McCoy, 20-time champion jump jockey, described Eddery as a “true genius in the saddle”.

Eddery’s successes also include Derby wins aboard Grundy (1975), Golden Fleece (1982) and Quest For Fame (1990).

“I was 13 when I first met Pat and he was first jockey to Peter Walwyn. He took me and my twin brother Richard under his wing.

“He was great to me and was a person I would always turn to for advice. He would always give you a great opinion and was always for you. He was a fantastic man.

“He had an amazing racing brain and horses loved to run for him.”

Eddery was the main man in the jockeys’ room when Michael Hills began his riding career.

“He was just a fantastic character. He was a legend and we all looked up to him,” he told At The Races.

“Being in the weighing room with him on a daily basis was just such fun.

“I was 13 when I first met Pat and he was first jockey to Peter Walwyn. He took me and my twin brother Richard under his wing.

“He was great to me and was a person I would always turn to for advice. He would always give you a great opinion and was always for you. He was a fantastic man.

“He had an amazing racing brain and horses loved to run for him.”

AIRE approved Est 1997

‘An Equestrian Establishment with a difference’ • Lessons for all ages and levels of experience on school horses or riders own horse • Dressage & showjumping training to advanced level • Off road trekking in scenic Ox Mountains • Training shows, camps, 4 week intensive courses, clinics and Student training.

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Qualified trainer (BHSAI, HSI & FETAC) Resident rider with proven compe""on record Homebred schoolmaster horses Horses & ponies for sale from Beezies Stud Top class, all weather & customer friendly facili"es

Call Simone: 087-6793696 / 071-9184207 • www.woodlandsequestrian.ie • Loughill, Lavagh, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo

26

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

SLIGO ALL STARS PHOTOS: Jordan Cummins Email: jordancumminsphotography@gmail.com

Busy Weekend For Sligo All Stars T

he All Stars had a busy weekend 24/10/2015 with 5 of our teams around the country.

The under 12s traveled to Galway on Saturday to compete in the Titans U12 Invitational Tournament. We traveled with a depleted squad of only 7 but with assistant from our Galway counterparts we competed well however narrowly losing 3 of the 4 games, beating Ballyshannon.

The Senior team traveled to Tralee to play against the Tralee Imperials. A thrilling game on display with All Stars only trailing by only 5 going into the last quarter. A come back was not to be with Tralee taking the game 72 66.

The Under 18’s Boys were in Cork for a pre Hula Hoops National Cup tournament in preparation of the U18 Cup in Tolka Rovers on the 7th November.

Our fortunes were better on Sunday when the Boy’s and Girls U13’s and U14’s traveled to Donegal. Boy’s Kilcar U14’s 12 - 33 Sligo All Stars U13s and Boys Kilcar U14 10-41 Sligo All Stars U14’s.

The U12 girls lost 33-15 to Ballyshannon however they beat Blaze 22-21 in the NWAB league in Ballyshannon.

Naomy Kaniki top scored with 9 points against Ballyshannon in a game that was close right up until the start of the 4th quarter. Sligo girls showed excellent fight in their 2nd game to beat Blaze in a thrilling match.

ALL HOME MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENTS Carpentry, Tiling, Electrical and Plumbing FULLY INSURED- Contact Padraig: 087-9709400 or 071-9165369

NO JOB TOO SMALL • REASONABLE RATES • C2 REGISTERED

27

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Carrick Indoor Karting

2 0% F F O ing h en b ook

W

wi t h t h i s a d ve r t

Go karting is a versatile, fun-filled way to spend a special occasion, and it doesn’t end once you’ve crossed the finish line. Go karting circuits feature first rate catering facilities to unwind after a hard days racing – great for entertaining friends and family.

Our experienced team are dedicated to making your go karting event a truly great one. We can advise you on how to make your day include everything you want it to, and more.

Come race in Ireland’s largest indoor karting track. Can you beat our very own Stig’s time and get free pass for a month’s racing. Hen and Stag Packages available including group and Party Packages. Setup your very own grand prix and battle your friends. Situated in Carrick On Shannon, Leitrim.

15 MINUTES

KIDS OFFER GRAND PRIX 10 Children €45 PER Mini Grand PERSON Minimum 12 People Prix

ONLY ONLY €15 €150 Individual Run

Bottle of Bubbly for Winner, Medals and Trophy for 1st, 2nd & 3rd

Carrick Indoor Karting • Leitrim Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim t: 071-9621625 or 085-8667757 • e: info@carrickindoorkarting.com w: www.carrickindoorkarting.com

28

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

CONNACHT MOTOR CLUB AUTOCROSS AT LAGAN QUARRIES Michael Brennan rounded out the local class finishers.

Having topped the standings after two runs, Joseph Smith dropped back to 2nd overall on the final run but still took the class 4 win ahead of Mark Murphy, both driving Ford Escorts.

Dominic McLoughlin was another who scored a second class win in Aughamore, while Colette Rooney took second in her Vauxhall Nova by less than a second from Martin Kearns in a Talbot Sunbeam.

One of the drives of the day came from Patrick Corcoran in his Suzuki Swift, finishing a fantastic 12th overall and first in class 6. Brian Martyn finished second in a Nissan Micra.

One of the loyal supporters of Connacht Motor Club’s

D

espite the wintery conditions on Sunday 8th November, Connacht Motor Club once again ran a very successful Autocross at Lagan Quarry in Aughamore, Sligo. Following on from the great response to the first event in October, many of the competitors returned as well as some new faces on the day.

Having secured second in the Junior class in the National Forestry Championship in Antrim on the Saturday, Mayo man Alan Moran, driving a Mitsubishi Evo 4, finished off his weekend by taking overall honours by almost 9 seconds from Cavan’s Joseph Smith.

In Class 1 Alan Pickens made it two wins out of two at the Lagan venue in his Vauxhall Corsa, while Cavan visitors Gerard Hyland and Anthony Smith finished second and third, both driving Ford Escorts.

Class 2 was dominated by Ford Escorts as Rodney

Donaldson from Enniskillen took the win ahead of local drivers Colin Currid and Barry Foley. Ferlin Taylor didn’t take any crystal home on this occasion but he certainly entertained in the slippery conditions.

Autocross over the last number of years, Damien Scanlon, took a well deserved Class 7 win in his Honda Civic, with Ciaran Dwyer second in a Volkswagen Golf.

Using the same Mitsubishi Evo 4 that Alan Moran took to overall victory, James McGreal took the class 9 win ahead of fellow Mayo man Sean McHugh in a Subaru Impreza with James Lannon third in a Mitsubishi Evo 9.

Although he was the only entrant in the class, Danny Herlihy put on a fine display of driving in his Class 10 Fiat Cinquecento, showing that it is possible to take part with a small budget.

Connacht Motor Club hope to return to Aughamore in 2016 so keep an eye on www.connachtmotorclub.co m for regular updates.

Class 3 was won by Martin Collins in a Honda Civic, with Drumfin’s Alan Lawson a close second also in a Civic.

Anthony McDonald finished third and also took the Junior Award on the day. Paul Stuart, Ultan McGowan and

TOP TEN 1 Alan Moran 2 Joseph Smith 3 Martin Collins 4 Alan Pickens 5 James McGreal 6 Alan Lawson 7 Sean McHugh 8 James Lannon 9 Damien Scanlon 10 Rodney Donaldson

Mitsubishi Evo 4 Ford Escort Honda Civic Vauxhall Corsa Mitsubishi Evo 4 Honda Civic Subaru Impreza Mitsubishi Evo 9 Honda Civic Ford Escort

06:01.49 06:10.10 06:11.93 06:13.32 06:14.77 06:15.30 06:15.73 06:17.88 06:20.05 06:27.71

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

29

AUTOCROSS AT LAGAN QUARRIES

Ballymote, Co. Sligo Call us and one of our team will be happy to help - Telephone: 087-6188000

• Car Servicing • Clutches • NCT Pre-Test • Headlight Alignment • Emissions Testing • Diagnostics • Puncture Repairs • Tyres • Electrical • Brakes and Exhausts • Starters and Alternators (Supplied & repaired) Our aim is to offer affordable car servicing from highly trained mechanics

30

K

ickboxing is alive and, well - kicking in Sligo.

With a decorated club based in Collooney that has produced athletes who have not only competed, but triumphed on the world’s stage, it’s an amateur sports association that is punching well within its weight. Led by coach Des Leonard, the Collooney Kickboxing Club caters to all ages and abilities; from those seeking to simply stay in shape, to the ambitious tournament fighters with their eyes set on the prize. Clutching nothing more than a set of dated action movies, we sent Eamon O’Neill investigate.

What this reporter knows about kickboxing comes from once source and once source only - the late 1980’s filmography of one JeanClaude Van Damme. This may come as no surprise to those of a certain age, for it was the ‘Muscles from Brussels’ who popularised the discipline for a whole generation, thanks to his portrayal of kickboxing in his

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

hit movies such as ‘Bloodsport’, ‘AWOL’, and of course ‘Kickboxer’ itself. It’s an embarrassing admission, and one that I sheepishly reveal to Des Leonard as we sit down to begin our chat.

Embarrassing that is, until he tells me about his own introduction to martial arts; “it was the same thing for myself”, he laughs; “I got my first taste through watching Bruce Lee movies at the cinema. You’d come out, and you’d want to try out his moves”, he says with the shake of a head.

Des has of course, come a long way in the years since. A much respected and welltravelled martial artist, the Riverstown native has put his considerable experience into coaching Collooney Kickboxing Club. “I started learning karate with Gary Salter in Sligo Town”, he tells me, taking me back through his own history. “I thought we’d be all Bruce Lees within a week or a month, but you soon realise that it takes a lifetime, really”, he says. Gary,

Des tells me was one of the first martial arts teachers in the west of Ireland, and was a welcome role model for the young Leonard; “back when I first started doing it there was no one like that -it came from the movies basically, so it was great when Gary came along”.

Times though, have changed, and thanks to the likes of the afore mentioned Van Damme and more recently the increasing popularity of UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) - and in particular the rise of Irishman Conor McGregor kickboxing has never been bigger in Ireland; “it’s got very popular in the last while” asserts Des. “There’s a lot of clubs around the west of Ireland, in all sorts of different disciplines” he reveals.

Derived from karate, muay thai, and traditional boxing, kickboxing is practiced for self-defence, fitness and as a competitive sport, and the Collooney club offers participants the chance to partake whatever their particular motivation. Fighting fit from the Parish Hall, the club welcomes a diverse range of ages, from young to old; “we cater for all age groups from four years old up” says Des almost disbelievingly. It may be difficult to imagine a preschooler performing a roundhouse kick, however Des says that for the younger members of the club, it often offers more of a starting block for the future; “from that age it’s not about kickboxing; it’s about games, fitness and co-

ordination”, he says. “It’s also a social platform that allows kids - and the parents who bring them - to interact, and have fun”, he offers.

There is of course, a serious side to the club however, and that’s in the competitive field.

“We’re part of the nationally governed body that’s recognised by the sports council”, says Des proudly.

“As a national body we get to fight at the European and World championships, both at junior and senior levels”. And it’s here that Des thrives.

When I ask him if his goal is to see results in gold medals, it’s with a definitive certainty that Des answers; “yes”, he says simply, adding; “that’s what drives me”.

Competition however, is fierce, and with the senior championships being held in Dublin this year, Des and his team will be facing competitors from up to fortyfour countries who are expected to arrive in Ireland to take part. The coach however, is confident that he has a team fit to stand alongside the best of them; “we recently took part in the junior championships in Spain, and we came back with a silver medal”, he says proudly.

“It’s results like that that give me confidence for similar returns at the seniors” he states.

Des has had more than a few success stories to celebrate over the years, but perhaps the crowning achievement among these has been last year’s double win for his son Dessie, who walked away with two gold

medals from the European Senior Championships in Slovenia. “That feat of winning in the separate disciplines of both point, and continuous fighting hasn’t been done in about twentyone years”, he tells me proudly. Quietly cautious about the win Des adds that the problem for Dessie now is how to follow it up; “sometimes the pressure of winning a world championship is too much” he says, adding: “you feel you have to keep the level up, to try and retain it, which puts you under more pressure.

There’s also the fear of losing”.

So what does it take to triumph in the tough kickboxing world? I ask Des as our time comes to an end.

Like one of his prize winning fighters, the affable coach doesn’t hesitate before responding; “it takes years; a lot of training and dedication”, he says. “But”, he adds crucially; “it’s those who can think on their feet that go furthest”. It’s a firmly held belief from a man who has travelled all over the globe, witnessing the fighting skills of some of the world’s top kickboxers; “I’m just an observer”, he says humbly.

But it’s this skill that has served him best, he tells me; “I’ve learned an awful lot on the road. You need to be able to adapt, or change your approach, whatever may unexpectedly come your way”. So is that the key to success, I ask in closing?

“Believe you me”, affirms the man who knows; “it is”.

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

CSSC swimmers scoop medals galore

S

wimmers from County Sligo swimming club gave a great account of themselves at the Connacht Short Course Championships

which was held in Tuam on the 17th/18th October. This gala was the first gala of 2015/2016 season for the clubs elite swimmers and they were

Boys 15 & over individual medley team who came 2nd.

From left to right David Woods, Eoin Anderson, Dylan Martin & Ronan Anderson

delighted with the results, lots of pbs and very happy swimmers. Along with a haul of individual medals going to swimmers Carrie McDaid,

Maeve Keaney, Jade Murphy, Ronan Anderson and David Woods there was also a special presentation made to Sligo club swimmer Thomas Maher

5 and over girls Individual Medley relay team came 1st. From left to right Maeve Keaney, Ciara Lynch, Jane McGlinchey & Carrie McDaid.Â

31

for his fantastic achievements representing Ireland during the summer at the Cerebal Palsy world games - Thomas brought home 4 gold medals.Â

15 and over girls freestyle team came 2nd.

From left to right;Connacht president Bernadine Waldron and swimmers Ciara Lynch, Jade Murphy, Carrie McDaid & Tara Walsh

Melanie Nocher comes to Sligo Swimming Club

D

ouble olympian swimmer Melanie Nocher visited Co Sligo Swimming Club at the weekend and shared her winning tips with the club's young and aspiring athletes.

Melanie visited the Sligo club to provide inspiration and motivation to the swimmers who put long training hours into

producing personal bests and medals at regional, national and international swim galas.

Melanie explained how she progressed from joining her local swimming club at 8 years of age to representing Ireland in the 2008 Bejiing and 2012 London Olympic Games, as well as achieving a bronze medal in the 200m back-crawl

Senior Co Sligo Swimming Club swimmers with Melanie Nocher (rear in yellow top!) as she provides them with technique and inspiration for the year ahead.

at European Championship level and becoming a Senior Irish Record Holder. "I had ups and down like all swimmers but managed to qualify at both junior and senior level to senior, European, Commonwealth and World Championships. I had a real hunger to do well and progress, swimming was naturally in my blood, I worked

and trained to reach my goals".

Sligo has some promising swimmers who continue to compete strongly at regional and national level, in particular seniors, Carrie McDaid, Maeve Keaney, Ronan Anderson, Thomas Maher, Jade Murphy, David Woods and Aisling Jones.

Melanie Nocher and Coach Evan Kelly with Junior female swimmers

Co Sligo Swimming club members responded well to what Melanie had to offer and picked up plenty of ideas and training techniques to help them develop their swimming technique. She even had a few tips for parents on how to support their swimmers and ensure the children get the best out of their performances.

Melanie Nocher and Coach Evan Kelly with Junior male swimmers of Co Sligo Swimming Club.

32

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

The GAA & Revolution in Ireland 1913–1923 Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh

T

he decade between the labour conflict (the ‘Lockout’) of 1913 and the end of the Civil War in 1923 was one of seismic upheaval. How the GAA – a major sporting and national body – both influenced and was influenced by this upheaval is a rich and complex story.

These original essays by leading writers in the fields of modern Irish history and the history of sport explore this rich complexity. The dramatic impact of the main events of the decade on ‘ordinary’ life is examined from an engrossing perspective, through the lens of a sporting organisation. For example, in the infamous tragedy of Bloody Sunday, the GAA was essentially a passive victim of the conflict, but on lesser-known Gaelic Sunday, the organisation took an active role by organising Gaelic games across the country in defiance of British orders that a permit be sought for them.

These accessible essays, blended with many previously unseen photographs, show how life went on as the world and Ireland were shaken with war and revolution. Contributors such as Paul Rouse, Mike Cronin, Diarmaid Ferriter, GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail, GAA Director General Páraic Duffy and well-known player Ross O’Carroll offer illuminating and challenging takes on the decade of revolution, from the experience of GAA members fighting in the First World War to the very particular problems posed to the GAA (both in Ulster and generally) by the move towards Partition.

Diarmaid Ferriter’s consideration of how the GAA succeeded in ensuring that it remained at the centre of Irish social life, in an era of unparalleled upheaval, is the main integrating narrative of the collection. The quotation from the head of the new Civic Guards of the Irish Free State in 1922, urging the men to use Gaelic games ‘to play their way into the hearts of the people’ reflects the key issue that emerges. Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh is Emeritus Professor in History at NUI Galway and former Vice-President of NUI Galway. He has written and contributed to numerous publications and is a former member of the USA-Ireland Fulbright Commission. He has been visiting Professor/Distinguished Lecturer in numerous universities and is currently a member of the Council of State.

The topics covered include: • The experience of GAA members in the First World War (written by well-known Dublin GAA player Ross O’Carroll).

• The story of the fateful decision to purchase Croke Park and its early development (and teething problems) as a national stadium. There is plenty of human interest here, in the form of Frank Brazil Dinneen (an important figure, little-known today, who sold the grounds to the GAA) and Luke O’Toole (the highly dedicated GAA Secretary, who died at his desk in Croke Park on 17 July 1929, drawing up an agenda for a Central Council meeting).

• The ways in which, after 1916, the GAA began to align itself more closely with the emerging new nationalist leadership – without alienating any significant constituency of support.

• The early reporting of GAA matches/activities in this period on film and in print, giving a fascinating insight into the history of sports media.

• The very particular problems posed to the GAA (in Ulster, and generally) by the move towards Partition.

• The advent of playing ‘manuals’ and early discussion and use of collective training methods, which have a continuing topicality today.

• The often-overlooked development of camogie is comprehensively examined in the context of the sometimes surprising global history of women’s sport (it was as recently as 1984 that the Olympics allowed women’s races over 1,500m).

• How the GAA succeeded in ensuring that it remained at the centre of Irish social life, in an era of unparalleled upheaval – this is best summed up in the words of the head of the new Civic Guards of the Irish Free State in 1922, who urged the men to use Gaelic games ‘to play their way into the hearts of the people’.

• There are interesting nuggets from the history of the GAA throughout, such as how the provincial structure (as opposed to county board structure), which had been the foundation stone on which the GAA revival of 1900 to 1903 was constructed, did not suit

The Triumph of Play I

A Gaelic football game in progress in Starrof Jail, c.1916

n the years before 1916, Gaelic games enjoyed a period of spectacular growth at local and national level. This growth was rooted in the development of the GAA as a modern sporting organisation.

In the organisation of its games, in the manner in which preparation for those games was conducted and in the playing of games, the GAA was at every level dedicated in the first instance – and usually in the last, also – to meeting the imperatives of modern sport. The story of Gaelic games in the years immediately before the 1916 Rising is, ultimately, the story of the triumph of play.

Contributors: Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, Paul Rouse, Páraic

Duffy, Cormac Moore, James McConnel, Ross O’Carroll, Dónal McAnallen, Richard McElligott, Mike Cronin, Mark Reynolds, Eoghan Corry, Paul Darby, Seán Moran, Diarmaid Ferriter

The impact of a new generation of GAA officials – men who rebuilt the Association in the first decade of the twentieth century after its almost fatal collapse in the 1890s – was profound. These men were nationalists; they believed in an independent Ireland, believed that the GAA should support the idea of Irish independence and introduced a series of rules that sought to promote an ‘Irish Ireland’. Barriers were erected between the ‘native games’ of the GAA and ‘foreign games’ such as rugby and cricket.

Between 1901 and 1905 the GAA at national level introduced a set of rules

decreeing that anyone who played, promoted or attended foreign games (the listed foreign games were cricket, hockey, rugby and soccer) could not participate in the GAA. Later, it was added that any- one who was a member of the police or the British Army was prohibited from membership of the GAA. Further, no GAA club was allowed to organise any entertainment at which ‘foreign dances’ were permitted, and any GAA member who attended dances run by either the British security forces, or by foreigngames clubs, was liable to a suspension of two years.

hurling – allowing Galway to reach the All-Ireland final in 1928, 1955 and 1958 without even playing a match.

33

SLIGO SPORT OCTOBER, 2015

Michael Collins, Luke O’Toole and Harry Boland at Croke Park for the 11 September 1921 Leinster hurling final A devotion to nationalism, though, is just one aspect of the story – an aspect that colours the history of these years, but that cannot be considered to define it.

Alongside their avowed nationalism, this new generation of GAA officials was also entirely modern in how it conceived of sport.

Almost to a man, they were young enough not to have known a time when sporting clubs and sporting organisations did not provide the framework for people to

play sport. In terms of the GAA, this framework rested on the championships in both hurling and in Gaelic football run from 1887. The championships were open to all affiliated clubs, which would first compete in county-based competitions run by local county committees. The winners of each county championship then proceeded to represent that county in the All-Ireland championships. These two basic ideas – county championships between local clubs and national

competition between competing counties – provided the structure that allowed for the GAA’s longterm development. From the very first All- Ireland championships in 1887, a trend developed whereby the champion clubs of each county selected a number of players from other clubs to assist them in inter-county matches. Over time, more and more players were brought in to supplement the county champions. By the revolutionary decade, the idea of a county being represented by the best players from any club within its boundaries, rather than merely the champion club, was firmly established. It was a development that added greatly to the popular appeal of Gaelic games and by the revolutionary decade the GAA was established in every county in Ireland in a substantial way.

Gathering popularity was also rooted in improvements in the stand- ards of play. During the 1890s and the early 1900s rule changes were introduced that opened out the play. Hurling and Gaelic football retained a devotion to physical combat, but became more accommodating of the idea of skilful play. This, in turn, drew larger crowds to matches. By 1915, Croke Park in Dublin was the established venue for the All-Ireland finals. This had only recently been confirmed. More than half of the first twenty

Éamon de Valera thrpwing the ball to start the 6 April 1919 Gaelic football match between Wexford and Tipperary in Croke Park, in aid of the Irish Republican Prisoners’ Dependants Fund years of finals were played outside Dublin. Some matches were held on private grounds; the 1901 and 1904 All-Ireland hurling finals were staged in a field on the farm of Maurice Davin, the first President of the GAA, in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. As the GAA grew in the early years of the twentieth century, it sought to develop its own ground and this led, eventually, to the purchase of Croke Park. This relatively small piece of land on Jones’ Road on the north side of Dublin had been used for horse racing, athletics and soccer in the late nineteenth century. The GAA used it intermittently in the 1890s, but following the purchase of the land in 1908 by Frank Dinneen, journalist and former President of the GAA, it became synonymous with Gaelic games. Dinneen renovated both the sporting and spectating facilities at Jones’ Road. The ground was purchased by the GAA in December 1913 as its national headquarters and renamed ‘Croke Memorial Park’.1 The growth of hurling and Gaelic football as major spectator sports by 1915 was confirmed by the development of Croke Park. As W. F. Mandle has noted, ‘by 1912 crowds of between 12,000 and 20,000 were commonplace at finals.’2 This emergence of a culture of attending events on a regular basis and in vast numbers transformed sport in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The sustained growth of the GAA was mirrored by that of its great rivals, soccer and rugby.

Take, for example, the manner in which the surge in crowds attending GAA matches was replicated at other sporting

events. When Ireland played England in a rugby international in Cork in 1904, the attendance reached 12,000. The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) developed Lansdowne Road as a venue for international rugby, and regularly drew crowds of more than 10,000 to matches.

Crowds attending soccer matches were also increasing during this period. In 1904 a crowd of 6,000 attended the Leinster Cup Final in Dublin.

Attendances at soccer games in Dublin were much lower than those in Belfast, where up to 20,000 people were estimated to have attended a match between city rivals Linfield and Belfast Celtic. By the eve of the First World War, 21,000 people were attending the annual Irish Cup Final.3 Viewed in a particular light, the sustained, multilayered growth of the GAA appeared to offer a tremendous opportunity for nationalists within the Association. This was the case not least because the young men who togged out in ditches or took bicycles and trains to win matches were precisely the material of which revolutions are traditionally made. Could not this expansion of interest in Gaelic games be channelled to lend momentum to the cause of Irish nationalism? Certainly, the most outspoken of the new generation of GAA officials were zealous in their belief in the transformative power of the GAA and saw the Association as primarily engaged in a project of national liberation. In their mind, the GAA would sit beside the Gaelic League in an attempt to define a peculiar Irish identity.

The GAA & Revolution in Ireland 1913–1923, edited by Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh, is published by The Collins Press, price €29.99. It is available from all good bookshops and online from www.collinspress.ie.

34

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

LETTING THINKING FLOW TO GET THE MOST FROM YOUR GAME

By John Graham

People do sometimes ask me, how they can stop thoughts to enable them to get into ‘The Zone’. Well the first thing is having thoughts is perfectly natural and not something we should try & stop. The second thing is that ‘The Zone’ isn’t something we can pursue, so they should stop trying to get there.

Being in the zone is generally when you are performing at your best with no attachment to conscious thought. Its not something you can think yourself into, you generally fall into it without noticing.

Thoughts will still come and go but we don’t give them attention, we just let them keep on drifting by. We can’t think our way into it and when we are there there’s no need for any mental techniques to improve things, we are just in a natural state of being.

I’ve never had anyone approach me and ask how they can think a bit more on the golf course or in the pool.

How can they cram in a few more positive images when they are taking a penalty or riding a wave? Yet so many people let their conscious thinking get in the way of performing at their best and above all enjoying what they do.

So if conscious thought can get in the way of us performing at our best, what can we do?

Well the first thing is to start to notice where our experience is

coming from. Do you ever notice how some people can stay calm when things are going badly for them and some freak out? What’s driving their behaviour? Well the difference is the thoughts they are applying to the situation.

It’s never the duff chip or sliced kick that’s the problem it’s the thoughts we have about them that create the experience.

Our experience is 100% coming from within and as soon as we can start to see our thinking rather than just be caught up in the story, we give ourselves control and choice.

We are also constantly judging things that come to our attention. Deciding whether they are good or bad. When I say things, this could mean: what we’re doing (behavior & technique), the results were getting, the situation were in, how were feeling, what we are thinking. The list goes on. All of these are neutral things, situations, and experiences.

That’s until we add thought which gives us our individual perception of what’s occurring.

Let me give you an example.

At the start of the week I was running in the Dublin Marathon. I’d prepared fairly well and I had a plan to stick with the pacer balloons. The plan was going well, when at around 30k they started to stretch away from me a little.

When I clicked this was happening my first thought was “Oh No!! I’m losing them!”

I thought of all the work I’d put in and how the goal I’d set was getting away from me. My mind was getting busy in terms of who I might let down, how I was failing etc.

What was also happening was because I was thinking stressful thoughts my body was tensing up. Stress chemicals were starting to flow and I noticed tension creeping into my shoulders and back “Oh no!!” as I dropped further back (my language may have been a bit stronger).

Stress, anxiety and tension are never conducive to effective performance. So often though we allow ourselves to stay in these states, blaming the situation for how we are feeling and performing.

My mind was now racing as I had decided the things were bad, I was feeling bad, the future was bad. Then I clicked. None of these things were good or bad they just were. As soon as I could see this from a neutral position my mind started to quieten. When there’s no problem to fix the mind doesn’t have anything to do and thoughts start to move again without attachment.

Once I could separate my thinking from the situation I could make adjustments without judgment. I relaxed my posture, adjusted my technique, tension started to leave and pretty soon I had started to catch up again.

Mind made crisis over!

So to give yourself best chance of enjoying your game what ever it is recognise the following: The more you think about getting into ‘The Zone’ the further

away you are from experiencing it Its never the situation that’s the problem it’s the thoughts your putting your attention on that are giving you that experience The more you can be gently aware of your thoughts, rather than allowing yourself to be sucked into the story your creating, the more control you have Try to see things from a neutral point of view rather than deciding whether things are good or bad. Doing this will allow the thoughts to keep moving and will make it so much easier to make

adjustments to technique and behaviours.

For information on upcoming courses delivered by John G or any queries around how he can help your game, your business or yourself go to www.johngcoaching.com Contact John: John G Coaching Warriors Watch, Carrowbunnaun, Strandhill, Co. Sligo johngcoaching@gmail.com Skype: john.graham1875

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Sligo All-Stars Basketball Club and Sligo GAA U12 unite in unique pilot project

35

mutual benefits of both Sports. The first session took place in Summerhill College on Friday the 6th November and continues for 6 weeks.

Overview of the Program.

The program was set up with the aim of developing co-ordination, agility, passing ability and vision of selected players from Sligo GAA clubs.

Sligo All Stars Basketball Club / Sligo GAA program u12's

I

n an exciting new development in Sligo Sport, Sligo All-Stars Basketball Club and Sligo GAA have united in a unique pilot project.

Sligo GAA Clubs were asked to nominate 4/5 of their biggest and most athletic players who would commit to the program.

Through the program the players will be exposed to various basketball skills which complement the skills of Gaelic Football.

The 3v3 game will be introduced to the players to develop their understanding of movement without the ball and the use of their body in restricted space to gain an

advantage. The program will be fun based with an emphasis on developing individual ball skills and footwork. The program concludes with a 3v3 blitz with all players competing in a round robin style tournament. It is hoped that some of the players may continue to play basketball

during the winter months before returning to the Gaelic pitch in springtime.

After a number of months of planning and preparation, the initiative was released to all GAA clubs in Sligo with 10 clubs set to take part.

The vision was born with like-minded members of both organisations, realising the

It will consist of 5 skills sessions of 1.5 hours in length followed by a 3v3 blitz amongst the group (6 weeks in total). At the end of the six weeks there is the possibility of a game vs Sligo All Stars U12 players in a type of “underdogs” game.

Proposed Structure of each session.

Dynamic warm up and stretch.

Ball handling skills Passing skills Basic footwork both offensive and defensive Shooting Rebounding Co-ordination and agility work Movement without the ball (cutting, filling/replacing) Decision making drills including transition from defense to offense 3 on 2, 2 on 1 and recovery on defense in a one on one situation.

BRYAN CULLEN

Pictured L-R are Past GAA players who are also skilled basketball players

LIAM MCHALE

Lynns Dock, Sligo • Tel: 071-9157830

BEDS • SANDING • FLOORING

Laminate Floors Only €5.99 sqyd

KIERAN DONAGHY

36

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Liverpool Supporters Club Meet @ The Raddison Blu

DyNamo Gym Club Gymnastics Tumbling Competition

D

yNamo Gym Club recently hosted their Gymnastics Tumbling Competition on Friday 30th October. The results were as follows; U-10’s: 1st Megan Cavanagh, 2nd Katie Cox, 3rd Ceoilin Byrne 11 year olds: 1st Orla McGlinchy, 2nd Elizabeth Tighe, 3rd Kaylin Rooney and Emily Loughlin 12 year olds: 1st Clionadh Davitt, 2nd Megan Byrne, 3rd Chloe Clarke 12+ fast track: 1st Katelin Smyth, 2nd Emma Curran, 3rd Aoife McGlinchy 13+:1st Sarah White, 2nd Aislinn Doggett, 3rd Aoibhinn Darcy NDP 2 Adapted (Girls): 1st Jenny Demmel, 2nd Meadhbh McHugh NDP 2 Adapted (Boys): 1st Neo Coyle, 2nd Pauric O’Reilly NDP 2:1st Sarah McCormack 2nd Aoife Loughlin, 3rd Roisin Heneghan NDP 3:1st Kate McGuinn FIG: 1st David Byrne Congratulations to all the gymnasts who participated.

The club are now also preparing for the National Acrobatic Gymnastics Team Trophy taking place on the 29th November in Limerick.

Well done to all the DyNamo gymnasts who qualified to

compete for National Finals.

The DyNamo team selected to compete at National Finals includes; Grade 3; Jenny Demmel, Anna Flanagan & Lisa Kilfeather; Aoife McGlinchey, Aislinn

Doggett & Ceoilin Byrne; Clara Battell & Lauren Morrissey; Grade 4: Sarah White, Carrie Brennan, Cliodhna Davitt; Conor Grennan & Pauric O’Reilly; Megan Byrne, Aoife Loughlin

& Kaylin Rooney; Grade 5: Roisin Henehan, Sarah Mc Cormack, Orla McGlinchey; Kate McGuinn, Meadhbh McHugh, Megan Cavanagh; Grade 6; David Bryne & Aoibhinn Darcy.

37

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

ENTERTAINING & COMPETITIVE 2 MONTHS TO ASTRO LEAGUE

Forrest Celtic Squad who currently sit third in the table

T

he 2015/16 Sligo Rovers Astro League season continues to provide entertainment and fun competitive football, on the 4G astro facility in The Showgrounds.This year sees 10 teams participating in the league, which includes last years champions The Belfry, EJS menswear, Adelaide Casino, Forrest Celtic, Borussia Teeth FC, GSS Sligo, Clinical Hygiene,

Bald Eagles, Strand Celtic & Grange UTD. The Belfry remain top of the league, however there is sure to be plenty of thrills and spills between now and April. Fixtures are published online and in local media on a weekly basis, and all members of the public are welcome to attend.

Team & Player Profiles: The Belfry: Last years champions who

3 FREE Vouchers with Sanovitae Membership

currently sit top of the league, unbeaten in their opening 6 games. In fact they have only dropped 2 points all season!

Player to watch: Ian Rossiter, needs no introduction to the Showgrounds faithful! Ian has already showed his ability with sweet strikes in the league to date, including a delightful strike against Forrest Celtic.

EJs Menswear: Currently sit second in the league and are also the leagues top goal scorer. Unbeaten since the opening day of the season. Some big name signings including Conor O Grady, Phillip Gallagher & Michael Mc Namara to name just a few!

Player to watch: Conor O Grady, playing as a rock in a central defensive position. Has the ability to score a few screamers too.

Adelaide Casino: A new team to this years league, who have taken the league by storm, who sit fourth in the table.

Player to watch: Martin Bystriansry, a neat link up player who has scored 4 times already this season. A leader on the pitch.

Forrest Celtic: A team full of determination and skill who know how to grind out results.

Player to watch: Kenneth Appleby, a team leader in the middle of the park who rallies his troops and who isn’t afraid to challenge and fight for a 50/50.

Borussia Teeth FC: Another new entrant to this years league, who have quite a youthful side based in Sligo Town.

Player to watch: David Blain, taken the league by storm since his arrival scoring 8 goals already.

GSS Sligo: A solid and physical side who have become unfortunate in recent games, coming out the wrong side of narrow and tight games. Needs a change in luck.

Player to watch: Terry Farrelly, a solid defender who has helped his side both defensively and attacking wise by netting some crucial goals already this season.

Clinical Hygiene: A very youthful side who have begun life in the Sligo Rovers Astro league steadily, sitting in midtable.

Player to watch: Conor Atkinson, one of the more mature players in the squad, always gives 100% for his side and one who won’t pull out of any challenge.

Bald Eagles: A team who are beginning to find their feet in this years league.

Had a slow start but now sit mid-table.

Player to watch: Steven Kilgallon, a leader both in and off the pitch who is due a goal or 2!

Grange Utd: A team who have found life difficult to date in this years league, however they have both a mixture of experience and youth in their squad and this will benefit them going forward.

Player to watch: David Dorran, a good link up player who has already scored twice for his side in this years league.

Strand Celtic: A very youthful squad, full on passion and endeavour, whose results haven’t gone their way just yet.

An improving side whose results will pick up in the very near future.

Player to watch: Joe Gorman, a skilful player capable of finishing a strike well.

Could be an important player for his side.

Fixtures (Nov 10th & 11th) Nov 10th Forrest Celtic vs Ejs @9pm Nov 11th Grange Utd vs Borussia Teeth @8pm Nov 11th The Belfry vs Bald Eagles @9pm To keep up to date with all the events on the league please add “srfc astro turf” on Facebook or log onto www.soccerleagues.comortais.com

Get a voucher for a complimentary night in our 4* Hotel PLUS a voucher for a complimentary meal for two PLUS a voucher for a complimentary Spa Treatment With any membership worth €150 or more

Ideal as gifts for Christmas or Birthdays, or just treat yourself Offer Valid 10th Nov - 31st Dec 2015 Sample Voucher

Terms and Conditions Apply. Contact Staff for full terms and conditions

Sanovitae Health & Spa Clarion Hotel, Sligo • Tel: 071-9119037 sanovitae@clarionhotelsligo.com

David Blain of Borussia Teeth FC, Alan Gilmartin of EJs & Referee Tommy Oates.

38

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

NO LIMITS: Get Active

No Limits Get Active is hosting a series of sports/activities based days this coming academic year, in partnership with HSE Psychology and Health Promotion. Theri aim is to promote a proactive approach to maintaining positive mental health through a variety of group based activities and sports. The day will also involve a short presentation on the importance of looking after our mental health, including proactive steps we can take to safeguard our mental health, and what to do/where to go when things are not going well.

Aims: • Build confidence • Practice skills in maintaining positive mental health • Encourage participation in new sports/activities • Meet new People • Have Fun Throughout the day students are actively practicing strategies commonly associated with wellness!

Connecting with others Being Active on a daily basis Taking Notice of what’s happening around you, Keep Learning: Give back to your community, friends or family.

We are confident based on outcome measures from previous No Limits events that young people are more receptive to mental health information in this fun, dynamic environment. No Limits Get Active Events involve groups of approximately 100 young people rotating around different activities in groups of twenty.

Activities will include but are not limited to: Team Building Games Tag Rugby School Sports Day Events Crazy Scientist Thump Boxing

The Ultimate Physical Challenge No Limit get Active aim to foster an attitude of social inclusion and sportsmanship, through our experienced staff facilitating each activity. Activities are delivered by trained coaches who are passionate about the personal development of young people.

They are currently taking booking for groups for the coming months. Activities are altered to suit different group’s needs.

For further details contact Maggie Hennessy BA MSc on 0879193214 or Leona Moran BSc MSc PDE on 0857179084

CONNAUGHT AMUSEMENTS - Suppliers of -

• POOL TABLES • VIDEO JUKEBOXES • COIN & NOTE OPERATED MACHINES

Tel: 087-2435463

39

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Success for Ballinacarrow Boxing Club

Still in time for the First Draw at Christmas!

Paul McGrath (L) from the Ballinacarrow Boxing Club with opponent Jason Smith from Blessington Boxing Club after the bout

By Stephen Reynolds Last Saturday, 31 October, Paul McGrath from the Ballinacarrow Boxing Club secured a national title in the National Boxing Stadium.

He was boxing in the final of the National Intermediate Championships. His opponent was the dangerous Jason Smith from Blessington Boxing Club.

Mc Grath took control from the opening bell parrying the jab of his opponent and landing quick straight rights . In the second round Smith fired back with some of his own but

Mc Grath covered and landed some good left hook counters.

The third round started fast both boxers landed good solid punches and a clash of heads caused two cuts above McGrath’s right eye .

The Sligo man kept a cool head and landed a succession of straight rights and lefts the to seal the final session.

In the end all judges had McGrath winning every round and securing his first national title.

Paul was overjoyed and thanked the large group of supporters who travelled from the Yeats county.

Owenmore Gaels won the Abbott Cup with a 2-8 to 0-7 win over St Mary's

West of Ireland Training Team Meeting Your Mandatory Training Needs Receive all you mandatory training with one provider saving you time and money

Courses include: • Defibrillator training • 3 day Occupational First Aid (QQI Level 5) • 1 day Occupational First Aid refresher • Basic First Aid • Paediatric First • CPR , AED

- IMT Services covers a wide range of courses to suit the mandatory training needs for the sporting sector

Contact Carmel on 0879211517 or email info@imtservices.ie • visit www.imtservices.ie for other courses available

40

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

round up

By David Kearins photos: Michael O’Connell

ALAN SHAW WHO ORIGINATES FROM TEMPLEBOY ENJOYING THE DCM. ALAN RUNS WITH THE LEIXLIP CLUB

D

espite wet and very windy conditions, a record entry of 15,216 took part in the 36th Annual Dublin City Marathon. It was a day for doggedness and determination and luckily the Sligo athletes competing had those characteristics in abundance. The opening 7 miles from Fitzwilliam Street through Phoenix Park were very fair in terms of terrain and conditions. However Mile 7 on College Road to Mile 22 on the Stillorgan Road were testing in terms of gusty winds, especially on the long straight stretches, before the final, wind assisted 4.2 miles to the crowded, and very welcoming, finish at Merrion Square. To be perfectly honest, it was not a day for

setting Personal Bests but nobody told the Sligo runners this and a significant number of athletes achieved new PBs in testing conditions.

First Sligo AC runner to cross the line at Merrion Square was Richard Gorman in 2:33:22, a new PB. Gorman was 25th overall and 2nd M35 in the AAI National Championship, a fabulous achievement for the Castleconnor native. This was a just reward for an athlete who has to balance family life and a job with his stringent early morning training regime.

Richard really adheres to the mantra that, if you want to run, you will always find the time to do it. Next home was Aidan McMoreland in 2:48:09, a deserving PB for a man who

readily adapts to adventure races also. Damien Kennedy ran a strategic race from the off. Kennedy went through the half in 88:36 and kept the same pace to finish in 2:56:39, a negative split of 6 seconds.

This super trio finished 6th in the team event. Impressive running also by Killian O Connor on his marathon debut. The former World Mountain competitor ran a quality 2:49:06 and actually went through the halfway mark in 1:19. Donal Egan ran a top class 2:56:58, a new PB. David Kearins needed a fast finish to squeeze under the magic 3 hour barrier in 2:59:49.

Brian Dunne, a well-known ultra-marathoner, finished in 3:01:22. Matty Regan, in his second ever marathon, ran strongly to finish in a PB of 3:01:37. Garrett Blake had a great PB of 3:05:37 while Jason McMorrow was 3:07:29 with Mark Kelly completing the course in 3:07:49. Jason Mullrooney, on his debut marathon, was an impressive 3:10:53 while Ross Downey ran 3:13:02. Brian McDonagh earned a 3 minute PB of 3:13:57 and was duly rewarded with his photo at the finishing line making national headlines! Mel Casserly, in his 11th consecutive Dublin Marathon, got around in 3:18:00. Martin Brennan ran 3:18: 24 while stalwart marathoner Damien

A group of Sligo competitiors who took part in the recent Dublin City marathon

Fionnuala Silke McSharry ran a 3:19:06.

Paul Deering crossed the line strongly in 3:23:18 with Martin Feeney finishing in 3:24:32.

Mark Burns finished in a solid 3:25:02. John Nicholson, in his second ever marathon, raced around in 3:26. Father and son Enda and Fintan Whelan finished close together in 3:26:50 and 3:26:26 respectively. Gerry Gilmartin finished in 3:28:04, a PB of 24 seconds. Enda Dineen made a welcome return to the marathon running scene with a satisfying 3:34:14. The ever consistent Joe Davey was smiling with his time of 3:39:27, a two and a half minute PB. Noel Keaveney broke the sub 4 finishing in 3:57:42 while John Walsh was 4:07:19 and Conor McCarthy 4:34 13. Well done to James Tansey who ran 6:00:06. The Women had a great day with a mixture of strong running and lots of PBs. Special mention to Zola Flynn of Calry AC who was in terrific form and ran strongly throughout. A daughter of Sligo AC coach Ray, Zola raced around in a PB of 3:06:54 and finished a top class 6th in the National Womens Race. Mari Johnston ran a gritty 3:23:53 with Deirdre Deering achieving a PB of 3 minutes in a time of 3:38:29. Mary Furey ran 3:46:15, a whopping PB of 17 minutes. Cathy McCarthy ran 3:47:45, just ahead of Linda Higgins who ran 3:48:02 and a new PB by 16 seconds.

Louise Martin ran her maiden marathon in 3:51:24, a fantastic run. Fionnuala Silke took a break from her sterling work as Sligo AC Secretary to finish in 3:52:19. Aishling Kennedy continues to

improve and ran 3:56:55, an excellent PB of 13 minutes.

Niamh Nicholson ran 3:58:32 while Vanessa Foley ran strongly in 4:11:19. Vivian Ryan ran 4:26:11 while Sharon Dineen had a good run of 4:32:10. Rose Young completed the course in 4:35:10 and Ailish Doherty finished in 4:58:09.

Congratulations to Ciara Horan who, on her debut marathon, finished in a solid 5:00:03 while Olivia Seery crossed the finish line in 5: 42:24. Marie Tansey finished her first marathon in 6:00:06, hand in hand with hubby James.

Just to note, this is not an exhaustive list of Sligo competitors so apologies to any runners omitted. Well done also to our friends in Tireragh AC, North Sligo AC, South Sligo AC and Corran AC who competed very well also.

Ross Downey

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

41

round up

By David Kearins photos: Michael O’Connell

Damien Kennedy and Mattie Regan

Enda and Fintan Whelan

Vanessa Foley Darragh Currid and Conor McCann

Jason Mulrooney

Aidan McMoreland

Thomas Kelly

Darragh Currid

Paul Kerrigan

MICHAEL MORAN Car Sales and Service Pontoon Road, Ross, Castlebar Come and See for Yourself Our Selection of Cars - Fully NCT’d and Ready to Go

Richard Gorman

Paul Deering

Tel: 094-9022322 or 086-8341196

42

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

round up

By David Kearins photos: Michael O’Connell

Corran AC well represented at marathon Corran AC athletes represented their club with great pride in the Dublin City Marathon recently! They had seven running in the club colours and they all finished in great times.

Alan Stafford crossed the finish line in a fantastic time of 2:59:17. Martin Faughnan finished closely with a time of 3:03:52. Brendan Brett and Kieran Coleman crossed the line with only 7 seconds seperating them; Brendan in 3:13:33 and Kieran in 3:13.40. Michael Tonry finished in 5th place for Team Corran AC. He finished in 3:37:06. Ciaran Garry crossed the line in a brilliant time of 3:42:59, and less than 30 seconds behind him, Joe Stagg completed the course in 3:43:25.

Deirdre Boland

Martin Faughan

Kieran Coleman and Brendan Brett

Katrina Cunniffe

Michael Tonry and Ciaran Garry

Thomas Henegan

Not sure if this is a before or after shot of the brave marathon men but they look pretty fresh to us!!!

Well done Corran AC marathoners!

Dermot O Brien

Thomas McBride and Jason McMorrow

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

43

round up

By David Kearins photos: Michael O’Connell

Mark Burns Donal Egan and Damien Kennedy John Walsh with his son Darragh

John Nicholson

John O Dell

Zola Flynn

Aisling Kennedy

Gerry Gilmartin

Aisling Van Rensburg

Mel Casserly

Thomas Kelly

QUIT SMOKING AND START VAPING! The best prices for top quality e-liquids, e-cigarettes and accessories

The largest selection in County Sligo

Wine Street, Sligo • Main Street, Carrick on Shannon • Online: ecigarettesworld.ie

44

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH WEEK 2015

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

BENBULBEN 5K

Promoting Positive Health and Well-being Through Physical activity

S

ligo Sport and Recreation Partnership (SSRP) in conjunction with the Health Service Executive West (HSEW)organised a number of sport and physical activity opportunities as part of World Mental Health Week which ran from 6th – 10th October 2015. The activities which were selected

aimed to promote positive health and well-bring through exercise. SSRP has been working with the HSE-W for a number of years now to help make sport and physical activity more accessible to people in mental health services locally. This target group are much less likely to be involved in exercise on a regular basis, which in turn can lead to physical health problems and social exclusion, thus further negatively impacting on mental health. Sport and physical activity has the power to tackle these issues and exercise has long been proven to be one of the most effective ways of promoting positive physical and mental health. Supervised and supported exercise opportunities such as those provided by the collaborative working of SSRP

and the HSE Mental Health services here in Sligo, provide a safe environment for social interaction through physical activity which is vital for maintaining positive health and well-being and for recovery from many health problems.

A series of activities were organised during the week including Yoga, Social Soccer, Outdoor Gym and a number of Well Being Walks at Doorly Park and Hazelwood. All the activities were well supported by local adults of all ages and abilities, which demonstrates that physical activity is for everyone and that people of all ages should aim to get involved in a safe and supported exercise programme to avail of the many benefits.

It is necessary to think of positive health and well-being as something which needs to be achieved and maintained. Each of us experience changes in our physical and mental state and part of being healthy is being able to cope with the daily stresses and strains of life.

Building up ‘resilience’ to improve your personal health is key and one of the best ways for doing that is through being active every day in as many ways as you can. If you would like support to become more physically active or would like to find out more about any of the current programmes promoting positive Health and Well-Being through exercise then you can contact at Shane Hayes, Sports Inclusion Officer with Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership on 071 9161511 or shane@sligosportandrecreation.ie

BENBULBEN 5K: Preparations are underway for this year’s Benbulben 5k Run and Walk in Drumcliffe which is scheduled to take place on Sunday November 29th. Registration (€12) will take place from 10am at the Oxfield Community Centre. The 5k walk will start at 11:40am and the 5k run takes off at 12 noon. The relatively flat course is ideally suited to beginners and seasoned athletes alike.

Katie Haran, .Meadbh Martin and Eimear Osborne ...All representing Ursuline on the u16 Connacht squad.

Jayne Mc Cormack (Sligo Grammar) and Katie Osborne (Ursuline) in their Connacht gear

QUANTITY SURVEYOR Domestic or Commercial All costing and estimating provided

Contact Albert Clasby on 087-8213768

45

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

V-LINE active slimming on vibro-treadmill in the vacum

Ready to get Fit...

• Burn Fat, up to 1500kcl in 30 min • Reduce Cellulite • Drop 1 clothes size in one month

Sligo Group Fitness & Pilates We have classes that will get your heart pumping such as TRX, spinning and kettlebells and also offer less intensive programs specifically tailored to seniors which compensate for immobility and health issues as well as Running for Beginners and high intensity Tabata/Rebounding.

We offer a Battle the bulge class for the larger individual, We believe in living a healthy and happy life through an active fitness regime. We are involved in the local community around Strandhill and regularly participate in events throughout Sligo.

Catering for Kids birthday parties and camps

Aileen: 086-8239966 • Miriam: 087-9104713 fitness4all2@yahoo.ie • www.fitness4allsligo.com Airport Road, Strandhill, Co. Sligo

SPECIAL OFFER: 20x30min plus FREE 5x30min rollomassage... €130 BOOK YOUR FREE 15min TRIAL ON 0871123622 Open: Monday - Friday 11-8 • Saturday 11-7 • Sunday 2-5

Telephone: 086-6211792 • Mobile: 087-1123622 Quayside Shopping Centre (Second Floor), Wine Street, Sligo

46

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

Ballisodare roll-out the red carpet for 1975 Connaught Champions B allisodare GAA were the hosts for the recent 40th Anniversary Celebration of the 1975 Senior Team that won the Connaught Championship.

The night started with a themed Mass by Fr Tommy Towey for the Team and the

diaspora. Momentos of the win were brought forward by John Brennan, Mick Laffey, Mattie Brennan, Catherine Stenson, John Connolly, James Kearins, Mickey Kearins, Tommy Kilcoyne and Barnes Murphy, these included the Nestor and Sam

Barnes Murphy and Mickey Kearins cut the cake at the 40th Celebration of having won the Connaught Final in 1975.

Maguire cups. The gathering got to re-live the times through a presentation capturing team photos and newspaper articles that traced the route through to the Connaught Final. The choir performed a special array of material that complimented the celebration and added greatly to the occasion.

Afterwards the team and friends retired to the Ballisodare Parish hall which was tastefully decorated by the local GAA Club members.

Margaret Toolan and her team ensured all were well catered for.

Barnes Murphy, the 1975 team manager and captain, addressed the gathering and make real again the experiences of 40 years ago.

The JJ Nestor cup was won by the slimmest of margins following a replay. Sligo had qualified for the final by beating Galway by 1-13 to 06, Mickey Kearins contributing 10 points. Mayo had beaten London and Roscommon to get into the final. It was the first year that London has competed in the Connaught Championship. The Final on the 6th July was played in Markievicz Park and ended in a draw 2-10 to 1-13, Sligo had held a 6 point lead in the second half. Scorers for Sligo

were F Henry 1-4, D Kerins 1-1, M Kearins 0-4, M Laffey 0-1.

The reply was in MacHale Park, Castlebar 2 weeks later on the 20th July, the Sligo score on this occasion was again 2-10 and Mayo scored 0-15. Scorers for Sligo; M Kearins 1-4, D Kerins 1-1, M Hoey 0-4 and J Stenson 0-1.

Barnes Murphy and Michael Kearins cut the ‘1975’ cake on behalf of the team.

Mattie Brennan pictured with a painting by Brian O’Flaherty of the victorious 1975 team.

Great Performances From North Sligo Athletic Club In Dublin Marathon

T

en North Sligo athletes competed in the Dublin Marathon incorporating the national marathon.

Seven of the runners were traveling the journey for the first time so they were into unknown territory.

Tommy Kelly led the North Sligo AC contingent home with a great performance to finish 8th 0-40 in a great time of 2h 44mins 10secs,Craig Brennan in his first marathon finished 24th 0-40 in a time of 2h 53 mins 14 secs a great performance considering the injury interrupted run into the race,Conor Mc Cann another first timer over the distance finished 37th in the 0-35 category to record a very good time of 2h 54 mins 32 secs,the combined times of the three runners put the club in 11th position out of 308 teams in the 0-35 team catergory.

Darragh Currid another virgin marathon runner had a superb run to finish 26th in the senior mens section in a time of 2h 54 mins 46 secs,Gary Gallagher ran a personal

best of 2h 55mins 35 secs to finish 34th in the 0-40 section Fergal Lavin was the 6th North Sligo AC runner to break the 3 hour barrier when he finished 75th in the senior mens section in his first outing over this distance in a time of 2h 56 mins 59 secs and Thomas McBride ran his first marathon in 3h 7 mins 51 secs to finish 57th in the senior mens section the combined times of Currid ,Lavin and McBride put the North Sligo team 14th out of 150 teams in the senior mens section .

Paul Kerrigan running his first marathon finished 118th in the 0-50 section to finish in 4h 6mins.Aisling Van Rensburg took over 4 mins off her personal best to finish 6th in the senior womens section in a time of 3h 7 mins 42 secs a superb performance from this teak tough modest North Sligo runner to set a new club record,Emma McCann finished 73th in the 0-35 section in a time of 3h 55mins 13 secs a superb performance considering that her best half marathon time was 1h 59 mins set only 5 weeks ago.

The county GAA committee responsible for marking the fantastic success were involved throughout and presented the team members, selectors and support team with a scroll. On the following day the team were special guests at the county final in Markievicz Park.

They were warmly welcomed and presented to all those present at half-time.

Conor McCann at 20 miles in 2:10

47

SLIGO SPORT NOVEMBER, 2015

RBB PARTY arrow boats the best lake boat you ever bought...

Rodeo Bull Hire for Kid's Party & Events From €195 including a Zoo Bouncy Size 4x4x4 mts Complimentary.

Pirate Ship Bouncy From €135 Size 8.2x4.2x4.2 mts Rodeo Bull Hire for Adults Party & Events From €250 Size of mattress 6x5 mts

Full Public Liability Cover, can be using in Pubs, Night Clubs, Community Hall, etc.

Tel: 087-0907188

P.B Carpentry & Construction Sligo

David Gray launched Arrow Boats in the summer of 1989. He grew up on the shores of Sligo's Lough Arrow; an avid dry fly fisherman, he has pursued his mission to build the best possible lake boat.

David offers the purchaser a standard 19-ft lake boat, the exclusive 18-ft GT and the new 19.8 boat All boats are customisable with options such as added Minn Kota bow mount electric motors, fishfinders, and custom hydrofoils for individual balance & performance.

All types of Boats, Trailers, and Engines G.R.P. repairs

QQU L5 Occupational First Aid

Sligo

17th, 24th Nov and 1st Dec

SafePass

Sligo

4th Nov & 3rd Dec

UK Health & Safety Test

Sligo

Weekly

CSCS Signing, Lighting & Guarding at Roadworks

Letterkenny

23rd, 24th and 25th November

Manual Handling Sligo

13th November

Food Safety& HACCP Letterkenny

25, 26, 27, 30 Nov & 1st December

Lough Arrow, Ballindoon, Riverstown, Co. Sligo Telephone: 086-6815971 www.arrowboats.com

Michael O Doherty Plexus Bio Energy Approved therapist to help you retore your life energy. Treat conditions such as pain, stress, disease and sports injuries What can be treated?

Because we work at an energy level it doesn’t matter what your problem is. Our job is to deal with what causes your problem, so people come to our clinics with every conceivable problem be it physical, emotional or mental. Children also benefit hugely from the treatment.

How does the therapy work?

Your body is made up of energy and if this energy system becomes imbalanced then your body becomes. We balance that energy system with specially developed techniques which in turn allow the body to heal.

What is the role of the Plexus therapist?

The first step in the bodies healing process is to get your energy system balanced and flowing again. The Therapist will also create a health-care programme for you depending on what your problem is. This involves looking at your diet, teaching you how to deal with your stress on a daily basis, look at your muscular and skeletal system and most importantly get your mind focused on your journey back to health.

Contact Joseph McGuiness on 086 3051356

Bundoran Star Bundoran, County Donegal.

Deep Sea Fishing Charters are offered for reef, sand, bottom and shark fishing.Our full and half day fishing charters are suitable for larger groups of anglers while shorter 2 hour trips are very popular among smaller groups, families and individuals.

Suitable for Hens, Stags and All Corporate Events

For Bookings Contact the Skipper, Patrick O Doherty on 0874198323

We provide full ball stop solutions to a range of clubs schools, colleges, soccer , golf, rugby clubs, and all other areas where high netting is required, in retractable or stationary forms.

Along with supporting new net structure we also repair nets to our highest standard where possible.

Telephone: 086-0224141| sales@connachtsportsnets.com www.connachtsportsnets.com