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Bye bye Pokes, Howdy Cajuns

Some great news in these strange times

Breaking news across the Atlantic this afternoon! Craughwell’s very own US Scholarship Student-Athlete Damian O’Boyle, (the first and only to date) is set to graduate from McNeese State University in a couple of weeks’ time with a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science.

In the meantime, he has only gone and been accepted to Graduate School where he plans to pursue a Master of Science in Informatics, and today has put pen to paper on yet another scholarship deal. This time with the University of Louisiana, Lafayette (Ragin’ Cajuns) for what should turn out to be a two-year stint!

This is an exciting new chapter for both Damian and the club in our American journey. And with Lafayette only a short hour commute from Damian’s current base in Lake Charles, there should be plenty of opportunity for old friends and new rivalries.

We wish him all the best in the coming years, and Geaux Cajuns!

Mathys Gets International Selection Grant

Mathys Bocquet capped off a fantastic year by claiming a coveted spot on the Irish Schools team for the SIAB International in Scotland in a stunning performance on the 7th March.  Unfortunately for Mathys the unthinkable happened and the world changed overnight due to a tiny virus, leading to the 11th hour decision of the Irish team not to travel to the event.  It was a good decision as the event itself was also cancelled the next day!

However, Mathys still got the reward of an international selection grant, presented last night by Lisa at the team training review meeting, along with special guest Damian who was giving us a view of life as a Collegiate in the USA.

Mathys getting his presentation at the Q&A meeting

COVID-19: The Community Call

Dear All

By way of update, in response to Covid-19, the Government has launched “The Community Call”, a major initiative that links local and national government with the community and voluntary sectors.

The Community Call is an unprecedented mobilisation of both state and voluntary resources to combat the effects of Covid-19.  The purpose of the Community Call is to coordinate community activity and community assistance to where it is needed.

The immediate focus is on the elderly and the most vulnerable, and mobilising rapid response in every county to make sure everyone is looked after. In the coming weeks the focus will expand to broaden the wellbeing of our society and how communities can work together to help the country through the Covid-19 crisis.  Launching the initiative, Minister Ring stated “Since the very start of this emergency, the community and voluntary sector has been working on the ground and also at national level with my Department, to prepare for the Community Response which we are outlining today. One of our greatest assets in this country is the strength of our local, community and voluntary networks.

We are now asking that those networks – formal and informal – be mobilised so that everyone in our communities can look after each other. If your neighbours or relatives are required to stay at home – check with them to see if they need supports. And if you are in that category yourself, don’t hesitate to ask for help - whether it’s with shopping, fuel delivery, collecting medicines or any other necessities of daily life. The Local Authority helpline is there as a safety net, to ensure that everyone is looked after”.

The Community Call will be overseen and managed locally by Local Authorities.  Led by the Local Authorities Chief Executives, the dedicated community Forum in each county will coordinate and connect the wide range of services and supports available in their specific areas. The forum involves an extensive list of state and voluntary organisations. A dedicated phone line is now operational in every county (details attached) and the national number 0818 222 024 is also now in operation.

We have also produced a further leaflet – COVID-19 – Advice when giving supports/receiving supports – to add to the communications pack which we issued on 20th March.  This leaflet provides practical advice when helping neighbours or family members with practical supports like shopping.  It gives you steps to make sure how to do this safely. 

For anyone who has asked for assistance, the leaflet also sets out what to expect and also practical advice on when letting someone into your home.

As part of the valuable resource of community and voluntary organisations, we are asking that you bring this information to the attention of your community, especially our leaflet – COVID-19 – Advice for people when lending a hand. 

Our email support help desk is also available for queries from community and voluntary organisations at C&This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More information is available on Gov.ie where information and practical supports are updated regularly.

The Department of Rural and Community Development

Craughwell AC Park Closure

Craughwell AC Sports & Recreation Park is padlocked and closed until further notice in light of the new Covid-19 restrictions announced by the Government tonight.

Please respect the Government orders, stay safe and do not use the grounds.

COVID-19 Update

Coronavirus update, 12th March

In view of the Government’s decision today to close all schools, colleges, and childcare facilities until 29th March and to restrict mass gatherings, the club’s committee and coaches held a brief meeting this evening.

In the National interest, the club has decided that there will be no regular juvenile training sessions during this period.

Athletes may use the facility to exercise individually but observe the best practice on social distancing if others present. If doing so, athletes should contact their main coach for advice on what training to do and when to do it, especially those who qualified for the All-Irelands.

The club regrets having to do this but is guided by the need to protect the most vulnerable in society by significantly limiting social interaction for the period in question to help reduce the spread of the virus.

The club will review the situation towards the end of the period and hopefully will be able to resume normal activities at that point depending on the public health guidance.

Ronnie Leads the Crew to National Title

Today in AIT, Sprint guru Ronnie Warde led the way as Craughwell Sealed their first Masters team Sprint title with a fantastic victory in the 4x200m relay.  The team of John Walkin, Ronnie Warde, Evan Morgan and Cormac Kearney blazed away from the field to seal a comfortable victory ahead of Gowran AC in Second and Galway City Harriers in 3rd.

In addition to that Ronnie claimed two exceptional individual medals.  Ronnie won a 60m Silver in a fine time of 7.31 (the winner was 7.30!) and a 200m Bronze in 24.66.  

Mathys and Caron Shine in the Country!

The Irish Cross Country Season ended with a bang on Saturday in two venues on opposite ends of the Country and featured many fine performances from Craughwell AC Athletes.  The premier Schools Competition - the Irish Life Schools Cross Country, took place in a cold and windy Santry, while the University equivalient, the IUAA Cross Country finals took place in Cork.  The standards are always stellar, but the general rise in standards of Irish distance running has lifted things here too.  Mathys Bocquet finished a marvellous 5th in the Junior Boys race, guaranteeing him a selection for the SIAB Schools International in Scotland in 2 weeks, and Caron Ryan finished a marvelous 3rd, helping her TCD team to an historic team Gold.

Junior Boys: Mathys Secures first Irish Cap!

Mathys lines up with the rest of his new Irish International Teammates

This race was Mathys' target for the year and the popular youngest member of the Wolfpack was rewarded for his dedication and commitment over the past several months with a brilliant 5th place position and an Irish cap for the coveted International in Scotland.  The race winner took off like the clappers and left a large chasing pack behind him looking for a fade that never came - after that it was effectively two races - the leader on his own and a chasing group of about 10 who were duking it out over the 3500m route.  In the end there was nothing between the second 8 athletes but Mathys fought doggedly for his selection slot. 

Mathys and Oliver for Calasanctus at the start line

This is the SECOND member of Mathys family to gain an international selection (his sister Shauna represented Ireland brilliantly last year) and amazingly, he is the FIFTH member of the wolfpack training group to win an Irish cap within the last 12 months!!  We are very lucky to have such a deep pool of talent training in our village. Well done Mathys - enjoy it and do us proud!!

The Boyle Family keenly supporting Mathys in his race!

Mathys was joined in the race by the hugely talented Oliver Ginty who finished a superb 33rd despite having very little endurance training or cross country experience under his belt.  A lot more to come from Oliver in the future with that kind of performance!

Mathys, Oisin, William and Kyle

There were many other great performances from club athletes in the other races.  In the Senior Boys race, William Fitzgerald (representing Gort) was our first finisher in 23rd place, just pipped on the line onhis blindside.  William was followed by Oisin Davis (48th) and Kyle Moorehead (59th) representing Presentation College Athenry, both having solid outings in the deep and talented field.  

Emma Charges strongly for the line

In the Senior Girls race - Emma Boyle led the pres crew home in 47th place followed by her teamates Sarah Gilhooley and Ailbhe Miskella recently recovered from injury in 66th.  All the girls found it tough going against the wind in the second half - it really seemed strong for their race!

Ailbhe holding off a chasing Athlete on the home run

In the Intermediate Boys Race, Ross McGuinness unfortunately suffered an achilles injury early in the race and despite his best efforts to continue was forced to step aside. 

In the Intermediate Girls race, Emily Miskella had a solid run to finish in 58th - Emily was on crutches from a freak ankle sprain only 8 weeks ago, so this was a very strong result.  No doubt she will soon be back to the form that saw her finish top 18 last year.

Spot Emily at the start of the Intermediate Girls race!

In the Junior Girls race, Holly O'Boyle representing Calsanctious ran well to finish in 66th place in a very strong field followed by Leonore Church in 75th place.

Caron Seals Historic TCD Victory in IUAA Finals

Meanwhile in Cork the IUAA finals were held and it's a testament to the Club how many of its athletes featured on University teams.  Caron Ryan had yet another fabulous performance to seal an individual Bronze in a splendid contest - she finished neck and neck with the Silver medallist and just got pipped on the line.  It was a stunning display of bravery and strength from the talented athlete.  The excellent pictures below are by John O Connor.

This is an ambush if ever I saw one - they finished on an identical time! 

Jack Miskella scored on a crazy talented NUIG team that was so so unlucky to finish just outside the medals - it just goes to show how deep this competition has become that a team of such quality can be pushed outside the medals.   On the upside (for Craughwell), they were beaten by a TCD team that contained Luke Evans in his first year competing for the college.

Jack (center) with teammates Aaron Brennan (left) and James Frizzel who all had superb runs for NUIG

Luke Evans (394) Celebrating with his Teammates after their Victory

Ben Garrard also had a strong run for UL in the same event.

Ben (599) had a very Solid run for UL

Update on coronavirus

Ella and Shauna, Galway Athletes of the Year!

Huge congratulations to Ella Farrelly and Shauna Bocquet who have won the Galway Athlete of the Year Awards in the U12-15 Girls and U16-19 Girls categories.

2019 was a fantastic year for both athletes with Ella winning a multitude of county and regional track & field titles, 2 National titles (indoor long jump and outdoor hurdles) and National bronze (outdoor long jump) and Shauna selected by Paralympics Ireland to represent Ireland at the IPC World Para Athletics Junior Championships in  Switzerland where she won an incredible three gold medals (100m, 400m, 1500m) and two silvers (200m,  800m).

Galway Athletics Team of the Year!

Craughwell AC's U20 Women's Team at the European Club Championships in Portugal

Massive congratulations to Craughwell AC's history-making European U20 women’s team who have won the Galway Athletics Team of the Year Award for 2019. The team comprised from left-to-right above

• Sinead Gaffney (team physio)
• Shauna Tobin (discus)
• Arlene Earls (200m / 800m / 4x400m)
• Laura Cunningham (team captain and long jump / javelin / 4x100m)
• Ciana Reidy (pole vault / 4x400m)
• Leanagh Gilligan (triple jump)
• Siona Lawless (100m)
• Aoife Kelly (hammer)
• Caoilin Milton (shot)
• Lorraine Delaney (vice-captain and 400mh / 4x400m)
• Eva Whyte (4x100m sub)
• Aisling Keady (joint team manager)
• Sarah Woods (3000m)
• Ciara Sheppard (1500m)
• Ailbhe Miskella (steeplechase)
• Alisha Larkin (100m / 4x100m)
• Ava Finn (100m / 4x100m)
• Lauren McNally (4x100m sub)
• Ellie Cronin (high jump /100mh)
• Freya Bohan (400m / 4x400m / 4x100m)
  
  

The European Championships which were held in Portugal last September was the biggest team event in the club's history and its fantastic now that the team have also won the Galway Athletics Team of the Year Award.

Well done also and thank you to the hard-working volunteers in Galway County Board who organise these Awards and to the Galway 5k Series Committee whose hard-work has provided the funds for this and many other County Board initiatives over many years.

Everyone is now looking forwards to the awards ceremony on Friday week.

Great performances at National Senior Indoors

800m runners Paul Joyce, Gavin Cooney and Sinead Gaffney
at the National Senior Indoors in Dublin

A small contingent from Craughwell AC contested the National Senior Indoor Championships last weekend in the National Sports Arena in Dublin. Sinead Gaffney ran a powerful race in the heats of the women’s 800m, placing 6th in a time of 2.19.31 – literally just a metre and less than a breath away from breaking her own club record and PB of 2.19.10.

Paul Joyce put it all out there in the heats of the men’s 800m with his second fastest time ever of 1.57.72 which placed him just outside the qualifiers for the final and Gavin Cooney went ever so close again to going under the sub-2 holy grail time of 800m running when placing 5th in his heat in 2.01.54.

Jack Miskella battled hard in a tactical 1500m heat, recording a time 4.11.03 and only 2 seconds from the automatic qualifiers for the final. Sinead Treacy ran a lightning fast 57.13 to place 2nd in the heats of the 400m, just outside her recent PB and club record of 56.73 set earlier in February.