St. Coca's Athletic Club
Kilcock, Co. Kildare
Archives 2019 October to December
Lock up the year 2019 - 31st December 2019
A suitable finish to a great year of running for the club today with a large group of adult members completing the Lock up the Year Half Marathon (or thereabouts) this morning along the Royal Canal from Ferran's Lock to Leixlip while our juvenile members were in a training session at the National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown in preparation for the Kildare Indoor Championships on Sunday 5th January. Happy New Year everybody.
St Stephen's Day Santa Run in aid of St Brigid's SVP Conference, Kilcock - 26th December 2019
Thanks to all who joined us this morning for the annual Santa Run at the track. This year, a total of €422.80 in funds were raised in aid of St Brigid's SVP Conference, Kilcock. Well done everybody.
National Cross Country Championships - Day 2 (Juvenile Uneven Ages & Novice)
Cow Park, Dunboyne, Co. Meath - 15th December 2019
By Carmel Kelly
The last cross country event of the year took place today in nearby Dunboyne. The Irish Life uneven ages all Ireland. The club had 26 athletes qualified to run but unfortunately a few of them were unlucky not to make it due to illness. However there were some fantastic performances all round and even though no medals were won the athletes ran up to and beyond expectations with much to take from the season.
Luke McKeon tasted his first all ireland representing Kildare County in boys U11. Roisin Beggan also representing the county in girls U13. Both running well. The U13 boys team improved on their Leinster run to finish 7th overall (2nd Leinster team). Feilim Dikcius, Brian Caffrey, Daniel Geraghty and Harry Cahill packed well finishing between 40th and 70th. Aoife McNerney led the girls u15 to 11th place with a 21st place finish. The other girls Niamh McDonald, Sadhbh Buckley and Ruby Olivier all running well too. An amazing last 1500m for Oisin Farrell brought him from mid 40's to 25th and he led the team to 4th place. Eoin Richards, Thomas Richards and Tadhg McCauley combining well. Kirsten Monaghan. Zofia Terzyk and Shane McNerney were all running as individuals in the u19 races. All running well but out of the medals.
The end of a long and most successful cross country season. Well done to everyone and to all the coaches who have brought the athletes to this level.
Run with Ado funds donated to St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown - 15th December 2019
By Martin Baten
Many thanks again to all those who contributed and helped out with the Run with Ado, especially the Mooney family. I know it was a tough run for many of you but this is what it's all about - honouring our good friend Adrienne and all those who are no longer with us. We finally handed over the cheque to St Francis Hospice in Blanchardstown. Thanks again to everyone.
26th SPAR European Cross Country Championships - Lisbon, Portugal - 8th December 2019
By Dermot Kelly
St Coca's Athlete Aoife O'Cuill was part of a 40 strong Irish Team to participate in the European Cross Country Championships in Lisbon. Aoife put in a fantastic run as part of the U20 squad and was the 2nd team mate home for the Irish behind Jodie McCann with the U20 squad taking 11th place.
Overall, Ireland had their most successful European Cross Country Championships winning individual bronze in the U20 men and in the U23 women and two silver team medals won by the U23 women squad and by the senior women's team.
Donore Harriers Jingle Bells 5K - Phoenix Park, Dublin - 7th December 2019
Congrats to all of the St Coca’s contingent, led by David Walsh, who took part in the Jingle Bells 5K in the Phoenix Park last Saturday organised by Donore Harriers. Nice way to close off an eventful year.
Kildare Cross Country Championships Day 3, Relays and Seniors - Curragh - 1st December 2019
By Carmel Kelly
A damp start to the day on the Curragh this morning for the last Kildare fixture of the year. A new event for juveniles inter club mixed relays drew big numbers. St Cocas fielded two u10 teams, three u12 and two u14 teams coming out on top in the u14 with a storming run by Daniel Geraghty, Aoishe Gormley, Sadhbh Buckley and Brian Caffrey. U10 Luke McKeon, Lily Ryan, Dearbhla Hearns, Colm Cahill, Hazel Geraghty, Kevin Kiely, Sean Hayes, Emily Graham and Sara Chrachol. U12 Roisin Beggan, Fionn Killeen, Harry Cahill, Erin Murray, Daithi Killeen, Cormac Buckley, Rebecca Treacy, Paulina Chrachol, Cormac Murray, Niamh Richards, Emily Geraghty and Gearoid McCauley. U14 Claire Kelly, Cian Durkan, Emily Byrne and Lauren Graham.
Immediately after the relays the senior women took to their marks in the 4K race. A 3rd place finish by Áine Burke led the team to silver medals. Kirsten Monaghan, Lynda Gormley, Niamh Cleary and Olivia Bermingham making up the team.
The men’s race 17 year old Eoin Richards became one of the youngest senior champions ever (Paul Robinson also winning at that age) when he had an impressive win in the senior 10k race. Having made his debut on the Irish Mountain running team this year the months of hill training along with his regular endurance work gave him the edge on the day. Behind Eoin the team were all running well and won deserved bronze team medals on the day. Shane McNerney, Niall O’Reilly, Leeroy Graham, Patrick Conlon and Henry Cahill members of the team.
Great running conditions on the Curragh today a number of other club runners took the opportunity to get some good training in for the upcoming All Ireland in Dunboyne and Kildare indoors in Athlone.