Crusaders AC News

Hall of Famer!

2008-11-14T17:42:00.002Z

Club Olympian and Irelands number one throws coach, Phil Conway, was recently inducted into the Irish Schools Athletics Association Hall of Fame for his unmatched contribution to the sport at this level. Undoubtedly a hugely popular nominee, Phil has for years not only been a pillar of strength from the associations official point of view but has also dominated the Track and Field competitions as the head of P.E. in Belvedere College. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the clubs 2008/2009 season and all of our members congratulate him thoroughly.

2008-11-11T17:41:00.002Z

Taking part in the Bank of Ireland BHAA Beach run on Saturday were: Cormac O'Ceallaigh, Dave Williams, Niamh O'Ceallaigh, Eva Fairmaner (pictured) and Leanne Cooke. The windy conditions made tactics all important for the 6km run. Coach Susan Walsh was in fine form as commentator, offering great encouragement. Full results http://bhaa.ie/images/library/file/BoIRaceMasterAug08(1).pdf.

Text and photo courtesy of Dee Ni Chearbhaill and the Crusaders Newsletter team.

Crusaders Junior 600m Trial

2008-11-09T11:59:00.001Z

Some astounding results for relatively new-comers to the sport in a 600m timetrial which took place yesterday in Irishtown. More to come from these talented youngsters we hope.

U15B - Fiachra Thirroueiz 2.18.1
U13B - Kevin McDonnell 2.54.5, Adam Lane 3.30.4
U10B - Alan Francis 3.09.0
U13G - Alex Hughes 2.26.1
U12G - Rachel Maher 2.32.1, Orla Murray 2.34.0, Grainne McGuille 2.46.1, Isobel Flanagan 2.56.9, Hannah McDevitt 3.44.1
U11G - Niamh Ferry 3.15.1, Juliet Storan 3.20.2, Isobel O'Leary 3.24.3
U10G - Rosin McGuill 2.44.0, Sarah Maher 2.45.9, Ella Thirroueiz 3.51.4, Clodagh Ferry 3.54.6 Write the rest of the article here.

Dublin Senior Cross Country

2008-11-04T21:17:00.001Z

St. Annes Park in Raheny hosted the Dublin Senior Cross-Country on Sunday last. The sole Crusaders representative was.. Alan O'Brien (pictured), having previously won both the novice and intermediate grades. In his first outing in the senior, Alan finished a creditable 13th in a time of 33.05.

Meet & Train Invitation

2008-11-04T21:11:00.001Z

Meet and Train groups and individuals are invited to take part in the Ann and Caroline Kearney Memorial two-mile run/walk at Santry on Saturday November 15 (2.0). The race,
in the grounds behind Morton Stadium, not only remembers former members Ann and Caroline Kearney, two of the pioneers of Irish triathlon, but also celebrates 45 years of women's running at Clonliffe Harriers. Prizes go to the top ten finishers, plus juniors and masters; all standards are welcome. Online entry at Eu10 (plus booking charge) is available through Active Europe. Or hand your details (name, date of birth) and money to any Clonliffe member at this weekend’s races.

Marathon Marvel Uli

2008-11-03T21:09:00.001Z

Our marathon coach Adriele, who recently featured prominently in the Irish Times in the lead up to the Dublin Marathon, had this to say about Uli Fluhme's run in the New York Marathon last weekend.

"Impressive race from our fellow friend Uli....yesterday he finished NYCMarathon on a windy day in 2:34:21....to finish in 76th place overall!!! Absolutely impressive.A very superb performance from a very fine athlete."

2008/2009 Committee

2008-11-03T21:03:00.002Z

This item of news comes a little late. At the 2008 Crusaders AGM the a new commitee was unanimously voted in. The positions follow. Much thanks was expressed to the outgoing members and enthusiasm over the new members was in great supply.

Chairman/President - Larry Ryder
Vice President - Jim O’Neill
Treasurer - John O’Connor
Secretary - Colin Kirkham
PRO - Don Ryan
Coach - Michael McGovern
Mens Captain - Karl Fahy
Mens Vice Capt - Rob Cross
Ladies Captain - Aoife Joyce
Ladies Vice Capt - Karen Conway

Committee
- Phil Conway
- Eugene O’Neill
- Deirdre Ni Chearbhaill
- Hugo Leeney
- Paul Kelly
- Bronagh Gavigan

Off Committee: Shane O’Rourke - Social Secretary

JuniorCru Long Jump Fresher

2008-11-01T21:31:00.003Z

The fledgling junior Crusaders' section held a long jump competition
at Irishtown on Saturday. The results follow:

U8 Girls - Emma O'Leary 2.50
U10 Girls - Ella Thirroueiz 2.65
U11 Girls - Niamh Ferry 2.95, Isobel O'Leary 2.60, Juliette Storan 2.53, Sarah Maher 2.45
U12 Girls - Orla Murray 3.57, Rachel Maher 3.22

U11 Boys - James Woods 3.22
U13 Boys - Matthew Behan 4.62, Kevin Woods 3.75, Adam Lane 3,35
U15 Boys - Fiachra Thirroueiz 3.50

AI DRAFT FIXTURE LISTING 2007

2008-10-23T15:25:00.002+01:00

Draft AI fixture listing 2007 for reference.
Draft%20AI%20Fixtures%20Meeting%20Dates%202009.doc

Young Crusaders start their Cross Country Season in Style

2008-10-22T13:58:00.002+01:00

Thirteen of our new young members took part in their first cross country competition on Saturday last at Magazine Hill in the Phoenix Park. Accompanied by their families and coaches, Moira and Roy, they waited in the blustery, but fortunately dry, weather for the start of their events. All were anxious as they did not know what to expect or how to run the race. Nerves were very evident in them all but these dissolved once their races started.

All ran brilliantly, tried their best and dug deep within themselves to produce great performances against athletes who have been competing and training for many more years than our young ones. Once they had finished their own races they then ran round the course many more times to support their club team-mates.

The new juvenile club took their first brave step and they made their coaches extremely proud with their determined efforts and their wholehearted support of anyone in Crusaders. It was wonderful to watch the start of the camaraderie in the junior club. As Roy said ‘if prizes were to be given for team spirit we'd have cleaned up’.
Congratulations to all and many thanks for giving us a great day. Also thanks to the parents who came out to support and to Moya who took such wonderful photographs which capture the moment beautifully.

Those who competed were U15 – Fiachra Thirroueiz, U13 boys - Kevin Woods and Matthew Behan, U13 girls - Amy Tyrell, U12 - Orla Murray, Grainne McGuill, Rachel Maher and Ciara Barry, U11 - Niamh Ferry, Juliet Storan and Isabel O’Leary,
U10 Ella Thirroueiz and Roisin McGuill.

Keep an eye on the site for photos over the coming days..

Intermediate gold for Alan and a team silver.

2008-10-14T17:58:00.006+01:00

The Dublin Intermediates Cross Country took place on Sunday, with some more great runs from the Crusaders crew. Alan O'Brien had another big win, winning a fascinating duel with rival Thomas Fitzpatrick from the Tallaght club to take the Dublin title. The men's team had a hugely impressive medal winning performance, earning a team silver over some big names such as Clonliffe and Raheny. In addition to Alan, the team was comprised of Rob Cross, Ivan Kinahan, Colin Johnson, Sean Curran, Ritchie and Rob Healy and Tom Kelly. Great performance guys, take a bow! We may have been thin on the ground in the women's race but Aoife Joyce finished in a very commendable 4th place.

Crusaders AGM 2008

2008-10-14T10:53:00.003+01:00

This years AGM takes place this Thursday 16th October at 8pm in Irishtown Stadium. All members are welcome. All nominations and motions to the club secretary.

Cru at the Olympics

2008-09-02T16:43:00.010+01:00

Irish athlete Thomas Chamney carried the flag for Crusaders for sure at the Beijing Olympics. He came 5th in heat 1 of the 800m with a time of 1:47.66. However he was not the only Crusader there. Slaven Dizdarevic competed in the Decathlon in which he finished 24th overall with 7021 points. Slaven spent over a year in Ireland during which time he trained in Irishtown and competed regularly with Crusaders. Tyler Christopher made the trip for Canada and ran in the 400m in which he finished 5th in heat 6 with a time of 45.67s. Tyler competed with Crusaders in the European Club Champions Cup in Maribor slovenia in 2005. Also Michelle Carey from Ireland competed in the womens 400m hurdles in which she ran 57.99 in the second heat. Although she now runs with Dublin Striders, she was a memebr of Crusaders with her parents when she was younger. Once a Crusader, always a Crusader!

Come Wish Chamney Luck

2008-07-25T10:03:00.006+01:00

Monday 4th August 6.30pm at the club in Irishtown Stadium.

Not many qualify for the Olympic Games, Not many you know get to go, let alone from your club. Come down on Monday 4th to wish Thomas well for Beijing. Show your support.

The plan is to meet maybe do a lap or two at the track, take some photos, and make a small presentation to him. We hope to be able to ask Tom some questions about his year in preparation, his training, how he plans to prepare for the heat and humidity in Beijing. It will be a great evening and you may get some good tips!
See you there

2 Crusaders Olympians

2008-07-23T10:20:00.004+01:00

News just in. Slaven Dizdarevič has achieved the B Standard for the Decathlon (7,700pts). Slaven spent time living in Ireland from 2004 to 2006. He competed here on a number of occasions and even took an Irish indoor title over 60m hurdles.

You may remember Slaven, he was always in the gym pumping weights, always doing some sort of odd looking plyometrics on the track. He joined in with Jim Kidd's sprint group on occasion. He is absolutely RIPPED and the ladies upstairs in Irishtown really miss him. Not to worry he will be on the Telly competing in Beijing in a few weeks time for the Slovak Republic.

Slaven qualified with the following times/distances:

7700 points
Position: 2nd
Venue: Storá Boleslav
Date: 20 July 2008

100m 11.06 (0.5)
Long Jump 7.09 (0.1)
Shot Putt 14.87
High Jump 1.99
400m 50.01
110mh 14.23 (-1.0)
Discus 38.98
Pole Vault 4.40
Javelin 52.99
1500m 4:40.83

Irish Times Cover 800m Olympic Struggle

2008-07-21T13:36:00.004+01:00

Article 1 - Premature
Article 2 - The Real Deal

Chamney Beijing Bound

2008-07-21T09:14:00.003+01:00

Thomas Chamney received the news that brought a tear to his Mum and Dads eyes. After winning the National 800m Championship yesterday in Santry his name was put forward by AAI to be selected to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games in Beijing. A quick decision was made and Thomas got a call last night while having dinner with his closest and biggest supporters, Jo, John and Sarah. He left the table to take the call, as all good gentlemen would do, Mum thought it wasa No at first as he walked away without any sign of delight. Seconds later he popped his head around the doorway to give the thumbs up... he got it! The restaurant momentarily errupted from the Chamney corner as a lifetime dream had just been realised.

Thomas has competed for years and has always given his athletics 110%. In fourth year at school he decided a stint in Spain to train with some of their elite would be the type of work experience he needed. While others in his class took up positions at solicitors firms, accountant practices and the like Thomas packed his bags and grafted on the track with Reyes Estevez to mention but one. His work ethic and focus has always been admirable. University years could have been spent home in Ireland dabbling in athletics while living the good life in Temple Bar or Reds but he decided the US would be best for his running. South Bend Illinois was the place, Notre Dame the University. 2 years there saw great improvement, then came another huge move which again showed his self belief and his ambition to make it to the top. Tom took a year out form college to train full time. He tried thing s that would benfit his running, altitude training stints, specific weights programs, warm weather training camps. He had a great year and returnedto finish his college degree.

College done moving into Olympic year was next. Thomas decided having run the B standard in '07 that a crack at the A and a ticket to Beijing was worth a go. While most class mates went to work, starting on 40 or 50,000 dollars he took to the roads, trails and fields to log the miles and chase his dream. 'Believe' was the motto for the year which he has portrayed on his website madra08 and believe he did.

Thomas best of luck from all the Crusaders. We can't wait to see you in live that dream in Beijing.

"Brilliant. So happy not just for him for his parents too" Michael McGovern

"Holy Sh1t. He mus t be Buzzing" Simon Kenny

"Thats Fantastic. tell him Congrats from us" Eugene & Catherine O'Neill

"Thats Fantastic, give him our best wishes. Josephine won't sleep for the next month" Susan Walsh

"Animal!!! Say Congrats" Alan O'Brien

The Bash on the Boat!

2008-07-17T15:38:00.002+01:00

Our next social event will take place on the evening of Friday, August 8th. To celebrate the blistering summer that we’re having this year, we’re taking to the water to cool down! So please join us for the “Bash on the Boat” on the MV Cill Airne on the North Wall Quay http://www.mvcillairne.com/ . We have reserved the Blue River Bistro Bar from 6pm onwards and finger food will be served at 8pm. A charge of €12 will apply and you can pay Aoife Joyce, Dee Ni Cearbhaill or Shane O'Rourke at training over the next few weeks.

We need to estimate numbers so we can organize the food, so if you plan to attend, please email shaneo_rourke@hotmail.com by Tuesday, August 5th. Friends and family welcome.

What a dedicated Crusader!!

2008-07-16T12:29:00.001+01:00

Ivans wedding cake... You gotta love it!

Write the rest of the article here.

Track and Field Nationals 2008

2008-07-15T13:24:00.002+01:00

Crusaders who’s who and the ones to watch?

110m Hurdles
Crusaders own this event. No non-Crusaders winner since 1997. Ian "Hamilton" McDonald going for three in a row on the back of a breakthrough season where he has run 14.01w twice and finished 2nd at European Cup for Ireland. Only possible threat is if some miracle of science allows Peter Coghlan to appear for the first time since 2005 so Crusaders can go for the 1-2.

100m/200m
Olympian, World Students Games silver and bronze medalist Paul Hession is worth
coming out to see. On the Crusaders front we have a number ...
of our promising Junior athletes shaping up against Irelands best Seniors. Tope, Patrick, Eoin and John.

On the ladies side Liz Melvin is the main Crusader to keep an eye out for. A possible final if all goes to plan… and Larry has planned it with precise detail!

400m
This will have our French national Maxime trying to improve on his season’s best of 53 point. With a PB of 48 he is confident of this. Ones to watch will be the obvious – 2 time Indoor European Champion David Gillick with Paul McKee, Brian Doyle, Gordon Kennedy, Brian Murphy and Brain Gregan fighting for the silver and bronze.

800m
Crusaders Thomas Chamney will be looking to regain his National Title from 2006 after a successful 1.46.66 in Italy during the week. Next to him is the new and much improved Al OB (Ooo Be), having won his last 2 races in personal best times he will be in the mix in the final. Newly Ivan Kinahan will have to watch from the sidelines this year as he is suffering a wrist injury from carrying his new wedding band. Other Crusaders to watch will be Buns Carrigan and Rob Angry. Both recently coming back from ‘aul fella’ injuries.

1500m
The 1500m is light this year as far as Crusaders Men re concerned. The ones to watch would be defending champion Dave Campbell and Liam Reale the Limerick man.

Our new find this year Niamh will gear up for the ladies event and hopes to improve with yet another PB over the distance.

10,000m
This will be a cracker up front with a selection of top Irish challenging for medals. A late entry is Alistair Cragg who, coming off his double 3.39 and 7.55 last weekend in Cork should be ready to roll out a fast time. Crusaders new man, Matt Flaherty will give this 25 lap grueller a go and try to hit his target of 30 minutes. It looks good off a personal best 8.28 3k 2 weeks ago.

Others involved will be former champions Killian Lonergan, Joe McAllister, Vinny Mulvey and Gary Thornton.

3000m Steeplchase
Well Eugene O’Neill is the Crusader to watch here, 6 time champ looking for number 7, he has great experience and a wise head. Some depth to the event this year with added interest from athletes such as Emmett Dunleavy a 3.48 man over 1500m, Brian Farrell a 3.49 man and new young kid Rory Chesser. Mark Kirwan will try to retain his title, but if you have been down in Irishtown lately, I’d keep an eye on Euge!!

Long Jump
Crusaders to Watch
Steve Fleming PB 7.51 SB 7.26. A vet at this event, ‘literally’. He still keeps coming back to fend off the younger hopefuls and quash their ambitions of being Irish number one. Steve is looking to add to his indoor title he won back in January.
Ones to watch - Eoin Hannon (if he's fit), Alan Kennedy, Chris Crowley

Javelin
Normally, Niall Tuckey is our hope here but he is on baby sitting duty this weekend as the wife has headed off with the girls. In any event ones to watch are the non-nationals. There are two good guys from Latvia that should do the business. Third either Michael McConnicky or Paul marry.
Winner will throw about 62 – 63

Rankings Changes

2008-06-24T19:50:00.004+01:00

Changes have been made to the Crusaders Mens Ranking system. Go here for the mens rankings page and here to add your performance!

The womens system remains the same for the time being.

2008 Ranking Lists

2008-05-15T17:42:00.001+01:00

The Crusaders 2008 Track & Field Ranking Lists are now online.
Men
Women
Send results to info @ crusadersac.org.

Atmospheric & Eclectic

2008-05-12T15:52:00.001+01:00

After years of absence, the Crusaders G.V Ryan & Louis Vandendries competitions returned in one of the most atmospheric events to ever have been staged in the clubs new Irishtown home. The turn-out in some events was dissapointing. The 1500 and 3000 metres races definitely suffered from being staged in a fortnight when high profile meets from the Irish Milers Club & the Dublin Athletics Board provide similar distances. Other events were well competed such as the mens 100m and mens 400m, both of which had multiple heats.

Highlights of the meet for Crusaders athletes included Alan O'Briens classy dominance in the 1500m, and the contrasting performances in the shot circle of young Ben Geraghty who placed 2nd and Mary Kavanagh, who came back from what can only be described as a significant period of absence from the sport to place 1st. Larry Ryders group of talented young sprinters also deserve mention for some impressive performances over 100m and the 4x100m relays.

The DSD women took the Louis Vandendries trophy home just ahead of the Crusaders women but it is with great pleasure that I report that the Crusaders mens team made their mark on the record books by returning the G.V Ryan Trophy to its rightful home which is now a place in the trophy cabinet in Irishtown Stadium.

All Crusaders results below, places indictate overall position including athletes in non G.V. Ryan Clubs:

100m Topay Odelade 8th 11.57s
400m Hugo Leeney 11th -
1500m Alan O'Brien 1st 4m02s
400mh Robert Walsh 9th 62.08s
LJ Will O'Siorain 4th 5.40m
HJ David Murphy 2nd 1.80m
SP Ben Geraghty 2nd 11.09
JT Niall Tuckey 2nd 58.00m
3x800m Crusaders+1 6m33.11s
4x100m Crusaders 46.24s

100m Isabella Davy 4th 13.71
4x100 Crusaders 2nd 63.45s
LJ Linda O'Hara 2nd 5.13m
SP M. Kavanagh 1st 9.67

Crusaders Regain GV Ryan Trophy !!!

2008-05-12T11:13:00.003+01:00

Crusaders reintroduced the GV Ryan Louis Vandendries trophy this weekend after a few years break. It was a very successful event for the club which returned to the its unfamiliar spot on the podium - Number 1!!!

Report to follow shortly.
Write the rest of the article here.

G.V. Ryan & Louis Vandendries Ressurection

2008-04-23T13:15:00.004+01:00

On the 10th of May Crusaders AC plan to resurrect the G.V. Ryan & Louis Vandendries competitions in conjunction with the AAI games in Irishtown stadium. Announcements of the competing teams will take place on the 3rd of May although we can disclose that Crusaders will have a mens & womens team in the competition. Finalised timetable will also be available on this date

The events that will count in the GVs & LVs (subject to change) are listed below.

TRACK	FIELD
400mh	Long Jump
100m	High Jump
3000/5000m	Javelin
400m	Shot
1500m
4x400m
4x100m