8th July 1999
Weekly Sports

GAA

Douglas GAA
Douglas overcame the challenge of Na Piarsaigh in the U14 A grade hurling league. Douglas wasted a number of chances in the opening half and led 0-5 to 0-2 at the break. Na Piarsaigh opened the second half in fine style with a great goal to level the scores. The highlight of the second half was the clash between Thomas Cotter and his opposite number Izachi O’Halpin from na Piarsaigh. Thomas came out on top in this duel and his display lifted the Douglas team who scored 2-5 without reply from the Northsiders. Na Piarsaigh were under strength on the night and the Douglas display left a lot to be desired. Denis O’Riordan was solid in goal whilst Kenny Barry showed some good touches for Douglas. Douglas defeated Bandon in Secion C of the U12 South East Hurling league. This squad have now won four games from four outings. Douglas defeated Carrigaline in section B of the Ul2 South East Hurling league. Whilst this was not one of their better displays the team has now 100% record after 5 games. Mark Lucey , Alan Barry, David Olden and Shane Horgan played well.
Junior Hurling Championship Nemo Ranger 0-6 Blackrock 5-12 A much stronger Blackrock team recorded a good win over a Nemo team who were short a number of players for this championship game last Sunday night. An extremely disappointing result particularly after the good run we had in last year’s championship,
but they were beaten by a better team on the night. Nemo Rangers 1-9 Glen Rovers 2-8

A late goal for Glen Rovers gave them victory over Nemo in this Junior (2) Hurling Championship.
Nemo put in a food performance and after a good goal by Padraid Cripps in the first half went in at half time just one point in arrears. After the break Nemo went ahead and with just a few minutes remaining looked set for victory but the Glen came back to score a good goal and eventually went on to win by two points. Best for Nemo were Donal O’Leary, Sean Lyons and Eddie O’Leary. PremierMinorFootballChampionship
Nemo 1-9 St. Finbarrs 1-9 This game was played on Friday night last in Ballinlough in conditions more like November than July. The Barrs got a good start and played the better football but some good defensive play from Paul Brophy and Brian O’Regan kept Nemo in the game. A goal by the Barrs after 20 mins set them up for an interval lead of two points. Nemo played some good football in the second half and went from being four points down at one stage to three points up after Paul Hogan had scored a good goal. The Barrs eventually scroed some good points and with a last minute free they equalised and will meet again in the replay on Friday 9th July in Ballinlough at 7.45 p.m. Fixtures Lord Mayor Shield Under-Age Nemo v Carrigaline 10/7: K.S. Nemo v Castlehaven - Away 7.00pm 12/7: J(1)HL v Whitechurch -Home 7.30p.m 14/7:J(2)HL v Mayfield - Away 7.30

Motor Cycling

Wilson Leads Championship - Multi motorcycle racing champion, Derek Wilson retuned to winning form last week-end at Mondello Park. Going into Sundays rounds of the Production Championship, Derek was 2 points behind c’ship leader Roddy Hayes, but in true Wilson fashion, the Corkman turned the tables on his Dublin rival. Having stuggled with the set up and suspension of the Cork Superbike Centre Suzuki GSXR750 throughout the week-end Derek rode the destinctive Yellow superbike on the ragged edge with some brilliant outbreaking manoeuvre and power sliding to victory and a third place in both Production Races respectively. “Having lost this championship by a couple of points last season I’m determined to win it this year“, said Derek. Wilson now leads the Production Championship by 13 points with 2 rounds remaining.

Athletics

On the Road Again
John O'Leary of Garten Park took up jogging in 1977 having spent sometime training Douglas Hall Soccer Club. It was on one of these training sessions that he decided his personal fitness needed a boost, and he joined Leevale Club. His training ground was Jim Ryder's land, and three times a week he'd go there to build up his stamina, running around the field.
During the winter he'd head for Rochestown Road and on up to Garryduff, eventually he reached a level of fitness good enough to be able to compete in races as a member of the Leevale Club.
After an early success, winning his first medal on the Leevale Novice Cross Country Team - Irelands' well-known trackman Marcus O'Sullivan was a fellow team-mate on the day - John continues "I was 'bitten by the bug' and extend my training programme.
One thing about successful racing is that you get out of it what you're prepared to put into it.
Since starting, I've covered almost 43,000 running miles, most of them on the Hills of Maryboror' or the flat route via Rochestown Road. The fun of experiencing a good run, even on a cold winter's morning, brings a feeling of great satisfaction,
likewise, in races which can vary from short track sports to Marathon and also mountain races. Of the latter, the one organised for Ireland's highest peak, Carrauntwohill was a particular challenge.
No matter what level one's fitness is at, there is room for that standard in a racefield, and unlike other sports you can compete alongside the stars such as Brendan Foster, Seb Coe our own Sonia O'Sullivan, Eamonn Coughlan, John Tracey and up and coming greats such as Mark Carroll who like Marcus O'Sullivan started his running career with Leevale.
B.L.E. is our Governing Body and they provide Championships throughout the year. From these over the years I have notched up over 120 medals winning 42 individual Veteran titals, six of which were National titles ranging from 1,500m to half marathon. The Cork Business Houses Athletic Association also provide events in and around the City, which draw huge numbers of competitors and are an ideal way of getting into road racing.

Other popular venues are Ballycotton which attract entries close on 2,000 each March for its famous 10m race. Belgooly is another Club that over the years has done much for the sport. It was on its course that I ran my fastest ever 10miles clocking up 53mins 48 secs.
It was easy to make the progression from Jogging to Racing though a medical check-up is advisable beforehand, and you'll find plenty of encouragement from fellow athletes. One thing we all share is mutual respect for one another, for we know the hard work required in reaching peak fitness, as a result there's little room for begrudgery in the sport.

It would be nice to see more young people getting involved. The running scene offers far greater rewards and challenges than the pub scene ever could. If one never won a medal from the sport, the health benefits alone make it very worthwhile. It is encouraging to see recent Governments putting more financial aid into sport via clubs and schools. If this were matched with better coaching, there's no reason why as a nation we could not produce sportsmen and women capable of taking on the best in the world. We've done so in the past, in cycling and boxing, as well as athletics. It's terrific to see so many out walking morning and evening, particularly the women, who have the good sense to realise, sport-gazing on TV never made anyone fit. "Go out and do it" is the motto.

St. Columba's Road Bowling

Valuable Find -

The Brendan Swanton Memorial Trophy”. Brendan, who had so many friends in Douglas would I’m sure, cherish the delight of throwing a bowl down the road and running after it. The attendance I gather on the day should be a great turn out. I have been in touch with our friends in the GAA and Donie Harris Esq., Informs me that they have a junior A replay on that morning but time permitting should arrive to try their hand. So come on Billy Dorney, inspire your regiment and put fire in their bellies for the big one. We’ll see you there.
Bowling can be a cruel sport. You’re a hero one minute the next your a zero! It’ll not be until you’re standing at the tip, ready to launch the 28 ounce, that a decision will be made as to how and where to put the bowl, with the thought in your mind “I’ve got only one chance at this but whatever happens, right or wrong, in the past I got it right a few times”. Up to now, and I hope the future, our safety record has been exemplary. I’m now going to ask each and everyone of you that will be there next Sunday to be extra careful, as we are expecting a large swarm of fanatics to give us support..Please coply with the marshals and keep the children to the rear of the bowl. After all the work and effort put in by a lot of dedicated people, it would be a shame if anything was to happen and spoil it for everyone.
Who will win the trophy? From the out-set bowling is a very unpredictable recreation, just like any other sport such as golf or football, you can dump a great effort into the ditch a few yards from you, another time you can let fly with what I previously called a “thundering blunder”. Will Wally Clarke’s endeavour be hard to follow, or will Paul Lynch deliver?
Lynch is very strong, smooth and capable of winning on the day. Others to throw are Mick Lynch, whose venture to the tip last Sunday was, to express it lightly, shoddy. His partner, son Ian carried them both to great victory to win the third of the day.
So com’on Mick show your talent this Sunday, it’s yours for the taking , you’re in with a good chance. Georgie Delea, who’s making a great effort to break out of the shadow of the three big guns, should be a good wager. To all the other hopefuls the best of luck. The craic should be exceptional as usual, and I pray that the weather stays away for the barbeque back at the Hall later. We all now know why the Telecom Eireann shares are so expensive! Last week they were digging outside Davy McCarthy’s house when the came across what looked like a road bowl. When produced last Sunday, a big debate ensued as to whether it was a bowl or a 1720 cannon ball! Leslie Ring tried his hand by throwing the same, which ended up in another dyke, with the comment from Larry O’Sullivan, “Leave the thing there, sure ‘tis no good anyway”. However, it was retrieved later by Florrie Mc. with his metal detector. This said item is now in the hands of an expert, who will verify its authenticity, after removing the “crustaceans”.
This valuable antique can now be viewed, free of charge (or a small donation) by the public in Dixie Martin’s scaffolding yard before being put on permanent display at the Hall. See you at the tip..... 11.00a.m. .....College Corinthians.

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