A striking feature of the Woodie’s DIY National Juvenile Track and Field Championships held in Tullamore over the weekend was the number of records set in the more technical events. Finn Valley’s John Kelly, who competes in the World Youth Games next week, enhanced his growing reputation when he won the M17 shot put title […]
It proved a long afternoon for Irish pole vaulter Tori Pena at last Saturday’s European Team Championships in Santry. With all four seasons pummelling the athletes (and spectators), the pole vault took well over two hours to complete with the cross-bar constantly at risk of blowing over in gale-force gusts. “Yes there were a lot […]
So what is this European Team Championships First League? It’s a track and field team competition divided into four divisions with men and women competing together over two days. At the top of the pile is the Superleague followed by Leagues 1, 2 and 3, each with 12 national teams (or so – there are […]
Over 650 athletes from twelve European nations are expected in Dublin over the next few days for the European Athletics Team Championships taking place in Santry on Saturday and Sunday. The Santry event is the second division of this championships – or “1st League” – and at stake are places in the premier league. Competition […]
Over 600 athletes from 12 national teams are coming to Dublin for the European Team Championships division 1 match at Santry starting in ten days time on June 22. Places in the prestigious Super League are the reward for the top three teams. Despite the presence of strong squads from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, […]
Last night’s 100m win in Rome by the serial drugs cheat Justin Gatlin reminded me of this; written while I was working in Doha, Qatar, in May 2006. “Gatlin, the cynosure of all eyes” somewhat improbably shouts the top page headline in the local English newspaper, The Peninsula. Not quite – five minutes before the […]
For most people, the marathon is a special event not to be indulged in too often. Then there are the members of the 100 Marathon Club Ireland. For them, a marathon is something you do once a month or even once a week. Notching up a hundred marathons is their target and so they travel […]
With the European Clubs Championships in Santry at the end of June, the World Student Games in July and the World Championships in August, Ireland’s top athletes face a busy few months. Among them is Brian Gregan of Clonliffe, the country’s fastest 400m runner. “I’m off to Belgium this weekend and I’ll be away most […]
Although summer is slow in arriving, the track and field season, is already well underway , with the Dublin Graded League attracting record numbers to its first two meets, athletes travelling abroad in search of times and the first National League round taking place on Sunday. Defending women’s champions Dundrum South Dublinhave the luxury of […]
This morning on my usual Saturday morning spin around the UCD campus at Belfield, I briefly stopped at the former track, now looking like a makeshift builder’s yard. It is heart-breaking. Here is where thousands of us got our first taste of athletics. We trained, we competed, we made friends and although we all grew […]
Lady Icarus – new edition
Want to Explore Herbert Simms’ Dublin?
Simms book – launch November 7
“Lady Icarus” – sold out! As are the Markievicz books!
Cork – “the most comfortable jail”
Keith S: Excellen blog , thanks for the effort/info here.Be...
LindieNaughton: Have corrected in the copy....
Anonymous: Barbara Sanchez coach is Sebastian Lochteau now...
Anonymous: I knew Joe through his being part of the Cabra Lio...
Anonymous: I knew Joe through his being part of the Cabra Lio...
