At the Munster relay Championships on Sunday at Cappamore, Co. Limerick last Pearse Lillis, Boys under 10, Tadhg Lillis, Boys under 12 and Roisin O’Looney Girls under 14 all helped Clare to win gold medals.

************************************

Our three athletes did brilliantly in the national Finals. In girls under 12 Laura Egan finished 24th and helped the Clare team to a bronze medal. In Girls under 13 Roisin O’Looney finished an outstanding 12th place, was on the Munster team which won the regional gold medal and helped Clare to Bronze in the County Competition. In Boys under 12 Tadhg finishes a great 13th place and helped Munster and Clare to Silver medals.

The second Munster Championship were held in Dungarvan last weekend. Once again our athletes did well. In girls under 9 Sharon Egan ran a brilliant race to finish 5th and helped Clare to a silver medal. Aine O’Looney helped Clare to a bronze in Girls under 11 and qualified in the Clare team for the all Ireland which will be held in Athlone IT on December 11th. Pearse Lillis has also qualified with the Clare team in Boys under 11. Roisin O’Looney gave an outstanding when finishing 4th in Girl’s under 13. She therefore qualified for the Munster Team and the Clare team which won the gold medal. James Burked qualified on the Clare under 13 team as did Niamh Donnellan in Girls under 15

The first Munster championship was held in Tralee Racecourse on October 22nd. Clare teams in general were very successful and Kilmihil athletes played their part. In girls under 10 Aine O’Looney in 8th position led Clare to a bronze medal. In boys under 10 Pearse Lillis finished in a very good sixth place and won a silver medal with the county. Clare won the girls under 12 race and Laura Egan was the 6th scorer in 18th place. Tadhg Lillis ran to a great 4th place to help Clare to another gold medal. Tadhg also qualified for the Munster team for the all Ireland championships. Clare won Silver in Girls under 14 and Roisin O’Looney in 17th place played her part. Niamh Donnellan helped Clare to a bronze medal in girls under 15. The All Ireland Championships for these age groups will be held in Dungarvan on November 26th.

*************************************

The cross-country season began in Kilnaboy on October 1st and we brought home some excellent results. Sharon Egan from Cahermurphy had our first individual win in Girls under 8

Results>

Girls under 8 - Sharon Egan, Cahermurphy 1st.

 Boys under 8 Fergal Donnellan, Cree - 3rd

Girls under 10: Aine O’Looney, Gower - 1st

Boys under 10:Pearse Lillis, Brisla 3rd, Cian Burke, Cooraclare 5th

Girls under 12:  Kilmihil 3rd team - Laura Egan,  Cahermurphy, Sinead Burke, Aoife O’Gorman Cooraclare, Aoife Lillis, Alva

Boys under 12: Tadhg Lillis, Brisla 1st

The 2nd outing was held in Newmarket on October 15th

Results

Girls under 9: Sharon Egan, 2nd

Girls under 11:  Aine O’Looney, 3rd

Girls under 13:  Roisin O’Looney, Gower, 1st. Kilmihil team 3rd with Laura Egan, Aoife O’Gorman and Aisling Lillis, Alva

Boys under 13: Tadhg Lillis - 1st., Kilmihil team 1st with James Burke, Cooraclare, Kevin O’Looney, Cooraclare, Caoimhin Donnellan, Clohanbeg

*******************************************************************

The cross-country season will start at the end of September. Training has now started on Tuesday and Friday nights at 7.00. The first event is the even ages in Kilnaboy on October 1st. *********************************************************************

The West Clare National School Cross-country Championships were held on Monday 25th. in Fergus Ryan’s Fields. This is the tenth year of the championships and it has always been organised by the members of Kilmihil Athletic Club. Approx. 490 athletes took part and the cup for the best parish went to Cooraclare for the 4th consecutive year.

********************************************

A small contingent of Kilmihil athletes went to the Munster B Track & Field championships in Waterford on Saturday 22nd. Roisin O’Looney won the under 13 600m, while her sister Aine was 3rd in under 10 300m. Laura Egan got a gold medal in under 12 600m. The season is now over until the cross-country training starts in September.

********************************************************************

It was a great day for Marie Coughlan at the Munster Masters championships in Castleisland on May 28th. In her category she won Long Jump, Shot, Discus and Hammer

******************************************************************

Day two of the County championships was very successful for the Club and there were some great performances.

Results:

 Girls under 8, 80m and 150M a great double for Sharon Egan

Girls under 10 Aine O’Looney won the 300m and was 3rd in the Long Jump

Girls under 11: Sinead Burke won silver in 80m

Girls under 12: Laura Egan won the 600m  Kilmihil won the relay with Laura Egan, Sinead Burke, Aoife O’Gorman and Aine O’Looney

Girls under 13: Roisin O’Looney was 2nd in 200m, 800m, Long jump and shot. The shot was won by Ciara Morrissey.

Boys under 9: Pearse Lillis 3rd in Long Jump

Boys under 11: David Donnellan 2nd in 80m

Boys under 12: Tadhg Lillis, 3rd in 800m and 2nd in Long jump

Boys under 13: Kevin O’Looney, 3rd in Shpt.

 *********************************************************

Day two of the County Juvenile Championship Track and Field will be held in Mullagh Sports field on Saturday May 27th. Starting time is at 11.00am.

**********************************************************

Congratulations to our 5 athletes who performed heroically in community games cross-country in Mosney at the weekend. The Clare under 13 team won the National Title for the 9th year in a row. They were brilliantly led by our Damien Burke who gave a wonderful performance to take the individual gold medal. Also scoring on the team which consisted of 5 boys and 5 girls  was Roisin O’Looney who gave an outstanding performance over the two days. The Clare under 12 relay team got a bronze medal and included Tadhg Lillis and James Burke, while Aoife O’Gorman. was on the girls under 12 team which got the silver medal. Wonderful performances all round.

******************************************************

5 athletes from Kilmihil Club will represent Clare this weekend 20th and 21st May at the special weekend in Mosney. Damien Burke and Roisin O’Looney are on the under 13 team which is attempting to win the all Ireland championship for the 9th consecutive year. James Burke and Tadhg Lillis are on the under 12 boys relay team while Aoife O’Gorman is on under 12 girls relay team.

******************************************************

The first day of the country track and field championships was held in Mullagh sports grounds in glorious sunshine and it was a successful day for Kilmihil athletes.                                      

Results:

 Girls under 8: Sharon Egan, 1st in 60M and 200M, 3rd in Ballthrow

Girls under 11: Sinead Burke, 3rd in 100m, 2nd in 200m

Girls under 12: Laura Egan: 3rd in 100m and 300m

Girls under 13: Roisin O’Looney, 2nd in 600m, Relay team: 3rd: (Roisin O’Looney, Aine O’Looney, Sinead Burke and Laura Egan)

Girls under 14: Emma Coughlan 2nd in Shot putt

Boys under 8: Fergal Donnellan, 3rd in 60m

Boys under 10: Pierce Lillis, 3rd in 60m, 200m 2nd in Ballthrow

Boys under 11: David Donnellan, 3rd in 100m

Boys under 12: Tadhg Lillis, 1st 800m, 3rd in Ballthrow

Boys under 13: Damien Burke, 1st 600m, Relay (Damien Burke, Tadhg Lillis, James Burke, Kevin O’Looney)

Day 2 will be at the same venue on May 27th.

**************************************************

Day one of the Clare Track and Field Juvenile Championships will be held in Mullagh Sports Ground on Sunday May 7th starting at 11.00am

.**************************************************************

AGM

The AGM was held on Friday night. There was a small attendance. Secretary John Devine reported on the declining numbers of athletes and on the excellent performances of those that took part. The highlight of the year was the winning of two individual Munster cross-country championships at Gurteen by Damien Burke and Tadhg Lillis. Damien also won in Piltown. The club is in a good financial position. Most of the discussion centred around how to get more young people interested in athletics and it was decided to target the national schools.

Officers: president Paddy Quinlivan, Chairman, Michael Hehir, Vice Chairman and Child Protection Officer, Sean Lillis, Secretary John Devine, Treasurer, Marie Coughlan, Competitions Secretary and PRO. Michael Lillis, Registrar, Anne O’Looney, Committee, Mick Egan, Tom Egan, Edmund Burke.

******************************************************

The AGM of Kilmihil Athletic club will take place in St. Michael’s Community centre on Friday March 31st at 9.00 . All are welcome

*****************************************************

Well done to Club members James Burke, Aoife O’Gorman and Tadhg Lillis who qualified on Clare Community games relay teams for Mosney

****************************************************

Congratulations to Club members Roisin O’Looney, and Damien Burke who qualified on the Clare Community games Mixed Cross country team which takes part in the National Finals in Mosney on May 20th and 21st. The Clare team will be attempting to win a ninth consecutive title.

****************************************************

The final cross-country event of the year 2005 took place in Kildysart on Sunday last march 12th. This was Junior, Novice B and Juvenile Relays. We had only one team in the relays. that was under 11 girls and they came away with a fine victory. The Team was Laura Egan, Aine O’Looney, Sinead Burke and Aoife O’ Gorman

*************************************************

Damien Burke with John Treacy and Clare AAI PRO, James Sexton
The Clare Sport and Community awards which are promoted by Clare VEC and the Clare Champion and sponsored by AIB will be presented at the West County Hotel on Friday Night March 3rd.  The athletic award winner is Kilmihil’s star athlete Damien Burke who will receive the award from Chairman of the Sports Council and former world champion John Treacy. This is Damien’s second consecutive award as in 2005 he received the award as Clare’s outstanding Young Sportsperson of the year.

*******************************************************

Our Small group of athletes were very successful at the “B” cross-country championships in Kilkishen. Aine O’Looney won the under 9 girls race while her sister Roisin had a good win in the Under 13 girls race. In the under 11 girls , Laura Egan came 2nd and Aoife O’Gorman was 3rd while in girls under 15 Niamh Donnellan won the silver medal.

********************************************************

On Sunday February 5th in Kilkishen, the “B” cross-country championships will be held in conjunction with the Senior championships

************************************************************

At the Munster Athletic convention on Saturday 28th Club members John Devine was re-elected as chairman of the Munster Juvenile committee and Michael Lillis was elected as Competition secretary for Munster  Cross-Country Events.

CROSS-COUNTRY 2005
Congratulations to Roisin O’Looney (girls under 12) and Damien Burke (Boys under 12) who were members of Clare teams that won gold medals in Athlone on Sunday 20th January

***************************************************

Congratulations to John Devine our club secretary. At the awards social on Friday night last in the Auburn Lodge, Ennis, John was presented with the overall county award for his work in the promotion of athletics for the last 20 years. John is Chairman of the Munster Juvenile board,

*************************************************************

Congratulations to Pearse Lillis, Boys under 8, Tadhg Lillis, Boys under 11, and Damien Burke, Boys under 12 who received awards on Friday night last at the Annual Awards ceremony in the Auburn Lodge

**********************************************************

Three Kilmihil athletes were members of successful Clare relay cross-country teams at the Munster championships in      Beaufort, Co. Kerry on last Sunday. Sinead Burke was in the victorious Girls under 10 team as was Damien Burke in Boys under 12 while Roisin O’Looney won a silver medal with girls under 12. Roisin and Damien will be in Athlone on Sunday next January 22nd for the all Ireland relays

********************************************************************

The second stage of the National Cross-country Championships were held on the grounds of Athlone IT. on Sunday 11th December. In under 12 girls, Roisin O’Looney finished in 33rd position and was the 3rd scoring member of the Clare team which won the bronze medals. Damien Burke, 13th, Tadhg Lillis 47th and James Burke 63rd were all members of the Clare team which won silver medals. in Boys under 12. Damien was also a member of the Munster team which won the gold medal in the regional competition. In girls under 14, Niamh Donnellan in 47th position was a member of the bronze winning Clare team.

****************************************************

Kilmihil Club Athletes taking part in the National Finals in Sligo

Laura Egan, Roisin O’Looney, Niamh Donnellan, Caoimhin Donnellan, Tadhg Lillis, Damien Burke

Tadhg in 8th place led Clare to silver medals and was part of the bronze medal winning Munster team, Damien in 14th place was on the winning Munster team.

**********************************************************

20th November 2005

Six of our athletes have qualified on Clare teams for the National Cross-country championships in Sligo on Sunday next 27th. Girls under 11. Laura Egan, Boys under 11 Tadhg Lillis, Caoimhin Donnellan, Girls under 13, Roisin O’Looney, Boys under 13,Damien Burke and Girls under 15, Niamh Donnellan
*************************************
Racing next Sunday 13th November is at Kilmaley for the St. Cronan’s races and on the 20th in Lissycasey for the Fergus races.

——==========——

Well done to our Boys under 12 team who qualified for the National Finals in Athlone on 11th December. Damien Burke led the team with a great win and must now be hot favourite to win the All-Ireland gold medal. to add to his under 11 title last year. The other members of the team who won the bronze medal were Tadhg Lillis(10th), James Burke (30th) and Caoimhin Donnellan (62nd). Damien and Tadhg were on the Clare team which won the Munster championship. Roisin O’Looney ran her best race of the year to finish 3rd in girls under 12 and led Clare to a silver medal. Also on the Clare team was Laura Egan in 18th place. Clare won the bronze medal in girls under 9. The first Clare girl home was Sinead Burke in 10th place.

——==========——

The next Munster Championship will be held on November 6th near Carrick -on-Suir , Co. Tipperary

——==========——
 
 
Munster under 13 boys champion
Damien Burke
 Clare under 11 boys
Tadhg Lillis, Centre, Caoimhin Donnellan, right
 
 

A great day for Kilmihil athletes in Doora on Sunday . Clare athletes won 3 individual gold medals and two of these were from our club, Tadhg Lillis in Under 11 Boys and all Ireland champion ,Damien Burke winning the Under 13 Boys . The first race was for under 9 girls and here Aine O’Looney finished 10th and helped the Clare team to gold medals. Clare also won the Boys race and Pearse Lillis, 10th and Cillian Burke, 16th were on the winning team. Laura Egan finished 7th in Girls under 11 and again Clare won the gold medals and qualified for the National Championships in Sligo. Laura has also qualified as a member of the Munster team.

Tadhg Lillis had a great win in Boys under 11. He led from the start and was never in danger of being caught. The Clare team won the Gold and he now captains the Clare and Munster teams for Sligo. Caoimhin Donnellan ran his best ever race to finish 10th and is also on the Munster team.

Damien Burke who has been unbeaten in cross-country for the past 2 years won the under 13 boys and led Clare to another gold medal.

——==========——

* The Munster Uneven age championships will be held at the Doora Barefield hurling field on Sunday October 23rd.

——==========——

*Kilmihil Athletic held a fundraising table quiz at the fiddlehead Bar on Friday night October 21st. all teams are welcome. Teams of four at €20. Special prizes for best local teams. Starting at 9.00pm. 17 tables helped to make it a very successful fund raiser. Martin Murphy was the question master.

——==========——

9/10/2005

Many of our athletes had gone to Quilty to support Kilmihil in their Intermediate Football Final so we had a small number of athletes for the cross-country in Newmarket. Sharon came 5th in girls under 8, while Fergal Donnellan came 5th in Boys under 8 In girls under 10 Sinead Burke came 3rd. in Girls under 10 and Laura Egan was 6th in girls under 12. Damien Burke was again the star Kilmihil athlete when he added the Boys under 13 to the under 12 that he won in Kilnaboy. The Boys Team of Damien Burke, James Burke, Caoimhin Donnellan and Tadhg Lillis were in the silver medal position. IN Girls under 16, Aoife Donnellan was 6th.

——==========——

* The next outing is at Newmarket -on -Fergus on Sunday next October 9th at 12.am. This is for even ages (under 8to18).

——==========——

* 2/10/2005

The Clare uneven age (under 9 to 19) championships were held today in Kilnaboy. Our club had a small turnout of athletes but what we had were more very successful. Tadhg Lillis had a great win in the Boys under 11 championships. He led from the start and was never troubled. Last year’s All Ireland under 11 champion Damien Burke started the season in fine style with a good win in Boys under 13. He came under pressure with 300 metres to go but held on in to win comfortably in the end. Unfortunately we had no teams to back up these fine runners. Our only team medal was in Boys under 9 where our small men did well to finish third. The team was Pearse Lillis, Fergal Donnellan, Cillian Burke, and Rory McCloone.

* The first county Clare Cross-country championship of the season for uneven ages and Novice will be held in Kilnaboy on Sunday October 2nd 2005 at 12.00 noon.

* The West Clare Cross-Country Championships for National Schools will be held on the lands of Fergus Ryan in Aghaya on Wednesday September 28th 2005 at 12.00. This is the 9th year for this event and it has organised each year by the local club. The competition is on a parish basis among the thirteen parishes in West Clare. The Kilmihil Team is comprised of pupils from Kilmihil, Cahermurphy and Clonigulane Schools. There are 6 races for under 8, under 10 and over 10 boys and girls. There is an overall trophy for the best parish.

Kilmihil Athletic Club was founded on January 6th 1942 by Fr. Pat O’Connor who had recently arrived as the new parish curate. The club is the oldest and longest surviving club in County Clare. In the early days the club promoted athletics for young men from the parish and the surrounding areas. This has continued successfully to the present day. In the 60’s juvenile boys were catered for and in the 70’s girls competitions were added. At the moment we cater for boys and girls from under8 to veteran category.

There have been many great champions in the club. In the 40’s there was Patrick O’Dea from Lissycasey and Willie Carey from Moyasta. The great era for the club was in the 50’s and 60’s with senior cross-country winners, Morgan Walsh, Knockerra, Dan O’Halloran, Pat Kelly, Cree, and the great Pat Considine who won County, Provincial and National titles.

In 1967 a major divide occurred in athletics and Kilmihil AC decided to remain NACAI. The 70’s and early 80’s were relatively quiet for the club but at the end of the latter decade St. Michael’s Vocational school built an athletics track which has been available to the club and which provides an excellent safe training ground for athletes. In the last decade we have become one of the strongest clubs in the county and in the top 25 in the country. The O’Gorman/ McNamara trophy which is presented to the best club club in the county track championships was won in four consecutive years.

The arrival of the millennium has seen the club become part of the newly formed Athletic Association of Ireland. Club member, John Devine has been elected chairman of the Munster board and Michael Lillis becomes the first chairman of the new Clare board.

Training takes place on Tuesday and Friday nights at 7:00 p.m. at the community school grounds and all are welcome to join