The North Sligo Athletic Club had their annual Christmas party and presentation night in Lang's Restaurant on Saturday 7th December. It was a lovely night filled with comradeship, joy and laughter.
2024 was an eventful year for the club on and off the track which was highlighted by Chairperson Niall Canning. The Chairperson said that awarding of 3 grants mainly through the hard work of Eamon McAndrew and a few others was a huge boost for the club, he said 2 very successful club fundraisers: ATU Haunting and In For A Penny In For A Grand help further add to club funds for the proposed tartan track which will hopefully be completed in late August or September of 2025.
The exploits of Chris O'Donnell winning gold in the European Track and Field championships in the mixed relays in Rome and competing the Olympics in Paris was a big highlight for our club.
There was many National and Regional medals won by club members, National Masters medals were won by Eamon Murphy, Trish Lee, Marita McMorrow, Niall Canning, the women's Over 35 team won silver medals in the National Half Marathon, and Eamon Murphy won his 3rd International Cross Country vest.
There were 6 awards presented on the night in different categories 4 related to athletic performance and 2 related to club work. The first award was for performance of the year which was won by Fiona Hennigan for her great performance in the National Marathon in Dublin, when she ran a huge PB to chop 10 mins off the women's old club record to achieve a new club record of 2 hrs 57 mins. The award for the most improved athlete went to Marie McDonald, who has transformed from a social runner into a competitive athlete, breaking her PB's over several distances. The club female athlete of the year went to Valeria Petrova who won several 10k road races including first female finisher in the Istanbul 10k in Turkey with over 5000 runners competing, the Ballinamore and Keash 10k's plus being first club female to finish in a few other races.. The overall club athlete of the year went to Eamon Murphy who won silver medals in the 800m and 1500m at National Masters Indoors and a silver medal in the Outdoors all in the over 55 category. Murphy also earned his place on the Irish Over 55 Cross Country team to win his 3rd international vest. Club volunteer of the year was awarded to Alan Wallace for his trojan work with helping out with coaching on 3 days a week, he is also the new Child Protection Officer and is one of the most obliging and helpful people in the club. The club person of the year was awarded to Mary Gilmartin for her great work on the grant applications, a lot of work on the fundraising event the ATU Haunting all of which were very successful. She was also the main organizer of the 2 homecoming events for our 2 local Olympians. Mary has played a very proactive and positive role in the club this past few years, she has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the club in so many areas.
Eamon Murphy Winner of 3 Track Silver Medals in National Masters Over 55. Trish Lee Winner Of Bronze in 1500m Over 50. Niall Canning Winner Of Bronze Over 35 1500m.
Valeria Petrova receives her Female Athlete Of The Year Award from Niall Canning.
Alan Wallace receives his Club Volunteer Of The Year Award from Niall Canning.
The Club Team that won Team Bronze in the Connacht Cross Country League: Niall Canning, Alan Wallace, Tommy Kelly, Jimmy Currid, Paul Devins, Fergal McGrath, Eamon Murphy.
Mary Gilmartin Cub Person Of The Year receives her Award from Niall Canning,
Eamon Murphy receives his Overall Club Athlete Of The Year Award from Niall Canning.
Marie McDonald receives her Most Improved Athlete Of The Year Award from Niall Canning.
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