{"id":18252,"date":"2021-04-16T13:08:16","date_gmt":"2021-04-16T12:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ennistrackathleticclub.com\/?page_id=18252"},"modified":"2021-05-23T21:01:30","modified_gmt":"2021-05-23T20:01:30","slug":"commemorating-30-years","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/ennistrackathleticclub.com\/index.php\/commemorating-30-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Commemorating 30 Years"},"content":{"rendered":"
This page is here for all to reminisce over the past glorious 30 years. Thank you to everyone who contributed and for always having\u00a0<\/span>Ennis Track in your hearts because this club would not exist without you all.<\/span><\/p>\n Reading people\u2019s personal accounts of their experiences with Ennis Track has become a daily highlight for many club people since Rory Chesser\u2019s story appeared on the website on April 19 th of this year. The heartfelt tributes from club members past and present have given us an insight into how the club has helped so many to prosper and become \u201cthe best that they can be\u201d both on and off the track. It seems fitting therefore to give the last words to the man who made it all possible, the legend that is Gerry Hayes.<\/em><\/p>\n The Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe wheels were set in motion on the 19 th April 1991 when I registered the club with the then County Board Secretary, Padraig Conlon from Tulla. The club was registered under B.L.E. & B.L.O.E., which later merged with N.A.C.A. to form Athletics Ireland\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n In the early days Ennis Track training took place in the fairgreen under the watchful eyes of Tony Hehir, Joe Carroll and Gerry himself. Around this time Gerry and his family moved from their home in Ennis to Ballyea. Gerry visited Ballyea National School to scout for new members. Here he discovered the Scanlons, Orla Coote and the O\u2019Connells. The late Gerry O\u2019Connell allowed Gerry to use his field for training. \u201cThe field had a drain running through it so to make the laps longer the athletes jumped across it. That\u2019s how they became great Cross Country runners!!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n When the Ballyea group started secondary school in Ennis, club training centralised to Ennis. Numbers increased…more help was needed…Marion O\u2019Loughlin joined the coaching team and Martina Hayes attended every training session.<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerry recalls that the widely-held belief at the time was that Ennis wasn\u2019t big enough for two clubs, a belief which extended beyond the county, and into some Munster clubs. \u201cThey gave us two years.\u201d\u00a0 But Gerry\u2019s vision was \u201cto be at the top, to compete in National Competitions\u201d.\u00a0 He recognised the great talent of this early bunch of athletes, people such as Orla Coote, Colm\u00a0O\u2019Grady, the Scanlon\u2019s, the McCullough\u2019s and the Dullaghan\u2019s. Under Gerry\u2019s coaching they began to win medals in Munster and National competitions.\u00a0Between the years 1991 and 1999 Ennis Track won seven out of nine Clare Novices. But the first big breakthrough came in 1997 when the men\u2019s\u00a0team won the Clare Senior for the first time. Now people started to take notice and realised that this club was a force to be reckoned with.<\/strong><\/p>\n The success of 1997 was followed in 1999 when Grace Eade became the first Ennis Track athlete to win a National Title in Cross Country. She added to this several more successes in Cross Country and Track in the successive years. Gerry remembers those training sessions in St. Flannan\u2019s College with\u00a0Grace and Brian Markham \u201crunning head to head, clocking times of 1:46 for 600m on grass. They both went on to win the team event in the All Ireland Cross Country that year. Grace finished 4 th in the field. Boys and girls raced together back then\u201d. David Hehir was also part of this crew. He won\u00a0four Munster Cross Country titles in a row during this exciting time.<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2002 Pat Hogan, who had been a member of the Senior Men\u2019s team, recognised the potential in the group of 14 and 15 year old athletes and said he would like to begin coaching them. Among this group were Rory Chesser, Brian Markham, Eoin McCarthy, Paul Walsh and Michael Maher. Another\u00a0era in the club\u2019s history had begun.<\/strong><\/p>\n When Lee\u2019s Road opened in 2005 club training sessions moved there. Within a short time membership had doubled. \u201cPeople saw us training and wanted to join\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0As the club thrived the administrative burden also grew. Gerry remembers \u201cWe were struggling to stay on top of the paperwork. Every document was in my back pocket!\u201d The next step forward came about when Noreen Courteney and Michael O\u2019Brien offered to help with administration. They joined\u00a0Vera Dullaghan, who held the role of treasurer for 26 years, on the committee. They formed sub-committees and put structures in place to cater for growing numbers. Gerry gratefully acknowledges the role this committee played in the club\u2019s development. The club was now well on its way to achieving Gerry\u2019s dreams of National Success…..<\/strong><\/p>\n Today Ennis Track has a sprinting group and a group of field eventers, thanks to the coaches who set these up in the past few years. \u201cWe always had sprinters in the club. Now we have expert sprint coaches\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n Lessons learned<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerry believes that having a good structure in place is very important. \u201cIt took years to get the structure in place that we have today\u201d. He praises the coaches past and present for their dedication.\u00a0 \u201cEveryone involved today has been spotted. You see who\u2019s interested, who\u2019s asking questions. I would never ask anyone to do a job I wouldn\u2019t do myself…except computers!!\u201d he laughs.<\/strong><\/p>\n He explains that it is very important to build confidence in young athletes. \u201cIt\u2019s all about talking to people, you explain to them how they can improve and you see if they take it on board\u201d. Gerry knows at an early stage who has the potential to make a good runner. \u201cYou look at their breathing, their balance and co-ordination. You look at their aggression after two or three sessions. The ones who progress through the field with each session, they\u2019re the ones you want to hold onto\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerry is a firm believer in the importance of Championship Races. \u201cChampionship is what makes you. The results are recorded. They go down in history. You can run in all the fun races you like but it\u2019s all about Championship. We should compete in every Championship that takes place. That will bring you on\u201d. He recalls that prior to the Covid 19 pandemic the only time a Championship was ever cancelled was during the Foot and Mouth outbreak of 2001. At this time Colm Coote, Ger Duggan and Sean Hayes were primed for the All Ireland Schools competition but it was not to be…..<\/strong><\/p>\n Another key component in an athlete\u2019s program is diet. \u201cDiet is so important. In our day we knew nothing about diet, I\u2019m a bacon-and-cabbage man myself but I have seen the difference in athletes when they have a good diet\u201d. \u201cYou feel better, stronger, you have more energy\u201d…<\/strong><\/p>\n And of course there is no substitute for hard work. \u201cIf you\u2019re given a job to do you have to do it, no matter how simple it is you have to do it\u201d. As everyone knows Ennis Track training is never cancelled!!<\/strong><\/p>\n Fun times with family and friends<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMy wife, Martina and my sons Martin and Darren have supported me all the way. They\u2019re a very important part of the club….. It\u2019s a twenty four hour job. You have to be on the ball. You can get a call or a text at any time. We had great craic at the races. Martina and Martin always came to\u00a0support and help out. The big job when we got home from Cross Country was washing the muck off Martin\u2019s wheelchair\u201d. Martin has held the role of Competition Secretary since 1991. Martina went to every training session in the early years. She looked after the club singlets, which had to be taken\u00a0home and washed after every race. She also looked after the registrations, which for years had to be done manually. Martina held the role of Registrar until 2010 when she handed over to Ita Hanrahan.<\/strong><\/p>\n On personal friendships… Gerry recalls the Dullaghan\u2019s, the McCullough\u2019s, Frankie Garrihy, Tom Casey and Sean Whelan as \u201cthe people who stood by me through thick and thin…I looked up to them…I confided in them…they were the people…\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerry, the Runner<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerry\u2019s involvement with running began in Corofin National School in the 1960\u2019s. Hurling had been banned from the school because of an accident on the field. Gerry, his brother Dermot and a few more formed a group who ran laps of the fields at lunchtime. He ran his first Cross Country Race,<\/strong><\/p>\n which he won, at the age of 12. He ran his last race, a Road Race from Ennis to Corofin, which he also won at the age of 30. He holds a marathon PB of two hours forty one minutes. In his own words \u201cI was just an average athlete. I was equally good at Road and Cross Country….there wasn\u2019t much track in those days\u201d. He attributes his running achievements purely to hard work. \u201cI trained awful hard. I trained my arse off!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n When his own running days ended he turned his attention to coaching. \u201cI read up a lot on athletics. I wanted to see how it could be done better. I looked at the whole structure of how things were done….. I hoped I wouldn\u2019t pass on my mistakes to anyone else\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n Looking back now on a labour of love which has spanned seven decades and several generations, Gerry surmises \u201cI am very proud of everyone. I hope I have done something to help people . That was my goal starting off. If I leave a person and they feel better, I\u2019m happy. You can only do somuch…but if people take on board what you tell them…I would never tell them anything wrong\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n When asked about the future, Gerry wants to see the club winning a National Senior Cross Country title and to be represented at the 2024 (Paris) or 2028 (Los Angelos) Olympics.<\/strong><\/p>\n Watch this space!! The best is yet to come!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n Gerry Hayes<\/strong><\/p>\n ***********<\/span><\/p>\n Katie <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n I started with Ennis track 4 years ago when I was seven. Since then I have ran in multiple races at county, Munster and All Ireland level. This only happened due to the amazing support of my team mates and my amazing trainers Siobhan, Lorraine and Maria and most importantly Gerry. Gerry always encourages me and made me more confident in myself by putting me at those start lines. He made it possible for my team mates and me to achieve our All Ireland medals in 2019 something I will always cherish. I wouldn\u2019t be where I am today without Ennis Track.<\/strong><\/p>\n Gear\u00f2id<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n When Katie started running with Ennis track I was always asking my mum when will I be allowed to join. My mum said I had to wait until I was older and now I am running with Ennis Track for three years. I love running in races and most importantly meeting my friends. That is all thanks to brilliant coaches like Brian, John and Gerry. Thank you for taking the time to train us every Monday and Friday.<\/strong><\/p>\n Claire <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n I joined Ennis Track a few years back. Thinking back on it now going from a couch to 5k training schedule to Ennis track was a bit ambitious to say the least. I remember the first night of training I was so nervous I actually begged my husband Ger to come along with me for support. I never looked back though after that first night. I have made such great friends and team mates running with Ennis track. My greatest achievement is competing in \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the 10 mile run in Kilnaboy in 2019. I remember the support all the way along that race from Gerry and Ambrose encouraging and guiding \u00a0Lisa and myself until we crossed the line. In 2020 I had a baby boy and it was challenging to say the least to start back training again after losing a lot of my fitness. The easy option was to just give up the running. However the support I got again from my team mates and Gerry was brilliant. It was never said to me \u201care you going to go back running\u201d instead it was always \u201c \u00a0when are you coming back to us\u201d \u00a0or \u201cI will help you as much as I can when you come back\u201d. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n In October 2020 I ran in the Clare castle cross country race a few months after having P\u00e0draig. For me it was a massive achievement just to have the fitness and ability to compete in it. I didn\u2019t score any important points or win any medals that day for Ennis track but Gerry still stood and waited for me at that finish line and with a big smile on his face said well-done Claire. This is what I love about Ennis Track . It provides a respectful and empowering environment that facilitates female sport no matter what your life story is. It enables female participation. Enrolling your child within an Athletic club like Ennis Track provides them with a skill set they can carry throughout their life. I love been part of the Ennis track club and I am always proud to wear the jersey. Thanks to all<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ************<\/span><\/p>\n I first encountered Gerry Hayes, many moons ago, in the Fair Green while training for the Clare Community Games.\u00a0 Now, over 30 years later, I can see that the same energy, enthusiasm which fires Gerry\u2019s \u201croar\u201d hasn\u2019t diminished over the years. As a result, I\u2019m delighted that my children Maebh, Aisling and Ronan have the opportunity to be members of Ennis Track, under the stewardship of Gerry. <\/span><\/p>\n I asked each of them what they like about going to Ennis Track?<\/span><\/p>\n Maebh: Fun, making lots of friends and great coaches.<\/span><\/p>\n Aisling: Having something to look forward to after a long day at school, meeting friends and the nervous laughter before a race.<\/span><\/p>\n Ronan: Running fast and having good fun playing with friends.<\/span><\/p>\n We certainly realise how lucky we are to have a club such as Ennis Track on our doorstep.\u00a0 It\u2019s safe to say that thousands of Athletes, over the last 30 years, have enhanced their sporting and personal lives by being part of the Ennis Track Club. <\/span><\/p>\n All children, regardless of their ability, are treated equally by Ennis Track. This can be seen at any training session, cross country race or track event where each athlete is equally supported by the coaches whether they are leading the race, in the middle of the pack or out the back. <\/span><\/p>\n Having our children as members of Ennis Track has given us many a great day out, be it a short trip out to the notorious Kilnaboy cross country course, out west to Cooraclare, or further afield to Nenagh, Cork, Tipperary, Limerick or Meath. My wife Siobh\u00e1n and I are sure that these fun days out will be fondly remembered by the children in years to come. <\/span><\/p>\n Hats off to all the coaches and administrators for their hard work and dedication in providing such a great running club to the people of Clare.\u00a0 It takes many hours of work, from each of these volunteers, to ensure we have access to such a vibrant club.\u00a0 I would encourage parents of young athletes to assist in the areas of coaching or administration where possible.\u00a0 I have enjoyed coaching some of the younger athletes, at least one night a week, over the past couple of years.<\/span><\/p>\n At the risk of omitting a person, I would like to thank Gerry, Lorraine, Siobh\u00e1n, Maria, Ann Marie, Brian, John, Philip and Martin for all the coaching, support and kindness they have displayed towards Maebh, Aisling and Ronan over the years. <\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s wishing the club many more years of success!<\/span><\/p>\n Diarmuid Kelly<\/p>\n ***********<\/span><\/p>\n My involvement with Ennis Track began in 2016, when our neighbour at the time, John Conroy, spotted my daughter Sophie running around the house “training” for the community games and suggested we bring her up to Gerry and his crew in Lee’s rd. \u00a0Sophie had never shown any real interest in running before, and none of her school friends were in the club so I was sure this was going to be a temporary thing, lasting no longer than her fixation with tennis during Wimbledon, or soccer during the World Cup, but I was wrong.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>It only took a couple of sessions for Sophie to be hooked, running was (and still is) her thing. \u00a0She would train with Lorraine and Siobhan every Monday and Friday and then on a Saturday morning head back down to Lee’s road to run the Parkrun 5k. \u00a0What stood out for us, as parents, was the commitment shown by the coaches at Ennis Track and the volunteers at Parkrun. \u00a0The weather wasn’t an issue, hail, rain, sun, or snow these amazing people turned up, offering support and encouragement. \u00a0Their enthusiasm for athletics was infectious.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Cross Country Munster B’s in St. Flannans, Indoors in Nenagh, Clare and Munster Track events in Lee’s Rd. and Templemore all followed and by the time the first race of the next cross country season finished in a muddy, wet, cowpat filled field in Kilnaboy we knew there was no turning back. \u00a0Sophie walked timidly into that field, looking at her feet, avoiding the puddles and dirt. \u00a0But going home, with a medal around her neck and 6 different colours of “mud” up her legs, she held her head high and splashed in any puddle she could find. \u00a0Joy unbridled.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Medals were won but they were never the most important thing, beating the nerves, finishing proud, and spending time with friends was what it was all about.\u00a0 Ennis Track brings plenty of that, being part of a team, and feeling the support that comes with that drives you on. No matter where you are, or what position you are coming there will always be support.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>If you hang around Lee’s Rd long enough Gerry will spot you and give you a job. I had watched coaches like Gerry, Mary, Siobhan, and Lorraine give up their free time in all sorts of weather to help my daughter develop as an athlete and felt it was the least I can do to help out. I started helping whenever I could but quickly felt that these kids deserved more, and if they could commit to turning up for two or three hours a week then surely I could too.\u00a0 As Siobhan and Lorraine moved on with their group of athletes, a new wave of young kids joined, and Brian and I took charge, offering some advice and giving plenty of encouragement, and hoping along the way that some of these kids will do well, but all will enjoy their time.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>My son Leon has recently joined Ennis Track, and while Covid has meant that he has only got to experience one cross country race, the sense of achievement he got from that race will carry him through until we can all trek back up to Kilnaboy and the mud and muck again. The sense of achievement he got from running that day was matched by my pride in him and in all the athletes who put on a red singlet any day we get to race.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Happy Birthday Ennis Track, and Thank you Gerry and your crew for all you do for the young athletes in this club.<\/strong><\/p>\n Maher Family<\/em><\/p>\n * * * * * * * * * *<\/span><\/p>\n Ennis track \u2013 what it means to my family & I? Our relationship with ET started by pure luck.<\/p>\n About 10 years ago, my eldest, Ellen, was playing at the house of one of our neighbours.\u00a0 Her older kids were heading to their ET training and the mum brought Ellen along for a look. \u00a0Even though she was under the ET age limit, Gerry said she could join in that night rather than watching through the fence. \u00a0She loved it and we haven\u2019t looked back since! \u00a0In fact, in her 10 years with ET, other than been away for holidays, I could count on one hand the days she has missed training or an event. \u00a0I now have 4 kids, Ellen, Joe, Faye and Oliver running with ET track and all are proud to wear the singlet. \u00a0My kids have benefited from the dedication and juvenile coaching of Mary, Dave, Siobhan, Lorraine, Marie, Anne Marie, Brian, John and Frank Landy – And of course, the relentless, Gerry Hayes.<\/p>\n In particular I am so thankful for the strength and commitment within the ranks of the teenager and young adult group in the expert hands of Pat, Marie, Ita and Ger. \u00a0I am 100% sure that my eldest is still running ONLY because she is a member of Ennis Track. \u00a0In any other club, like many teenage girls, she might have dropped out of the sport but not in this group. \u00a0This is a vibrant ambitious group that encourages these kids to \u2018be best you can be\u2019, and have fun making friends along the way.<\/p>\n Asking my kids what Ennis Track means to them starts and ends with Gerry. \u00a0He knows every adult and kid in the club, always has a kind or fun word for them. Loves the fun and nothing seems to give him more pleasure than seeing 2 kids battle it out in training. \u00a0And his roar \u2013 oh we all know that roar. \u00a0It may be in some remote part of a X-country location or back in Lees Rd HQ running a training session, either way it comes with the same passion and velocity!<\/p>\n The kids have all made great friends at club, county and national level through running, and they feel that wherever they wear the ET singlet they are met with respect and an understanding of some level of commitment and talent. They know they benefit from this respect which has been built over the last 30 years by the coaches and athletes that went before them. ET is known as a club that produces formidable athletes.<\/p>\n My own association with ET started simple enough \u2013 holding the bucket at the gate, progressing to helping out at the famous Santa nights in the CBS hall to organising the fun 2KM run with other parents and somewhere along the way I moved inside the fence to coaching! \u00a0I coach the very little ones, mostly age 7\/8\/9, and they are such fun. \u00a0They can turn up with red sauce all over their faces from dinner 5 minutes before their training, occasionally wearing school uniforms or the new dress they got that day and can\u2019t bear to take it off for training and there ALWAYS is at least 1 or 2 bathroom breaks in the session. The banter with the coaches is part of the craic \u2013 what a great committed group, including John, Brian, Philip and Diarmuid.<\/p>\n Lastly, I cannot sign out without giving a nod to the administrators behind the scenes \u2013 ET is a large and very active club catering for x country, track, field at every level and age \u2013 this needs some serious organisation skills so hats off to Joan, Carol & Margaret, Tracey & David, Ita, Maureen and Leanne to name but a few. Lastly, thanks to Joe, Michael and Maureen for the collection of great photos over the years.<\/p>\n The future of the Ennis Track I see is very strong.<\/p>\n Congrats Ennis Track for a fantastic 30 years.<\/p>\n Suzanne Deane \u2013 mum of Ellen, Joe, Faye & Oliver Mannion<\/p>\n * * * * * * * * * *<\/span><\/p>\n Location: John O’Sullivan Park, Lee’s road.<\/strong><\/p>\n When: Ennis Track training sessions.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>You’ll notice a few things at the track.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>You’ll see young athletes putting every effort into their training. \u00a0Real, determine, honest effort, where everyone is learning new skills in running, jumping and throwing.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>You’ll see happiness and smiles, whether it’s friends meeting up, the enjoyment of getting a good jump or throw in, or that feel-good after a really good run.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>You’ll hear the sound of laughter and fun, mixed in with the sound of experienced, knowledgeable coaches giving important instructions and encouragement.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>You’ll notice older athletes practicing and perfecting their events, all now making it look so easy, after just a few short years of progressing.<\/strong><\/p>\n All of that happening. \u00a0The place buzzing. \u00a0It’s magic.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>I joined Ennis Track 10 years ago, I had been running 5ks and 10ks in “middling” times but they weren’t coming down and I figured joining an athletics club would help me get faster. \u00a0It worked.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>I guess that led me to wanting to find out more about what training worked, so I began learning, greatly encouraged at every opportunity by Gerry. \u00a0I then realised that knowledge and running tips I had gained in the next few years was of interest to other runners. \u00a0The logical next step was to begin coaching and I’m delighted to be part of a team of outstanding and talented coaches, looking after a fantastic group of athletes.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Ennis Track has provided many great memories for me of training sessions, races, championship days, and shared experiences with great friends made.<\/strong><\/p>\n Thanks for all the support and Happy Birthday!<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Martin\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n * * * * * * * * * *<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>For me, Ennis track is so much more than just a running club.\u00a0 Since joining Ennis track about 6 years ago, I have never looked back.\u00a0 From a sports aspect, I\u2019ve begun to realize how incredibly lucky we are as athletes to be involved in such an amazing club from the coaches to the training.\u00a0 The emphasis on team work and how we can pull one another through a workout is consistently seen. <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>I remember my first day of running some miles around Flannans, petrified!\u00a0 But someone told me to take off my shoes and just sit in and so I did.\u00a0 Here we are, probably well over 5000 miles later still doing the same work day in day out. \u00a0We are thought in Ennis track that the work doesn\u2019t ever get easier you just get better.\u00a0 And that\u2019s why I love Ennis Track – everyone around you is just trying to be better than they were yesterday.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Leah\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n I joined Ennis Track way back in 2002, nearly 19 years ago now.\u00a0 My first Clare senior was out in Spancil Hill and I recall Ennis Track Ladies finished 2nd<\/sup> that day.\u00a0\u00a0 There were 12 of us from Ennis Track in the Ladies race which was a great turnout at the time.\u00a0\u00a0 I came on board at a good time as the Ladies Team went on to win the next 6 Clare Seniors after that.\u00a0\u00a0 Gerry was, as always, the driving force ensuring we all committed to turning out for the cross country season in force.<\/p>\n My daughter, Aisling, started running with the Juveniles back around 2003 so again Gerry powers of persuasion got me helping with kids training for about 5 years.\u00a0 That time Lees Road did not exist \u2013 it was just a piece of woodland owned by the Council.\u00a0 My granddaughter, Alannah, has also run with Ennis Track so the Club has been great for all the family.\u00a0\u00a0 I also recall the sports days Gerry and Martina used to organise way back and Martina doing the sack race and Martin doing the Egg n Spoon race.\u00a0\u00a0 Gerry got everyone involved always.<\/p>\n During the early days it was a real family affair as Martina and Martin were extremely hands on.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Martina came training to help train and mind the young Ennis Trackers and was always there at all the race events to help with all the many jobs needed to keep everything running smoothly and keep Gerry on his toes.\u00a0 Martin was also present at most races and events and got landed with many of the administration duties of the club re registrations etc.\u00a0\u00a0 I know Martin spent so much time on this side of the club as there was lots of paperwork to be done before races once we left the county \u2013 he spent many an evening on these tasks with the boss keeping a watchful eye as always.\u00a0 Vera Dullaghan was another great addition to the Club who looked after making ends meet in the funding department.\u00a0\u00a0 There really has been so many people who have given so much of their time to the successful running of the club from its early days \u2013 Gerry was never alone he had so, so many great hands on helpers all through the years.<\/p>\n Some of my proudest achievements include my first national cross country medal back in 2006 ran in Carraignavar in Cork and running against very seasoned Cork runners.\u00a0 I am also very proud of my gold medal in the National Half marathon in Athenry, Co Galway in 2012.<\/p>\n I also fondly remember our many treks to Nenagh and Athlone for the Indoor Track season. Our cold days out at Nenagh Indoor Stadium were always memorable as long as you were layered up for the long days out.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The journeys and convoys to the various events travelling with Gerry or Sean Whelan and whomever else they would be picking up along the way were always enjoyable and sometimes as exciting as the race themselves. We always had our toilet stops and food stations along the way but no hanging around!\u00a0 If you were travelling with Gerry or Sean you were guaranteed to be there extremely early and on time.\u00a0 Saying that there was a trip to a Limerick race and a road race in Lisdoonvarna where we had to join the race as it had already began \u2013 needless to say it was not Gerry or Sean who gave me a lift on those occasions it was another club mate – She knows who she is!<\/p>\n Gerry, Martina, Martin and all of Ennis Track has been always great to me and my latest glory was a Clare Athletics Merit Award which I received in 2019.<\/p>\n Thanks Ennis Track and here\u2019s to many more years.<\/p>\n Marion O Loughlin<\/p>\n * * * * * * * * *\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt is not those who can inflict the most but those who can endure the most who will conquer\u201d Terrence MacSwiney.<\/strong><\/p>\n There are times when I am ambivalent to it all (running that is) then it hits you, coming off the bend, those runner\u2019s endorphins like no other BANG BANG BANG!! It\u2019s yours nothing can stop you.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>As most of us know too well, athletics ain\u2019t all sunshine and rainbows. It\u2019s a process. A hard one at that, especially if you want success. In what is a uniquely individual sport, I have met many people (a lot of them Ennis Track teammates) whom have shared a mutual respect for one another over the years in striving to attain their goals. Although typically the hard times outweigh the good times in sport, the small wins are worth it – whether that\u2019s a new PB or a good session under the belt with the group.<\/strong><\/p>\n However, anyone can go out and run to get faster, chase down times, win races but not everyone is as lucky to pick up friendships that will last a lifetime in the process.\u00a0 \u201cSome friends will melt away like winter snow, but Ennis Track friends are friends forever\u201d. As cheesy as it sounds, it\u2019s the truth. Some of the people who are a part of this club are a second family to me.<\/strong><\/p>\n For this and many other reasons, I am proud to be a member of this club, and to see its progression over the years. I unequivocally hope that some of the clubs current and future members can have as fond an affiliation with the club as I\u2019ve had. I\u2019ve given myself plenty of reasons for why I could have hung up the spikes over the years but it usually only takes one reason to keep me honest.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>And that\u2019s the lure of Ennis Track club.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Pat Hogan recommended we keep a running diary many moons ago and at this stage, I\u2019m only glad to share a few snippets from mine over the years.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Date: 11th of April 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n Date: 26th of March 2013<\/strong><\/p>\n Date: 8th of July 2014<\/strong><\/p>\n Date: 6th of November 2015<\/strong><\/p>\n Date: 10th of April 2016<\/strong><\/p>\nI Am Very Proud Of Everyone<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Fun with fast friends!<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Finishing Proud and Spending Time With Friends<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Our Relationship With ET Started By Pure Luck<\/span><\/h3>\n
You’ll See Happiness and Smiles<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Work Doesn\u2019t Ever Get Easier You Just Get Better<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
* * * * * * * * * *<\/span><\/h3>\n
There really has been so many people who have given so much of their time<\/span><\/h3>\n
Some friends will melt away like winter snow, but Ennis Track friends are friends forever<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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