Thanksgiving Day victory for Martin Fagan

The annual 4.748 mile road race in Manchester, Connecticut on November 27 (Thanksgiving Day in the USA) attracted nearly 10,500 runners and among them was our own Martin Fagan.Taking the lead in the second mile, he pulled away and led all the way to the finish to record an impressive victory in a very fast 21:41 in this very prestigious race.This victtory, will give Martin, who has just been selected as the European Athlete of the Month for October, a terrific confidence boost ahead of the European Cross Country Championships in Belgium on December 14 where he"ll be joined on the Ireland team by clubmate Mark Christie.Mullingar Harriers honours Olympian Martin FaganNow that the excitement of Tramore is behind us, and before we head to Cavan this week-end where we expect more fabulous performances in the All-Ireland Cross Country for uneven ages and for Novice men and women, it"s a good opportunity to look back and pick out the main points of the club"s Annual General Meeting held on November 12 last.At the meeting it was unanimously agreed that in recognition of his qualification for the Beijing Olympics, the Club would bestow the honour of Life Vice-President on Martin Fagan, an honour previously given to Cormac Finnerty (Atlanta 1996). Club Chairman, Bobbie Begley, said that Martin"s achievement of competing at an Olympics is a tribute to his dedication to the sport and that he is a worthy role model for the younger members of the Club.Summaries of the reports by the Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Chairman can be found on the Club"s website www.mullingarharriers.com. Nationally, athletics is viewed as a minority sport with consequent scant coverage in the National media. By contrast, the coverage provided by the Westmeath Examiner is excellent and the Editor and staff were thanked for their support.Apart from the competitive element of the Road League at Belvedere in May, the event reflected very positively on the image of the Club and thanks were expressed to everyone who played a part in its success. Thanks were also paid to Westmeath Sports Partnership for their support of the event.While the grounds have been greatly improved, there remains a lot more work and the incoming Committee will need to consider extending the Clubhouse, including the weights gym and dressing rooms, to adequately cater for the influx of new members. Another project is the provision of an all-weather tartan runway at the new long jump pit. The continued use of Belvedere as a training venue was highlighted as a major factor in the success of the Club, as is the strong link with the Midland Triathlon Club.Club Chairman, Bobbie Begley paid tribute to the many parents who helped to train the very young members during the year, allowing greater attention to the older juveniles and others by Joe Ryan, Tommy Carr, Brid Leydon, Greg Duggan and James Carton who were thanked for their invaluable work that has contributed to the terrific success of the Club. The Athletics Leader Coaching Course was well supported and Bobbie was confident that the participants will put their new coaching skills to good use with the young members of the Club. Bobbie thanked the many sponsors for their generous support of the Club. Bobbie was particularly pleased that the Club had fielded Novice and Intermediate teams in the 2008 Leinster Cross Country Championships and concluded by thanking the outgoing committee for their work during the year and wished the incoming one success.Club President, George Bell, paid tribute to all associated with the club, particularly the athletes who continue to do themselves and the Club proud. He also thanked the outgoing committee and wished the incoming committee every success. With the conclusion of the reports and questions and answers, the following were elected as officers and committee members for the coming year:George Bell (President), Seamus Gibney (Life Vice-president), Cormac Finnerty (Life Vice-president), Martin Fagan (Life Vice-president), Christy Creagh (Vice-President), Bobbie Begley (Chairman), Joe Ryan (Vice-Chairman), Breda McDonnell (Minutes Secretary), Greg Duggan (Hon. Secretary and PRO), Sean McMullin (Hon. Treasurer), Nuala Moran (Registrar), Nuala Moran and Dave Darby (Child Officers), Michael Lane, Brian Boyle and Cormac Finnerty (Trustees). The officers and trustees are automatically on the new committee and will be joined by Margaret Daly, Eva Ross, Mary Lynn, John O"Reilly, John Mulvihill, Therese Sayeh, Sarah Mescall and John Fitzsimons who were also elected to the committee.Under any other business, it was agreed to amend the Club"s constitution concerning the date of the AGM, which will take place in January each year rather than September. To give effect to this change, the next AGM will be held in January 2010. The subscriptions rates for 2009 were also discussed and it was agreed to leave them at 2008 rates. Finally, on behalf of the Executive and members, Chairman Bobbie Begley paid tribute to John Shaw on his election as President of the Law Society of Ireland and wished him well in the year ahead. Bobbie then thanked all present for their attendance and input, and closed a successful AGM.Round Two of the National Cross Country FinalsThis coming Sunday, December 7 the teams that qualified from the Leinster Championships in Abbeyleix will compete at the second round of the AAI National Cross Country Championships at Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan for boys and girls uneven ages and Novice men and women. The names of those entered are on the notice board in the Club house.Transport will leave O"Brien"s Topaz filling station on the Lynn Road at 9am. The first race (girls under 11) is at 12noon sharp and those travelling to Cavan themselves are advised to leave in plenty of time and allow extra time for traffic delays entering the venue. Be warned also that the course is a good 15 minute walk from the car park. Will those travelling themselves please let Club officials know this week at training. As it"s a Championship, you must wear your Club vest.Please bring water or sports drink and a light snack, a packed lunch, wet gear and a change of clothes, and check that you have long spikes and of course four safety pins for your race number. Spectators are strongly advised to bring wellington boots.Subscriptions for 2009Subscriptions are being taken by the Registrar, Nuala Moran, and her team, any night at training. Registration includes insurance and you must be registered to take part in training and competition.Antrim InternationalCross CountryAdvance notice that the Club will be sending teams to the Antrim International Cross Country on January 3. This event used to be held in Stormont, but this year will be at a new venue. There will be races for boys and girls under 13, 15, 17 and 20. The distances will be longer than our juveniles are accustomed to, so athletes will have to work hard in training and prove to Club coaches that they are fit enough for the longer distances to be considered for selection. Please see the Club notice board for details.Fixtures7th December. AAI National Cross Country (uneven ages, novice), Ballyhaise (Teagasc) College, Co. Cavan3rd January 2009 (Saturday). Antrim International Cross Country Challenge, CAFRE, Greenmount Campus, Antrim, first race 11am (Note: new venue; not Stormont)18th January 2009. Leinster Cross Country Day 3 (Junior & Senior) and Juvenile Cross Country Relays, Tymon Park, DublinTrainingTraining continues each Tuesday and Thursday from the Clubhouse in Grange at 7pm and at Belvedere on Sunday mornings at 11am. Check the Club"s website <>at www.mullingarharriers.com for results, news and details of all upcoming fixtures.