Anne Gilshinan, originally from County Cavan, is no stranger to the sport. A talented youngster, Anne took a long break from athletics before returning to it in the relatively recent past.
Many athletes on finding themselves in Masters class are happy to take it down a gear or two and to focus on general fitness and running for fun. Not Anne.
Anne Gilshinan of Slaney Olympic racing to the world record.
Once she made the decision to return to competition, she has been never less than one hundred per cent committed.
Indeed, such are her achievements that she is has become something of a poster girl among her peers.
She was won Irish, European and World titles and set records at all levels.
This time was no different, with Anne not just winning the W60 1,500 metres but running a super-fast 4.59.45 minutes to break both the championship record and the world record.
Anne was well clear of her closest pursuer, Karin Wahlstedt of Sweden, who finished almost 18 seconds behind her.
While the Swede was giving away a few years to Anne who has just moved up to W60, this takes nothing away from the Cavan woman’s performance.
Indeed, when she thinks back on the injuries that have plagued her over the past year, she will surely savour this win as much if not more than the others.
Anne, who previously set W55 world records in 1,500 metres, mile and 800 metres, has been Athletics Ireland Masters athlete of the year as well as receiving similar awards at European and world levels.
Sharing the headlines with Anne is Kilmore’s Fiona Kehoe. Fiona, whose early promise led to her taking up a US athletics scholarship, has consistently been one of Ireland’s leading middle distance runners.
She has won provincial and national medals and is as adept at cross-country running as she is on the track. And while she may now have moved on from Senior to Master class, she can always be counted upon to give her younger rivals a run for their money.
In Gothenburg, Fiona was a class apart. Qualifying easily from her W40 heat and having the fastest season’s best time of all qualifiers, she was always going to be in contention.
The Kilmore woman was well clear of the field as she approached the final 200 metres. She then put her lethal finishing kick to good use and moved further ahead to win in a time of 4.38.46 minutes.
Fiona’s Kilmore AC clubmates, including the many younger members she coaches, were thrilled for her and will no doubt be planning to celebrate the achievement in some way.
“This is the club’s first world champion title and Fiona is a great inspiration to all the athletes she coaches in the club,” Kilmore PRO Ann-Marie Fortune said.
Ireland and Wexford can be justifiably proud of both athletes.
Seán Crotty (Slaney Olympic) won Sunday’s Oylegate half-marathon in 1.66.22. He was also first M40 finisher. Robin Mooney (Slí Cualann) was runner up in 1.16.44, and Barry Whelan (Portmarnock) was third in 1.17.35.
The women’s race was won by Catherine Roche (Slaney Olympic) in 1.37.53, ahead of clubmate Esther O’Leary (1.38.56) and third-placed Sinéad Kane (1.39.14).
With the race also serving as the county championships, Seán and Catherine were further feted as county half-marathon champions for 2024.
Myles Gibbons (SBR) was second Wexford athlete home in the men’s race (fourth overall), and Kevin Morris of Croghan AC was third (sixth overall). Esther took county silver in the women’s race.
Callum Barron of KCH AC, an athlete who has represented Wexford with distinction at schools level, won the 10km in 33.29, more than two minutes clear of second-placed Alan Duffy of Slí Cualann AC. Nicole Moorehouse of Slaney Olympic was overall third (39.57) and was the first Wexford finisher, male or female.
The first Athletics Ireland provincial squad training session of the season takes place at Morton Stadium, Santry on September 7. Squad get-togethers are always very convivial days as well as being very worthwhile for eligible athletes.
The squads cater for development athletes (Under-13 to Under-15) as well as athletes who are selected on the performance squads (Under-16-Under-20).
The workshops include sessions on focused training, recovery, health and wellness, strength and conditioning, and university athletics pathways. Booking links are on the Athletics Ireland website.
A Zoom webinar entitled Developing County Squads will be held on September 19. Again, information is available on the Athletics Ireland website.
Well done to Wexford’s Ger Forde who finished 29th in Sunday’s Antrim Coast half-marathon in Larne, running a time of 67.13 minutes in very tough and windy conditions.
He was fourth Irish finisher (north and south). The race was won in a fast 59.46 by Alex Nzioka Matata. Ger, a teacher at Wexford CBS, is a member of Kilkenny City Harriers.
Well done to all the young Wexford athletes who competed in the Cairn National Community Games finals, held last weekend at the SETU grounds, Carlow.
Overall, the event featured thousands of competitors from all over Ireland. Wexford had a very successful year right across the board, taking home oodles of medals and, no less importantly, lasting memories.
All county Wexford clubs are now preparing to commence winter training. Clubs have posted training information on social media sites. Find details of your nearest club at the Athletics Wexford website.
Fixtures: August 31, Leinster half-marathon, Tullamore; September 14, British and Irish Mountain Running Championships, Co. Wicklow; September 14, Toddy Moore road races, Kilmore; September 15, national half-marathon, Charleville, Co. Cork; September 24, World Masters Mountain Running Championships, Spain; September 29, Mr Oil Wexford Novice and Juvenile even ages, hosted by Croghan AC.
