Our season began as it
always does in Maynooth on 17th November 2001. As always Paul Davies
and all those in NUI Maynooth AC took on the job and we are indebted for their
continued association with this event. In the ladies race, UL carried the
honours winning decisively in 34 min 52sec. They were followed home by TCD A
team in 35min 25sec, and were followed home by their club mates with TCD’s B
team coming home for a unique double in 36min 5sec.
The indoors were held once
again in Nenagh on 7th/8th December and things ran
smoothly. TCD won the ladies title with 79 points, and were followed by UL with
60 points and UCD with 53 points. UL won the men’s event with a score of 86.
UCD were second with 45 points and they were followed by UCG on 42 points. This
is the only event the IUAA executive organise on its own each year. We are
grateful to all the universities who honoured the commitment of providing
officials and look forward to their continued commitment this year.
After an absence of nine
years the cross-country championships took place on a beautiful course in the
University of Ulster’s Colraine campus on 8th March. In the ladies
event Suzanne McCormick (QUB) took
first place and was followed by Fiona Mahon and Katie Duggan from DCU. TCD won
the team event with 36 points from last years champions UL on 44 points. DCU
filled 3rd place with 69 points.
Bryan Conway returned after an absence of a number of years from
university athletics to take the men’s title. Gary Murray took 2nd
place for the hosts, while David Kelly (NUIG) took 3rd. QUB and UU
made sure of a successful day for the Northern colleges by taking 1st
and 2nd place in the team event with 90 and 105 points respectively.
NUIC took 3rd place with 113 points.
CIT hosted the outdoor track
and field this year in Cork (19th/20th April). They are
to be commended for the massive effort they put into trying to make the event
as professionally run as possible. UL won both team prizes and the overall
trophies on offer. NUID and TCD filled 2nd and 3rd
position in the ladies race, while TCD and QUB did the same in the men’s event.
TCD and NUID filled 2nd and 3rd places in the team
competition. NUIG scored a notable victory in the multi-event competition
breaking UL’s stranglehold on this competition over the past few years.
At this years Antrim International meet, the IUAA teams
combined to win the overall trophy. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend on the day,
but was told that team spirit was excellent on the day, and the captains are
deserved of special praise for this.
The IUAA AGM was held on 3rd
November 2001. The Executive met again at the indoors and during the summer.
This marks the end of my time as secretary of the IUAA and an
association with the organisation that stretches back eight years! In that time the organisation has made
significant strides forward. The organisations of our various championships are
excellent, and I believe that our track and field championships are amongst the
very best held on this island each year. Our online entry system is without
rival and is the envy of other organisations. However, progress can sometimes
be slow. Many members of the IUAA executive are in positions of immense importance
and responsibility in their institutions, and they often find it difficult to
make time to carry out some of the tasks that have been set. They need a lot of
help which they don’t always get, and I would like to make a special plea that
if you feel you have the time, knowledge and ability to get involved, why not
give it a go? Your help would be greatly accepted and is badly needed.
Had I not got involved in
university athletics, I wouldn’t have travelled and competed in championships
hosted by every university in Ireland. I wouldn’t have the memories (or lack
of!) of many many great nights at the banquet dinners. I wouldn’t have made
friends in every corner in Ireland who remain my lifelong friends now even
though we have long ago lost our spikes and the prospect of a ten mile training
run seems absolutely terrifying. In short I would like to thank the IUAA for
facilitating the events which have over the years provided me with a litany of
memories that will persist for the rest of my days and remain some of the very
best memories I have of my college days.
Yours in Sport
Keir
McNamara
Hon. Secretary IUAA
2000-2002