TALES FROM THE UNDERGROWTH

 

Setanta Orienteers

Club Newsletter

 

August 2005

 

Last orienteering season ending before the summer break proved a very successful one for the club.  Sean Hassett, still our club chairman, summed it up very well in the following message posted on the club egroup, just after our AGM. 

 

The orienteering season concluded on a high for Setanta Orienteers yesterday when we repeated our double winning performance of last year by taking home the Inter-club Challenge to go with our Leinster Inter-club League title.   Whether you competed in one event or all the events during the year, thanks for your contribution and for making this another successful year for the club.


Club members also did well at the various championship events, particularly at the IOC and hopefully this is something we can build on next season.

Thanks to everyone who organised, planned or controlled an event or who just helped out on the day.  The more people that are willing to help out in whatever capacity takes the pressure off for everyone and I hope club members will continue

to keep involved next season.

The AGM was held yesterday and minutes will be circulated in due course.  Thanks to those who have put themselves forward for the new committee.

As we look forward to the new season starting this September, here’s hoping for another successful and enjoyable time orienteering.

CLUB NEWS

 

The club’s Annual General Meeting took place in the Glendalough Hotel on 15th May.  The minutes are enclosed with this issue.  The new committee is as follows:

Chairman – Sean Hassett, Secretary – Colleen Robinson, Treasurer – Hazel Thompson, Committee Members – Angus Tyner, Brian Power, Mick Mangan, Paul Mahon, Terry Lawless, Tony Doolin.  We wish the new committee well with their work on our behalf.

 

Welcome and a big hello to new club members…Alan Smyth who was looking for a new activity to maintain fitness and has always enjoyed reading maps, Susan Nolan whose love of the outdoors and the impressive Setanta website persuaded her to give orienteering a try, as well as Karl Earley & family.

 

Congratulations to Nina Phillips who was awarded Carding Status in the ‘International’ category by the Irish Sports Council.  This is for her excellent form over the last year representing Ireland in mountain bike orienteering.

 

A word of thanks to those who ran club events since last issue. At the Spring Cup event at Djouce Woods on 3rd April Terry Lawless planned, David Dare organised and Mick Mangan controlled.  Gerry Brady and Brian Power were responsible for the Leinster MTBO league event in the new area of Carrickashane-Ballinagappogue.  A map made specifically for MTBO was produced by the two lads for this event.  The Rogaine, renamed ‘Rogaine Ireland 2005’ in light of this events recognition by the International Rogaining Federation, took place over the weekend of 18th/19th June.  Tony Doolin planned the Rogaine and Sean Hassett organised.  As always, many thanks to all those who helped out on the day at these events.

 

The club championships will take place on Saturday 10th September in the new area of Carrickashane-Ballinagappogue which was used for the last MTBO.  We will be meeting in the car park of the Glenmalure Inn at 1:00pm.  A handicap system will be used to ensure that everyone has an equal chance to win.  There will be a BBQ social afterwards at the Glenmalure Inn.  For those that wish to stay over, you may camp (area to be designated) or B&B accommodation is available at the Glenmalure Inn.  

 

Mapping projects seem to have been slightly long-fingered of late.  The Glen of the Downs map still needs to be completed and the recently registered small area of Knocksink Woods and Bog Meadow needs to be progressed as well.  Please contact one of the new committee members if you can lend a hand in club mapping activities. Without maps we don’t have a sport.

 

As mentioned above, Setanta won both inter club competitions in Leinster thereby repeating our double of last year.  In the season long Leinster Inter-Club League our final score was 4988 over the eleven events.  This surpassed last year's total by 193 points.  We also increased our winning margin from 297 points to 523 points over second placed CNOC. In GEN’s Inter-Club Challenge which took place at Trooperstown on 15th May, we had a pretty emphatic victory.  Our score of 3170 was well ahead of second placed CNOC on 2190 with hosts GEN in third on 2030.

 

At the IOA AGM held during the superb Irish Champs on Inishboffin, two club members were honoured with annual awards.  Nina Phillips received the Mactire Trophy which is awarded for an outstanding contribution to Irish orienteering in the previous year.  Nina’s MTBO exploits won her this deserved recognition. Faith White was joint winner of the Silva Award with Barbara Foley-Fisher.  The Silva Award is given to those who contribute greatly to Irish orienteering in a background capacity. Faith and Barbara received their award for their work in producing the IOA Code of Ethics for Children in Orienteering.  This award means that Faith has won all three of the IOA awards.  Congratulations to both and well deserved.  Also at the IOA AGM Dave Weston was re-elected as Chairman of the IOA.

 

Brian Power has been keeping the club website updated. Check it out at www.setantaorienteers.org.  Brian is always looking for more photos and bits of articles (like the new MTBO section).  Some feedback on the site would also be most welcome.

 

A preliminary calendar for the 2005/2006 season is being agreed at present. Setanta are down for the following events:

 

·   Leinster Autumn League 1           Mullaghmeen                        9th October 2005

·   Local Event                                     Hellfire Woods                     15th January 2006

·   Dublin by Night 3                          Massys Estate                      31st January 2006

·   Leinster Spring Cup 6                   Glendasan                             9th April 2006

 

No doubt the Rogaine and a MTBO event will be held next summer as well. Volunteers to plan, organise and control the events are required.

 

The club endeavours to hold closed club events for members only on months during the orienteering season when we are not holding an open event.  Club Champs will be held on 10th September.  Training events are to be held in November and March – details to follow.  The Annual Club Christmas walk will be held on 27th December – venue to be disclosed.  Check the club egroup for updates closer to these events.

 

New club orienteering suits are now available at the subsidized price of €40.  The new O-suits are made by Norwegian firm Trimtex and are of very good quality. The new go faster design also seems to be getting nods of approval.  To book your club O-suit just contact Hazel Thompson or Colleen Robinson with your size and they will sort you out.

 

RESULTS

 

Leinster Orienteering Championships 17th April 2005– Carnavaddy Mountain

Truly atrocious weather greeted the few brave and hardy enough to compete at this year's Leinster Championships.  This was the first time Fingal Orienteers staged a championship event and you had to feel for the organisers as must of their hard work got washed away in the deluge.  Ben Mangan won the M12 class, Maura Higgins triumphed in W60 and Faith White won her W70 category.  Other results of note were Dave Weston getting second place in M40 and Mick Mangan fourth in M45, although if you finished you really deserved a prize.  Carnavaddy Mountain is quite a good area and hopefully next time we travel we might have some more favourable weather.

 

Irish Middle Distance Orienteering Championships 1st May 2005 - Inishboffin

The first day of what most consider the best and most enjoyable Irish Championship weekend for many a long time kicked of on the west side of Inishboffin island.  The terrain was very fast and not too technical which led to fast times and close finishes.  Our Irish champions are Paul Mahon (M35), Gerry Brady (M50) and Faith White (W70).  Jussi Makila won silver in M21E and bronze medals to Sean Hassett (M35), Hazel Thompson (W21L), Colleen Robinson (W21S) and Maura Higgins (W60).  Other good runs came from Philip Brennan with fourth on M35 (three seconds off bronze) and Dave Weston came fourth on M40 (only one second off bronze).  Catherine Allen was also fourth (W21S) and fifth places to Ben Mangan (M12), Mick Mangan (M45), Nina Phillips (W21E) and Emma Sokell (W21S).

 

Irish Classic Distance Orienteering Championships 2nd May 2005 - Inishboffin

The north and east part of Inishboffin staged the classic race.  This is a superb fast, intricate area, and well planned courses gave everyone some really great orienteering.  Faith White did the double with her victory in W70L. Other first places to Brian Power (M55S), Billy O’Neill (M60S) and Frances O’Neill (W55S). Silver medals were won by Jussi Makila (M21E), Paul Mahon (M35L), Philip Brennan (M40L), Gerry Brady (M50L), Colleen Robinson (W21S) and Maura Higgins (W60L).  Ben Mangan was unlucky in fourth on M12 only six seconds off a bronze.  Both Sean Hassett (M35L) and Hazel Thompson (W21L) also came fourth, and Tony Doolin (M21L) and Catherine Allen (W21S) came fifth.  Goof up of the day was by Dave Weston who had the fastest time in M40L but failed to register a punch on the run in control.

 

Irish Relay Orienteering Championships 3rd May 2005 - Inishboffin

Again the planning, map and terrain all combined for a great relay event. Unfortunately the rain dampened the spirits and made spectating only for the hardy. Four of the five Setanta teams got medals with pride of place to our Open 40+ team of Philip Brennan, Mick Mangan and Dave Weston winning their class.  Our Women’s Open team of Nina Phillips, Colleen Robinson and Hazel Thompson came second and we had bronze medals from the Premier Open team of Gerry Brady, Jussi Makila and Paul Mahon (only ten seconds off silver) and the Ad-Hoc team of Tony Doolin, Sean Hassett and Emma Sokell.   Some great results.

 

Shamrock O-Ringen 4th/6th June 2005 – Rathgaskig/Beare Island

The numbers were unfortunately low for this event, but for those who made the effort, this event proved very enjoyable.  The first day was at Rathgaskig which is one of the very best areas in Ireland.  Two days on Beare Island followed, the first day was affected by bad weather but the second day was all we hoped for with some great orienteering.  Only two Setanta members had good runs over the three days with Dave Weston second in M40L and Maura Higgins fourth in W60L.

 

Rogaine Ireland 2005 18th/19th June 2005 – Coronation Plantation

Our own Rogaine always gets a good few club members entering.  It’s a tough event but it generates good camaraderie between the teams and gives a great sense of achievement on completion.  Sean Hassett and Tony Doolin, with advice and assistance from Hugh McLindon of Wicklow National Park, had the hash house in the Gamekeepers Cottage in the Coronation Plantation which brought the competition to new areas of Wicklow.  Eoin Keith with his partner Paul McArthur (NI) won ahead of Paul Mahon and Roisin McDonnell (GEN) who were the first mixed team.  Philip Brennan and Dave Weston came fourth overall and were the first vets’ team home.  Colleen Robinson with Lolita Kauke (Fingal) won the women’s class.

 

Leinster Spring Cup

Unsurprisingly, since we won the Leinster League outright, we had some good results in the five league events last spring.  On the brown course Gerry Brady came second, Philip Brennan fifth, Angus Tyner sixth and Dave Weston seventh. Mick Mangan came fourth on the blue course with Sean Hassett thirteenth and Hazel Thompson fourteenth and third female.  Terry Lawless won the green course with Jim Mulrooney fourth, David Dare tenth and Colleen Robinson eighteenth and sixth female.  On the light green course Brian Power came first, Maura Higgins ninth and fourth female, Rudi Dorrepaal tenth and Frances O’Neill twelfth and sixth female.  Ben Mangan won the orange course with Kim Tyner sixteenth. Finally on the yellow course Anna Mangan came third and Jonathan Atkinson and Karen Power came joint fifteenth.  Many other club members scored well while only doing some events and every score contributed to the overall victory in the Inter club competition.

 

A calculation was made across all courses to determine the male and female junior/senior/master/veteran winner.  Gerry Brady was determined to have won the male veteran category.

 
 
 
 
 
DON’T FORGET…
Club Championships
10 September 2005
1:00pm
Meet at Glenmalure Inn
 
 
 

Child Welfare and Coaching
 
Terry Lawless posted this message to the club egroup after attending an induction seminar on the Irish Orienteering Associations ‘Code of Ethics for the Protection of Children in Orienteering’.  Deirdre Shorten was also on this course.
 

“I went last week to a very interesting in service on the protection of children in sport.  Some of you may be aware that by legislation we need a Child Welfare officer in our club, as do all sporting organisations.  When further training comes up for this, I would be interested in attending, as can anyone else.  However we will need more people than Deidre Shorten and I to do this basic short, but invaluable course.

 

It will give a good awareness as to the basic requirements to be observed when dealing with children in our sport. As the courses are to be run by orienteers, it will address a lot of the concerns of our sport.  (Well worth doing and free!!)


A point that was raised was the need for qualified trainers.


Several of the orienteers who attended the course last Saturday expressed a desire to attend a course in how to teach the basic skills.  If there is sufficient demand the IOA will put on such a course in September or October.  The more qualified people that we have, the easier it will be to plan and, share in the training of the orienteers of the future!

 

Get your names in soon, or a least spread the word.  We will need a minimum of 10-15 people. Names can be forwarded to me and I will pass on the request to the IOA.


Let you know more when it happens.”
 
 
Bits of Other News

 

A five event MTB league took place in Leinster and proved very popular with club members. In fact about one third of all competitors were from Setanta.  Paul Mahon came second overall with Eoin Keith third, Ruaraidh Stenson fifth and Philip Brennan ninth.  Nina Phillips was first female in tenth place overall and Hazel Thompson was third female in the league.  The League organiser Brendan O’Connor of Ajax made these observations.

 

Across the league, 50 people competed - 37 on the long, 13 on the short. From my own point of view, the pluses were:
No major accidents this year!
Sport Ident used twice
New map with MTBO symbols for last event
and the minuses:
* Numbers probably a bit on the low side
* Weather made rideabilty an issue on some events
* Courses slightly overcooked, which combined with poor rideability, lead
to some marathon efforts down the field...

 

Brendan would welcome any suggestions and comments for next year’s league.

Hill running is very popular with a large number of club members with the IMRA Summer League on Wednesday nights the main competition.  This league has got extremely popular over the last couple of years with numbers at each race exceeding 200 on most occasions.  The start line must be very crowded indeed.  Eoin Keith came fourth overall in the final league standings with Gerry Lalor ninth (and first M40), Paul Mahon twelfth, Ruaraidh Stenson 17th and Tony Doolin 21st. Hazel Thompson was third female in 43rd place overall. Caitlin Bent was first F60 and Maura Higgins third in the same class.

 

IMRA run the Wicklow Way Relay in June which had a good volume of Setanta members running in the field of nearly forty teams.  Gerry Brady and Eoin Keith were part of the winning team.  The third placed team had a big Setanta influence with Paul Mahon, Dessie and Aaron Shorten, Gerry Lalor and Emma Sokell in the team.  Ruaraidh Stenson, Tony Doolin, Philip Brennan, Dave Weston, Terry Lawless, Colleen Robinson, Hazel Thompson, and Noel Conway were all part of the team that came a very creditable fifth place overall.

 

 

SETANTA ORIENTEERS

AFFILIATED TO THE IRISH ORIENTEERING ASSOCIATION