Athletics in Waterford

Close-up of John Treacy winning the World Cross Country Championship.

Close-up of John Treacy winning the World Cross Country Championship in Limerick in 1979 in the Waterford News and Star 150th Anniversary Supplement.

© Waterford News and Star (Nicky Heffernan gave permission to use)

Close-up of John Treacy winning the World Cross Country Championship.
© Waterford News and Star (Nicky Heffernan gave permission to use)

Close-up of John Treacy winning the World Cross Country Championship.

Close-up of John Treacy winning the World Cross Country Championship in Limerick in 1979 in the Waterford News and Star 150th Anniversary Supplement.

© Waterford News and Star (Nicky Heffernan gave permission to use)

Enlarge image

At home John Treacy lead Waterford to six National Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships; the first Cross-Country title ever won by Waterford was in Ennis in 1976. Waterford was followed home in the team results by Cork and Dublin. That year the individual race was won by Gerry Deegan, who was closely followed home by Niall Cusack, John and Ray Treacy.



John went on to win the individual title seven times between 1977 and 1994. Inspired by John and other great Waterford runners, the Waterford team retained the title from 1976 to 1982.



Following on from these successes, athletics in Waterford continues to be strong. Facilities such as the running track in the Regional Sport Complex are a great benefit to young athletes and their coaches.



This facility is used regularly by all the clubs in Waterford, with Ferrybank Athletic Club, which provides training and coaching for juveniles being the main user of the track. Other well known clubs in Waterford include; Waterford A C, West Waterford A C, Tramore A C, St Josephs A C, K C K and St Pauls A C.
 

The two best known athletes in Waterford at present are Jamie Costin and Joe Gough. In August 2003 Jamie Costin competed in the 50km walk in the World Championships in Paris. Joe Gough runs with great success in the international over 50 circuit, winning a silver medal at the 800m 2003 World Masters athletic championship.

.Susan Smith, who retired in 2000, has been Waterford best ever female athlete with world class performances in the 400m hurdles. Her greatest moments include the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the 1997 World Championships in Athens.