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Sustainability, Safety, Health & Wellbeing
Oct/Nov 2011 www.esb.ie/em
Health&Habitat
Protect yourself from Flu this winter!
Health & habitat,
page 33
ESB CRICKET TEAM REBORN
By Tony Connell
EVERY IRISH SPORTS fan will remember Kevin O’Brien’s famous century in this year’s Cricket World Cup. This century and the subsequent victory put cricket on the map in Ireland. With this in mind, and the congratulatory conversations between various staff members throughout the company, the ESB cricket team was reborn.
Along with assistance from John Byrne of ESB Networks at Osprey House and Tom Morrissey of ESB Energy International, a recruitment campaign commenced. Tom was appointed Chairman/ President and John was elected as Treasurer. Tony Connell acted as Fixtures Secretary. A recruitment notice posted on the internal staff notice board resulted in some 20 staff members from various parts of the organisation replying over the next two weeks.
Well-attended outdoor training sessions (usually on Wednesday nights) were organised as only some of the panel had experience of playing league cricket. This turned out to be a fruitful exercise.
A number of fixtures were arranged - our first game was against the Air Corps and was played in Civil Service CC in late May. Though we lost by 25 runs, some notable performances by Michael Carroll (20) of Group HR , John O Donoghue (22) of Wind Development and Tony Connell of Shared Services who took three wickets.
Losing narrowly in our next fixture against Garda CC in Phoenix Park, John Byrne contributed 22, along with Michael Carroll and John O Donoghue, who also made significant contributions.
The return match against Garda CC turned out to be our first victory of the season. Tony Connell and Bajeero Dabhade put on 22 for the first wicket with contributions from John O’Donoghue and Shane Casey (ESB Networks) with a total score of 107 posted. Garda CC scored 87 in reply: celebrations all round for ESB CC. A special mention goes to Charlie Cronin for a sterling performance behind the stumps. As it was his first game, he acquitted himself very well, as did Joe Shinkins with some quick and nimble fielding.
A fixture arranged against Howth CC fell foul of bad weather so our final fixture of the season was played against Bank of Ireland in Park Avenue, Sandymount. BoI scored 133 of their allotted 20 overs, Andrew Gardner (ESBI) and Damian Pacitto (ICT) performed well in reply and we made 102. It was a very successful season bearing in mind that so many new players came on to the team.
Looking to 2012, we plan to enter a team into a Business Houses type of competition, such as The Willie Webster Trophy. This trophy is played in Civil Service Cricket Club throughout the season and it is in memory of a man who not only was a stalwart of Civil Service CC but was also an ESB employee who was heavily involved in the ESB cricket team. It is a fitting trophy to a man who gave so much time both as a player and committee member to both organisations.
The competition involves 20-over matches and will be played among eight different clubs comprising of Garda CC and Irish Independent to name but two. Usually played midweek, it culminates in a final played on the August Bank Holiday Monday in Civil Service CC.
A special thanks to Civil Service CC for the use of their facilities over the season and to every member of the team who turned out for nets and matches. If you would like to join us, we will be holding some indoor nets over the long winter months.
Please feel free to contact any of the following Tony Connell, Ext 27113 or email: anthony.connell@esb.ie Tom Morrissey, Ext 27525 or email: tom.morrissey@esb.ie John Byrne, Ext 27655 or email: john.byrne@esb.ie
October wellness courses in SPORTSCO
Pilates starts Tuesday 18 Oct, 12:20pm beginners and 1:05pm
Improvers, starting Wednesday 19 Oct 6:30pm improvers, 7:30pm
beginners, 8:30pm foam roller
Yoga starts Monday 17 Oct with 8:30pm class, Thursday 20 Oct
lunchtime 12:45pm
Tai Chi begins Thursday 20 Oct at 7:30pm
ESB Athletic Club Update
WITH THE DUBLIN Half and Full Marathons approaching, ESB’s lunchtime runners are increasing their mileages with Wednesday being ‘Long Run Day’. Anyone who is interested in joining these essential pre-marathon runs should contact the Athletic Club. Most other days will see a merry band of athletes heading to Herbert Park, Sandymount or other local areas for shorter runs and some craic!
Recent BHAA Results
- Irish Life 3k Ringsend 10-08-11: 9 ESB runners. Notable performances; Standard 9–11, Niall McGeorge 1st & Eanna Farrell 2nd, Standard 12–15, Shane Lynch 2nd. Relay team in 4 × 400m, fourth place
- Zurich 2m Tallaght 31-08-11: 6 ESB runners, good performances all round, Sean Healy, Shane Hughes, Eamonn McWalter, Stephen Naughton, Stephen Walsh, John Clarke. Relay team in 4 × 400m, second place
- Also noted, excellent performance by John Healy at Irish Masters races in Tullamore in August, second place in 1500m in 4 mins 37 secs.
Next BHAA Races
- Grant Thornton 10k at 11.00 hrs on Saturday 10-09-11 in Firhouse.
- Dublin Half Marathon at 10.00 hrs on Saturday 17-09-11 in Phoenix Park.
Links for further information:
http://esbnet/athleticclub/
http://sharepoint/sites/Group/CIO/COO/CM/CSM/SC/ESB_Athletic_Club/default.aspx
RUNNER FOCUS NO . 3
– Eamonn Tierney, National Marathon Champion 1994
RUNNER FOCUS RETURNS with a feature highlighting an ESB athlete. This month, the focus in on Eamonn Tierney of Shared Services. Eamonn is one of Ireland’s most outstanding athletes: he won the National Marathon in 1994 in Dublin in 2hrs 27mins and also won the Glasgow Marathon in 1987. Eamonn has a marathon PB of 2.16 achieved in Wexford in 1988; his highest weekly training accumulation was an amazing 166 miles, an achievement in itself!
Eamonn, what made you takeup running? I took up running under the guidance of Brother Clark, St Aidan’s, Whitehall, along with football. I only started serious running training at 18.
What motivates you to keep running? Running keeps me active and alert.
Who is your favourite athlete? Emil Zatopek, whom I met at a banquet in Prague and Eamonn Coghlan.
What are your top running tips? Good shoes. Mix your training route. Alternate your sessions from long runs to steady 10 mile ones plus interval training. Try to run with a group or an athletics club. You won’t improve unless you seek advice!
What injuries have impacted your running? Groin strain, calf, back and others.
What brand of running shoes do you wear and how often do you change them? Asics Tiger and every six months.
What was your usual race preparation? Four miles warm up, including stretching and strides.
What was your favourite race? All of them, especially the Dublin City Marathon.
What has been your greatest running achievement? Winning the Glasgow Marathon in 1987.
What is your running ambition? To stay healthy.
What would be your marathon training tips? Long run. Two pace sessions per week, plus interval training. My favourite was 5×2k.
