Google+ Running in Cork, Ireland: Dick O'Brien of St.Nicholas AC calls it a day...

Friday, July 22, 2016

Dick O'Brien of St.Nicholas AC calls it a day...

Among the many clubs in Co.Cork, there are a few characters that stand out. For St.Nicholas AC in Castlelyons near Rathcormac in Cork, it's Dick O'Brien. After a long running career starting with a race around the mart in Fermoy in 1960, he ran his last race last Wednesday when he completed the Carrigtwohill 5k as an M70. To mark the occasion, Carrigtwohill AC presented him with this plaque...



Over the many years, Dick has competed in many many races including 14 marathons with his best time being 2 hours 43 minutes and 23 seconds. In earlier times, he also ran under 9 minutes for 3,000metres.

Here is section of a piece from St.Nicholas AC....... He set up St Nicholas Athletics Club in 1981 and was also central to re-launching the club earlier this decade. He also set up a very successful couch to 5k series in 2013 where he has trained over 80 people to complete a 5k. Dicko's enthusiasm & encouragement has seen the club prosper in recent times with the club growing from 10 senior athletes to 65 in just three years. Dicko is also heavily involved in training our underage section which now boasts over 100 juvenile members. St Nicholas Athletics Club is now a fitting testament to this great man!

As a tribute to Dick and his last race, members of St.Nicholas AC ran with him in the race last Wednesday...


A fitting tribute for someone who has done so much for this small club in North-East Cork.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a nice tribute from his club mates to a face we would all recognise around Cork on the running scene - can you imagine the mileage he has put up since 1960 !!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Dicko - being a young fella a long time ago, being in a neighbouring club, i had the good pleasure of being coached by Dicko on occassion and his enthusiasm and passsion for it was unreal to see. With me being back on the running scene all these years later, when i met him, he still recognised me and we had a good laugh and chat. Fair play Dicko - a running legend.

John Downes said...

Dick congratulations on the acknowledgement from your club and fellow runners. You have been a great supporter and a gentleman at all times. Thanks for all the shouts of encouragement down throughout the years. I wish you all the best for the future. My daughter still has the cork teddy bear you gave as a gift. My respect and gratitude to you at all times. John