This week we get to know popular member Alan Farrell a little more… like he took up running after a football injury… and misses the club craic during the Covid restrictions…
STANDARD QUESTIONS
PLACE AND YEAR OF BIRTH? The Coombe…1972
WHERE WERE YOU EDUCATED? James’s Street C.B.S
WHAT IS YOUR CAREER PATH? I did an apprenticeship after school and on completion of this returned to College to do an Engineering Degree. After college I worked for Ericsson here and abroad for a few years doing Telecommunications. Currently working as a lecturer in Bolton street or Technical University Dublin to give it the new name.
IN WHAT YEAR DID YOU JOIN DONORE HARRIERS? Still relatively new. Joined in 2014 I think.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE DONORE HARRIERS? As a kid growing up in the area, Donore was “the” club to join. I would regularly run by club. On Saturday mornings I would see them training on the magazine, but I always felt they were elite and never had the courage to join.
WERE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY OTHER CLUB BEFORE JOINING DONORE HARRIERS? No, but I ran with a group called “Dublin Runners” in the park. It was basically a meetup group. So, if you were going for a run, you’d post it in advance and people would join the run. It was a great introduction to running as to be honest. I hadn’t a clue beforehand.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY OTHER SPORT? I played soccer from the time I could walk until I was 40 odd. I would still be playing aul fellas soccer but I bust me knee so in some ways it was fortunate because I wouldn’t have started running. I thought it was the best kept secret when I started.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ATHLETICS EVENTS? Women’s pole vault.
WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT ROLE AT THE CLUB? Aul fella athlete
WHO WAS YOUR SPORTING INSPIRATIONS/INFLUENCE? Must be the Chairman of the Boards, Eamonn Coghlan. Local lad born in Drimnagh and a legend. Gave a great speech to the kids when they opened the lounge upstairs.
SOCIAL QUESTIONS
WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ? Build your own Camper van for less than £1000:)… but that’s a whole other story in itself. Tony Griffen will tell you all about it!
WHAT WAS THE LAST CONCERT YOU ATTENDED? A House in Vicar street… with young Donal Iremonger and sure we bumped into Ray (O’Keeffe) and Leonie (Newman). It was like a Donore night out!
WHAT ARE YOUR 3 FAVOURITE FILMS?
1. Goodfellas
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. The Breakfast Club
FAVOURITE COUNTRY VISITED? I worked in Honduras for 6 months when I was doing telecommunications. Everyday was a different adventure!
WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER INTERESTS AWAY FROM SPORTS/ATHLETICS? I suppose I’m always fixing things up. Old bikes, cars, motorbikes. Anything where you get your hands dirty.
IF DESERT ISLAND DISCS ASKED YOU TO PLAY 3 SONGS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
1. Dignity: Deacon Blue
2. Just a Shadow: Big Country
3. Love Will Tear Us Apart: Joy Division
ATHLETICS QUESTIONS
WHO IS YOUR COACH? Willie Smith. I idolise the man! Absolute inspiration. I can’t thank him enough for his dedication, enthusiasm and hard work for everyone in the group. Always up first thing Saturday morning setting the course out and you know its going to be spot on. If Willie says its 400m it will be 400m.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BEST ATHLETICS ACHIEVEMENT? Not really an achievement as such because it was all down to the handicap but getting my name on the Waterhouse Byrne-Baird shield. The history of the whole race fascinated me when I joined the club first. Plus, you get your name on the board so the kids will think you’re great cos you don’t mention handicap to them.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST TIMES (PBs)? Not exact because I’ve a head like a sieve but…
16.55 5k… Thanks to Des Tremble
35.39 10k.
59.54 10 mile
1.23.06 Half marathon
2.54 Marathon
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COACHED SESSION? I love the first session on the Polo grounds each year regardless. It’s the start of Summer.
DESCRIBE THE MOST DIFFICULT SESSION THAT YOU HAVE DONE? There was one about 2 years ago. I only ever did it once. It was full on from the Wellington roundabout until Michael D’s window. Easy till the North road then on again till the Garda entrance. We did that 4 or 5 times. I remember sitting on the top of the stairs rocking back and forth like a loon self-grooming because I was too tired to get in the shower.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL WEEKLY TRAINING PLAN? Session Saturday, long run Sunday, Easy Monday, Session Tuesday, Easy Wednesday/Thursday and No homework of a Friday because you’ve been good all week!
DO YOU HAVE A FUNNY STORY RELATED TO ATHLETICS/THE CLUB? I was doing the Novice race for the first time with Donore and my daughter was playing with her friends in the avenue beside our house. She asked me could she come along with her mates. So, because I live near the park I said no bother. So I ended up on the start line with about 10 kids screaming Alan, Alan, Alan… I was scarlet… twas grand after the first lap because I was that far back they gave up on me.
WHAT ONE CHANGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AT DONORE HARRIERS? I suppose we could do more social activities. One thing is for sure when this Covid malarkey is over it would be great to all get together and have a session which doesn’t involve running. Running on your own is grand but you miss the craic and slagging you get at the sessions.
WHO ARE YOUR TOP 3 IRISH SPORTSPERSONS OF ALL TIMES (all sports)?
1. Sonia O’ Sullivan
2. Roy Keane
3. Stephen Cluxton
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
DO YOUR REGRET NOT TAKING UP RUNNING EARLIER IN LIFE? No. I was a sprinter for the school team, but football was always my first love. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to run now at nearly fifty.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING YOUNG ATHLETES? Stay away from booze and women…
DID YOU EVER CONSIDER TAKING UP COACHING? I’d say I’m too selfish. I have nothing but admiration for anyone willing to give up their time. If I couldn’t run anymore, I would definitely try it. I tried football management after I couldn’t play but I couldn’t handle the bickering.
WHAT IS YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE JINGLE BELLS RACE? For the last few years, I have been mainly on Elf duty. Every year its great to see the club coming together for the race everyone helps. Its so important to the club’s fund raising.
ROAD RACE OR CROSS-COUNTRY? Cross country, I love the muck and the hardship. It’s a killer.