The Gazette 1987

SEPTEMBER 1987

GAZETTE

Law Society Athletic Club The Law Society Athletic Club was founded in March 1985 and accepted as a member of the Irish Intervarsities Athletic Association. All apprentices are entitled to membership of the Club and there- fore eligible for selection for the intervarsities championships. The Club's first venture into intervarsities competition was at the 1986 Track and Field Cham- pionships held at College Park. Unfortunately the Club's two most experienced athletes, Gerry Dunne and Gerry McGrath were unable to compete owing to injury but a number of other members did participate. The Club also took part in the first Intervarsity Road Relays hosted by Maynooth College in February 1987. Although unable to field a full team and again without the services of Gerry Dunne the team nevertheless finished a credit- able 8th of 12. The 1987 Invervarsity Cross Country Championships were or- ganized by NIHE Limerick and although the Club was again un- able to field the full team of 6 in the team contest, the individual re- presentatives were very success- ful, Gerry Dunne finishing in second place and Gerry McGrath in fourth. In May of 1987 the same two competitors earned further honours in the Intervarsity Track & Field Championships held at the Antrim Forum with the New University of Ulster as host. On the opening day Gerry McGrath finished in second place in the 10,000 metres won by Robert Byron of Queens. Gerry Dunne qualified for the 800 metres final by winning his heat. The 800 metres final was very closely con- tested with the winner John Fox of UCD being timed at 1 min. 53.8 sees., while the second, third and fourth all recorded the same time of 1 min. 54 sees. Gerry Dunne was placed third. Attempts by the two athletes to win the 5,000 and 1,500 metres respectively proved more courageous than realistic and they had to settle for 5th place in each of these races. Their good performances how- ever led to their being invited to appear in the Dublin Universities Selection for a quadrangular match involving Yale and Harvard selec- tion and teams from Dublin County

International weekend). Unfortun- ately we were narrowly beaten by a rather big team from the Old Edinburgh Law Society, although we did have an interesting post match discussion on the problems of conveyancing unregistered land in the respective jurisdictions. As the new rugby season dawns we are anxious to get in touch with any new players who are interest- ed. The matches envisaged are our annual challenge match for the Joseph McGowan Cup against The Bar, hopefully a return fixture when our Scottish friends return for the International in January 1988, and very hopefully a trip to London in March 1988 to play our British counterparts. Prospective candidates are asked to contact John Shaw, c/o J. A. Shaw & Co., Solicitors, Mullingar. Please also indicate your favourite position, your general availability and your prowess at sticking your Master for a few quid to cover your expenses. P.S. — Absolutely no training involved! Solicitors Golfing Society International Match -v- Law Society Golf Club The second of what is now an annual fixture between the Solicitors Golfing Society and the Law Society Golf Club (Great Britain) was held on the 10th and 11th September, 1987 at Tralee and Ballybunion Golf clubs. Our guests declared the whole occasion, from being marooned by a spring tide at Tralee Golf Club, to the culinary delights of the Tankard in Fenit, the Ballygarry House Hotel and the spectacular scenery throughout, to be an unqualified success. Our visitors emerged victorious by 13 points to 11 by winning the last match of the 24 played over the two days. At the concluding dinner in Tralee, Mr. Brian Pettifer of the Law Society Golf Club presented a delightful Silver Trophy which was duly presented by Mr. Cyril Coyle (Captain SGS) to Eric Auckland (Captain, LSGC). All are now looking forward to next year's fixture in England.

SPORTS NEWS Board and the Eastern Region. The competition in the 5,000 metre race was particularly stiffened al- though Gerry McGrath led the field as they entered the final straight he was outpaced and finished unplaced. Gerry Dunne fared better in the mile where he was placed 3rd in a closely contested race. It is to be hoped that the success of the founder members will spur the remaining members of the Club to further achievement and other apprentices with athletic abilities to join the Club and continue its success. Although there is ob- viously a good deal of dedication and hard training required for success at intervarsity level each of the intervarsity functions has a substantial social side to them and the evenings festivities after racing have proved extremely enjoyable. New blood is always required in students sports clubs and as the present members are likely soon to qualify and will no longer be eligible to represent the Club successors are urgently needed. Those in- terested should contact Gerry Dunne, Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2, or Gerry McGrath at 6 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. • Last year the Solicitors Apprentices Rugby Club (SARC) was formed by John Gardiner with the intention of offering the beleaguered apprentice an outlet from the frustrations of the office. The response, we are glad to say, was enthusiastic and in all, three matches were played. After a lapse of a number of years we once again took on our old enemy, The Bar, for the Joseph McGowan Cup. The initial match was a draw and the re- play ended in a narrow victory for Counsel. Thanks to generous sponsorship from the Law Society, a trip was undertaken to Edinburgh to play our Scottish counterparts (which trip remarkably coincided with the Solicitors Apprentices Rugby Club (SARC)

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