Full Report from Coach Dwyer
Three Days at 12thRock
A group of 13 people made up of Throwers and Coaches headed to a 3 Day Clinic in Middletown New York America. We had more than 13 reasons to why this was such a great trip for all involved.
Athletes and coaches from Templemore AC, Gowran AC, Birr AC, Finisk Valley AC and Fanahan McSweeneys AC took part in Throws Clinics over a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It all took place at the 12th Rock facility. Mark and Greg welcomed us along with Dan Mecca and Carl Shields. We settled in very quickly and on Friday enjoyed an awesome Throw Like Youri hammer clinic presented and demonstrated by Carl Shields. Carl and his wife Susanne also organised everything from accommodation, transport and great places to shop and dine for us all. This trip wouldn't at being possible without their help and guidance, all of us are very appreciative of everything they did for us.
On the Saturday most were busy doing a Hammer Clinic with the American Hammer throw record holder Rudy Winkler. Others were absorbing information and advice from the legendary Discus thrower Mac Wilkins. Dan Mecca was there over the whole 3 days and shared advice on everything throws related with us all, a real gentleman and so kind and helpful to us all.
On Friday over lunch time, Coach Mo Saatara was on a zoom call and gave really great advice and guidance on Throwing , scholarships, and training programmes. Coach Wilfredo De Jesus Elias was also helping us out and gave us great advice on Throwing and the Collegiate system in the states.
Our own Eric Favors was busy coaching Glide and Rotational Shot Putt over the Saturday/Sunday and was so helpful to all. Big things from this man in 24.
Rudy was also on again Sunday and gave a really good clinic on Throwing, lifting and everything involved in Hammer throwing. Great chats with this man who will do great things in 2024 also.
Our own Marcus O Sullivan who is great friends with Dan Mecca also visited us on Saturday lunchtime to have a chat and give great advice to our Athletes and coaches. A real gentleman and all are very appreciative of the time he took to talk to us all.
Saturday night was special in that it was the first throws meet we were at under floodlights. All threw very well but Liam Bergin excelled throwing shy of 30M in the hammer to achieve a PB.
We also met Paddy McGrath and got to see some of his throwers in action, well done to Marcus on his big PB just shy of 70M in the hammer. No doubt soon to be another of Paddy's athletes over the 70M Mark.
We had so much fun and outside of throwing really worked well and got on great as a group. It was a unique trip and we are all so thankful to those who supported our trip and helped us make it happen. There will be many more trips like this in the future, but for now we have a lot of information to process and put to work over the winter months ahead in our training programmes.
Some other highlights were the game of spoons in the canteen and learning Waterford slang from Emmet.
