44 NEWTOWNABBEY TIMES www.newtownabbeytimes.co.uk Thursday, July 10, 2014

SPORT Tribute Hockey Ballyclare County Antrim Harriers coach Ladies gear up for new Greg Hopkins ‘a companion to all’ season

County Antrim Harriers stal- and a companion to all. Ballyclare Ladies are al- wart Greg Hopkins passed Although he was called the ready gearing up for the away last month. This week, chairman, he actually was new season with fitness the secretary, treasurer, pub- and skills training sessions club secretary Christine Mur- lic relations officer, sat nav, en- in the pipeline. ray pays tribute to ‘a coach tertainment manager, drinks After being in the Sen- and a companion to all’ on dispenser and contact card ior League Section 1 base- behalf of the members of the dispenser to all those unas- ment zone for most of last Ballyclare-based club. suming joggers he followed season, Suzanne Dickey’s behind, giving out the club girls avoided a relegation Greg Hopkins is County details. play-off by a single point, Antrim Harriers. He was Also, he was the ultimate tex- so they are determined to immensely proud of these col- ter; his texts read that long it do better in the new cam- ours, which he and his sister, took half the day at work to paign. Glynis Crawford, re-formed come through. This was Greg; The first session will be in 2005. The club originated always thinking ahead, being held at Ballyclare Rugby from three church members meticulous and never leaving Club on Tuesday, July 22 at in St Luke’s Parish, offBelfast ’s anyone out. 7.30 pm, and will continue Shankill Road in 1895. For the September AGMs he weekly until mid-August, In the older days the Harriers would order trophies at East- when it will be replaced by had many international run- er, planning handicaps and the skills programme on ners, especially in cross-coun- summer trails, getting prizes the astro pitch at Ballyclare try; Roy Brown, Ray Kirkland, and organising cars to races. High School grounds. Jackie Hoey and John Robin- Bowling, summer barbecues Except for Victoria White son and, more recently, Glynis and Christmas nights out who will be heading offto Crawford and Christine Mur- were all under his remit. university, all last season’s ray. Also, sub-2:43 marathon As Coach, he was second to players will be available runners of note Darren McAl- none. again under new 1st XI cap- ister and Russell Hughes. Mondays and Wednesdays at tain Louise Holmes. From a small seed of three, Sixmile Leisure Centre con- “With another year’s expe- Greg developed County An- sisted of tempo runs, speed rience in Section 1 behind trim Harriers to a member- work, hill work and cross- us, we are quietly confident ship of over 80 runners today. country (and in former years Greg Hopkins pictured after he had taken part in his 16th Larne Half-Marathon in 2009. that we will move up the ta- He was chairman, ‘The Coach’ on Thursday evenings at ble this year,” said club cap- Ballyearl). A long run at the races, making sure no male In recent years he gave of his tain Gillian McMaw. weekend and, more recently, competitors and coaches were time on Saturday mornings “We are hoping to recruit a parkrun thrown in for good gettinga look-in or he would to put up barriers at the Wa- some girls who have just measure, was the normal have elbowed in and said: terworks parkrun and helped leftBally clare High School, week. “Don’t think your special – she course direct, but always tak- and we will be hoping for He had all the qualities of a talks to everyone,” then chap- ing a seat in the background. some talent moving up coach: knowledge and experi- eroned us away. Even when he was in the from the 2nd XI, but we are ence; encouraging; resource- Away from the running, he middle of treatment, he still keen to recruit new players ful; committed and giving of was an encouragement to all managed to drive around the to strengthen our squad, so his time. - even those who themselves Monday and Wednesday night we send out an invitation to He was a qualified Level Two were suffering from cancer. In course routes, following us in any players who would be coach and he subscribed to the club he was confidant and those cold, dark winter nights, interested in joining Bally- Runner’s World. a listening ear. lighting up the way ahead. clare Ladies Hockey Club, Here are some of his running His resourcefulness was one Greg is irreplaceable and no- to come along an join us,” credentials: 3:11 personal of his fortes. If he didn’t know, one can fill his running shoes. she added. best for Belfast Marathon in he found out. We can only follow him. Interested in playing? Con- 1996; 77 marathons in total When I was running com- There is, however, some un- tact Gillian McMaw on ranging from Belfast, Newry petitively and I turned up, finishedbu siness to be done. 07784840474. and Mourne, Causeway, Der- Greg was able to tell me who He talked about it as if he vock, Dublin, London, Las Ve- was there in my age-group, hadn’t achieved so much al- gas, Boston and Barbados; 20 what club they were from ready. ‘The Coach’ planned Win for Wylie Larne Half Marathons since (and vest colours), their pace to do 100 marathons and 100 Greg Hopkins celebrates completing the 2009 London Marathon with they started, except for 2014 and sometimes their last race parkruns and for County An- Lorna Wylie was the over- Irene Downey (left) and Roberta Henry. LT19-810-CON due to ill-health; 1:27 personal time. More amusingly, what trim Harriers to host its own all winner of the Henry best for Larne Half in 1996; 98 training they had been doing, race. Those three goals will be Trophy competition, or- parkruns. and even once, what vitamins achieved with the members’ ganised by Ballyclare Golf Greg wasn’t just in it for the they had been taking over the help. Club’s Ladies’ Section. competitive runner. One of winter! Another two matters Greg Wylie topped a field of his biggest qualities was run- In the back of his car he had a talked about, was his wish for 58 ladies to walk away with ning at the back with the new- tool kit that would put a garage County Antrim Harriers to the number-one prize, hav- comers or slower pace groups. to shame, from jump leads to have its own clubhouse and ing carded 41 points. What they didn’t know was he cable ties, and a first-aid kit for Ballyclare to have a run- Rebecca McConnell had done his training earlier that a doctor would be very ning track. We can only aim won the Section 1 0-24 that morning. He always had proud of - all used by members for these. handicap category, while an encouraging smile. ‘You’ll of the club at some time. County Antrim Harriers’ club Eileen Parke’s 38 points not be first,yo u’ll not be last,’ Time is the biggest giftyo u can crest is the County Antrim saw her win theSection 2 he would say. ‘Take the racing give anyone and Greg gave it Coat of Arms with the mot- 25-36 handicap. line’; ‘Tail that girl then pass abundantly, freely and gener- to “Per Angusta Ad Augusta” Ballyclare GC’s Lady her in the last 100.’ ously. He was an inspiration to which means ‘From Adversity Captain’s Day is set for Au- Greg (centre) with fellow Harriers Elaine McKee, Johnny Carter, Greg was also very protective all in County Antrim Harriers, We Triumph’ - how true this is gust 2. Michael Matthews and Debbie Hill in 2007. LT07-665-CON of his girls before and after new and old alike. of Greg Hopkins’ legacy.