Wieslaw Sosnowski, Eagle's star runner and winner of several marathons, has retuned to his native Poland.

Farewell to Wieslaw!

 Wieslaw, on left, with his brother-in-law Adam and compatriot, Stanislaw Byzcek (Midleton AC)

On Friday February 26^th a group of Eagles and friends gathered in the Idle Hour pub to say farewell and make a presentation to Club member, Wieslaw Sosnowski, who returned to his native Poland the following day.

The night was tinged with both happiness and sadness.  On one hand, we were happy for Wieslaw, that he was returning home to his family after approx. eight years spent here in Ireland.  While on the other, we were parting with a good friend and clubmate.

Eagle Chairman, John Quigley, presenting Wieslaw with a plaque, in recognition of his contribution to Eagle AC said that he had "the greatest admiration for Wieslaw, and many others like him, who have the courage to uproot and move to a foreign country and begin afresh, contributing to economic and social systems of their adopted countries.  Many aspire, like Wieslaw, to return home and, while we all knew that this day would, it has come a lot quicker than we anticipated.  So while we are sad that you are leaving, we are happy that you are being reunited with your family"

Eagle Chairman John Quigley presents Wieslaw with plaque

Presenting Wieslaw with the plaque, John said that Wieslaw "has brought honour and distinction to Eagle AC and Cork, whom he represented at AAI county level."  He said that Wieslaw "is a great ambassador for Eagle, Cork and Poland"

John told the group about overhearing a conversation between Wieslaw and a member of the winning Togher team in the County Senior cross-country championships about 4 years ago.  Wieslaw had run in the Dublin City Marathon only six days beforehand and the course was particularly heavy.  "Do you like cross-country?" asked the Togher man.  "No" said Wieslaw "..........but I like running with Eagle".  "As I've said before, Wieslaw, we like running with you!"

On behalf of Eagle AC, I want to thank Wieslaw for his company and friendship over the past few years.  Besides being a heck of a good runner, Wieslaw is a very nice, modest person that I am glad to have known.  We wish him, and his family, well back home in Poland.  Wieslaw may be returning to run in the 2008 Cork City Marathon.  Eagle, who travelled to the Krakow Marathon in 2005 may yet return there to renew our acquaintance with Wieslaw.

For more pictures from Friday, check out the 2008 directory on the Photo Gallery