Women’s meet and train league 

It was a great morning in Tymon Park for the first round of the women’s meet and train cross country league , thankfully the rain stopped well in time although conditions underfoot were slippy and muddy….we had 7 runners out , 3 of which did the marathon a few weeks ago.  117 runners took part in the 2 mile 3 lap race hosted by Sportsworld,

Well done Louise Kelly 15th, Suzie Henley Willis 28th, Ruth Chambers 45th, Lee Chambers 72nd, Sarah Ni Ruairc 90th, Catherine McKeon 96th and Ann Woodlock 116th.  Louise, Suzie and Sarah ran particularly well working their way through the field with the marathon still in their legs, great to see Lee and Ruth Chambers back in action as well as stalwarts Catherine and Ann. Back at the race afters in St Jude’s GAA, the legendary Ann was also presented with a gift of a customised medal holder from her clubmates to mark her world indoor win this year in Poland

REPORT – NCAA NORTH-EAST REGIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, New York (10.11.2023) and NCAA SOUTH REGIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Mark Bostick Golf Course, Gainesville, Florida (10.11.2023)  

In March 2000, just one week before the first Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Abdel Laadjel of Donore Harriers and Michael Morgan of Sligo AC won the All-Ireland Schools Cross-Country championship titles in the intermediate and senior grades respectively. 

On Friday last the same two athletes were running in tandem near the front of the NCAA NORTH-EAST REGIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York. 

The 10km course was fast and consisted of one-short and two long loops. Running for the esteemed Providence College Friars the duo set their targets on a top-10 finish in the hope of qualifying for the NCAA National Cross-Country Championships to take place in Charlottesville, Virginia next Saturday 18th of November 2023. 

The training partners were always running close to the top order in a highly competitive field, with Laadjel making positional gains between the 7km and 9km points and eventually secured 9th spot in an impressive time of 29.55.0. Morgan pushed forward in the final kilometre to place 6th in 29.51.2. The race was won by Graham Blanks (29.31.6) of Harvard University. There were 253 finishers. 

Laadjel was the 2nd scorer on the Friars team that placed 4th of 37.

In the NCAA SOUTH REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS at the Mark Bostick Golf Course at Gainesville, Florida Louis O’Loughlin, the other Donore Harriers athlete presently on scholarship in the States, placed 51st of 171 finishers in a time of 30.38.7. The Clondalkin man was lying back in the 80s and 90s positions in the middle part of the race and left himself with too much to do in the latter stages to impact toward the front of the race. He finished as the 4th scorer on the Auburn University Tigers team that placed 7th of 23. His race was won by Hilary Cheryiouut (28.26.8) of Alabama University. 

RESULTS:

NCAA NORTHEAST REGIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Bronx, New York (10.11.2023) – Men’s 10km race – 9th Abdel Laadjel (29.55.0). 253 finishers.

NCAA SOUTH REGIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Gainesville, Florida (10.11.2023) – Men’s 10km race – 51st Louis O’Loughlin (30.38.7). 171 finishers.

Dublin cross country uneven junior and senior and New York marathon

Dublin juvenile uneven ages Santry demesne

Another great day for our juveniles with so many Donore athletes running. Underfoot conditions were tough so great to see solid runs from our younger juveniles, the going wasn’t easy! We had individual wins in the boys U15 and girls u17, indiv silver in girls U17 and u19, indiv bronze in the boys U17
Brilliant team golds for our u17 girls and boys and u19 team girls silver  Over the 2 days of the Dublins, we have won 4 team golds, 2 silvers and 2 bronze. That’s 8 teams going to the two national competitions.  Well done to all our young athletes who competed no matter where they placed, brilliant effort from everyone 

DUBLIN SENIOR CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

After the full juvenile programme it was the adults turn. There was no women’s team this year but as always the Jim McNamara trophy was presented to the winning women’s team with members of the mcNamara family present. . The six lap, 9km men’s race was not for the faint of heart!
The aspirations of the Donore Harriers team challenging for medals diminished as several athletes had to withdraw due to injury and illness. So, great credit to those who stepped up to the plate and ensured that the team finished in a gallant 6th place.
First season athlete John Cleary ran a smart race. He was placed 22nd at the halfway stage and gained to 20th by the time he reached the finish line. He recorded a time of 33.19. Next in was M40 athlete David McConn, who put in a solid run to place 28th in 34.40. Eoin Gormley (35.46), another young development athlete, made his mark in 33rd spot. The scoring four was completed by Niall Lynch, an M50 category athlete)and juvenile who ran an evenly paced race to place 41st and who spent the morning supporting his juvenile charges! Just one spot behind was Simon O’Toole (36.51), who went with the early pace running a brave race
It was won by a distance by Irish international star Efrem Gidey (28.50), who led the Clonliffe Harriers team to victory.
RESULTS:
DUBLIN SENIOR CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Santry Demesne (05.11.2023)
SENIOR MEN 9km: 20th John Cleary (33.19), 28th David McConn (34.40), 33rd Eoin Gormley (35.46), 41st Niall Lynch (36.43), 42nd Simon O’Toole (36.51).
TEAM: 6th Donore Harriers <20th John Cleary, 28th David McConn, 33rd Eoin Gormley, 41st Niall Lynch

New York marathon

Husband and wife Stephen and Michelle Dawson were two of the thousands of runners who raced the streets of the Big Apple in one of the marathon majors.  Stephen ran 3.36.49 and Michelle 4.51.07, Michelle said it was an amazing experience despite all the hills! Well done both

Dublin marathon report

Dublin City Marathon Day doesn’t be long coming around and the city streets were taken over by marathoners from every corner of the country today.  It was a busy day for the club with the water station volunteers getting ready for the crowds from 7am. Overall a very successful day out for the club with a copious helpings of PB along the way.
First in was Kane Collins in a fantastic pb 2.25.24, 15th overall and in his own words a very good day. Club stalwart Ken Nugent ran a very solid 2.40.46, a great run for Ken after some great sessions with coach Willie Smith over the summer!
We had Sean Fox, Danny O’Sullivan and ultra man Didier Da Costa who was delighted with a pb of 2.44.52 all breaking the 2.45 barrier. Next in was world record 50k holder super woman Sorcha Loughnane in a fantastic 2.45.29, she also finished 3rd Irish woman finishing only second to heavyweights Anne Marie McGlynn and Gladys Ganiel. Ever humble and self deprecating she  was still critical of her great performance. A sure quality of a superstar.
Wayne Waldron who also holds impressive ultramarathon credentials and did not have his best day in the office carrying an injury into the race but finished in a very brave 2.47.19., He has had a very good year with a marathon win in Galway and pbs over the half marathon so hopefully it is only a short term setback. 
Track runner Michael Ryan, consistent M50 runner Peter Gaffney, Andrew Kinane, Liam Keane and Declan Lynch all got well under the 3 hour barrier.  Liam Keane was delighted to finally break the sub 3 after a few bad encounters with the marathon.
Grace Kennedy Clarke our next woman in ran a very impressive 3.08 after a very shaky preparation in the last few weeks with illness, she had to radically adjust her target time but was happy with her run.
David McGrath was thrilled with his 5 min pb of 3.12.54 and has made a big improvement over the last few years. 
Kevin Odgers who is also running Valencia in December, new member Kishor Shelake and Phillip Hennessy all finished sub 3.15.
Oliver O’Hara and training partners Ariana Ball and Amy Moriarty all finished in an even 320 with Amy and Ariana running as best buddies the whole way together.
Alan Kinsella was happy with his pb of 3.22.14 followed by Kieran Beausang and  Niamh Clifford, Niamh jogged around in 3.23.50 a time most fast runners would be proud of, this is coming off a similar ‘fun’ marathon 3 weeks ago in Chicago.
JP O’Hanlon and Louise Kelly came over the line just on the nose of 330, Louise was thrilled with her 8 min pb.
The sub 3.40 crew of Suzie Henley Willis, Dean Fullston and Pam White were next, Suzie equally thrilled with a 13 min pb of 3.37.34.
Big congrats to Ben Conroy, Margaret O’Brien, Angela Eustace, Neil Lanigan, Ava and Niamh Clarke, Katie Keogh, Ken Henley Willis and Elaine Verdon who all finished under the 4 hour barrier. Margaret had her debut run and felt she could run another one tomorrow, great to see club stalwart Angela Eustace back in marathon action in 3.50 after a 7 year break and has been running very well this season.
Katie Keogh had her debut run as did sisters Ava and Niamh Clarke. Ken Henley Willis hubby of Suzie was thrilled with taking a big chunk of his pb too. Fit for Lifers Elaine Verdon and Neil Lanigan made the sub 4 look very easy, their coach and training partner Ken Cronin finished just a minute outside 4 hrs, great to see club legend Ken back on the marathon trail too. 
Mark Devine also has his debut over the distance, well done Mark, big well done to Meet and Train captain Sarah Ni Ruairc who finished in 4.16 her first marathon in 12 years,  Elaine Miskella in her debut finished next in 4.26 followed by club stalwart Dana Mackey in 4.37. Well done to Fit For Lifer Jo Hughes, Sam Kendlin Hobbs, Arthur Connick and Des Gill who all finished well under the 5 hour barrier, kudos to the much loved Arthur Connick who swears it was his last ever marathon, we all said that Arthur!
Also notable was John Travers who did some pacing duties til half way
And Ian Fitzgerald ran around the course with team Cobey who finished in a great time !
See you next year!.

It was a tough day out in cold wet conditions for everybody and well done to each and every one you are all heroes.
Big well done to all volunteers down in Chapelizod af the water station too!

Kane Collins 2.25.24 PB 15th man
Ken Nugent 2.40.26
Sean Fox 2.43.10 PB
Danny O’Sullivan 2.43.38
Didier Da Costa 2.44.52 PB
Sorcha Loughnane 2.45.29   3rd Irish woman
Wayne Waldron 2.47.19
Michael Ryan 2.55.24. PB
Peter Gaffney 2.55.30
Andrew Kinane 2.56.21
Liam Keane 2.56.59  PB
Declan Lynch 2.57.27
Grace Kennedy Clarke 3.08.11
David McGrath 3.12.54
Kevin Odgers 3.13.39
Kishor Shelake 3.14.32
Phillip Hennessy 3.14.35
Oliver O’Hara 3.20.02
Ariana Ball 3.20.22
Amy Moriarty 3.20.22
Alan Kinsella 3.22.14 PB
Kieran Beausang 3.23.39
Niamh Clifford 3.23.50
JP O’Hanlon 3.30.21
Louise Kelly 3.30.49 PB
Suzie Henley Willis 3.37.34 PB
Dean Fullston 3.39.30
Pam White 3.39.33
Ben Conroy 3.49.19
Margaret O’Brien 3.49.38 PB
Angela Eustace 3.50.08
Neil Lanigan 3.52
Ava Clarke 3.53.17 PB
Niamh Clarke 3.53.17 PB
Katie Keogh 3.54.46 PB
Ken Henley Willis 3.56.04 PB
Elaine Verdon 3.58.00
Ken Cronin 4.01.01
Mark Devine 4.14.50 PB
Sarah Ni Ruairc 4.16.22
Elaine Miskella 4.26.14 PB
Dana Mackey 4.37.59
Jo Hughes 4.40.35
Sam Kendlin Hobbs 4.50.52
Arthur Connick 4.54.18
Des Gill 4.55.17

REPORT – SOUTH-EAST CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Charwood Golf Club, Columbia, South Carolina (27th of October 2023) and the BIG EAST CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Kenosha, Wisconsin (28th of October 2023) 
Louis O’Loughlin was back in cross-country action on Friday, when he lined up for the Auburn Tigers team in the NCAA SOUTH-EAST CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Columbia, South Carolina. The 8km men’s race was held over a flat, fast course at the Charwood Golf Club.
The Donore Harriers middle-distance specialist held 76th position at the 4km point, then continually gained places to cross the line in 38th spot in a time of 24.25.8. His final kilometre split of 3.03 was the 10th fastest in the field. O’Loughlin was the 4th scorer on the Tigers team that came 5th of 12. The race was won by Victor Kiprop (22.23.4) of Alabama University.
On Saturday Abdel Laadjel donned the colours of the Providence College Friars at the Wayne Dannehl national cross-country course at Kenosha, Wisconsin for the BIG EAST CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS. The 8.5km men’s race was held over a one-lap meandering tree-lined course with plenty of testing climbs. Laadjel, having finished 24th in each of the last two Big East championships, was aiming for a top 10 finish. The Donore Harriers star ran stride for stride with his team-mate Liam Back, a New Zealander, until the final stages of the race. Back kicked on to finish 8th in 25.22.5, with Laadjel next home in 25.28.6. The race was won by Liam Murphy of Villanova University in a time of 24.46.3. The Providence Friars team came 4th of 9.
Laadjel said afterwards: “I was happy with that. A step in the right direction and a real confidence booster”.
The two Donore Harriers athletes will next be in action in the NCAA Regionals on the 10th of November.    
RESULTS:
SOUTHEAST CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Columbia, South Carolina (27.10.2023) –
Men’s 8km race – 38th Louis O’Loughlin (24.25.8). 107 finishers.
The BIG EAST CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Kenosha, Wisconsin (28.10.2023) – Men’s 8.5km race – 9th Abdel Laadjel (25.28.6). 84 finishers.

HIGHLIGHTS Rock n road races Kinvara, club cross country races, award for Aryell Sheedy, Naas 10 mile and more

Rock n road races Kinvara
There was a good Donore representation at the popular Rock n road races in Kinvara Galway , a 10k, half marathon and marathon to choose from which winds around the stone wall lined roads of this scenic part of Galway. An amazing race by Wayne Waldron in the marathon finishing 2nd not long after his epic 50k in Donadea a few weeks ago – he crossed the line in 2nd in 2.34 and was only 20 seconds off the winner. In a few weeks time he is tackling the Anglo Celtic Plate 100k so this is only a warmup!
In the half marathon Simon O’Toole was delighted with his PB of 79.44, dipping under 80 for the first time.
This race is popular with our Fit4Life group led by coach Barry Potts who make an annual pilgrimage to it and Fit4life group member Deirdre Healy had this report.
“DH Fit4life were well represented at the Kinvara Rock and road. In near perfect conditions for racing the legendary Barry Potts stormed home in 1.43 in the half marathon . He was followed by Peter Daly at 1.55 and Deirdre Healy at 1.58. Leading the field in the 10k was Anna McMahon at 52.35 a PB closely followed by Anne Rush at 53.53 and next across the line was Deirdre Coyle 58.46 and Andrew Maguire 60.05, great times for one of the earlier races in the calendar year!!”
Alasdair Brown was a little disappointed with his 35.11 in the 10k but still a super run. Julia Hackett was 1st W50 in a very solid run of 46.17
Irish Para Athletics award for Aryell Sheedy
One of our young athletes Aryell Sheedy was named best young paralympic athlete and third overall athlete at the Irish Paralympic Athletes awards during the week. Great recognition for him with all the hard work he puts in

Club cross country races for the Faugh a Ballagh and Jim McNamara trophies
Former Olympian and coach Jim McNamara passed away on 10 March 2016, every year the winner of the women’s club cross country championship receives the Jim McNamara trophy is in his honour. At the same time the men are awarded the Faugh a Ballagh trophy – connected very much with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, many of who were Donore members at the time, this was first awarded in 1907.
For the past number of years the race lap has been the legendary 2 mile lap – same as that of the St Stephen’s day race , except starting and finishing at the stone bridge at the top of the Kyhber road rather than the dog pond.
All the field started together , the women running 2 laps (4 miles) and the men running 3 laps (6 miles)
Retaining her title was Sorcha Loughnane who made light work of the course in 24.33. Returning from injury and getting back fit was Barbara Cleary in second place. Suzie Henley Willis who is on a roll lately was delighted to finish 3rd in 29.53. It was great to see some of our newer female members compete too – the first time to do a cross country race for some, and they enjoyed it . Emily Cunniffe a new member had a great race to finish fourth in 31.00. She was followed by Ellen Flanagan 31.35 another new fast improving recruit, Suzanne Kenny was next in 32.49 followed in by Angela Eustace in 33.33 who is rapidly returning to form too after a long period of injury. Sarah Ni Ruairc was next in followed by new Catherine McKeon and new member Katie Fitzpatrick and they worked together all around the 4 miles of the course. (Taking into account the sealed handicap, Ellen was the winner of that)
In the men’s race Ken Nugent also retained his title from last year in 34.46 with club treasurer Des Tremble 35.04 a fast finishing 2nd followed by Danny OSullivan in 3rd 35.44. Well done to Patrick Byrne 4th 37.19 with Kevin Nolan not far behind in 37.25. Next in was Craig Scott 38.20 followed by new member Conor Lucey 39.55. Peter Brennan 40.10, Kieran Beausang 43.17, Peter Nugent 43.37, Tom Fagan 44.17and JP O’Hanlon 44.25 (When a sealed handicap was built in Patrick Byrne won that)
Back at the clubhouse were the presentations and there to honour Jim’s memory were his son James, grandson Brian with his partner Chloe and their daughter Bella (Jim’s great granddaughter) . Thanks Willie Smith for marking the course and getting the beautiful medals

BHAA cross country ALSAA
Mary McDermott continued her good cross country form in the ALSAA BHAA cross country – she got the first W50 spot again and 12th in the women’s 2 mile race and Ann Woodlock finished in 30th

Road and trail roundup
At the Naas 10 mile race Alan Kinsella ran an excellent 1.05.14 finishing in 28th place. JP Hanlon ran back to back here after competing in the club cross country the day before, he still ran a sprightly 71.01
Two of our new members took to the line also Chloe Breen 1.24.18 and Mary Conroy finished in 1.40.44

Dean Fullston was our sole competitor in the scenic Carlingford half marathon finishing in 1.33.23

On the mountains Louise Kelly competed in the IMRA Annacurra 10k race close to Aughrim in Wicklow incorporating a 500m ascent and forests. She was 73rd and 12th female in the race which had 125 finishers in the long course

Parkruns
Giovanni Borza St Annes Parkrun 63rd in 21.34
Waterstown John Curran 7th in 22.56
Poppintree Paul Nunan 27th in 22.20
Shanganagh Eoin Mooney 6th 18.22
New Ross Eugene macCurtain 22nd in 24.34 Liz Mac Curtain 49th and 21st woman 28.34
Corkagh ParkNicola Dowdall 28th and 7th woman 25.27
Carlow Town 28th Ciaran McCarthy 29’10

HIGHLIGHTS world indoor Tour, Dublin Juveniles, US report , Clonacool 5k

World athletics indoor tour
It was great to see Jack Raftery lining up with the likes of the current world championJereem Richards at the World Athletics Indoor Tour in the Birmingham indoor Arena. He got a great cheer as he was announced in the 400m race, after a fine first lap he negotiated the all important break well and then into the last lap where he kept up the momentum and a very strong last 100m where he just edged the 3rd place 46.66 ahead of the British runner Ben Higgins by thousandths of a second! A great race to really mix it on the world stage – although he was understandably disappointed under the complicated quota system not to secure a berth to the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul despite running faster than some of the entrants from other countries. But lots more to come from Jack in the outdoor season – watch this space

Dublin Juveniles indoors championships
Another hectic weekend for coaches , parents and athletes at the final two days of the Dublin Juvenile indoor championships!
Day 4 was long jumps high jumps and 300-800m races. A big well done to Annabel Omozee gold in the U13 long jump, Ruby Blake silver in the U14 long jump and Olyver Blake bronze in the U13 high jump, Farrah Blake silver in the U9 300m.. With huge numbers competing these were super achievements. In the 300-800m sometimes only the heat winner made the final so well done to all those made finals, many came close too, well done all who competed , some for the first time
U9 300M
Sam Quinn
U10 boys 400m
Jamie Keegan Patrick King Ruairi QuinnEli Henly Willis
U11 BOYS 500m
Joseph Spollen Michael McCarthy Bobby Farrell
U12 600m Conor O’Hara
U13 600m Cian Hussey Mark Nunan Olyver Whelan Max Henley Willis
U12 High Jump Daniel Maddox Alan Maddox Caomhan Cummins Weiss
U12 Long Jump Alan MaddoxMark Keegan
U12 High Jump Olyver Whelan (bronze) Elliot Reilly Max Henley Willis Sean Culhane
U14 long jump Dylan O’Connor Sean Culhane Tom Nolan
U10 Girls 400m Rachel McCarthy
U11 girls 500m Sally McGowan Mae O’Gorman Abbie Kehoe Eilinior Hanley
U12 girls 600m Anna Whelan Lola Blake Cliodhna McMahon
U13 girls 600m Annabelle Omozee (reached the final) Anna Spollen Bella Rose Waldron Lacey Cleary Suin Costello
U12 girls Long Jump Anna Blake Ciara Jackson
U13 girls long jump Annabella Omozee (gold) Ali Woods Lacey Cleary
U14 girls long jump Ruby Blake (silver) Freya ryan Petra Cunningham Emily Dwyer Emma Jane Keegan
U14 girls 800m Ciaran O’Neill Petra Cunningham Rosie May Morris
Day 5 brought the curtain down on the championship with a day of relays over 4 x 200m
A big well done to the U17 boys who won silver, and the U14 boys who won bronze.
We had several teams who made the finals too on a very competitive day and there were 23 teams in all.
A huge amount of work and preparation went into this from the coaches, administrators and other volunteers, thanks and well done to all. Roll on the outdoors!

STATESIDE REPORT
(Thanks Gerry Naughton)
The Donore Harriers duo of Louis O’Loughlin and Abdel were back in action over the weekend in their regional indoor championships in the USA.
O’Loughlin represented the Auburn Tigers competing on both Friday and Saturday in the South-East Conference Indoor Track & Field championships at Fayetteville, Arkansas. On Friday he raced the 4th and final leg in the Distance Medley Relay, running the 1,600m leg in 4.01.94 and in the process gained 4 places to bring his team home in 4th place with an overall time of 9.41.93. Tennessee State won in 9.32.75.
On Saturday, the Donore Harriers star was back in action in Race 1 of the Men’s 3,000m. O’Loughlin was never in contention for a leading place and ran mid-pack until the final 3 circuits when he gained from 11th place to finally cross the line in 6th in a marginal personal best time of 8.16.08.
Abdel Laadjel, running in the colours of the Providence Friars, came 4th in the Men’s 5,000m race at the Big East Conference Indoor Track & Field championships at Chicago, Illinois on Friday. Laadjel was certainly over-ambitious in the race as the tracked pace-setter Barry Keane of Butler University in the middle section of the race. Keane, a senior Irish international from Waterford, went on to win in 13.45.37, whilst Laadjel lost ground and two places to settle for 4th stop in 14.04.59.
RESULTS:
SOUTH-EAST CONFERENCE INDOOR T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS at Fayetteville, AR (24.02.2023)
Men’s Distance Medley Relay: 4th Auburn Tigers ft. Louis O’Loughlin on Leg 4 (1,600m), gained 8th to 4th w/ a 4.01.94 effort.
SOUTH-EAST CONFERENCE INDOOR T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS at Fayetteville, AR (25.02.2023)
Men’s 3,000m Section 1: 6th Louis O’Loughlin (8.16.08 PB)
BIG EAST CONFERENCE INDOOR T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS at Chicago, IL (24.02.2023)
Men’s 5,000m Section 1: 4th Abdel Laadjel (14.04.59)
Track and Field Live national indoor arena Abbotstown 22 February
We had two young athletes in the U16 800m races. In race 1 Aryell Sheedy ran 2.34.80 and in race 2, Reuben McCormick came 3rd in a time of 2.13.71.

Road
In Sligo, John Travers won the Clonacool GAA 5k road race in a new course record of 15.07
Wicklow Hospice half marathon
Starting and finishing at the scenic surrounds of Avondale House, Ken Nugent came 3rd in 78.05

Parkrun
Brickfields 62nd Ciaran McCarthy 30.52
Bushy 31st and 7th female Amber Lynch 22.39
Corkagh 1st Gavin Curtin 16.24, 2nd Liam Morris 17.14
Marley 9th Patrick Moriarty 18.47
Porterstown 5th and 1st female Caroline McCarthy 21.49
Waterstown 2nd Dylan McKenna 19.27 7th John Curran 23.41

Highlight – Jack Raftery wins the national senior indoor 400m!

National Senior Indoor Track and field championships

The highlight of the week, already one of the highlights of 2023 and a historic achievement for the club was Jack Raftery winning the national senior indoor men’s 400m championship in the National Indoor Arena.  In a thrilling race, he also got a championship record of 46.37 and is a mere .02 off the qualifying standard for the European Indoor championships in Istanbul.  He had two steps to reach the final first so Jack comfortably qualified in the 400m on day 1 winning his heat – he then went on to dominate his semi final in 48.02 and that was with easing up so as to save energy for the final.  Hotly tipped for the title In the run up to the championship, Jack said in interviews that he was aiming to run his first 200m a little faster.  The qualifying out of the way, there was a hush in the stadium as the final got underway on the Sunday and Jack powered out of the blocks in lane 6.  Although leading pretty much from the get go – Jack didn’t let up for any part of the race – nearest opponent was training partner in his Dublin sprint training group – Ciaran Carthy of DSD.  In the end Jack stormed home in 46.37 more than a second ahead and in a new championship record – to the delight of family, clubmates, coach and training partners present. Men’s track and field captain David Campbell paid tribute to Jack saying “he is one of the hardest working athletes on and off the track and a great role model to younger athletes in our club…I have had some of the best days training alongside and competing with him…today was pretty special to see him win his first national senior title and hopefully will be the first of many to come over the next few years.  The big man has a very bright future and we can’t to hopefully cheer him on next at the Paris Olympics”
That could be a real possibility given his current form and would follow in the footsteps of the late Jimmy Riordan the 440yd/400m champion who competed in the 1948 Olympics.  But hopefully there will be Irish vests first in 2023!

On the two days of competition in the championship, first up was Adam Halpin who went in heat 7 of 7 heats in the men’s 200m finishing 4th in 25.04.  With only the winner of each heat guaranteed entry to the semis, a very tough standard so was not enough to progress on this occasion.
A very competitive women’s 400m featuring the likes of Phil Healy, Sophie Becker and Cliodhna Manning in the heats saw Caoimhe Mackey finishing 5th in the 1st of 4 heats in 61.04 but not enough to reach the semi-final stage.  In the 3000m final on Saturday – there were two races –  Gavin Curtin was in the A race and had a fine run to finish 8th in 8.24.97, unfortunately John Travers was forced to retire from the race but hopefully he will bounce back.. It was won by Darragh McElhinney in a new championship record of 7.49.18 so a fast one.  On day 2, Michael McCarthy competed in the Triple Jump – he admitted to being disappointed with his competition on this occasion because of a run of good form lately –  he finished 8th with a best jump of 11.93.

Cross country
Meet and Train Women’s cross country league round 3 – IrishTown (thanks women’s captain Anne Curley)
The venue was Sandymount and 98 runners took to the line, a small lap in the Clann na Gael pitches and then out by the lovely Shellybanks nature trail, Sandymount. The race was not quite cross country with a small bit of trail and mostly path and it was also a bit over the 2miles… Our women did the business on the day, Amy Moriarty is showing that old magic again coming in a super 5th place and followed by Suzie Henley Willis in a stormer for 10th place, two women in the top ten and coming off a grueller of a session the day where both ran their first ‘race’ of the weekend –  amazing back to back efforts. Like Amy, Suzie has raced consistency this last season and it is paying off dividends.  She is in the top ten club now. Single digits next time and Amy top 3, no pressure alright! Next in was Fiona Barrins in 48th who gave it everything, I well done Fiona, great to see you out there battling in the black and white. Finishing sprint of the day went to Sarah Ni Ruairc 71st who floored a few bodies in her wake like skittles to get to the finish. She got the best cheer of the day too from her teammates. Next in was Larisa Sioneru 84th with Catherine McKeon 86th , hot on her heels, great runs girls, two Meet and Train stalwarts and who brought them home only the legend that is Ann Woodlock. She had a battle with some Waterstown warriors athletes but stayed ahead, finishing to great cheers and yes we were of course the loudest bunch of the day, great fun, there is nothing like the Meet and Trains for the camaraderie, long may they last!

BHAA Central Bank 4 mile
At the BHAA 4 mile cross country race on the grounds of Wesley College Dundrum there was amixed race for men and women.  In a field of 135 runners, Ian Redican was 87th overall, Mary McDermott having a very good cross country season doing lots of racing lately was 90th overall and won her W50 agegroup again.

Cross country races at Bathurst New South Wales Australia

Club stalwart and former President Charlie O’Neill is in Australia at present – his visit coincided with the World Cross country championships, ran in gruelling conditions!  There was also an open race for all runners which Charlie took part in and a world masters cross country event featuring a former member.  Thanks Charlie for the report!
Peter Sweeny formerly of Donore Harriers was only one of two master men representing Ireland in the world Master xc championships  in Bathurst NSW. Running 3 x2km Laps on the championship course he recorded a time of just over 24 minutes and was rightly pleased.  His race included former Australian international Steve Monengetti
Running 10km on the exact World Cross  course was a privilege. I couldn’t wear the Donore singlet as it was over 30 degrees and it would have stuck to me!  The World xc championships were a rare combination of high temperatures and one of the toughest courses ever.  The course, a mixture of sand  and man made mud ( the Billabong) was testing. Shakespeare himself could describe the severity of the hills and uneven ground which made it impossible to get into a comfortable canter.
I did the full course same as the International senior men and women. Just over 50 hardy souls braved the open challenge and I was delighted just to finish  and not like the unfortunate Ethiopian Runner Letsenbet Gidey who collapsed near the finish…
Well done Charlie

Road

Elsewhere we had two podium positions in road races at home and abroad.  Simon O’Toole took the roads of Tralee for his first 10 mile race.  The race was the Tralee Valentines 10 mile race – part of the Tralee marathon race series.  Simon finished 2nd overall in 61.48
In the town of Rhyl in Wales Cormac Brennan competed for the club for the first time.  He ran a half marathon a two lap up and down course along the Welsh sea front and the Irish sea finishing in 2nd place in an impressive 76.54.

Parkrun

Shanganagh – a number of the teenage endurance group ran this one – well done
Liam Morris 1st 16.30
Daire McCarthy 5th 17.07
Eoin Mooney 11th 18.08
Dylan McKenna 14th 18.25
Julie Cleary 15th 1st female 18.26
Eden Brangan 25th 20.14
Laura Nunan 28th 20.33

Malahide
Eilish Joyce 32.21

Porterstown
Caroline McCarthy 1st female 22.08

Clonbur Woods
Mark Devine 7th 23.08

Brickfields
Ciaran McCarthy 66th 30.35

New Ross
Eugene McCurtain 35th 25.43

Con Smith – Cavan Parkrun
1st Niall Lynch 18.28