Donore Harriers Athletics Report – w/e 22nd December 2019

HIGHLIGHTS: A record turn-out in the annual Captains Run. Rossa Hurley and Emily Bolton were first male and female finishers. The life of a Donore Harriers legend Basil Clifford was celebrated with biographer Cyril Smyth and a host of stars past and present.

The CAPTAINS RUN over 5km is a long-standing Donore Harriers race/fun run held on the Saturday morning prior to Christmas Day. This year’s version of the event attracted a record number of entrants with 41 finishers and an age range that spanned between 9 and 75 years old.

The cold, grey morning certainly did not dampen the spirits as the racers and funsters toed the line. The late decision to abandon the 1km juvenile race and put the youngsters into the 5km event was greeted with universal approval and admiration. 9-years old Sebastian Ursachi was totally unphased! “I can do that” he declared with a sense of confidence.

The soft muddy course had been carefully measured and marked off by Willie Smith and Iain Morrison, two former Club Presidents. It was time for action! Willie instructed the start line that there would be three and a-bit flat laps of the Garda Loop, which was as series of puddles and sticky mud. After the first circuit a group of 5 were clear, with 17 years-old Gavin Curtin in the mix. What Gavin did not realise is that he was the odd man out. The other four were all Irish internationals – Rossa Hurley (masters cross-country), Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (orienteering & defences forces XC), Louis O’Loughlin (junior & schools track and XC) and Niall Lynch (masters XC and mountain running). Giving chase to the top 5 was 15 years-old James Bolton, out to prove that his recent 16.10 in the Jingle Bells was a merited achievement.

The battle for first woman was less complicated, but just as intriguing, with just two contenders. Emily Bolton, who recently won the National Under 12 and Under 13 cross-country titles held a two-metres lead on 46 years-old Barbara Cleary. Cleary, who came late to the sport of athletics, is a very fine runner and a former winner of the Women’s Mini-Marathon. Pedigree indeed! Who of the two leaders would have the strength to deal best with the muck-laden surface?

As the race passed the two-laps marker the men’s group had spread out, with each passing the imaginary bell comfortably (maybe not the right word to use in this context) in his own space. The duel between Bolton and Cleary remained in the balance with the young starlet still holding a couple of strides lead. The remainder of the field were well spread-out, with some jostling for positions still to be settled.

The rumour that the race leaders had taken a short-cut at the top of the course was quickly dispelled when the official timekeeper Willie Smith announced that 16 minutes, then 17 minutes and then 18 minutes had elapsed. Then cometh the winner! Rossa Hurley stopping his Garmin crossed between the finishing flags in 18.17, a time that indicated the toughness of the conditions. Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (18.28), still overcoming a recent virus, came 2^nd, with Gavin Curtin (18.40) claiming 3^rd spot and bragging-rights over his more illustrious school colleague and training partner Louis O’Loughlin. O’Loughlin, just back to training after a 10 weeks injury lay-off, had a composed run and was well pleased with 4^th place and a time of 18.50. Master athlete Niall Lynch (19.02) came 5^th, with James Bolton (19.18) running strongly to make the top 6.

Next home was Jack Byrne (19.24 in 7^th. Byrne had his work cut-out to see off the challenge of 13 years-old Thomas Bolton (19.43), who in turn built a good margin on 9^th placed Danny O’Sullivan (20.25).

In 10^th place came one Emily Bolton, who is one of the most exciting young athletic talents in Ireland right now. Her time of 20.39 gave her a margin of just 3-seconds over Barbara Cleary and won her some more widespread acclaim within the club.

Matei Ursachi (21.42) is another very fine young athlete, but he ran with a heavy-cold and struggled to the finish line in 12^th position. Alan Farrell (21.51) won out his head-to-head with Donal Iremonger (21.59) to finish 13^th. Behind the two popular Masters athletes came Eva Crowe (22.21), another very promising young athlete who was the 2^nd scorer on the historic Under 13 Girls team that claimed the national title a week earlier. New club secretary Peter Nugent (22.23) finished in 16^th place.

Stephen Dawson and Neil Hand were neck-and-neck from whistle to finish line. The tete-a-tete between the club mates (a-hem! rivals?) nearly came a-cropper when a Hand was seen to impede Mr. Dawson. The Race Commissaire Dr. Iain Morrison, having consulted with the VAR, declared the result a tie and both men were given 17^th place. All is fair in love and VAR!

Lorraine O’Connor (22.57), another talented member of the Under 13 Girls team, came next in 19^th place – with Kieran Beausang just 2 seconds behind. Tony Kynes (23.05) held off the challenges of Barbara Murray (23.06) and Audrey Gahan (23.07) as they placed 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd respectively. Bronagh Eliot (23.51) made a welcome return to competition to cross the line in 24^th.

13 years old Honor Lynch (24.14) put in a solid run to place 25^th, followed by Ken McKeon (24.18) in 26^th, Ariana Ball (24.24) in 27^th and Rhona McHugh (24.28) in 28^th. The prolific M70 athlete Barry Potts (24.52) placed 29^th with Sean Kinsella next in 25.38.

Joe Murphy (25.53) placed 31^st, just four seconds clear of Anne Curley. Sebastian Ursachi (26.08), the youngest athlete in the field, came 33^rd – and he was followed by Eddie Bolton (26.35) in 34^th, Angela Eustace (27.27) in 35^th, Mary McDermott (27.31) in 36^th and Dana Mackey (29.15) in 37^th. Two more juvenile athletes Eleanor Hopkins and Katie Delaney were both given the same time and placement (i.e. 38^th in 29.57). Bridget Kiely (30.22) came 40^th and Michelle Dawson (30.37) 41^st.

In the second NIA LIVE MEETING at the National Indoor Arena at Abbotstown on Tuesday evening (17.12.2019) there were star performances from some of our juvenile sprinters. Ruby Blake won her Heat in the Under 10 Girls 60m in 9.69 and placed 2^nd in the 200m (33.68); Mario Omozee (8.62) won Heat 1 of the Under 12 Boys 60m, whilst Luuk Jackson (9.14) won Heat 2. Alex Leonard (28.98) won his Heat of the Under 14 Boys 200m and came 2^nd in the 60m (8.66). In 2^nd place behind Leonard in the 200m was James Dunne (30.06). Donore Harriers dominated Heat 2 of the Under 14 Boys 200m with Mario Omozee 1^st in 26.30, Rory O’Farrell (28.87) in 2^nd, Paddy Nolan (28.97) in 3^rd and Ciaran O’Farrell (30.62) in 5^th. Rory O’Farrell (8.60) had earlier won his Heat of the 60m. Luuk Jackson (1.51.27) came 2^nd in his more favoured Under 12 Boys 600m distance. Other results are listed below.

In the PARKRUN SERIES (21.12.2019) Kate Cleary was first woman home at Poppintree in 22.16. Cliodna McCarthey (20.36) was 3^rd woman at Porterstown. Juvenile athletes Eoin Mooney U11 (21.36) was 14^th overall at Corkagh and Dylan McKenna U14 (23.03) was 6^th finisher at Waterstown. More results below.

In the aftermath of the Captains Run a special PRESENTATION EVENT took place in the Clubhouse lounge to mark the publication of the BASIL CLIFFORD, Olympian 1964 book. Basil Clifford was born on 20.04.1938 and died on 14.11.1973 aged 35 when he was tragically killed in an accidental factory explosion in Birmingham, England. The Basil Clifford book was researched and written by Cyril J. Smyth, a retired Professor of Microbiology in Trinity College. Cyril served as president of the Dublin University Harriers & Athletics Club and the Irish Universities Athletics Association. He is a researcher for Athletics Ireland.

Among the special guests were Eamon Coghlan, former World Champion at 5,000m; Willie Dunne, 1960 Olympic Marathon and still a member of Donore Harriers; and Derek McCleane (Crusaders AC), an arch-rival and international team-mate of Basil Clifford.

Here is an introduction by Willie Smith

In the summer of 2014, I realised it was the 50^th anniversary of the club’s first sub-4-minute mile (3.59.8) by Basil Clifford in August 1964. I was coming to the end of my term as president and I thought that this athletic landmark should be commemorated. The Basil Clifford Trophy was inaugurated on the Opening Run day in October of that year, 2014.

During a gathering to celebrate Cyril White’s 90^th birthday in June this year, Cyril Smyth heard that the trophy was to be presented to the winner of the Senior Men’s 1500m in the National Championships. Cyril (Smyth) was intrigued to learn that Basil was the club’s first sub-four-minute miler and Ireland’s second, following Ronnie Delany. Also, he was the first home-trained runner to achieve the mark. Cyril took it on himself to look into Basil’s athletic career. The outcome of this exhaustive research over the summer months is an amazing story of athletic endeavour. When I saw the first draft, I realised that this was a serious piece of athletic history on an Irish athlete and should be taken further. It comprises nearly 300 races over an 11-year span (1955 to early 1966).

In September, the committee agreed to proceed with an initial print of 50 copies. With Colin Moore’s expertise, we have here the results of Cyril Smyth’s work. The Basil Clifford Trophy – and now this publication of his athletic career means that his achievements will not be allowed to fade away.

Cyril has proposed to submit copies of this research to the National Library and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Donore Harriers owe a big debt of gratitude to Cyril Smyth for this research on one of our Olympian athletes. Basil was a tremendous club man and added greatly to the camaraderie within the club.

We are delighted to welcome Basil’s daughter Karen, her husband Frank, her mother Deirdre and Elaine Gavin’s wife. A special welcome for Basil’s grandchildren Luke, Lauren, Adam and Chloe.

Willie Smith – 21 December 2019

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

NIA LIVE INDOOR MEETING No. 2 at NATIONAL INDOOR ARENA, ABBOTSTOWN (17.12.2019)

JUVENILE RESULTS

U10 Girls 60m Heat 2: 1^st Ruby Blake (9.69)

U12 Boys 60m Heat 1: 1^st Mario Omozee (8.62) – Heat 2: 1^st Luuk Jackson (9.14)

U14 Girls 60m Heat 2: 3^rd Isabella Jackson (9.43)

U14 Boys 60m Heat 1: 2^nd Alex Leonard (8.66) – Heat 2: 1^st Rory O’Farrell (8.60), 3^rd Paddy Nolan (8.90), 4^th Ciaran O’Farrell (8.99), 6^th Daniel Gleeson (9.15)

U10 Girls 200m Heat 2: 2^nd Ruby Blake (33.68), 5^th Annabella Omozee (34.97)

U12 Girls 200m Heat 2: 3^rd Melody Omozee (35.00)

U14 Girls 200m Heat 2: 4^th Isabella Jackson (31.72)

U14 Boys 200m Heat 1: 1^st Alex Leonard (28.98), 2^nd James Dunne (30.06) – Heat 2: 1^st Mario Omozee (26.30), 2^ndRory O’Farrell (28.87), 3^rd Paddy Nolan (28.97), 5^th Ciaran O’Farrell (30.62)

U12 Boys 600m: 2^nd Luuk Jackson (1.51.27)

THE CAPTAINS 5KM CROSS-COUNTRY RUN at PHOENIX PARK (21.12.2019)

1^st Rossa Hurley (18.17), 2^nd Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (18.28), 3^rd Gavin Curtin (18.40), 4^th Louis O’Loughlin (18.50), 5^th Niall Lynch (19.02), 6^th James Bolton (19.18), 7^th Jack Byrne (19.24), 8^th Thomas Bolton (19.43), 9^th Danny O’Sullivan (20.25), 10^th Emily Bolton (20.39), 11^th Barbara Cleary (20.42), 12^th Matei Ursachi (21.42), 13^th Alan Farrell (21.51), 14^th Donal Iremonger (21.59), 15^th Eva Crowe (22.21), 16^th Peter Nugent (22.23), 17^th Stephen Dawson (22.40), 19^th Lorraine O’Connor (22.57), 20^th Kieran Beausang (22.59), 21 Tony Kynes (23.05), 22^nd Barbara Murray (23.06), 23^rd Audrey Gahan (23.07), 24^th Bronagh Eliot (23.51), 25^th Honor Lynch (24.14), 26^th Ken McKeon (24.18), 27^th Ariana Ball (24.24), 28^th Rhona McHugh (24.48), 29^th Barry Potts (24.52), 30^th Sean Kinsella (25.38), 31^st Joe Murphy (25.53), 32^nd Anne Curley (25.57), 33^rd Sebastian Ursachi (26.08), 34^th Eddie Bolton (26.35), 35^th Angela Eustace (27.27), 36^th Mary McDermott (27.31), 37^th Dana Mackey (29.15), 38^th Eleanor Hopkins (29.57), 38^th Katie Delaney (29.57), 40^th Bridget Kiely (30.22), 41^st Michelle Dawson (30.37)