HIGHLIGHTS: Eric Keogh 3^rd in the KBC Dublin Half-Marathon in a new personal best time of 1.06.07. Age category wins by Fergal Whitty and Barry Potts. Jill Dempsey and Abdel Laadjel claim the Eddie Hogan Cup and Slater Cup respectively.

 

 

On a balmy morning and with an undulating 13.2 miles course the Phoenix Park was populated with almost seven thousand runners for the KBC DUBLIN HALF-MARATHON on Saturday (21.09.2019). At the business end of the race 4 athletes went clear at the front including Eric Keogh of Donore Harriers. As the race progressed Ethiopian born Yared Derese of Carrick Aces stormed to victory in an excellent time of 1.03.45, with David Flynn (1.05.57) of Clonliffe Harriers securing 2^nd spot. Keogh came 3^rd (2^nd senior) in a time of 1.06.07, knocking more than a minute of his previous best mark achieved in Waterford almost 2 years ago.

His new best time augurs well as he continues his preparation for the Frankfurt marathon next month. Mark Kenneally of Clonliffe Harriers, who competed in the London Olympic Marathon, finished in 4^th place just 7 seconds behind Keogh.

The evergreen Fergal Whitty (1.14.11) finished in 10^th place and won the M40 age category. Barry Potts (1.36.30) placed 581^st and won the M70 grade. Peter Gaffney (1.18.33) was the 33^rd athlete home and came 2^nd in the M50 class.

The other competing Donore male athletes included: – Andy Kinane 23^rd and 7^th M35 in (1.17.05), Chris Muldoon 39^th and 9^th M40 (1.19.13), Danny O’Sullivan 76^th and 23^rd M35 (1.21.59), Alan Keogh 77^th and 24^th M40 (1.22.02), Declan Lynch 87^th and 27^th M35 (1.22.37), Ciaran Ryan 101^st and 30^th M35 (1.23.21), Eoghan Doolan 105^th and 31^st senior (1.23.35), Tony Barry 129^th and 39^th M35 (1.24.23), Brian Gaffney 305^th and 83^rd M35 (1.29.30), Henry English 438^th and 116^th M40 (1.32.59), Tom Fagan 696^th and 34^th M50 (1.38.26), Patrick Farrell 783^rd and 205^th M35 (1.39.06), Tony Griffin 875^th and 8^th M60 (1.39.45), Charlie O’Neill 2384^th and 15^th M65 (1.56.14), Ian Redican 2850^th and 425^th M45 (2.10.02), Ray Holmes 3906^th and 63^rd M60 (2.35.10) and Daniel Nemeth 3991^st and 846^th (2.54.06). There were 4055 male finishers

The Donore Harriers women’s team was led home by the impressive Grace Kennedy-Clarke, who placed 11^th and 6^th senior in a time of 1.28.23. Others among the 2883 women finishers were: – Ariana Ball 33^rd and 10^th W35 (1.34.17), Pamela White 168^th and 53^rd senior (1.44.27), Elaine Verdon 198^th and 56^th W40, Rachel Haskins 307^th and 111^th senior (1.50.26), Jennifer Hogan 1009^th and 201^st W35 (2.02.59), Deirdre Brennan 1011^th and 252^nd W40 (2.04.18), Dana Mackey 2850^th and 425^th M45 (2.10.02), Niamh Gaudin 1346^th and 334^th W40 (2.10.58) and 1405^th and 277^th W35 Fran Brennan (2.05.23).

 

The club hosted its ANNUAL NOVICE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS on Saturday (21.09.2019), with athletes competing for the SLATER CUP (men) and EDDIE HOGAN CUP (women). The races were part of the club’s traditional Opening Run ceremony, which marks the beginning of the new cross-country season. The races were held on the Dublin novice XC course close to the Magazine Fort.

The men’s race over 6.3km was dominated by the younger athletes with 16 years-old Abdel Laadjel being first home in a time of 21.54. With a handicap allowance of 15 seconds his race time was adjusted to 21.39 and he comfortably won the Slater Cup. Junior grade athlete Sekeriye Ahmed (23.13) was 2^nd over the line, but 3^rd in the handicap event with his time adjusted to 22.28. Gavin Curtin (23.24) was 3^rd home, but with an allowance of 60 seconds, he was runner-up for the Slater trophy with an amended time of 22.24.

The scratch athlete was Cathal McCarron (23.42), who placed 8^th in the handicap race. There were impressive performances by brothers James (24.06) and Thomas Bolton (24.14) who ran as guests and were 6^th and 8^th fastest respectively. Under the race rules they were not allowed contest the handicap championship due to their age. James is still only 14 years old and Thomas is 12.

The women’s novice race over 4.1km was won by scratch athlete Jill Dempsey (19.46). Caron Crowley (20.36) and Bridget Kiely (21.28) were the 2^nd and 3^rd athletes to finish and with time allowances of 45 seconds and 90 seconds respectively they finished in the same order in the sealed handicap club championship.

In the post-race gathering at the clubhouse Club President Dr. Iain Morrison presented the respective winners Abdel Laadjel and Jill Dempsey with the Slater Cup and the Eddie Hogan Cup. Full results are listed below.

From the club website: In the late 70′s coach Eddie Hogan also produced superb junior athletes and teams, many of whom represented Ireland. These included some of the most talented middle-distance athletes produced in this country. Several of their records still stand particularly at school’s level. They included Ronnie Carroll, Ciaran O’Flaherty, Brian O’Keefe, David Lynch, Vivian Devine, Noel Byrne, Tony O’Reilly and Ray Gaffney. This group won many national championships at cross-country and track.

 

The Marino Athletics Club resurrected the GRIFFITH AVENUE MILE on Sunday (22.09.2019). The former ‘Dublin Straight Mile’ run along the wide tree-lined avenue in Dublin 9 was last held back in 1983 when Sydney Maree of the USA held of the challenge of Irish duo Eamonn Coghlan and Ray Flynn to win in a stunning time of 3.49.3.

The inaugurated 2019 edition had 3 athletes from Donore Harriers on the start line in what was a much more moderate field. Luke Boland (4.40) placed 7^th, with Donal Iremonger (4.51) 16^th overall and 2^nd in the M45 grade. Maura Kearns (5.10) was 24^th and won the W35 age group. The ‘slightly downhill’ race was won by Thomas Moran (4.12) and Ciara Wilson (4.45).

 

At the 31^st edition of the STAR OF THE SEA ATHLETIC CLUB CROSS-COUNTRY RACES at Stamullen on Sunday (22.09.2019) Audrey Gahan (12.44) came 11^th in the 3km women’s race and was 2^nd in the W40 age category. Claire Mulligan (13.10) came 16^th of the 32 finishers over ‘soft ground’ following heavy early-morning rain.

 

In PARKRUN SERIES (21.09.2019) Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan was first home at Waterstown in a time of 16.29. At the same venue juvenile members Dylan McKenna came 8^th in 22.10 and Katie Delaney 14^th and 1^st woman in 24.30. Mary McDermott (26.05) came 9^th and 3^rd woman at Russborough.

 

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

KBC DUBLIN HALF-MARATHON at PHOENIX PARK (21.09.2019)

3rd & 2^nd senior: Eric Keogh (1.07.07)

10^th & 1^st M40: Fergal Whitty (1.14.11)

23^rd & 7^th M35: Andrew Kinane (1.17.05)

33^rd & 2^nd M50: Peter Gaffney (1.18.33)

39^th & 9^th M40: Christopher Muldoon (1.19.13)

76^th & 23^rd M35: Danny O’Sullivan (1.21.59)

77^th & 24^th M40: Alan Keogh (1.22.02)

87^th & 27^th M35: Declan Lynch (1.22.37)

101^st & 30^th M35: Ciaran Ryan (1.23.21)

105^th & 31^st MS: Eoghan Doolan (1.23.35)

129^th & 39^th M35: Tony Barry (1.24.23)

11^th woman & 6^th WS: Grace Kennedy-Clarke (1.28.23)

305^th & 83^rd M35: Brian Gaffney (1.29.30)

438^th & 116^th M40: Henry English (1.32.59)

33^rd woman & 10^th W35: Ariana Ball (1.34.17)

581^st & 1^st M70: Barry Potts (1.36.30)

696^th & 34^th M50: Tom Fagan (1.38.26)

783^rd & 205^th M35: Patrick Farrell (1.39.06)

875^th & 8^th M60: Tony Griffin (1.39.45)

168^th woman & 53^rd WS: Pamela White (1.44.27)

198^th & 56^th W40: Elaine Verdon (1.46.55)

307^th woman & 111^th WS: Rachel Haskins (1.50.26)

2384^th & 15^th M65: Charlie O’Neill (1.56.14)

1009^th woman & 201^st W35: Jennifer Hogan (2.02.59)

1011^th woman & 252^nd W40: Deirdre Brennan (2.04.18)

2850^th & 425^th M45: Ian Redican (2.10.02)

1303^rd woman & 208^th W40: Dana Mackey (2.08.52)

1346^th woman & 334^th W40: Niamh Gaudin (2.10.58)

1405^th woman & 277^th W35: Fran Brennan (2.05.23)

3906^th & 63^rd M60: Ray Holmes (2.35.10)

3991^st & 846^th M35: Daniel Nemeth (2.54.06)

4055 M finishers, 2883 W finishers.

 

CLUB NOTICE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHPIS at PHOENIX PARK (21.09.2019)

2019 Slater Cup (sealed handicap 6.3km)
1^st Abdel Laadjel U.17 (21.54, allowed 15 seconds = 21.39)

2^nd Gavin Curtin U.18 (23.24, allowed 60 seconds = 22.24)

3^rd Sekeriye Ahmed JNR (23.13, allowed 45 seconds = 22.28)

4^th Michael Ryan (23.33, allowed 25 seconds = 23.08)

4^th Jack Byrne (24.32, allowed 1 min & 15 secs = 23.08)

6^th Phil Hennessy (24.53, allowed 1 min & 40 secs = 23.13)

7^th Paul Cummins (24.08, allowed 45 seconds = 23.23)

8^th Cathal McCarron (23.42, scratch athlete = 23.42)

9^th Craig Scott (26.02, allowed 2 mins & 15 secs = 23.47)

10^th Tony Kyne (28.38, allowed 4 minutes = 24.38)

11^th Oliver O’Hara (29.33, allowed 4 minutes = 25.33)

Guest – James Bolton U.15 (24.06 = 6^th fastest)

Guest – Thomas Bolton U.13 (24.14 = 8^th fastest)

 

2019 Eddie Hogan Cup (sealed handicap 4.1km)

1^st Jill Dempsey (19.46, scratch athlete = 19.46)

2^nd Caron Crowley (20.36, allowed 45 seconds = 19.51)

3^rd Bridget Kiely (21.28, allowed 1 min & 30 secs = 19.58)

4^th Jennifer O’Keeffe (23.32, allowed 3 mins & 30 secs = 20.02)

5^th Sarah Ni Ruairc (23.13, allowed 3 minutes = 20.13)

6^th Angela Eustace (22.22, allowed 2 minutes = 20.22)

Guest – Florence Curley (18.24 = 1^st fastest)

Guest – Anne Curley (18.24 = 1^st fastest)

 

GRIFFITH AVENUE MILE (22.09.2019)

7^th overall & 5^th MS: Luke Boland (4.40)

16^th & 2^nd M45: Donal Iremonger (4.51)

24^th & 1^st W35: Maura Kearns (5.10)

215 finishers

 

STAR OF THE SEA AC CROSS-COUNTRY RACES (22.09.2019)

Women’s 3km Race

11^th & 2^nd W40: Audrey Gahan (12.44)

16^th Claire Mulligan (13.10)

32 finishers

 

PARKRUNS (14.09.2019)

Bushy: 1140^th Tommy Halton M60 (30.56)

Corkagh: 56^th Mary Murphy W45 (27.31)

Russborough: 9^th & 3^rd woman: Mary McDermott (26.05)

Waterstown: 1^st Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (16.29), 8^th Dylan McKenna U.14 (22.10), 14^th & 1^st woman: Katie Delaney U.14 (24.30))