All posts by Emmet Ó Briain

June Roads, Trail, Track (Trinity & UK) Round-Up

Club News, Results, Senior

June Roads, Trail, Track (Trinity & UK) Round-Up

Roads & Trail

Des Gill started a busy week by being the sole representative of Donore at the Patrick Bell Bohermeen AC 5k, which took place on Friday June 8th, finishing in 19:25. And was back in action at the DBRC summit 5 mile in Howth, running 35:48.

On 16th June, at the Castleknock 5k, we had a number of runners, Fergal Whitty was 4th in 16:41, Ken Norgrove 17:10, Karla Doran a fine 19:52 with Joseph Maguire getting an identical time 19:52! Next was Audrey Gahan 21:04 and 2nd W40, then Rhona McHugh 21:20.

Sinead Lambe finished 3rd lady in 18:22 at the Braveheart trail race run by Trim AC.

Trinity Track

The annual BHAA races in Trinity College on Wednesday, June 13th attracted a small but high-quality Donore entry, with stellar performances by Des Gill and Karla Doran in particular. For those unfamiliar with the event, it usually involves running two different distances on the grass track at College Park, a famous venue that once launched the career of club legend Willie Dunne.

Participants are graded according to previous BHAA runs, here or elsewhere. And this year the races were over the classic distances: 800 and Mìle.

The outstanding Donore performance of the night was by Des Gill who, after being close to a place in a hard-run 800, lined up again an hour later for the mile and won it in fine style: moving gradually into contention on the second and third laps, tracking the leader up the back straight on lap 4, and then leaving him for dead with a sprint off the last bend.

In Karla’s mile, the eventual winner set a fierce pace early on to open up a big lead. Karla then spent two laps reeling her in, and with 250 meters to go, looked certain to win what had become a two-horse race. Then the front-runner found another gear and kicked on, leaving Karla a brave second after another brilliant run.

Elsewhere, Frank McNally and Terry Mee ran both the 800 and mile and both improved on recent performances. Frank found the 800 hard work but finished in about 2:52, which was a few seconds quicker than in 2017. The mile felt somehow easier – those timed runs on the Donore track recently must have helped. The BHAA still haven’t posted all the results, except Des’s mile, which was 5:57 close to his recent run on the club track, but probably better, being on grass

UK Track

On June 12th, Eric Keogh continued his outdoor track season and raced at the British Milers Club meet at Stretford where there is always high level competition and a graded system. Eric raced in the fastest 1500m of the evening and finished 9th in 3.51.56, not as fast as his 3.46 in Belgium a few weeks previously but still a fine run where only 6 seconds separated 1st and 9th place.

In Horwich, also in the North of England Anne Gormley competed at the Horwich festival of running which incorporates the British masters 5k racewalk championship. Anne finished 3rd W55 in 35:47 and she will be back in action at the national league this weekend where she has been a stalwart member of the ladies league team for years now.

At last weekend’s Loughborough British Milers Club meet, there was another great win for John Travers. He finished in 3.40.74 in the 1500m A race in a season’s best and agonizingly close to the European championship standard of 3:40. John just shaved the 5000m standard a few weeks ago so no doubt he will be back in action very soon and hopefully continue the winning streak.

Report: Irish Miler’s Club Le Chéile International Meeting, Leixlip – June 16th

Club News, Events, Juvenile, Results, Senior

The Irish Miler’s Club Le Chéile International took place on Saturday June 16th in windy conditions in Leixlip, with Donore well represented by 11 athletes covering every distance and vintage.

Despite a fierce headwind on the home-straight which hampered athletes chasing times, particularly the sprinters, there were some fantastic races throughout the afternoon.

First up for Donore was Paul McDermott in the ‘A’ 200m, which pitted four Irish athletes against three from the UK, with Paul finishing 4th and first of the Irish in 22.61.

Next up were John Travers and Daragh Fitzgibbon in the ‘A’ 1500m. After a snappy first lap, the chasing pack backed off the pace, with John Travers sitting comfortably in the middle of the leading athletes for most of the race before moving onto the shoulder of leader Rory Chesser with 500m to go. From that point, the result never looked in doubt as John eased away from the rest of the field from 300m out to finish in 3:49.61 with Letterkenny AC’s Danny Mooney finishing 2nd in 3:51.41. Daragh Fitzgibbon finished 13th in 4:01.94, after navigating a fallen athlete on the last lap, in what was a frustrating race for those looking for a fast time.

The wind also made pace judgement a huge factor in the 3000m, with a large field of 20 athletes battling the conditions, including Donore’s Ray Hynes. After a solid first k for Ray, the field slowly scattered over the 2nd half of the race. Ray kept in touch with the 2nd chasing group taking the wind for much of the last 1200m, finishing 11th in 8:49.20.

Sprinters at two ends of the age categories were up next, with the evergreen Sean O’Broin clocking 13.43 into a headwind in the 100m B, before Jack Raftery stepped up in the 400m ‘B’, chasing a European U18 qualifying time of 49.0s. Jack judged his pacing well with a strong 2nd half of the race to finish 4th in a time of 50.20.

The first of the 800s saw three Donore athletes up against each other in the 800m ‘E’ race. David Campbell made an aggressive start leading the race for the first 600m, before dropping back in the final quarter, finishing 6th in 2:08.39. Emmet Ó Briain held back from the early pace, using the following wind on the back straight between 400m and 600m to move up into 2nd place in the last 60m, but ultimately had to settle for 3rd in 2:05.60, after being pipped by Michael O’Conor of Crusaders on the line. Donal Iremonger ran an even-paced 800m, dropping off the field in the first lap, before taking closer order of things in the 2nd lap, finishing 8th in 2:11.07.

The 2017 Waterhouse Byrne Baird champion Niamh O’Neill represented Donore women in the 1500m ‘A’ race, finishing 11th in 5:04.69, in what was a very hard-paced race at the front given the conditions.

The final Donore athlete of the day was Louis O’Loughlin chasing a 2nd European U18 qualifying time and, under better conditions, a shot at a World U20 qualifier. Despite the wind, and having missed a large part of training recently due to injury, Louis acquitted himself superbly. His coach Gerry Naughton provided this report of the race:
“Louis O’Loughlin followed the pace-maker through the first 400 metres in the Men’s 800m B race. Hitting the bell in 55.5 seconds he defied the fact that he is still just 16-years-old to mix it with some of Ireland’s strongest senior middle-distance athletes. He remained in contention near the front of the field, only to fade in the closing stages having to settle for 3rd place (1.55.24) behind Mark Milner (1.54.00) of Tullamore Harriers.”

Photo credit: Paul Kelly (https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulelwoodkelly/)

Videos of all races are available from the East Down AC YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/EastDownAC/videos

A fabulous selection of photos from the day taken by IMC photographer Paul Kelly is available on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulelwoodkelly/sets/72157668182040837

Donore Fit4Life Kinvara Rock and Road (Trip) – Report

Club News, Events, Fit 4 Life, Results

Kinvara Rock and Road Report

The Fit4Life group coached by Barry Potts travelled to to the wilds of Ireland’s west in Kinvara for the Rock and Road which was rescheduled from the springtime. Thanks Barry & Jo Hughes for the report and photos.

8 of the group participated in the half and 2 in the 10k. Everyone ran very well on a trying hilly course on a hot day, and not taking anything away from fantastic and committed efforts, Sean Browne deserves a mention coming home in a great time of 1.52. 2018 it was our 2nd year to run the event.

The group went to Kinvara community centre for tea and Anne Rush’s home-made sandwiches: had them out in the sun! Then it was Sexton’s pub for rehydration and dinner at the Pier Head.

Finishers in half marathon were Barry Potts who won the M60 group too, Sean Brown (1.52.51) , Deirdre O’Reilly(1.53.03) (sister of Niamh and new friend to us all), Andrew Maguire (1.57.13), Deirdre Healy O’Brien (1.58.57), Jo Hughes(2.01.18) , Anne Rush (2.06.41), Shiofra McCarthy (2.24.43)Sinead McKiernan (2.24.34) . Finishers in 10k were Niamh O’Reilly(50.50) and Julie Gallagher (65.37).

All stayed in The Merriman Hotel and enjoyed breakfast together and a walking tour of Kinvara.

Barry is very proud to coach the group and looks forward to future races!

Donore at the Women’s Mini Marathon – Report

Club News, Events, Results, Senior

Lookback over the women’s mini-marathon on a glorious bank holiday Sunday. Hot, tough conditions for racing on the course now run the opposite way round to the original which winds its way out of the city down Leeson street to Donnybrook, the N11 and back in, finishing in Baggot Street.

Many of the ladies wore black ribbons to remember their late teammate Karen Behan who ran this many times.

First home was Sinead Lambe in 15th place and it was great to finally see Aedin Corr back racing really well in her first 10k on the road. Niamh O’Neill the youngest competitor, acquitted herself really well despite the fast start. We had 18 out in very good times, 3 in the top 30 and mini first timer Pam white got a PB. Joan Lennon had to stop to help a heatstroke afflicted runner and still did 47 minutes.

Afterwards, the group adjourned to the Hairy Lemon for rest and refreshment.

Thanks to the supporters out on the course.

Results in full

Sinead Lambe 38.22
Aedin Corr 38.34 PB
Niamh O’Neill 41.01
Amy Moriarty 42.01
Fiona Hegarty 42.26
Karla Doran 43.33
Mairead Kirby 44.40
Jill Dempsey 44.58
Julia Hackett 45.26
Nicola Dowdall 46.14
Joan Lennon 47.24
Sian O’Connor 47.42
Pam white 47.59
Mary Murphy 55.03
Michelle Dawson 55.28
Michele Murphy 58.53
Audrey 75.46
Joan McTiernan (walked) 95.30

Report: 11 Go To Edinburgh (10k)

Club News, Events, Results, Senior

A gang of 11 Donore Harriers set out for the beautiful city of Edinburgh last weekend to take part in the 10k on the Saturday of the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, a weekend of racing events to include a 5k, 10k, Half-marathon and Marathon. Unfortunately, Michelle Dawson fell ill and was unable to run but turned out nonetheless to mind the gear and give much-appreciated support to her fellow Donore Harriers.

The morning was chilly and overcast providing perfect conditions for what was a challenging and hilly course for more than 3,000 participants. The ascent towards the famous Arthur’s Seat, a former volcano, wound around the hills from which spectacular views of the city and its landmarks including Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace opened up. Certainly the toughest part of the course was a steep and sudden incline between 8 and 9k where many struggled. From then though it was downhill all the way back through the Start Line and the 250m dash through the cheering crowds and the Finish line on Holyrood Gait.

Alan Farrell gave an impressive performance to come in at 12th overall and 2nd Male O45, closely followed by Alasdair Brown in 20th position overall. Stephen Dawson and Craig Scott were next home followed by Amy Moriarty who was the first Donore woman and 6th Female overall. There were only seconds then between Audrey Gahan and Bronagh Elliott who has just come back from injury. Audrey and Bronagh were 3rd and 4th women O40 respectively. Joe Murphy was next in followed by Joan Lennon and finally Jennifer O’Keeffe.

This was a well-organized and well-supported race in beautiful surroundings on a crisp May morning, the perfect excuse for a great weekend in the city of Edinburgh.

Report by Jennifer O’Keeffe

Return of the Track: JT PB in Oordegem, EK 3K Victory, Dublin Graded & AAI Games.

Results, Senior

IFAM Oordegem

John Travers smashed his 5000m PB today at the IFAM meet in Oordegem in Belgium, where a number of Irish athletes competed today. He won the 5000m B race in a brilliant 13.43. Such is the scintillating standard to qualify for the European championship, he still missed the required time but this was a great run and no doubt he will continue to chase the qualifying time for Berlin in August in the weeks to come, we’re all behind you John!

IMC Belfast

Another impressive race from Eric Keogh, and a fantastic victory in a stacked field, this time at the IMC Belfast meet at the Mary Peters track. Eric ran from the front for the entire second half of the race and won the men’s 3000m by a near 9 second margin in 8.22.68. Also in Belfast, John Neill got a PB in the 800 C race in 2.01.76

Graded Meet 3 Tallaght & AAI Games

The Dublin graded series continued last Wednesday in Tallaght. Notable was a win for Jack Raftery in the 400mA and Maura Kearns was delighted with a win and an 800m PB in the women’s A race. We had three representatives in the Dublin 10,000m championship where runners tackled a gruelling 25 laps of the track. There was also unusually a 2000m steeplechase which saw one of our juvenile runners Gavin Curtin in action

Full results

Maura Kearns 1st 800m A 2:20
David Campbell 800mB 2:07.56
Donal Iremonger 2:11.12
Jack Raftery 1st 51.12 400M
Adam Halpin 55.14
Gavin Curtin 2000m Steeple 7:15.02
Anthony Flannery 34:24 10000
Des Tremble 35:08 10000
Des Gill 41:26 10000

At the AAI games in Santry, David Campbell was in action again over 400m in a time of 54.23 and Emmet Ó Briain ran 2:06.32 in the 800m.

(10000m photo by Gerry Flaherty)

Report by Florence Curley

Results Round-Up: On the Roads, On the Beaches & Up the Mountains

Results, Senior

Sportsworld Terenure 5 mile

Round up of the past fortnight’s senior results starts with a highly successful Sportsworld Terenure 5 mile race, with 15 runners out and where the ladies bagged the senior team prize.

Great to see Aedin Corr back in the black and white after a long layoff and she led the ladies Home on a hot day in Dublin followed by Kim Hickey 3rd F35, Karla Doran, Fiona Hegarty and Amy Moriarty. First over the line for Donore on the day was Ken Nugent in 8th, Chris Muldoon 19th and 3rd M40, Gavin Keogh 22nd and Alan Farrell 38th, the senior men’s team finished in 2nd Place.

    Full Results

Ken Nugent 25:57
Chris Muldoon 27:45
Gavin Keogh 27:55
Alan Farrell 28:56
Paul Cummins 29:46
Aedin Corr 31:06
Kim Hickey 31:17
Karla doran 32:05
Fiona Hegarty 32:59
Amy Moriarty 33:17
Audrey Gahan 34:33
Barry Potts 34:49 1st M65
Frank McNally 35:24
Joan Lennon 37:08
Mary Murphy 41:14

Bob Heffernan 5k Johnstownbridge

This 5k race run by Na Fianna AC is always known for fast times and has long been a happy hunting ground for Donore runners. This year Eric Keogh had an excellent race finishing 3rd in 14.54. Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill was 2nd woman in 17.38. Altogether there were 11 Donore runners in action with 4 men in the top 25 and 6 men under 17 minutes. Fastest 5k in 4 years too from Frank McNally.

    Full Results

Eric Keogh 14:54
Chris Muldoon 16:12.29 (12th)
Sean Fox 16:15.84 (14th)
Fergal Whitty 16:34 (23rd)
Phil Hennessy 16:47.71
Ken Norgrove 16:53.11
Neil Hand 17:26.40
Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill 17:38.02
Ken McKeown 18:20.03
Frank McNally 21:48.36
David McGrath 21:45

Maynooth 5k/10k, Spar Streets of Dublin 5k, Moy half-marathon & Navan 6k

Gavin Keogh is coming right back into good form this summer and he recorded a win at the Maynooth 5k which starts at the university and finishes at the entrance to Carton House. He clocked 16:44. In the 10k race, the improving Joe Maguire ran an excellent 41:46 and Sian O’Connor 47:26

The Spar 5k around Dublin’s Docklands was a popular event but was beset by timing problems. Nevertheless Ariana Ball is getting closer to that sub 20 with a 20:02. Patrick Byrne was first home for Donore in 18:49, Mary McDermott 25:04 and Deirdre brennan 27:13

Over in Ballina Fiona Barrins was delighted with a 1:40.12 PB in the Moy half marathon.

Sinead Lambe was first woman in the Simon Cumbers Paddy Hyland 6k Navan in 22.05

IMRA & Beach Races

Roisin Harkin has been finishing well up in the ladies standings in the weekly IMRA Wednesday evening Leinster league in various locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains and other locations. She was 4th twice and 5th in the May races over varying distances at Bray, Scalp and Glasnamullen

The BHAA annual Beach race on twice a 2.5k loop on Sandymount strand saw Tom Fagan finish in 21:18 and Ann Woodlock now back racing and she finished in 31:56

Report by Florence Curley

Limerick Marathon – Grace Kennedy finishes 3rd!

Club News, Results, Senior

In 1976, longtime Donore women’s coach Jim Mcnamara qualified for the Olympic marathon in the trial which is staged in Limerick that year. So in 2018, it was good to see a Donore Harriers female on the marathon podium in Limerick. It was a hot day for the BSH great limerick run which incorporates 4 events. Grace Kennedy ran a perfectly paced race and gradually got herself into 3rd position where she finished strongly in 3.09.01. It’s a first podium finish for Grace, more to come from this tough competitor who is making her mark on the marathon! Florence Curley finished in 3.28.30, unfortunately forced to jog and walk the last 6 miles with quad problems.

There was also Donore success in the 6 mile event. John Travers was the winner in 29.40 ahead of Kevin Maunsell. Ide Nic Dhomhnaill was 2nd woman in 36.37 and twin Sorcha 3rd in 37.19 following on from their 2, 3 at the Clonliffe 2

Fergal Whitty was 7th in the half marathon event in 74.19 and Pat Egan finished in 1.40.12

Track Round-Up: IUAA T&F, Graded No.1, IMC Greystones

Club News, Juvenile, Results, Senior

IUAA T&F Championships 2018

Lookback to the IUAA track and field championships in Belfast where there were some great results for our athletes competing for their colleges

Darragh Fitzgibbon UCD took home one of the most keenly-fought titles, when he became the national 5000m IUAA champion in a time of 15.22 – a super achievement!
There were many other stand-out performances: Ailbhe Healy DCU won the Pole Vault in a best vault of 2.90. Aoife Lynch DCU was silver in the 200m (24.93) and helped her relay 4 x 100 team to silver. Niamh O’Neill UCD ran an excellent 5000m in a Pb of 18.34. Jona Kalemi DCU was 10th in the 1500m in 5.38. Louis Catteau TCD ran 4.07.89 in the 1500m, while Caoimhe Mackey UCD ran 65,98 in the semi-final of the 400m and 72.04 to finish 8th in the 400mH.

West Leinsters Track & Field School – Santry April 2018

It was the last schools for some of our athletes and for Robyn O’Keeffe it was the first time she qualified for the Leinsters after she won gold in the Discus and then went on to win gold in the Senior Girls 100m. It was a clean sweep in the 100m for the Donore girls with Ciara O’Donnell taking silver and Suzi O’Farrell bronze. Lara O’Byrne also completed a double with gold in the Senior Girls 100m Hurdles and High Jump.

Alex Clarkin won the Senior Boys Hurdles, Max Carey took gold in the Senior Boys Pole Vault and silver in the High Jump. Another double gold was Abdel Laadjel in the Junior Boys 800m and 1500m, Jack Raftery won gold in the Senior Boys 800m and also took silver in the 400m. Darragh McCauly won the senior Boys 400m hurdles

There were plenty more medals won over all age-groups, plus relays.

Senior Girls 100m
1st Robyn O’Keeffe
2nd Ciara O’Donnell
3rd Suzi O’Farrell

Senior Girls 100m Hurdles
1st Lara O’Byrne
2nd Ciara O’Donnell

Senior Girls Discus
1st Robyn O’Keeffe

Inter Girls 800m
4th Ruby Kelly

Inter Girls 1500m
2nd Roisin Brady

Inter Girls 3000m
3rd Roisin Brady

Junior Boys 800m
1st Abdel Laadjel

Senior Boys 1500m
1st Abdel Laadjel

Senior Boys 110m Hurdles
1st Alex Clarkin

Senior Boys 400m Hurdles
1st Darragh McCauly

Senior Boys Pole Vault
1st Max Carey

Senior boys High Jump
2nd Max Carey

Senior Boys 800m
1st Jack Raftery

Senior Boys 400m
2nd Jack Raftery

Dublin Graded Series: Meet 1 & IMC Greystones

The senior outdoor track season is now underway. The traditional start of the season in Dublin is usually the first Dublin Graded meet and this took place in very unspring-like conditions at a cold and blustery Santry stadium.

In the sprint events, Aoife Lynch came 2nd in the 100m A race in 12.10. Javier Romero did an unusual double, the 100m and the 800m and clocked 12.54 for the shorter race.

800m and 3000m were the endurance events on the night. Maura Kearns had a very good season opener 2.22.32 in the 800m A and she is sure to knock spots off that over the summer. Jona Kalemi ran 2.55.59 in the B Race.

There were two 800m men’s A Races and Elliott Slade won the 2nd one in an impressive 1.54.19. Louis Catteau ran 1.57.74 in that race. Michael Ryan ran 2.04.52 in B, Javier Romero ran 2.07.63 in C.

Louis and Michaeldoubled up, running the 3k too. Louis ran 9.32.36 and Michael Ryan 10.00.12. Des gill finished in 11.52.

Meanwhile, much sunnier conditions greeted the runners at the Charlesland complex in Greystones on May bank holiday Saturday for the first Irish Milers Club event of the season.

Louis Catteau and Malcolm Duquesney both aced PBs in the 1500m A Race, Louis 3.54.12 and Malcolm 3.55.25. Michael Ryan ran 4.12.72 in the C race and Emmet Ó Briain 4.15.70 in the D. There were big fields in both 5000m races and Ray Hynes finished 10th in the B race in 15.18.59

Roads, Marathons & Mountains! Results Roundup (April 22nd – 2nd May)

Club News, Results

There has been lots of wins and podium finishes for Donore runners in the last few weeks.

The long-running Clonliffe 2 mile race had its 127th outing in Santry on April 28th. There was a Donore ladies 2nd and 3rd placing for Ide and Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill in 10.52 and 11.05 respectively, not far off each other. Well done ladies!

Guillaume Nolain was 34th out of 1200 finishers in the very tough Connemara half marathon in 93.23, while Niall Lynch ran an excellent 34.27 and 1st M45 in his native Cavan at the Run With Catherina 10k.

Sean Fox was a clear winner of the St Andrews AC Ashbourne 10k in 34.27 and Kevin Nolan was 3rd in the 5k race in 17.03. Gavin Keogh won the Colaiste Cois Life 5k in 17.28.

On the mountains at Glen of the Downs in Wicklow, Niall Lynch was in action again at the IMRA Leinster League and came 2nd in that race 30.46 with Alasdair Brown running 33.03.

Running for their workplaces, many of our runners were out in force at the BHAA Bristol Myers Squibb 5k in Mulhuddart, a new race on the BHAA calendar run around the internal roads of the BMS business campus. The trio of Fergal Whitty 16.18, Chris Muldoon 16.23 and Philip Hennessy 16.45 were 3rd, 4th and 5th overall in the race.

First woman was Sinead Lambe in a super 17.54 – great win! Tom Fagan ran 20.10. And it was great to see Ann Woodlock back in BhAA action and in the year that will see her turn 80, she finished in 29.39

London Marathon

Flashback to the London marathon which took place on April 23 in freakishly hot conditions. A good number of Donore runners took part this year but the testing conditions took their toll. First home was Shane McAuley in 2.59.10 and Shane Russell ran 3.17.05. Ken Cronin toughed it out in 3.34.38. Marianne Dunlevy ran very well in the conditions in 3.41.56. Hats off to Elaine Verdon who still achieved a PB of 3.48. Tony Griffin had a tough day finishing in 3.54.46, Grainne Nolan ran 4.14.16 and Pam White 4.19.05. Unfortunately Anne Curley was forced to retire at 11 miles with a virus she was suffering from.

Well done to all our runners on a day which was tough even for the elite runners!