All posts by Emmet Ó Briain

Dublin Masters XC Championships Report

Club News, Results, Senior

The first cross country fixture of 2018 has rapidly become one of the biggest XC races in the country along with the National Masters XC, testament to the increasing popularity and competitiveness of masters running.

It was a cold but bright day in St Anne’s Park Raheny, now the traditional home of this race, the lap had some muddy parts but was dry and fast for the most part. Over 150 runners took part in the women’s race over 2 laps and 3k. Kim Hickey got off to a fast start and hung on to the lead group For some time but had to settle for 10th place and bronze W35, still a welcome return for this athlete who suffered an arm break in October. 13 seconds behind was Florence Curley in 18th and next in was Audrey Gahan in 37th coming back from a cold so more to come from Audrey, Sinead Graham was next in 49th, Karen Behan who had been ill all week was 53rd, more to come from her too, Julia Hackett just next in 55th. Fiona Barrins is growing in strength in her very first XC Season and was 67th and Angela Eustace racing again after injury was 102nd. Missing some of the stars of the team of last few years, the team finished out of the medals in 5th but there were 17 teams, the most ever in this race.

Next up were the men with about 300 runners on the line, it was 4 laps for most of the field and 3 laps for the M65+ runners. Barry Potts was dominant in his age-group once again and bagged the M65 gold. A great race developed upfront in the M35+ competition, Rossa Hurley was with the top group for much of the race and in the end was only 9 seconds off 3rd overall place in a powerful run, the 3 ahead were also M35 so unfortunately no age-group medal this time. Next in 15th overall and bronze M45 position was Niall Lynch (interestingly the 4th, 5th and 6th M45 positions were also Donore runners) only 7 seconds behind and in a big finish battle was Fergal Whitty bronze M40 and 18th place. In 21st and making a welcome return to championship racing was Gavin Keogh. These 4 runners scored to bring a bronze medal for the team (30 teams in all – gold and silver were Raheny and Rathfarmham). Well done to Chris Muldoon 28th, Philip Hennessy 41st, Patrick Byrne 42nd, Des Tremble 45th, Peter Nugent 50th, Alan Farrell 58th, Donal Iremonger 75th, Peter Nugent 152nd, Stephen Dawson 164th, Craig Scott 173rd. Great have such big numbers out.

It was great to see an M50 team out for possibly the first time ever from Donore in this race, kudos Des Gill for rallying the troops. He finished first of the team in 201st, then Tom Fagan 219th, Lou McCurtain (first ever championship XC) 235th, Frank McNally 239th, they finished 9th out of 12 teams.

Terrific support out there from club members , friends and family, roll on the Leinster and Nationals

Report ~ Florence Curley

Christmas & New Year race roundup

Club News, Results, Senior

The week after Christmas is always busy one the road race front. One of the main events is the Liffey Valley Tom Brennan 5k in the Phoenix Park on New Years Day. Cold conditions and facing into a wind for half of the 2 lap course, 14 Donore runners took to the line and there was a good return. Eric Keogh bagged 3rd overall in 15.33 and there were 3 more runners in the top 25 men with Fergal Whitty 12th and 1st M40 16.39, Chris Muldoon 17.14 and Peter Gaffney 1st M45 17.49. The team were 2nd overall (an error awarded them 3rd but this was rectified later) Ciaran Ryan was well pleased with his 18.51 and Stephen Dawson ran a solid 19.22. First Donore woman Home was Florence Curley in 20.36 and 3rd W40. Tony Griffin ran 21.05, Barry Potts 21.27, frank McNally 22.39, Charlie O’Neill 23.40, Michelle dawson 25.35, Tommy Halton 26.43 and jennifer hogan 28.53.

On 26th December, Ide nic Dhomhnaill had a good win in the Farranfore Maine Valley 5k Kerry In 18.17. In the same race, Des Tremble ran 17.31, Patrick Moriarty 17.45. On New Year’s Day at the Beaufort 10k Patrick was 3rd in 36.34.

In the ERP Clonliffe 5k, Florence Curley ran 20.50.

Report ~ Florence Curley

Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield Race Report 2017

Club News, Events, Results, Senior

26th December saw the 121st edition of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird shield race. Running since 1896, the 10 mile cross country race includes 5 2-mile laps. Handicaps were devised pre-race and the first runners took off at 11am. By 1135am all runners had gone on their way. The lead places swapped in the early stages but eventually a clear leader emerged in the youngest entrant 20 year old Niamh O’Neill, her first time to race this. In the end Niamh was first home finishing in a time of 73.18 also the fastest female time.

She is the one of the youngest winners of the shield in many years and is the youngest ever female winner. In second and third places were Des Gill and Barry Potts who had ran off the same handicap and used it well, helping each other all the way. The fastest time of the day went to Ken Nugent who was 4th overall and got a time of 58.37, great to see Ken back in good race form and he was the recipient of the Tommy Hayward trophy for the fastest time. Next fastest was Rossa Hurley 59.02 and then Niall lynch in 60.01.

A new departure this year was a one lap race for some of our juvenile runners and they set off when most participants were on their last lap. Mick Bourke and willie Smith worked very hard at setting up the course in the Phoenix Park that morning. Timing and commentary also from Willie Smith and club President Iain Morrison. Handicappers were Iain, ladies cross country captain Florrie Curley and men’s captain Rossa Hurley. At the clubhouse afterwards a special presentation was made to the family of the late Matt Rudden who passed away this year and who
Was instrumental in building the clubhouse in the early 90s. A big thanks to Stephen Kelly for providing his usual hearty soup to club members and supporters afterwards . Thanks to all participants and supporters.

Race Report: Florrie Curley
Photo Credit: Frank McNally

WATERHOUSE BYRNE BAIRD SHIELD RESULTS
POSITION NAME FINISH TIME HANDICAP RACE TIME
1 Niamh O’Neill 1hr 25’48”​ + 12’30”​ 73’18”
2 Barry Potts​​​​ 1hr 28’13”​ + 14’​​ 74’13”
3 Des Gill​​​​ 1hr 28’55” + ​14’​​ 74’55”
4 Ken Nugent​​​​ 1hr 30’37”​ + 32’​​ 58’37”
5 Stephen Dawson​​​ 1hr 30’40”​ + 18’​​ 72’40”
6 Emmet Ó Briain​​​ 1hr 31’56”​ + 29’ 62’56”
7 Neil Hand​ 1hr 32’16”​ + 22’​​ 70’16”
8 Amy Moriarty​​​​ 1hr 32’25”​ + 18’30”​​ 73’55”
9 Florrie Curley​​​​ 1hr 32’39” ​+ 19’​​ 73’39”
10 Peter Sweeney 1hr 32’57”​ + 28’​​ 64’57”
11 Karen Breen​​​​ 1hr 33’40” ​+ 15’ 78’40”
12 Niall Lynch​​​​ 1hr 34’01” ​+ 34’​​ 60’01”
13 Julia Hackett​​​​ 1hr 34’08”​ + 14’ 80’08”
14 Gavin Keogh​​​​ 1hr 34’12”​ + 31’30​​ 62’42”
15 Fergal Whitty ​​​ 1hr 34’16” + ​33’​​ 61’16”
16 Alan Farrell​​​​ 1hr 34’31”​ + 29’ 65’31”
17 Tony Griffin ​​​​ 1hr 34’41” ​+ 18’ 76’41”
18 Peter Bonnar ​​​ 1hr 34’59”​ + 5’ 89’59”
19 Rossa Hurley​​​​ 1hr 35’02”​ + 36’​​ 59’02”
20 Dana Mackey​​​ 1hr 35’54” ​+ 0​​ 95’54”
21 Philip Hennessy​​​ 1hr 36’11” ​+ 29’30”​​ 66’41”
22 Ian Redican 1hr 36’57”​ + 20’​​ 76’57”
23 Angela Eustace ​​​ 1hr 36’27”​ + 9’​​ 87’27”
24 Anne Curley 1hr 37’35” + ​20’​​ 77’35”
25 Jennifer O’keefe ​​​ 1hr 46’50”​ 0 ​106’50”
DNF LAPS
Michelle Dawson 3/5 (6 miles)
Rhona Duane 3/5 (6 miles)
FASTEST MEN TIME
Ken Nugent 58’37” Tommy Hayward Trophy
Rossa Hurley 59’02”
FASTEST WOMEN TIME
Niamh O’Neill 73’18”
Florrie Curley 73’39”

2017 Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield Handicaps & Race Flyer

Club News, Events, Senior

Please find below the handicaps for the 121st Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield, a 10-Mile Open Handicap Race to be held St. Stephen’s Morning, Dec 26th 2017 @ 11am.

(Start at The Dog Pond, Phoenix Park)

2017 Waterhouse Byrne Baird Race Flyer

WATERHOUSE BYRNE BAIRD SHIELD HANDICAPS
NAME HANDICAP START TIME RACE NUMBER
Jennifer O'Keefe 35’ 11:00 150
Michelle Dawson* 35’ 11:00 149
Dana Mackay 35’ 11:00 148
Peter Bonnar 30’ 11:05 147
Marianne Dunleavy 22’30" 11:12:30 146
Niamh O'Neill 22’30" 11:12:30 145
Barry Potts 21’ 11:14 144
Julia Hackett 21’ 11:14 143
Des Gill 21’ 11:14 142
Karen Breen 20’ 11:15 141
Rhona Duane 19’ 11:16 140
Tony Griffin** 17’ 11:18 139
Stephen Dawson 17’ 11:18 138
Amy Moriarty 16’30" 11:18:30 137
Florrie Curley 16’ 11:19 136
Ian Redican* 15’ 11:20 134
Ken McKeown 14’ 11:21 133
Anne Curley 14’ 11:21 152
Neil Hand 13' 11:22 132
Emmet Ó Briain 8’ 11:27 131
Alan Farrell* 8’ 11:27 130
Philip Hennessy 7’30" 11:27:30 151
Fergal Swaine 7’ 11:28 129
Ken Nugent 6' 11:29 128
Fergal Whitty 4’ 11:31 127
Tristan Druet 3’30 11:31:30 135
Niall Lynch# 3’ 11:32 126
Rossa Hurley scratch 11:35 125


** Defending Shield Champion
* Former Shield Winner
# Winner of The Tommy Hayward

Donore Harriers Juvenile Development Programme in Partnership with 123.ie

Club News, Juvenile

Over the course of the club’s long history, Donore Harriers has always endeavoured to help our younger athletes give full expression to their talent. Whether it’s a 60m sprint or a javelin throw or a mucky cross-country race in the depths of winter, we see the positive difference that participation in athletics can make to young people’s lives and how much it contributes to the well-being of our juvenile members.

With this tradition in mind, we are delighted to announce the launch of the Donore Harriers Juvenile Development Programme in partnership with 123.ie, dedicated to the coaching of emerging and developing juvenile athletes.

The Juvenile Development Programme will provide additional resources for the coaching of athletes with the potential to challenge for national honours and international representation, including exposure to higher levels of competition in Britain and Europe, as well as more professional preparation through group training camps.

We are very proud to have a number of juvenile athletes at Donore Harriers with the talent and desire to compete at national and international level and, ultimately, to progress into senior global competition. The aim of this Programme is to assist such athletes in fulfilling their potential, as well as to encourage their peers and other younger athletes to emulate their dedication and success.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of 123.ie.

123.ie’s support will help many hard-working young athletes to increase the opportunities available to them through their participation in sport, and to achieve the sporting outcomes they deserve. Over the coming year, we will be sharing the experiences of the Juvenile Development Programme athletes as they prepare for competition – and glory!

Photo credit: Darren Kinsella

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2017

Club News, Events, Uncategorized

The 124th Annual General Meeting of Donore Harriers will take place on Thursday 28th September 2017 at 8.15pm in the Clubhouse, Chapelizod Road, Dublin 20.

AGENDA

– Minutes of last A.G.M.

– President’s Address/ Report to encompass Secretary’s report in absence of current acting Hon Secretary

– Hon. Treasurer’s Report.

– Athletics Reports.

– Election of officers/directors and vice-presidents.

– Announcement of Coaches/handicappers.

– Motions.

– Close of Meeting.

Important Notes

In the absence of a current Hon Secretary Nominations of officers/directors and Motions must be submitted for the attention of the Club Committee at the club office not less than 21 days before the AGM in accordance with Article 38 of the Articles of Association (i.e. NOT later than Thursday 7th September 2017).

They both require a proposer and seconder.

They will be accepted by email to info@donoreharriers.com

Nominations/ Motions can be forwarded directly for the attention of the committee.

Completed proxy forms must be deposited at the club office not less than 48 hours before the AGM in accordance with Articles 32 and 33 of the Articles of Association (blank proxy forms are available from the club secretary at the club office).

Members who have paid their annual Subscription to the club for the preceding year will be considered by the Committee to be members in Good Standing.

Please note annual subscriptions are now due.

Nominations can be just written/typed out and should state (1) the name of the member nominated, (2)the position s/he is nominated for and (3) should be signed by the (not less than two) members nominating him/her i.e. along the following lines is sufficient:

We [NAME] and [NAME] hereby nominate [NAME] for the position of [President/Honorary Secretary/Honorary Treasurer/Director].

Signed:

(Name in Block capitals)

Signed:

(Name in Block capitals)

XC is here & Notice of Opening Run 23/09/17

Club News, Events

And… We are Off! Cross Country is Upon Us

Notice of Opening Run 2017 Cross Country Season – Saturday the 23rd September

I hope we can all gather for this year’s Opening Run Saturday the 23rd September. We are making this a whole club event this year so please support and attend and let us gather to galvanise for the Winter and Cross-country and Indoor seasons to come

Timetable for the Day:

– 10.00 a.m. Club Opening run: As many of our athletes and coaches as can meet at the clubhouse for the traditional group photo to adorn our walls to echo all the 124 Opening Runs held before.
– 10.30 a.m. Club Novice Run: This year, our Club Opening Run will be run in conjunction with our usual sealed handicap novice runs taking place on the Magazine hills, so the Opening Run will bring us up to the starting point.
– 12.00 p.m. Reception in the club afterwards for members past and present: Willie Smith will be delving into the archives once again for some treasured moment in Donore and Irish Athletic History.
– Presentation of International achievement Awards: We have several important awards. Firstly, to honour our fabulous Ladies team who the Division 1 National Track and Field League in this Summer in emphatic style. We are gathering the team together and as a club we want to recognise their fabulous achievement and present medals to athletes who couldn’t be there to receive them on the day. Secondly, we have several awards in recognition of outstanding international achievement for several of our athletes who achieved the full international Irish vest this season and were outstanding in their representation of Ireland internationally.
– Launch of Donore Harriers’ emerging athlete development programme in association with 123.ie: A new athlete development programme designed to support emerging talent in our Juvenile section, which is backed by 123.ie.

Happy 80th birthday Tom O’Riordan!

Club News

A Donore Legend, Tom O’Riordan, celebrated his 80th Birthday on the 12th July.

Born in Tubrid, Co. Kerry in 1937. In 1956 he became the first Kerry athlete to win an All Ireland colleges title when winning the senior boy’s one mile in a record 4mins 35 secs. After completing a 4 year scholarship at Idaho University in the USA he returned to Ireland in 1962, when he joined Donore Harriers. He came under the guidance of club coach Eddie Hogan, and immediately made his mark when winning the AAU 3miles championship.

A career spanning 15 years with Donore Tom’s record is unrivalled: Olympian, 1964,Tokyo, 5000m; European c’ships: 1966, 5000m; 9 times International cross-country; 13 Irish track records (3000m; 2miles; 3 miles; 500Om). In 1963 he ran his first cross-country c’ship for Donore, when winning the AAU Junior (Intermediate). Jim McNamara also ran his first c’ship for Donore in this race! Over 13 cross-country seasons (1963-1975), Tom won 6 indiv titles, 2 silver & 4 bronze at Senior level, and was a member of 13 winning Donore teams in AAU, IAAB All-Ireland, & National BLE c’ships. He also won 12 National senior track titles from one mile to 5 miles at AAU; IAAB; & BLE. When Co Dublin & Eastern region championships are included, along with road races /road relays we could be talking about 250 races in those 13 years- an amazing record! He won at least 50 Senior C’ship medals individual and team on the track & C-C, at Co unty, Region, & Nat/All-Ireland. Above is just a brief overview of Tom’s athletic career. Along with other fantastic Donore athletes he was part of the ‘Golden Era’ in Donore Harriers.

Happy birthday Tom!

~ Willie Smith

Louis O’Loughlin Achieves QT for the 2017 European Youth Olympics Festival

Club News, Juvenile, Results, Senior

15 year-old Louis O’Loughlin takes Dublin Senior 800m title and runs qualifying time for the 2017 European Youth Olympics Festival.

Competing in the Dublin Senior 800m championship race last Wednesday, Louis achieved the qualifying time for the European Youth Olympics Festival to be held in Gyor, Hungary at the end of July, leading from gun to tape to cross the line in 1.55.28, thus dipping inside the qualifying mark of 1.56.

On a balmy evening at the Tallaght Track, the championship race was incorporated in the 5th Dublin Open Graded meeting of the season. Louis was given a favourable middle lane, based on his recent 1.56.50 time when winning the Dublin Under 17 title. He was quickly into the lead and passed the 400m mark in about 56.5 seconds. Holding strong through the third-quarter he kicked on in the home straight to the cheers of his family and club supporters to gain the qualifying time and win his first senior title. A very fine achievement considering that he is still 15 years-old!
Cillian Doherty (1.58.22) of Rathfarnham AC placed 2nd, with James Nolan (2.00.19) of Drogheda & District AC in 3rd place.
Louis will make his debut for the Donore Harriers senior team when he competes in the 800m in the National Track & Field League at Tallaght this Sunday. He will not be daunted by the opposition! Well done this evening Louis!

~ Report by Gerry Naughton

Race Round-Up inc. Results from Limerick, Madrid, Tallaght & More

Club News, Results

The Spring marathon season continues as a number of Donore runners made the trip to Madrid in Spain for the half and full marathon. Training partners Ken Cronin and Tony Griffin tackled the full marathon in impressive times with Ken finishing in 3.35.34 and Tony in 3.37.52. A number of runners did the half marathon too – Lou McCurtain 1.51.18, Arthur Connick 1.53.25, Charlie O’Neill 1.55.53, Dave Hudson and Joan Mcternan finished 2.03.07 and Liz McCurtain 2.07.24. Over in Hamburg Germany, Chris Muldoon ran an excellent 2.38.24.

Back in Ireland, Peter Bonnar did his second marathon in a fortnight tackling the fearsome Connemarathon in 4.22.48. In Longford , Laura Murray did her second ultramarathon along the Royal Canal – a 53k distance – and finished 6th woman in 5.52.25.

The second race in the Meet and Train road league took place in Waterstown Park Palmerstown – relocated there after a late change of venue. 6 runners took to the line on this tough and hilly lap which sweeps down into the Liffey Valley with a tough climb back up covering a distance of 5k – identical to the parkrun which takes place here every Saturday. First over the line for the club was Elaine Verdon 17th in 22.59, Caren Crowley 20th in 23.07, Lee Chambers 24th in 23.25, Ruth Chambers 25th 23.41, 33rd was Mary Murphy in 24.29 and Sue Lynch 44th in 27.05. After this race the A team now lies in 4th so the next race could push the team into top 3 position.

The outdoor track season is now officially underway with the first meeting of the Dublin graded series in Morton Stadium on an unseasonably cold and windy night. Some of our athletes from the relays were in action and our younger athletes who are gearing up their summer season were out in numbers too. In the field events, Lucy Hurley and Lara O’Byrne jumped 1.45 in the High Jump and Max Carey jumped 1.6 in his competition. Andie Maguire jumped 4.92 in the Long Jump.

On the track, Adam Halpin ran 11.84 to come 4th place in the 100m B race and Sean O’Broinn was 5th in 12.53. In the C race, Ben Iveagh came 5th in 12.03. Maura Kearns ran a season opener of 2.24 in the 800m A race finishing in 10th. In the B race, Joan Kalemi ran 2.50.22 finishing in 11th. In the 800m men’s B race, Paul Cummins finished 8th in 2.06.46, and Kevin Nolan 9th 2.06.49. Sean Fox ran 9.39.70 in the men’s 3000m.

The next day saw the long-running Clonliffe 2 mile race – now run on Santry Demesne and finishing in Morton Staium, it used to go through Glasnevin and finish at the Gravediggers pub. There was a good result for Donore with 3rd place for Lee Van Haeften in 9.41. Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill, also fresh from the national relays, had a blistering win in a time of 10.58 (PB). Terry Mee finished in 13.59

At the Virgin Media night run around Dublin City centre, 7000 runners took to the streets – amongst them a number of Donore runners – Dean Glennon ran 45.00, Susan Clarke 55.36 (PB), Deirdre Coyle 56.13 and Jennifer Hogan 64.34.

The club had a good showing in the Tallaght AC 5K which also doubled as the Dublin Novice Road championship. Starting near Tallaght AC clubhouse and on a single loop with a hill at 4k and finishing on the track – first home was Barbara Murray 1st W40 in 19.27.43 despite a stop at 4k. Stephen Dawson was close behind in 19.29.58. The ever-improving Audrey Gahan got another PB in 20.29.07 which earned her overall novice bronze. Next in on that team was new member Fiona Barrins with another PB in 22.18 Terry Mee was 1st M65 in 22.58. Caren Crowley was the third novice member home in 23.35. Mary Murphy had a storming finish in 24.17 with Catherine McKeon some seconds behind in 24.27 followed by Michelle Dawson 25.28, Susan Clarke 26.00 and Ann Woodlock 29.31. The novice team were out of the team medals in 5th but thanks Willie Smith for the support on the day!

Down in Limerick, the club fielded two teams in the marathon relay event of a festival of races. Team one were 9th in a cumulative time of 3.07.05. The all ladies team of Elaine Verdon, Ariana Ball, Nicola Dowdall, Grainne Nolan and Marie came 11th and got a cumulative time of 3.17.05 – exactly 10 minutes between the teams – well done all.
In the half marathon event, Pat Egan did his best time over the distance in a number of years running 97.11.
The increasingly popular Boyne 10k which runs through the historic centre of Drogheda and out to Oldbridge along the river and back had 2 Donore runners – Ian Redican 44.42 and Sian O’Connor working her way back into racing in 51.27.

Finally, in the Phoenix Park on bank holiday Monday there was a 1-2 for Donore in the 5k ARC charity race – Anthony Flannery won in 16.31 and Kevin Nolan was 2nd in 16.33.34. Ciaran Ryan got another PB for himself with a time of 19.23

Report by Florence Curley