All posts by Medbh Peavoy

Easter Weekend Round-Up

Club News, Results

There was a double win at the Naas Parkrun for two of our juvenile runners.  Overall winner was Michael Gibbs in 18.36 and first female was Ciara Murphy in 20.19, impressive for two athletes in the 15-17 age group, well done.

The Leinster 10 mile road championship took place in a sunny St Anne’s Park as part of the Brian Boru race, the second outing for this event.  An M50 Donore Master team took part; Tony Griffin broke 70 minutes and was 3rd M55 in 69.17, Terry Mee was 1st M70 in 76.07 and Charlie O’Neill ran 76.46.

At the Fr Murphy’s 10k in Kildalkey on Easter Sunday, Shane McAuley came 6th and 1st M40.

Breda Mahony was 2nd female in 20.01 at the Healthy Heart 5k in the Phoenix Park with Niall O’Reilly 7th in the 10k event in 39.13.

In Kenmare, Sorcha and Ide Nic Dhomhnaill were 2nd and 3rd females in the Kenmare bridge 10k.  Sorcha ran 41.33 with her twin Ide crossing the line in 42.40.

Outside Ireland two Donore runners competed in two well known but very different events.  Isle of Man based Mark Dooley competed in the long established Isle of Man road race festival which attracts runners from all over the UK.  Donning the colours of his UK club Herne Hill, Mark was 7th in the 10k event in 32.21 and was part of a 5x5k relay event where he ran his leg in an impressive 15.21.

In the Sahara Desert Morocco, Claire Morrissey is currently competing in the gruelling Marathon des Sables – a 6 day 251k race through the desert where temperatures can climb to 50 degrees and participants must carry their kit on their backs.  This is Claire’s second MDS and this seasoned ultra runner is lying in 9th female position at the moment after 2 stages of approx 36k each in 30-33 degree heat.  We wish her well in the next stages which conclude on April 13th

Weekend Round-Up March 29th

Club News, Results

There were some great performances at the second weekend of the National Juvenile Indoor championships.  Sean Lawlor clinched another championship title in the U19 200m, this was a highly competitive race and he won it decisively, dipping well under 22 seconds in a new PB of 21.73 seconds.  There were two more medals on the day in the hurdle events.  Jack Rudden Kelly took silver in the U17 60mH in 8.67 seconds and in the U16 60mH after winning his heat Kolade Abidoun won silver in 8.68 seconds.


Full results:
Conor Fox U19 200m heats 23.71
Claire O’Connor 9th U18 800m 2.50
Caoimhe Mackey 10th U17 LJ 4.10
Sean Classman U17 LJ

Alex Clarkin 4th in U16H  the spring throws contes

Lara O’Byrne and Kolade Abidoun unfortunately DQ’d in the 60mH and 200m

Also for the Juvenile section, Michael Gibbs was 3rd in the Marie Keating 5k


Over in Torun Poland at the European Indoor masters, there was a double celebration for Ann Woodlock after her 3000m win days before.  In the 1500m she won a second gold, beating her nearest opponent (from Germany)by 20 seconds who has often beat her in international competition in the past.  In the walks events, Anne Gormley finished 5th W50 in the 3000m track walk in 21.07 and 7th in the 5k road walk in 36.11.

Back in Meath, the popular Dunboyne  4 mile attracted over 700 runners with a good Donore turnout – windy conditions made some of the course testing but thankfully the rain held off.  First over the line for the club was  young Sam Gallagher in an excellent 22.33 which made him first junior male. Sorcha and Ide Nic Dhomhnaill unfortunately DNFd so first Lady was Michelle Childs with Karla Doran and Emer Rattigan in quick succession.
This trio and Sian O’Connor were the scorers on the 4th placed finishing ladies team.  Julia Hackett came over the line with her coach Jim McNamara who won the M70 category to great acclaim.

Full results below:
Sam Gallagher 22.33 1st junior
Andrew Ledwith 22.40
Shane McCauley 23.18
Ian redican 25.42
Michelle Childs 26.13
Karla doran 26.21
Emer Rattigan 26.39
Des Gill 27.10
Sian O’Connor 28.50
Jim McNamara 29.03
Julia Hackett 29.06
Caren Crowley 30.16
Mary Murphy 30.18
Pauline Fagan 36.55

At the Omagh half marathon, John Dunne came 9th and 1st M35 in 72.37

Marc Gibbs came 20th in the Skechers Marie Keating 5k in 24.48

Over in Berlin we had Eoin Durkan 76.33, Phil Hennessey 81.53, Fred Kiernan 83.18

Weekend Round-Up March 22nd

Club News, Results

On a sunny day in Santry demesne, the SIAB Schools International Cross country races took place hosting teams from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.  Fathi Aden was part of the Irish junior team and ran a super race finishing in 10th place.  He was the 3rd scorer on the Irish team which won silver – the race was won by Ireland’s Dara McElhinney.  Hopefully this will be the first of many appearances in the Irish vest for this promising young athlete.

With the first weekend over in the National Indoor Championships in Athlone, it’s by the far the largest amount of athletes who have qualified with many qualifying for more than one event.
Lara O’Byrne ran between the high jump yesterday and the pole vault which were on the same time to eventually get a silver medal in the pole vault with a new pb of 2.70 and then ran in the under 16 relay which got to the final finishing 5th. Our under 18 relay girls team finished 4th while our under 17, although ran a great race, were later disqualified.

Lucy Hurley, under 16, in her first indoor championship got 2 new PBS in high jump and long jump .
Sean kinsealla our youngest athlete, under 12, finished 8th in a thrilling 600m and can’t wait till he runs in Athlone again.
We were well represented in the 1500m with Lucy Mccann, Michael Gibbs and Suzanne Masterson all running well. Our largest group of athletes  were our sprinters from under 16 to 19 it was great to see 3 under 17 girls competing. Kolade Aduidun got our only medal of the day finishing 3rd in the under 16 60m.
Sean classman, under 19, running in his first championship for the club ran in the 60 m finishing 4th in he’s heat . Connor fox and Zac Higgins both had very good runs in there heats in the 400m.
Karen Hughes, under 18, and Clodagh Read were are triple jumpers with Karen finishing 4th and Clodagh finishing 6th.
Sean young, under 18, threw a new pb in the shot putt yesterday finishing 4th while Lauren O’Keeffe, under 17, Peace Onakoya, under 13, and martins Hughes, under 16, all competing for the first time in shot putt. All threw well but did not progress to the final rounds.
Rian Carey, under 13, finished 7th throwing just off his pb.
Gabhan O’Thighcarnaigh, under 17, was unlucky having jumped 1.70 in high jump, just lost out on 3rd place in count back.
Alibhe Healy, under 18, who won our second medal in the pole vault also posted a pb of 2.70

Wicklow Gaolbreak 10k
Ciaran McCarthy was the overall winner of this race in 35.10

Mallow 10 mile
A change to the course of this year’s race meant that the first 2 miles took in a good deal of uphill running.  Anne Curley finished 4th lady in 63.55, Breda Mahony in 68.57 was just outside the top 10 ladies.  On the eve of his 76th birthday Jim McNamara was 1st M70 and ran 77.05.

Other results
Griffeen parkrun: George Brady (and pet dog Roxy!) 2nd 18.02
Hartstown Parkrun: Eva Campion 2nd lady 21.40

European Masters Indoor Championship:  In Torun Poland, Ann Woodlock won gold in the W75 3000m

Antrim International, MSB 5K and Weekend Round-Up

Club News, Results

Mark Dooley performed with distinction when he made his international debut for Ireland at the Antrim International Cross Country race at Greenmount on Saturday With a number of high quality African runners on the start line and a very strong English team in tow the task for Mark was to race to his full potential.

The 10km race over a testing hilly course was won by Thomas Ayeko from Uganda in a time of 31. 27. Ayeko won the same race in 2013. Edwin Soi (31.40) of Kenya came 2nd with another Kenyan Jonathan Ndiku 3rd. Soi was the bronze medallist in the 2008 Olympic Games over 5000m.

Mark Dooley (35.29) can be proud of his effort. He finished in 29thposition and was Ireland’s final scorer as the team placed 4th behind winners Kenya and 2nd placed England.

In the St. Patrick’s Festival 5km race in the St. Stephen’s Green area on Sunday the Donore Harriers contingent was led home by Eoin Durkan (15.45) who placed 11th.  However, the star performances came from Barry Potts in the M65 class and Fathi Aden in the junior category. Potts (20.05), who is mentor to the Fit 4 Life squad, had a very fine race to win his age group. On the other end of the age spectrum 14 years old Fathi Aden (17.00) finished 47th overall and placed 3rd in the junior category behind two older and more experienced athletes. This was Fathi’s first time to race over 5 kilometres and he continues to prove his potential as a future star in the sport. Not far behind was 15 years-old Sekeriye Ahmed (17.40) who placed 73rd overall and was the 4th junior. The other notable performance came from Jennifer O’Keeffe (24.20) who recorded a new personal best when placing 12th in the F45 category.

In the National Masters Indoor Track Field championships at Athlone Arena both Anne Gormley and Terry Mee came away with a gold and silver medal. Anne won the 3km Walk in the F50 age class in a time of 20.37.10 and threw a distance of 6.09 metres to take silver in the Shot Pull. Terry was first in the M70 800m and 2nd in the 3000m recording times of 2.52.25 and 12.43.22

Gavin Byrne (17.59), a regular competitor in the event, won the Waterstown 5km Parkrun on Saturday  with a new personal best time. Meanwhile in the Barcelona Marathon masters athlete Alan Farrell had a good run to record 3.09.52 and in the Bundoran 10K, Rhona Duane ran strong to record 44:42

Results in brief:

IAAF Permit Antrim International Cross Country race at Greenmount: 29th Mark Dooley (35.29)

Hartstown 5km Parkrun: 23rd Graham Hopkins M40 (23.41)

Naas 5km Parkrun: 3rd Ian Redican M40 (19.59)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun: 1st Gavin Byrne (17.59 PB); 5th Colin Morrissey M35 (19.52)

National Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships at Athlone Arena: F50 3km Walk – 1st Anne Gormley (20.37.10): F35 Shot Putt – 2nd Anne Gormley (6.09m): M70 800m – 1st Terry Mee (2.52.25): M70 3000m – 2nd Terry Mee (12.43.22)

St. Patrick’s Festival 5km at City Centre: 11th Eoin Durkan (15.45); 29th Gavin Keogh (16.30); 46th Andrew Ledwith (16.57); 47th / 3rd Junior Fathi Aden (17.00); 48th Luke Boland (17.01); 73rd / 4th Junior Sekeriye Ahmed (17.40); 165th / 17th woman Michelle Childs (19.55); 172nd / 1st in M65 Barry Potts (20.05); 183rd / 13th in M45 Des Gill (20.14); 197th Tomas Griffin (20.35); 238thDarren Carey (21.08); 259th / 27th in M40 John Gleeson (21.28); 298th/ 33rd woman Eva Campion (22.02); 328th / 35th M40 Gary Fitzgerald (22.41); 353rd / 26th Junior Jack Raftery (22.57); 435th / 12th F45 Jennifer O’Keeffe (24.20 PB); 440th / 54th woman Michelle Dawson (24.23); 578th / 89th woman Maria O’Donoghue (26.08); 680th / 7th in M65 Michael Brophy (27.28); 769th / 57th M4 John Powell (28.40); 1149th / 73rd F40 Annemarie Conneely (33.00)

Team Result – Men: 1st Crusaders 53; 2nd Rathfarnham 55; 3rdClonliffe Harriers 78; 6th Donore Harriers <Keogh, Ledwith, Aden, Boland> 170

Barcelona Marathon: Alan Farrell M40 (3.09.52)

LATE RESULT: Kinvara Rock Half-Marathon (8/3/15): 470thDeirdre Healy (1.59.19)

JUVENILE RESULTS in brief:

Hartstown 5km Parkrun: 22nd Oliver Hopkins u/12s (23.41)

St. Patricks Festival 5km at City Centre: 47th / 3rd JNR Fathi Aden u/15s (17.00); 73rd / 4th JNR Sekeriye Ahmed u/16s (17.40); 353rd / 26th JNR Jack Raftery u/15s

European Indoors and Weekend Round-Up

Club News, Results

John Travers placed a highly commendable 7th in the final of the European Indoors 1500m race at Prague on Sunday (8/3/15). His coach Gerry Kiernan said post race regarding John’s on-going development: “This is the first time that John has gone to a major championship and performed – that is significant”. Kiernan also pointed out that Travers had run 8 seconds faster in the qualifying heat than the new champion Jakub Holusa of the Czech Republic, thus exerting a lot more energy in the first of two back to back championship races.

In the qualifying heat on Saturday morning Travers sat in the main group whilst Homiya Tesfaye (3.40.05) of Germany took out a sizable lead. The Ethiopian born German was chased home by Artur Ostrowski (3.40.24) of Poland in the closing 150 metres. Travers (3.41.37) bore down on Diego Ruiz (3.41.48) of Spain getting up to 3rd and the crucial ‘fastest loser’ spot. It then became a waiting game, but none of the runners in the other 3 heats ran a faster qualifying time than the Donore Harriers man.

Travers admitted that he felt “… a little bit of heaviness in the warm-up” prior to the final. It was important that he ran a controlled race – and that is just what he did! With Ilham Ozbilin of Turkey setting a fast early pace John Travers passed through 300m (44.5) in 9th and last place. He gained to 8th through the 700m mark in 1.44 whilst Ozbilin led the field from Smirnov of Russia and Chris O’Hare of Team GB. With 2 laps (1100m point) to go the Turkish athlete had a commanding lead from O’Hare and Henrik Ingebrigtsen of Norway. Travers (2.45) was tailed off at the back. Everything changed on the final 200m circuit. Home favourite Holusa (3.37.68) got past Ozbilin (3.37.) on the line whilst O’Hare (3.38) held on to 3rd place. John Travers used his finishing kick and got past the Russian and Polish athletes to pick up two places. His final time of 3.41.50 was just 0.13s short of his new indoor personal best set in qualifying.

In the Meath Spring Half-Marathon at Bohermeen (8/2/15) Ciaran McCarthy (1.13.49) placed 7th overall and won the M40 category. His training partner Chris Muldoon (1.14.21) also produced a fine run by coming home in 9thposition.  Ann Curley (1.24.34) was the winner of the F40 category and placed 72nd overall. Other notable performances came from Nicola Dowdall (1.40.08) who recorded a new personal best and from Jim McNamara (1.44.01) who took 3rd in the M60 race.

In the Meath Spring 10km race at the same venue Colm O’Connell (34.16) recorded a convincing win, whilst 7thplaced Shane McCauley (37.00) came 2nd in the M40 class.

Sean Fox (1.01.20) led a team of ten Donore athletes in the popular Ballycotton 10 mile road race (8/3/15) crossing the line in 121st place.

In the Donegal 24 hour Endurance race (7&8/3/15) Garvan Smith finished an excellent 19th.  In this gruelling event competitors had to complete 15km of kayaking, 166km of cycling, 5km of mountain running and 64km of road and trail running. In this years event, the kayaking leg was cancelled due to bad weather and replaced with a further 13km of running.

In the Tymon 5km Parkrun (7/3/15) Kenneth Nugent showed that he is getting back to form by winning in a time of 17.31. In the Business Houses cross country races at ALSAA (7/3/15) Maura Kearns (13.25) ran out a comfortable winner in the women’s two miles race. In the men’s race over 5 miles an improving Patrick Moriarty (30.56) placed 6th.

In the Irish Universities cross country championships at Clongowes (7/3/15) Eric Keogh (NTG) had an eventful race over 5 laps and covering 8km. Keogh held 15th place at the end of lap one and then moved up to 5th – a position he held for the next 3 circuits. A trip and fall on the final lap cost him two places and he was unable to gain in the closing stages, probably feeling the effects of having raced in the national inter-clubs championships just 6 days earlier. Keogh helped his UCD team to silver medals. Heywood Richardson, representing NUI Maynooth, came 69th.

In the All-Ireland schools cross country championships at Clongowes (7/3/15) Sekeriye Ahmed (11.25) and Fathi Aden (11.32) – both Synge Street CBS – placed 7th and 10th respectively in the Junior Boys race over 3.500m. Fathi, under the age qualification rule, has been selected to represent the Irish Schools in the SIAB home international cross country event to take place at Santry Demesne on the 21st of March. Lucy McCann (13.30) representing Scoil Mhuire in Clane placed a very creditable 31st in the Intermediate Girls race over 3.5km.

In the Parkside cross country races at John Paul Park in Cabra (4/3/15) Donore Harriers had a 1, 2, 3 in the Girls race for primary school students. Grace Raftery (St. Brigids) was the winner, with Brooke Fagan (St. Peters) and Sky Synott (D7 Educate Together) coming next.

In the Leinster Juvenile Indoors at Athlone Arena (7&8/3/15) Sean Lawlor recorded wins in the Boys under 19s 60m and 200m with times of 22.02 and 7.00; Jack Rudden-Kelly (8.52) won the Boys 60m Hurdles, whilst Aoife Lynch (26.63) was 2nd in the Girls under 17s 200m and Ailise Keating (8.54) was 3rd in the Girls under 19s over 60m.

A very good week for the Donore Harriers club began with the selection of Mark Dooley to the Irish senior cross country team to compete in the Antrim International on Saturday (14/3/15). Dooley placed 8th in the national senior championship at County Down recently and his fine run has been rewarded with an Irish singlet. Hopefully the first of many!

Results in brief:

European Indoor Track & Field Championships at Prague (6-8/03/15): 1500m Final – 7th John Travers (3.41.50): 3rd in Heat 1 in (3.41.37 – PB) qualified to final

Irish Universities Cross Country Championships at Clongowes, Clane (7/3/15): Men 8km – 7th Eric Keogh (UCD); 69th Heywood Richardson (NUI Maynooth)

Donegal 250km Endurance Race (7&8/3/15): 19th Garvan Smith M40 (21h.30m.08s) = Run 1 (2.50.08 rank 6th), Bike 1 (6.30.11 rank 32nd), Mountain (1.03.29 rank 22nd), Bike 2 (4.46.28 rank 32nd), Run 3 (5.43.56 rank 17th)

Kinvara Rock Half-Marathon (7/3/15): 103rd / 9th female Alma Hanevy (1.37.37)

Tymon 5km Parkrun (7/3/15): 1st Ken Nugent (17.31)

Business Houses AA Cross Country at ALSAA (7/3/15): Women 2 miles – 1st Maura Kearns (13.25); 34th Ann Woodlock F75 (19.19): Men’s 5 miles – 6th Patrick Moriarty M35 (30.56); 36th Ian Redican M40 (34.29); 38thBarry Potts M65 (34.49); 80th Terry Mee M70 (39.14)

Ballycotton 10 Mile (8/3/15): 121st / 27th in M40 Sean Fox (1.01.20); 559th / 67th in M45 Des Gill (1.12.15); 829th/ 8th in M60 Charlie O’Neill (1.16.34); 1027th / 4th in F55 Joan McTernan (1.19.13); 1099th / 19th in F45 Liz McCurtain (1.24.53); 1439th / 16th in F50 Mary Kingston (1.24.53); 1898 / 47th in M55 Tommy Halton (1.31.09); 2078th / 5th in M70 Tony Jenkins (1.33.44); 228th / 50th in F50 Sue Lynch (1.37.39); 2363rd / 12th in M65 Michael Brophy (1.39.27)

Carlingford Half-Marathon (8/3/15): 38th Colin Morrissey (1.28.25); 301st Lee Chambers (1.52.49)

My 1000 Hours 5km (8/3/15): Florence Curley F35 (20.20)

Meath Spring 10km at Bohermeen (8/3/15): 1st Colm O’Connell (34.16); 7th / 2nd in M40 Shane McCauley (37.00)

Meath Spring Half-Marathon at Bohermeen (8/3/15):7th / 1st M40 Ciaran McCarthy (1.13.49); 9th Chris Muldoon (1.14.21); 23rd Will Morris (1.29.24); 28th George Brady (1.19.58); 72nd / 1st in F40 Ann Curley (1.24.34); 84th Niall J. O’Reilly (1.27.05); 102nd Niall P. O’Reilly (1.27.05); 250th / 16th in FS Grace Kennedy (1.38.53); 194th/ 3rd in M55 Tony Griffin (1.35.05); 218th / 21st in M4 Thomas Hickey (1.36.47); 278th / 14th in F40 Nicola Dowdall (1.40.08 PB); 342nd / 3rd in M60 Jim McNamara (1.44.01)

JUVENILE RESULTS in brief:

Parkside Schools Cross Country at Cabra (4/3/15): Girls race: 1st Grace Raftery (St. Brigids); 2nd Brooke Fagan (St. Peters); 3rd Sky Synott (D7 Educate Together): Oliver Hopkins, Noah Synott; Sarah Higgins and Conor Mulcahy also competed

All Ireland Schools Cross Country championships at Clongowes, Clane (7/3/15): Junior Boys 3.5km – 7thSekeriye Ahmed (Synge Street CBS) 11.25; 10th Fathi Aden (Synge Street CBS) 11.32: Intermediate Girls 3.5km – Lucy McCann (Scoil Mhuire) 13.30

Leinster Indoor Track & Field Championships at Athlone Arena (7&8/3/15): Boys u/19s 200m – 1st Sean Lawlor (22.02), 5th Conor Fox (7.93); Boys u/19s 60m – 1st Sean Lawlor (7.00s); Girls u/19s 60m – 3rd Alise Keating (8.54); Girls u/17s 200m – 2nd Aoife Lynch (26.63); Boys u/17s 60mH – 1st Jack Rudden-Kelly (8.50); Girls u/18s 200m – 6th Karen Hughes (27.44)

Juvenile Section Star Profile: Lara O’Byrne

Club News, Juvenile

Lara O’Byrne continues to improve and impress! The 14 years-old St. Joseph’s Secondary School (Lucan) student won 5 gold medals at the recent Dublin Indoor Juvenile championships. The versatile multi-events athlete recorded wins in the High Jump, Shot Putt, 60m Hurdles and Pole Vault, which also incorporated the Leinster championship. Her medal tally was completed with a silver in the Long Jump and a bronze in the under 16s Girls relay.

Lara joined Donore Harriers back in May 2009 when she was encouraged to do so by her close friend Cara Brennan. Cara’s father Liam was a former sprinter with the club who still holds the club record for the 100 metres. Lara’s early athletics exploits were to compete in the 600m and 800m; and she impressed with a 7th place finish at the Dublin Juvenile cross country championships back in 2011.

When the club re-structured its coaching programme in 2011 Lara opted to join a sprints group coached by the aforementioned Liam Brennan and Ray O’Keeffe. Since that period she has been making steady progress and her versatility has allowed her to try different track and field disciplines. She now boasts impressive best performances of 9.90s in the 60m Hurdles, 4.71m in the Long Jump, 1.56m in the High Jump, 8.87m in the Shot Putt and 2.50m in the Pole Vault.

Lara hopes to improve on her 4th place in the recent All Ireland Juvenile Indoor Combined events when she competes in the summer outdoors championships. Her sporting hero is 2012 Olympic Heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill and Lara holds her own aspirations of competing in the 2024 Olympic Games.

When asked: “who is the biggest messer in the club” Lara quickly retorted with a smile: “me”! A very amiable Lara has obviously a great fondness of her club, stating: “everyone is so nice and friendly and the coaches are great”. However, her biggest supporter is her sister Ariane, a Leaving Certificate student, who attends at virtually all of Lara’s competitions.

Away from her studies and athletics Lara likes to go wakeboarding and to listen to her favourite boyband JLS.

Best of luck in the future Lara from your many friends at Donore Harriers!

National Senior Cross Country Championships and Weekend Round-Up

Club News, Juvenile, Results, Senior

With the Dublin clubs dominant the National Inter-Clubs cross country championships at Kilbroney Park in County Down  again proved to be a capital battle! Six laps over a 2 kilometres undulating course in thepanoramic setting between Slieve Martin and the Carlingford Lough was the venue as the first 4 teams in 2014 again locked horns in pursuit of cross country glory. Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrocks AC and Dundrum South Dublin (DSD) came as defending individual and team champions.

Donore Harriers, having ended a 21 year barren spell in the team competition by gaining bronze medals in 2014, were intent on adding to their great legacy in Ireland’s premier cross country competition.

At the end of the first circuit (2km + 150m) Clohisey had opened up a sizeable lead on Sergiu Ciobanu of Clonliffe Harriers. In the team competition Ciobanu was heading a strong Clonliffe team, obviously looking on regaining the crown that they lost in 2014. The Santry based team was leading on 33 points (places 2, 8, 10 & 13) with Raheny Shamrocks 52 (1, 12, 15 & 24) in second and then defending champions DSD 55 (5, 6, 17 & 25). Donore Harriers held 4th place with Lee Van Haeften in 11th position (time 6.42), Mark Dooley in 19th (6.48), Eric Keogh in 21st (6.49), John Dunne in 26th (6.54), Michael McMahon in 28th (6.55) and Caoimhin Kelly in 41st (7.15).

After 4km the colours of Clonliffe were again prominent. They had 4 runners (2, 10, 11 & 12) in the top 12 for a score of 35. Raheny, spearheaded by runaway leader Clohisey, remained in second on 57 (1, 15, 20 & 21). However, the competition for 3rd place intensified as Donore Harriers on 65 points held a narrow lead over DSD on 67 (5, 6, 27 & 29). Lee Van Haeften was still leading the team in 13th place (13.06) with Keogh only a metre back in 14th. Dooley 18th (13.08), McMahon 22nd (13.31) and Dunne 23rd (13.32) were packing well behind.

Clohisey extended his lead by the halfway mark, which he passed in 18.31. Mark Dooley and Eric Keogh (both passed6km in 19.35) in 12th and 13th place led the Donore team. A clearly unwell Van Haeften fell back to 18th (19.52) and retired from the race soon after. Dunne and McMahon continued to run stride for stride and were holding places 19thand 20th (both 19.53). In the team race Clonliffe (2, 8, 9 & 11) on 30 had an unassailable lead. Raheny (1, 14, 16 & 24) on 55, Donore Harriers (12, 13, 18 & 19) on 62 and DSD (5, 6, 27, 31) on 69 continued to battle for the silver and bronze positions.

Donore’s cause was not helped by Van Haeften’s unfortunate retirement. Nor was it helped by Brendan O’Neill of DSD gaining to 3rd place in the latter half of the race. However, despite having 2 athletes in the top 5, the DSD team was struggling with their 3rd and 4th scoring runners holding positions in the 20s, whilst the Donore athletes continued to dig deep and fight for each position. Thus, at the end of lap 4 (8km mark) Clonliffe consolidated their lead on 27 points (2, 7, 8 & 10), Raheny were on 47 (1, 13, 15 & 18), Donore Harriers on 54 (Dooley 9th in 26.03; Keogh 12th in 26.14; Dunne 16th in 26.35 & McMahon 17th in 26.35) and DSD on 64 (4, 5, 25 & 30).

Race leader Clohisey passed the 10km mark in 30.44, 31 seconds clear of Ciobanu with O’Neill gaining to 3rd. Mark Dooley (32.35) maintained 9th, Eric Keogh (32.55) improved a  place to 11th whilst Dunne and McMahon remained in relentless pursuit in 16th and 17th (both 33.15). Clonliffe led on 27 (3, 5. 9 & 10), then came Raheny on 49 (1, 14, 15, 19) with Donore (53) in 3rd and DSD (3, 5, 24 and 30) next on 62.

In the final lap Clohisey (36.53) further increased his lead and ran out a very convincing winner. Ciobanu (37.26) was a good second with the fast finishing O’Neill (37.35) in 3rd place. The Donore Harriers team was led in by Mark Dooley (38.59) who gained a place on the last circuit to finish 8th. Eric Keogh (39.31), a middle-distance specialist, had to dig deep on the final 2km lap to hold 13th after he lost a couple of places during a ‘bad patch’. Michael McMahon (39.47) won out his ultimate duel with John Dunne (39.50) as they crossed the line in 16th and 17th places. Caoimhin Kelly (43.40) was Donore’s non-scoring runner in 52nd position.

The final team score read: 1st. Clonliffe Harriers 27 (2, 6, 9, 10); 2nd Raheny Shamrocks 46 (1, 12, 14, 19); 3rd Donore Harriers 54 (8, 13, 16, 17); 4th DSD AC 59 (3, 5, 22, 29); 5th North Belfast Harriers 101, 6th Liffey Valley AC 141 – 10 teams closed.

This was arguably a better team result that the bronze gained in 2014. John Travers was missing due to the close proximity of the race to the European Indoors next weekend and Lee Van Haeften was forced to abandon mid-race due to illness. Thus, great credit must go to the scoring four. Mark Dooley put behind a disappointing run in the South of England championships a month ago to run his “best every race”. It was fitting that Mark should lead the team home having missed out in the 2014 race due to injury. Eric Keogh, who is gearing towards the 800m and 1500m this summer, showed real grit to place 13th – four places higher than last year. It is hard to imagine that both John Dunne and Michael McMahon took up ‘running’ in 2012 – yes in 2012! John Dunne was again the 4th scoring man as he was last year. He was 25th last year and improved to 17th this year. But what about Michael McMahon! In the 2014 event he placed 45th in what was his second race for the club. In 2015 he placed 16th in Ireland’s senior cross country title race. It shows what can be achieved through dedication and hard work!

This was Donore Harriers 14th team bronze in the history of the competition, adding to an overall tally that includes 23 team gold and 13 team silver. Team member John Dunne said: “we are improving all the time and there is no reason why we can’t win the team competition over the next couple of years”. A positive attitude and a work in progress!

At the Griffeen 5km Parkrun on Saturday morning  George Brady M35 (17.39), who is preparing for the Belfast Marathon in May, recorded a good win. In the early stages he had to contend with the close attention of Michael Gibbs u/18s (18.03). 17 years-old Gibbs again lowered his personal best when finishing in 3rd position. Jack Connolly u/15s (19.58) was competing in his first 5km race and showed the benefits of regular training when he placed 13thoverall. Another to impress was Ciara Murphy (20.05), who was 17th overall and the first female finisher. Ciara also recorded a new PB and continues to improve. Shona Smyth (26.58) placed 108th and is clearly regaining her fitness level.     

Results in brief:

National Senior Cross Country Championships at Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor: 8th Mark Dooley (38.59); 13th Eric Keogh (39.31); 16th Michael McMahon (39.47); 17th .John Dunne (39.50); 52nd Caoimhin Kelly (43.40); Lee Van Haeften DNF (ill); Heywood Richardson DNF (injured)

TEAM: 1st. Clonliffe Harriers 27 (2, 6, 9, 10); 2nd Raheny Shamrocks 46 (1, 12, 14, 19); 3rd Donore Harriers 54 (8, 13, 16, 17); 4th DSD AC 59 (3, 5, 22, 29); 5th North Belfast Harriers 101, 6th Liffey Valley AC 141 – 10 teams

Griffeen 5km Parkrun: 1st George Brady M35 (17.39); 3rd Michael Gibbs u/18s (18.03 PB); 13th Jack Connolly u/15s (19.58 PB); 17th / 1st female Ciara Murphy (20.05 PB); 27th Daniel Brady u/17s (20.56); 108th / 17thShona Smith u/15s (26.58)

Mondello Park 10km: 6th Colm O’Connell (34.02)

Lismullen 10km (1/3/15): 51st / 2nd M60 category Terry Mee M70 (49.33)

LATE RESULT Naas 5km Parkrun (21/2/15): 9th / 2nd female Lucy McCann u/17s (20.10)  

National Senior Indoor Championships and Weekend Round-Up

Club News, Juvenile, Results, Senior

John Travers of Donore Harriers stamped his authority all over the final of 1500m at the National Senior Indoors championships at Athlone Arena on Sunday (22/2/15). Running a fine tactical race Travers ran in the pack during the early stages as first Danny Mooney of Letterkenny and then Eoin Everard of Kilkelly took the pace. Travers (3.49.93) moved to the front just after the halfway mark and raced away to a comfortable win with a blistering final 300 metres covered in 39 seconds. Everard (3.51.90) came second with Joe Warne (3.52.84) of Doheny AC in 3rd.

In a post-race interview John Travers said that he felt: “very much in control” and to gaining: “a lot more experience and strength” prior to the European Indoor Championships to be held at Prague on the 6th to 8th of March. Link:http://youtu.be/EV1uaUagu8o

Junior athlete Cathal O’Brien gave a fine performance when placing 6th in the High Jump with a best mark of 1m.85cm.

In the final Meet & Train league fixture at Cherryfield Park on Saturday (21/2/15) Donore’s Kim Hickey ran out a convincing winner and in the process took the overall individual league title. On a cold and wet morning the other Donore Harriers athletes who competed in a field of 104 finishers were: – 17th Julia Hackett, 20th Aisling Swaine, 29thSian O’Connor, 43rd Caren Crowley, 79th Sue Lynch, and 88th Anne Woodlock.  Donore C also finished the series in 3 place in the Bronze Division.

The 4th and final day of the Dublin Juvenile Indoors championships at Santry on Saturday (21/2/15) saw another successful day for Donore Harriers. Lara O’Byrne made it 4 gold medals in the championships by winning the u/17s Girls 60 metres hurdles. Aoife Lynch (u/17s) added the 60m sprints title to the 200m crown that she won last week. Kolade Abiodun (u/16s) won gold in both the 60 metres and 60m hurdles, adding to his 200m title. The ever consistent Jack Rudden-Kelly made it five wins for Donore Harriers athletes when he recorded a great win in the u/17s Boys 60m hurdles.

Roisin Rynn-Cahill (u/17s) is proving to be a fine prospect at the hurdles event when she took silver in the 60mH event. One of the club’s most dedicated athletes Conor Fox was rewarded with a notable silver medal in the Boys under 19s sprint over 60 metres. Lauren Kennedy also took runner-up spot in the Girls under 17s sprint hurdles.

Suzi O’Farrell and Lauren Flaherty were very competitive when placing 3rd in the Girls u/16s and u/17s sprints, both races having ‘photo’ finishes.

Juvenile Team Manager Leonie Newman stated: “Everyone on the team did so well! And it was great to see so many young athletes competing for the first time. They were all brilliant!”

A special mention must go to Ciaran O’Farrell. He qualified for the final of the under 9s Boys 60m and finished in 4thplace. One to watch!

Elsewhere 17 years old Michael Gibbs was second home in the Operation Transformation 5km race in the Phoenix Park on Saturday (21/2/15). Ciara Murphy (u/17s) ran a brilliant personal best (20.50) when placing as runner-up in the Naas 5km Parkrun (21/2/15), whilst Hannah Barr (u/19s) was first woman home in the Waterstown 5km Parkrun (21/2/15). Hannah’s time of 23.59 was also a PB.

Results in brief:

National Senior Indoors at Athlone Arena (21 & 22/02/15): High Jump 6th Cathal O’Brien JNR (1.85m); 1500m 1st John Travers (3.49.93) and (3.55.05) 1st in qualifying round

St. Anne’s 5km Parkrun (25/2/15): 39th / 4th woman Claire Morrissey F35 (21.37)

Meet & Train League at Cherryfield Park (21/2/15): 1st Kim Hickey; 17th Julia Hackett, 20th Aisling Swaine, 29thSian O’Connor, 43rd Caren Crowley, 79th Sue Lynch, 88th Anne Woodlock

Operation Transformation 5km at Phoenix Park (21/2/15): 2nd Michael Gibbs JNR. Other results not known

Wicklow Hospice 10km at Rathdrum (21/2/15): 5th woman Rhona Duane (44.04)

Wicklow Hospice Half-Marathon at Rathdrum (26/2/15): 6th / 2nd in M40 Alan Farrell (1.24.59); 7th / 2nd M35 Colin Morrissey (1.26.00)

Barnodos/Blossom Ireland 9km at The Curragh 22/2.15): 2nd Ian Redican M40 (37.30)

LATE RESULT St. Anne’s 5km Parkrun (18/2/15): 18th / 2nd woman Aoife Rickard   

Juvenile Results in brief:

Dublin Juvenile Indoor Track & Field Championships Day 4 at Santry (21/2/15)

GOLD (5): u/16s Girls 60mH – Lara O’Byrne: u/17s Girls 60m – Aoife Lynch: u/16s Boys 60m – Kolade Abiodun: u/16s Boys 60mH – Kolade Abiodun: u/17s Boys 60mH – Jack Rudden-Kelly

SILVER (3): u/17s Girls 60mH – Roisin Rynn-Cahill: u/18s Girls 60mH – Lauren Kennedy: u/19s Boys 60m – Conor Fox

BRONZE (3): u/16s Girls 60m – Suzi O’Farrell: u/17s 60m – Lauren Flahery; u/17s Boys 60m – Jack Rudden-Kelly
Naas 5km Parkrun (21/2/15): 13th / 2nd woman Ciara Murphy u/17s (20.50 PB)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (21/2/15): 14th / 1st woman Hannah Barr u/19s (23.59 PB)

Donore Harriers Race Report Weekend February 15th

Club News, Juvenile, Results, Senior

Donore Harriers had a return of 33 medals from the first weekend of the Dublin Indoor Track & Field championships for juvenile athletes (13-15/2/15). It was an action packed weekend with the competition held on Friday evening and Saturday at Santry Stadium and at Tallaght track on Sunday. Multi-event specialist Lara O’Byrne proved to be the star performer with 3 golds (High Jump, Shot Putt & Pole Vault) and a silver (Long Jump) in the under 16s age group. The club’s leading young sprinters struck gold as Aoife Lynch (u/16s), Kolade Abiodun (u/16s) and Sean Lawlor (u/19s) all excelled.

The club’s growing reputation for producing excellent young throwing event athletes was again evident. Ashling Read (Girls u/14s), the aforementioned Lara O’Byrne, Lauren O’Keeffe (Girls u/17s) and Oran O’Brien (Boys u/18s) made it four golds in the Shot Putt.  With the pole vault being introduced to the competition for the first time it was great the see Donore Harriers to the fore as Lara O’Byrne and Albhe Healy (Girls u/18s) vaulted to gold.

Clodagh Read (Girls u/17s) won three individual silver medals in the Long Jump, Shot Putt and Triple Jump. Lucy McCann (5.14.21) had to fend off a strong challenge from her team-mate Eliza NiThighearnaigh (5.14.9) to take silver in an exciting 1500m race.

Special mention must go to some of the club’s emerging young athletes. Rian Carey (u/13s Boys Shot Putt), Sekeriye Ahmed (u/16s Boys 1500m), Martina Hughes (u/18s Girls 200m), Lucy Hurley (u/16s Girls High Jump), Peace Onakoya (u/13s Girls Shot Putt) and Caoimhe Mackey (u/17s Girls Long Jump) were all new to the podium. Carey and Ahmed won silver medals with the remainder taking bronze.

The Donore relay teams were also very competitive with 2 silver and 4 bronze medals.

At the Leinster Schools Cross Country championships at Santry Demesne (11/2/15) Donore athletes Lucy McCann, Fathi Aden and Sekeriye Ahmed all qualified to compete in the national finals due to take place at Clongowes on the 7th of March. McCann (Scoil Mhuire, Clane), competing in the Girls intermediate race, made a careful start and worked her way through to 15th and the final qualifying position. Ciara Murphy (also Scoil Mhuire), who is relatively new to the sport, gave more indication of her emerging talent when placing 23rd.

Fathi Aden and Sekeriye Ahmed (both Synge Street) worked their way through to 6th and 8th in the Junior Boys race. Both lost ground in the melee at the start and will hopefully gain from the experience.

Niamh O’Neill (Castleknock CC) put in a big challenge on the first lap to hold 7th place, but she lost ground on lap 2 and fell back to 23rd in the Senior Girls race over 2.5km. A very strong field in Senior Boys made it tough going for Sam Gallager (Lucan CBS) and Stephen Gavin (Salesians). They eventually had to settle for 20th and 26th placings. Gabhan O’Tighearnaigh (CUS) came 80th, but was stepping-up an age group.

On a quiet weekend for the senior athletes the exploits of Garvan Smith (16th in 3.35.59) and Sean Fox (17th in 3.38.28) took centre stage. Both competed in the Donadea 50km road race on Saturday (14/2/15). Over the 10 laps course the two men ran side by side until the penultimate lap. Fox ‘hit the wall’ somewhere between 40km and 45 km, but made a good recover on the final lap and actually gained on his teammate over the final 5km circuit.

Elsewhere there were encouraging results for two athletes recovering from long-term injury. Dervila Holmes (11.56) placed 2nd in the Business Houses Garda Boat Club women’s race over 2 miles in the Phoenix Park on Saturday (14/2/15), whilst Sinead Lambe (19.30) was 12th overall and the first woman home in the St. Anne’s 5km Parkun (14/2/15).

 

Results in brief:

BHAA North Farmers XC at Balheary Park, Swords (7/2/15): Men’s 5 mile = 40th Ian Redican M40 (31.05); 126th Tommy Halton M55 (39.54)

Donadea RC 50km (14/2/15): 16th Garvan Smith M40 (3.35.59) 5km splits 21:58: 20:49: 20:50: 21:02: 20:58: 20:59: 21:15: 21:12: 22:24: 24:32; 17th Sean Fox M35 (3.38.28) 5km splits 21:58: 20:50: 20:50: 21:04: 20:57: 20:59: 21:15: 21:12: 25:14: 24:10

St. Anne’s 5km Parkrun (14/2/15): 12th / 1st woman Sinead Lambe (19.30)

BHAA Garda Boat Club XC at Phoenix Park (14/2/15): Women’s 2 mile race = 2nd Dervila Holmes F35  (11.56); 82nd Ann Woodlock F75 (18.06)

Men’s 4 miles = 9th Henry English M35 (22.41); 111th Desmond Gill M45 (28.44); 166th Terry Mee M70 (31.36); 186th Joseph Maguire M75 (33.34)

 

Juvenile results

Leinster Schools Cross Country championships at Santry Demesne (11/2/15): – Intermediate Girls:Intermediate Girls = 15th Lucy McCann (Scoil Mhuire Clane); 23rd Ciara Murphy (Scoil Mhuire Clane); 33rd Claire O’Connor (St. Louis): Senior Girls = 23rd Niamh O’Neill (Castleknock CC): Junior Boys = 6th Fathi Aden (Synge Street CBS); 8th Sekeriye Ahmed (Synge Street CBS); 94th Jack Raftery (Castleknock CC): Senior Boys = 20th Sam Gallagher (CBS Lucan); 26th Stephen Gavin (Salesian College); 80th Gabhan O’Tighearnaigh <stepping up> (CUS)

Lucy McCann, Fathi Aden & Sekeriye Ahmed qualify for Irish Schools cross country finals to be held at Clongowes in Clane on the 7th of March 2015.

Dublin Indoor T&F championships at Santry Stadium (13/2/15):

Gold (12): u/14s Girls Shot Putt – Ashling Read: u/16s Girls 200m – Aoife Lynch: u/16s Girls – High Jump – Lara O’Byrne: u/16s Girls Shot Putt – Lara O’Byrne: u/16s Girls Pole Vault – Lara O’Byrne: u/17s Girls Shot Putt – Lauren O’Keeffe: u/18s Girls Triple Jump – Karen Hughes: u/18s Girls Pole Vault – Albhe Healy: u/16s Boys 200m – Kolade Abiodun; u/17s Boys High Jump – Gabhan O’Tighearnaigh; u/18s Boys Shot Putt – Oran O’Brien: u/19s Boys 200m – Sean Lawlor

Silver (10): u/16s Girls Long Jump – Lara O’Byrne: u/17s Girls 1500m – Lucy McCann (5.14.21): u/17s Girls Long Jump – Clodagh Read: u/17s Girls Shot Putt – Clodagh Read: u/17s Girls Triple Jump – Clodagh Read: u/18s Girls 200m – Karen Hughes: u/13s Boys Shot Putt – Rian Carey: u/16s Boys 1500m – Sekeriye Ahmed (4.41.73): under 17s Girls relay: under 17s Boys relay

Bronze (11): u/13s Girls Shot Putt – Peace Onakoya: u/16s Girls High Jump – Lucy Hurley: u/16s Girls Shot Putt – Martina Hughes: u/17s Girls Long Jump – Caoimhe Mackey: u/17s Girls 1500m – Eliza NiThighearnaigh (5.14.90): u/12s Boys 600m – Sean Kinsella: under 16s Girls relay: under 18s Girls relay:  under 16s Boys relay: under 17s Boys relay: under 19s Boys relay
Under 18 Oran o brien 1st in shot putt
Under 19 Sean lawlor 1st 200
Relays
Under 16 girls 4×200 3rd
Under 17 girls 4x2002nd
Under 18 girls 4x2003rd
Under 16 boys 4x2003rd
Under 17 boys 4x2002nd
Under 19boys 4×200 3rdUnder 17 gabhan ni thighearnaigh 1st high jump
Under 18 Oran o brien 1st in shot putt
Under 19 Sean lawlor 1st 200
Relays
Under 16 girls 4×200 3rd
Under 17 girls 4x2002nd
Under 18 girls 4x2003rd
Under 16 boys 4x2003rd
Under 17 boys 4x2002nd
Under 19boys 4×200 3rd
Under 17 gabhan ni thighearnaigh 1st high jump
Under 18 Oran o brien 1st in shot putt
Under 19 Sean lawlor 1st 200
Relays
Under 16 girls 4×200 3rd
Under 17 girls 4x2002nd
Under 18 girls 4x2003rd
Under 16 boys 4x2003rd
Under 17 boys 4x2002nd
Under 19boys 4×200 3rd

Medal Haul at National Masters and Weekend Round Up

Juvenile, Results, Senior

Another great day for the Donore Harriers club, this time at the National Masters and Intermediate Cross-Country championships at Tuam in Galway (8/2/15).  The men’s team took the national masters title for the first time since 1986, whilst the women’s team won a hard earned set of bronze medals. To cap a very good day for the Chapelizod based club there was also a team gold for the over 65s men’s team.

The Dublin masters champion John Dunne (23.49) led the charge in the men’s race and was always to the fore in a race containing many former senior champions and Irish senior internationals. Dunne crossed the finish line in 3rd position and in the process won the M35 age category. Next Donore man home was the ever consistent Ciaran McCarthy (24.58) in 22nd position. Great credit must be given to the 3rd and 4th scoring members of the team. Niall Lynch (25.20) ran a little below his normal standard when placing 33rd. However, it was a very noteworthy effort given that he was still recovering from an illness. Chris Muldoon (25.27) put a disappointed run in the Dublin championship behind him to place 35th overall and guarantee the team title for Donore Harriers.

Henry English (25.55), who is more in favour over a shorter distance, provided good cover behind the scoring quartet when placing 47th. Des Gill (32.46), an M45 athlete, put in a fine effort following a recent injury to place 204th.

The masters’ race, held over 7 kilometres, was won by defending champion Declan Reed (23.15) of City of Derry AC.

The team score saw Donore Harriers as clear winners on 93 points, with North Belfast Harriers second on 115 and Letterkenny AC in third on 131. John Dunne and Ciaran McCarthy were scoring members of the Dublin county team that won gold in the inter-county category.

The Donore Harriers women’s team placed an excellent 3rd in the Masters race over 4km. The cold, foggy conditions and soft underground conditions made the 3 laps race a tough assignment for the 140 starters. Kim Hickey (16.36) ran a stormer and led the team home in 14th place. Anne Curley (16.40) had a slightly disappointing run when placing 16th. Feeling the effects of having raced the Dungarvan10 mile road race a week earlier Curley gave a typical gutsy performance that was vital to the overall team score. In 36th and making a welcome return to cross-country after spending several years in London was Galway native Claire Morrissey (17.22). Eva Campion (19.02) had a fine run to finish mid-pack in 78th and earned her first championship medal as the fourth and final scorer. Kim Hickey won a silver medal in the inter-county competition representing her native Cork.

Local club Galway City Harriers (80) won the team competition, with Finn Valley AC (91) in second and Donore Harriers (145) in third. A team medal in the National Masters has always eluded the Donore ladies so this was a great achievement especially with 19 teams competing.

Terry Mee, Jim McNamara and Joseph Maguire played their part in making it a great day for Donore Harriers on the Palace Grounds in Tuam. Their combined efforts brought more team glory as they won the Masters M65 plus category on 36 points. Mee (19.09) placed 8th overall and got individual silver in the M70 class. McNamara (19.45) and Maguire (21.24) placed 11th and 17th respectively and won the gold and bronze medals in the M75 age group.

Liam Brady (Tullamore Harriers) was always to the fore in a keenly contested National Intermediate cross-country championship race over 8km. Brady, who represented Ireland at the European cross country championship before Christmas, made his strength pay as he ran out a clear winner in 26.31. The Donore Harriers challenge was led home by Eric Keogh (27.35) in 9th with Michael McMahon (27.49) just two places further back. The scoring quartet was completed by Emmet O’Briain (30.28) in 47th place and the ever improving Paul Pio O’Callaghan (30.53) in 49th.   A much depleted Donore team (116) had to settle for 4th place, just 6 points behind 3rd placed Crusaders AC (110).

Keogh and McMahon won gold medals in the inter-country category representing Dublin.

At the Irish Universities Indoor Track & Field championships at Athlone Arena (6/2/15) on Friday Eric Keogh, representing UCD, placed second in the final of the 3000m in a time of 8.46.42.  Heywood Richardson (9.31.86) placed 14th in the colours of NUIM. Killian O’Hora (2.15.41), representing Blanchardstown IT, was 5th in the 3rdsemi-final of the 800m.

In the third Meet & Train league race in Swords (8/2/15) on Sunday eight Donore athletes braved the chill of a cold and misty morning. Julia Hackett (13.40) showed great form coming in 8th place. She was followed by Lee Chambers in 11th, Caren Crowley 22nd, Angela O’Dea 33rd, Eilish Joyce 48th, Teresa Brophy 50th, Sue Lynch 63rd and Anne Woodlock 67th. This was the third of 4 races in the Winter League series, with the final race taking place in Cherryfield Park on the 22nd of February.

There were 5km Parkrun series wins for George Brady (17.39) at Griffeen in Lucan and newcomer Gavin Byrne (19.02) at Waterstown, Palmerston.

Results in brief:

National Masters & Intermediate Cross Country championships at Tuam (8/2/15):

Master Men 7km: 3rd overall / 1st M35 John Dunne (23.49); 22nd / 6th M40 Ciaran McCarthy (24.58); 33rd / 12thM40 Niall Lynch (25.20); 35th / 16th M35 Christopher Muldoon (25.27); 47th / 22nd M35 Henry English (25.55); 204th / 29th M45 Des Gill (32.46)

TEAM: 1st Donore Harriers <Dunne, McCarthy, Lynch, Muldoon> 93; 2nd North Belfast Harriers 115; 3rdLetterkenny AC 131. 27 teams closed.

Dunne & McCarthy on winning Dublin team in the inter-county competition.

Master Women 4km: 14th overall / 4th F35 Kim Hickey (16.36); 16th /6th F40 Anne Curley (16.40); 36th / 14thF35 Claire Morrissey (17.22); 78th / 22nd F35 Eva Campion (19.02)

TEAM: 1st Galway City Harriers 80; 2nd Finn Valley AC 91; 3rd Donore Harriers <Hickey, Curley, Morrissey, Campion> 145. 19 teams closed.

Kim Hickey took bronze in the inter-county competition representing her native Cork.

Masters Men over 65 4km: 8th / 2nd M70 Terry Mee (19.09); 11th / 1st M75 Jim McNamara (19.45); 17th / 3rdM75 Joseph Maguire (21.24)

TEAM: 1st Donore Harriers <Mee, McNamara, Maguire> 36.

Intermediate Men 8km: 9th Eric Keogh (27.35); 11th Michael McMahon (27.49); 47th Emmet O’Briain (30.28); 49th Paul Pio O’Callaghan (30.53)

Keogh & McMahon on winning Dublin team in the inter-county championship.

TEAM: 1st Leevale AC 57; 4th Donore Harriers 116. 10 teams closed.

Irish Universities Track & Field championships at Athlone Arena (6/2/15): 300m Final – 2nd Eric Keogh (UCD) 8.46.42; 14th Heywood Richardson (NUIM) 9.31.86. 800m Semi-Final 3 – 5th Killian O’Hora (Blanchardstown IT) 2.15.41

Meet & Train Winter League Round 3 at Swords (8/2/15): 8th Julia Hackett (13.40); 11th Lee Chambers; 22ndCaren Crowley; 33rd Angela O’Dea; 48th Eilish Joyce; 50th Teresa Brophy; 63rd Sue Lynch; 67th Anne Woodlock

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (7/2/15): 1st George Brady M35 (17.39)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (7/2/15): 1st Gavin Byrne (19.02)

Marlay 5km Parkrun (7/2/15): 8th Patrick Moriarty M35 (17.29)

Juvenile result

Naas 5km Parkrun (7/2/15): 8th /3rd woman Lucy McCann u/17s (20.12)