All posts by Medbh Peavoy

Jingle Bells 2014

December 7, 2014Club News, ResultsMedbh Peavoy

It was another perfect day for this years Jingle Bells race. Over 900 runners and walkers took to the road for this years race with strong and competitive male and female fields.

A big pack took the lead from the off which included John Travers, Conor Bradley (City of Derry AC) and John Coghlan (MSB). Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrocks) took the early lead, setting the pace for the lead group. With 2K to go, John Travers made his move to lead the group home, crossing the line in 14.06 for a new course record.

John	Travers	MS	Donore Harriers	14:06
Conor	Bradley	MS	City of Derry Ac	14:20
Mick	Clohisey	MS	Raheny Shamrocks	14:26
Brandon	Hargreaves	MS		14:39
John	Coghlan	MS	MSB	14:51
Sean	Hehir	MS	Rathfarnham	14:59
Danny	Mooney	MS	Letterkenny AC	15:11
Brian	Maher	M35	KCH	15:21
Alan	McCormack	MS		15:30
William	Hughes	MS	Thurles Crokes AC	15:32

There was an equally strong field in the ladies race where Mary Cullen made her return following a long injury layoff, Ciara Mageen (UCD), Maria McCambridge (DSD) who has recovered well from her fantastic run in the Dublin marathon and Catherina McKiernan.

Mary Cullen led from the outset, setting a fast early pace tracked by Ciara Mageen, upping the pace from the second kilometre, Mary held strong to come home in first place with Ciara 10 seconds behind.

Mary	Cullen	FS	North Sligo AC	15:38
Ciara	Mageean	FO	UCD	15:48
Maria	McCambridge	F35	DSD	16:19
Ciara	Durkan	FS	Skerries AC	16:34
Kerry	O’Flaherty	FS	Newcastle AC	16:36
Catriona	Mc Kiernan	F45		16:58
Michelle	McGee	FS	DSD	17:04
Maria	O’Sullivan	FS	Raheny Shamrocks	17:07
Paula	Grant	F40	Portlaoise AC	17:42
Sharon	Grant	FS	Portlaoise AC	17:42

You can download a full set of results HERE

Dublin Juvenile Cross Country League

December 2, 2014Club News, Juvenile, ResultsMedbh Peavoy

Suzanne Masterson of Donore Harriers finished as individual winner of the Girls under 16s category in the Dublin Juvenile cross-country league (Fixture 4) at Tymon Park on Sunday. Having placed 4^th, 3^rd and 2^nd respectively in the first three matches Suzanne ran out an impressive winner of the final race (2km) in the series. The Loreto Stephen’s Green student has had a fine first season over the country and now plans to prepare for the steeplechase ahead of next year’s track and field season.

Eliza NiThighearnaigh placed 3^rd in the same race, a result that earned her the league silver medal. Lucy McCann, who led the points table after the opening 3 races, was unable to compete on Sunday due to a recent appendix operation.

There were also individual silver medals for Grace Raftery in the Girls under 10s and Michael Gibbs in the Boys under 17s. Grace made a conservative start to her 700m race, but a strong finish got her up to 3^rd at the finish line. A race series of 5^th, 6^th and two 3^rd places was good enough for Grace to secure 2^nd overall in the 4 race series. Michael Gibbs, another first season athlete, came 5^th in a competitive Boys under 17s race over 4km. Excellent earlier results (2^nd; 3^rd and 3^rd) ensured that Michael gain the league’s runner-up position behind Mustafa Nasir of Tallaght AC.

In the Boy’s under 14s race over 1500m Fathi Aden, the recently crowned national cross-country champion in the age group, held off the close attention of gallant Pearse Christie of Brothers Pearse AC for his third win in the series. Having missed the first fixture Fathi was unable to contend for a top 3 overall placing.

Jack Raftery placed 3^rd in the same race. This was Jack’s best result to date and indicates his fine potential as an athlete. An ever-improving Jack Connolly placed 11^th despite some cramp pains and his steady progress in races bodes well for the future.

Sekeriye Ahmed came a tremendous 2^nd in the Boys under 15s category over 2km. Sekeriye is proving to be a very fine athlete and another to look out for in the future.

The other Donore Harriers juveniles who competed on Sunday were: – Robert Lynch (18^th), making a very promising debut, in the Boys under 10s (700m); Sean Kinsella (8^th), coming back to form after a recent injury, in the Boys under 11s (1km); Ellie Raftery (20^th), giving a wholehearted effort, in the Girls under 13s (1.5km); Roisin Brady (11^th), with her best result to date, in the Girls under 14s (1.5km); and Daniel Brady (7^th), who faded slightly after an excellent start, in the Boys under 16s (2km).

Next Sunday sees Fathi Aden (stepping-up) and Sekeriye Ahmed in the u/15s and Michael Gibbs represent Dublin in the national uneven age groups cross country championships at Santry Demesne.

Results in brief: –

Dublin Juvenile XC League Fixture 4 at Tymon Park (30/11/14)

u/10s Girls (700m): 3^rd Grace Raftery (second overall in league)

u/10s Boys (700m): 18^th Robert Lynch (debut)

u/11s Boys (1km); 8^th Sean Kinsella

u/13s Girls (1.5km): 20^th Ellie Raftery

u/14s Girls (1.5km): 11st Roisin Brady

u/14s Boys (1.5km): 1^st Fathi Aden; 3^rd Jack Raftery; 11^th Jack Connolly

u/15s Boys (2km): 2^nd Sekeriye Ahmed

u/16s Girls (2km): 1^st Suzanne Masterson (first overall in league); 3^rd Eliza NiThighearnaigh (second overall in league)

u/16s Boys (2km): 7^th Daniel Brady

u/17s Boys (4km): 5^th Michael Gibbs (second overall in league)

Dublin Intermediate Cross Country Championship

December 2, 2014Club News, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

John Dunne (27.42) had an excellent runaway win in the Dublin Intermediate cross country championship (8km) at Tymon Park on Sunday (30/11/14). Dunne was always in command and led the race from gun to tape. In the process he spearheaded the Donore Harriers team to silver medals in the team race.

Second home for the team was Andy Kinane (28.46) in 7^th place. Kinane made a steady start and put in a big effort in the latter 2 of 4 laps to gain ten places. In the process he caught team-mate Ciaran McCarthy (8^th in 28.47) close to the finish line. Garvan Smith (29.34) closed the scoring four in 18^th spot. Despite being caught for two places on the run-in to the line this was an impressive performance from Smith, who is still relatively new to the sport.

The non-scoring members of the team were Paul O’Callaghan (30.42) in 29^th and Sean Fox, making his cross country debut, in 30^th.

With four runners in the top ten Raheny Shamrocks AC won the team event on 24 points, ten clear of Donore Harriers, with local rivals Liffey Valley AC (42) in third.

Triathlon competitor Kim Hickey (20.39) led the Donore Harriers women’s team in the 5km race. Hickey challenged for a top three placing in the early stages of the race, but faded slightly in the latter half of the race to place 8^th at the finish line. Next home was Rhona Duane (21.46) in 21^st, just one place and two seconds ahead of Emer Rattigan. Caren Crowley (23.34) closed the team in 45^th spot.

A very strong Dublin City Harriers team (17) were decisive winners of the women’s team category with Donore Harriers (96) back in sixth place.

Donore Harriers had a notable one-two at the St. Anne’s Parkrun 5km race on Saturday. Michael McMahon and Aogon MacDomhnaill both recorded 16 minutes and 21 seconds, getting in a good workout run before next Sunday’s national novice cross country championships at Santry Demesne.

Results in brief: –

Dublin Intermediate Cross Country Championships at Tymon Park

Women 5km: 8^th Kim Hickey (20.39); 21^st Rhone Duane (21.46); 22^nd Emer Rattigan (21.48); 45^th Caren Crowley (23.34)

Team: 1^st Dublin City Harriers 17 points; 6^th Donore Harriers 96

Men 8km: 1^st John Dunne (27.42); 7^th Andy Kinane (28.46); 8^th Ciaran McCarthy (28.47); 18^th Garvan Smith (29.34); 28^th Paul O’Callaghan (30.42); 29^th Sean Fox (30.43)

Team: 1^st Raheny Shamrocks AC (24); 2^nd Donore Harriers <Dunne, Kinane, McCarthy, Smith> (34); 3^rd Liffey Valley AC (42)

Tymon Parkrun 5km: 22^nd / 2^nd woman Samantha Conroy W35 (20.32); 34^th Frank McNally M50 (21.37)

St. Anne’s Parkrun 5km: 1^st Michael McMahon (16.21); 2^nd Aogan MacDomhnaill (16.21)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km: 2^nd George Brady M35 (17.50); 30^th Charlie O’Neill M60 (22.22)

Even Age Cross Country Championships and Weekend Round Up

November 27, 2014Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Donore Harriers has a new national champion in the shape of 13 years old sensation Fathi Aden. Born in Somalia and a student at Synge Street School young Fathi ran a tactically brilliant race at the National Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships at Dundalk IT on Sunday (23/11/14). Tracking a lead group of about 12 athletes through the opening kilometre lap in the Boys under 14s race ensured that he was always in contention. As the race continued through the second longer 2 kilometres lap the lead group reduced in numbers. There were 5 in contention as the race hit the short steep incline with 600 metres to go. Cormac O’Rourke of Lagan Valley AC was having a great run. Jake Bagge, the Munster champion and one of the pre-race favourites was also in contention – as was Tony McCambridge of North Belfast Harriers. The Donore star was 5^th, but only a couple of metres back. As the race reached a short incline at the top of the bend for the last time young Fathi made the winning move and raced away from his pursuers over the final 250 metres. At the finish banner he had 20 metres to spare over O’Rourke with Bagge a couple of metres further back.

This was only Fathi Aden’s fifth competitive race and he is already Dublin and National champion. Gerry Naughton, his coach, gave the opinion that: “Fathi Aden is probably the most naturally gifted young distance runner in Ireland today. He also listens and executes race tactics to perfection. A mark of a great champion in the making…”

Fathi’s win was crucial to the Dublin team (144) in the county championship as they had just 6 points to spare over second-placed Cork (150). Mayo (204) came third.

There was also a county team medal for Suzanne Masterson in the Girls under 16s race over 4km. Suzanne, also in her first season, was a scoring member of the Dublin team (107) that won gold medals ahead of Wicklow (131) and Cork (215). She was lying in 28^th place at the end of the first of the 2 kilometres circuit, but faded in the latter stages to cross the line in 36^th position. Eliza NiThighearnaigh placed a disappointing 71^st in the same race, obviously not comfortable with the soft, muddy ground conditions.

Sekeriye Ahmed stepped-up an age group to compete in the Boys under 16s race over 4km. He ran the race to gain experience and placed a creditable 80^th.

Results in brief:

National Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships at Dundalk IT (23/11/14)

Boys u/14s 3000m: 1^st Fathi Aden (gold medal on winning Dublin county team)

Girls u/16s 4000m: 36^th Suzanne Masterson (gold medal on winning Dublin county team); 71^st Eliza NiThighearnaigh

Boys u/16s 4000m: 80^th Sekeriye Ahmed

In the senior races, Barbara Cleary was 15th in the women’s race and Caoimhin Kelly who was 12th in the U23 race and Darren Hand in men’s race. Great runs in Nottingham at the British and Irish masters, Jim McNamara was 2nd M75 and many team medals- well done Ann Woodlock 6th W70 , Anne Curley 14th W40 , John Dunne 7th M35 , Niall Lynch 8th M40, Joe Maguire 7th M75, Terry Mee 10th M70 and Barry Potts 8th M65.

Martina 1st lady in Waterston Parkrun and Sam 1st lady in Tymon Parkrun, well done Rhona (41:20) for 3rd in Off the Laois 10k and George Brady was 4th in the Half marathon with 1:20:28.

Nine Donore Athletes to Compete at British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships and Weekend Round Up

November 17, 2014Club News, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Donore Harriers star runner John Travers helped Athlone IT to second place in the Universities Road Relay championships at Maynooth on Saturday. John ran the middle leg in a 1, 2, 3, 2, 1 miles race that attracts some of the best athletes in the country. His time of 13.50.00 was second fastest of the day and ensured his team consolidated second position behind team winners DCU. Heywood Richardson (5.09 & 11.09) helped the host team NUI Maynooth to 16^th fastest team from a field of 25 by running in the 1^st and 4^th legs.

In the Meet & Train Cross Country League fixture at Cow Park in Dunboyne on Sunday the Donore Harriers women’s team were well represented. Kim Hickey led a team of 13 in 2^nd place. The other finishers in a demanding mud laden course were: – 21^st Mary Melvin; 34^th Karen Crowley; 35^th Sian O’Connor; 47^th Lee Chambers; 49^th Mary Murphy; 55^th Meadbh Campbell; 60^th Mary Kingston; 75^th Teresa Brophy; 76^th Angela O’Dea; 84^th Eilish Joyce; 107^th Michelle Dawson; 113^th Sue Lynch. There were 120 finishers.

Other results: –

Microgaming Manx League, Peel, Isle of Man 6 miles

2^nd Mark Dooley (32.36)

Morun 10km at Phoenix Park

1^st Gavin Keogh (33.54); 16^th Andrew Cusack (39.57); 26^th Ruairi Short (41.42)

Marley Parkrun 5km: 1^st Barbara Cleary W40 (16.54); 2^nd Will Morris M35 (17.11)

Malahide Parkrun 5km: 18^th David Wogan M50 (21.34)

Tymon Parkrun 5km: 11^th / 1^st woman Samantha Conroy W35 (21.06); 12^th Frank McNally M50 (21.27)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km: 2^nd George Brady M35 (17.44)

Next Saturday sees 9 Donore Harriers athletes represent Ireland in the British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships at Nottingham. Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill competes in the Womens W35 category whilst Anne Curley and Ann Woodlock compete in the W40 and W70 races respectively. John Dunne M35; Niall Lynch M40; Barry Potts M65; Terry Mee M70; Jim McNamara and Joseph Maguire in the M75 class make this a proud and special event for the club.

On Sunday a number of Donore athletes will compete in the National Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships at Dundalk IT. Those to watch out for include John Travers representing Dublin in the Senior Men, Barbara Clearly in the colours of Clare in the Women’s race and Caoimhin Kelly running for Monaghan in the u/23s category. This championship acts as a trial in the selection process for the forthcoming European Cross Country championships which takes place in Bulgaria on the 14^th of December.

Good luck to all!

All Ireland Schools Combined Events Championships

November 17, 2014Club News, Juvenile, ResultsMedbh Peavoy

Donore athlete Rolus Olosu won a magnificent silver medal in the All Ireland Schools Combined Events championships at the Athlone Indoor Arena on Saturday. Representing Kings Hospital School Rolus recorded the following figures: – Hurdles 8.77s; Shot Putt10.93m; Long Jump 5.71m; 200m 23.40s and 800m in 2.16.97. His final points tally of 3085 saw him well clear of the 3^rd placed athlete but more than 150 points behind winner Matthew Behan of C.U.S.

Two other Donore Harriers athletes also competed in this event with distinction. Roisin Rynn-Cahill, representing St. Joseph’s School in Lucan, recorded the following marks: – Hurdles 10.01s; Shot Pull 7.25m; Long Jump 4.53m; High Jump 1.45m and 800m 2.38.98s. Her tally of 2648 points was good enough for 7^th place in the Intermediate Girls. Alex Clarkin represented Castleknock Community College in the Junior Boys. He placed 6^th on a tally of 2745 points. His figures were: – Hurdles 8.89m; Shot Putt 11.45m; Long Jump 5.26m; 200m 24.90s and 800m 2.25.75s. Alex and Roisin recorded 4 personal best marks each.

A number of Donore Harriers juvenile athletes competed in the Parkrun 5 kilometre series on Saturday morning. 13 years old Jack Raftery <photo> ran his best race to date when placing 5^th in the Griffeen Park event in a splendid personal best time of 18.57. Lucy McCann (20.09) narrowly beat her previous best time to place 12^th overall and was the first female finisher. Meanwhile in the Waterstown Parkrun all 4 athletes from the Fit4Youth development squad achieved personal best times with Kate Lynch (32.53) impressing in 45^th position.

This coming weekend sees four Donore Harriers selected to represent Dublin in the National Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships at Dundalk IT. Fathi Aden competes in the Boys u/14s race over 3000m, whilst Lucy McCann, Suzanne Masterson and Eliza NiThighearnaigh will line out in the Girls u/16s race over 4.000m.

Juvenile results in brief: –

All Ireland Schools Combined Events Championships at Athlone IT (15/11/14):

Senior Boys – Rolus Olosu

Hurdles	Shot Putt	Long J	200m	800m	Total	Position
8.77s	10.93m	5.71m	23.40s	2.16.97	3085 points	2^nd

Intermediate Girls – Roisin Rynn-Cahill

Hurdles	Shot Putt	Long J	High J	800m	Total	Position
10.01s	7.25m	4.53m	1.45m	2.38.98	2648 points	7^th

Junior Boys – Alex Clarkin

Hurdles	Shot Putt	Long J	200m	800m	Total	Position
8.89s	11.45m	5.26m	24.90s	2.25.75	2745 points	6^th

Griffeen Parkrun 5km: 5^th Jack Raftery u/14 (18.57) PB; 12^th / 1^st female Lucy McCann u/16 (20.09) PB; 88^th Shona Smith u/15 (28.16); 74^th Grace Raftery u/11 (26.40); 100^th Ellie Raftery u/13 (28.16)

Waterstown Parkrun 5km: 45^th Kate Lynch u/16 (32.53) PB; 53^rd Ben Halpin u/16 (34.42) PB; 54^thShannon Verden-Byrne u/14 (34.53) PB; 56^th Robyn Strickland u/11 (35.08) PB

Leinster Intermediate Cross Country Championship and Weekend Round Up

November 10, 2014Club News, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Donore Harriers men’s team had to settle for 3^rd place in the Leinster Intermediate Cross Country championship at Adamstown in County Wexford on Sunday in what proved to be a keenly contested race.

Niall Lynch (27.35), fresh from his win in the Leinster Novice race last month, was edged out of an individual medal position when he placed 4^th – just two seconds behind both the second and third placed runners – respectively Stephen Hunter (27.33) of St. Michaels AC and James McAssey (27.33) of St. Laurence O’Toole AC. The relatively flat course over a distance of 8km, in rained soaked conditions, would not have suited Niall’s preference for a hilly terrain.

Colm O’Connell (27.43) continues to improve following his transfer from Raheny Shamrocks AC, placing an encouraging 6^th position. Graham Hopkins (28.14) gave a fine display of running, having obviously recovered from his Dublin Marathon exploits, to edge into the top 10 in the field.

The scoring 4 was completed by Henry English (29.30) in 33^rd position. Liffey Valley AC (44) were team winners with Sli Cualann AC (51) second and Donore Harriers (53) in third.

The individual winner was Henry Lupton (26.19) of Portlaoise AC.

Four other Donore Harriers athletes competed, including Paul ‘Padre Pio’ O’Callaghan (29.41) who placed 37^th and showing good promise for the future. The others were: – Will Morris (29.36) in 35^th; Darren Hughes (31.10) in 51^st and Niall P. O’Reilly (33.41) in 77^th.

Results in brief: –

4^th Niall Lynch M40 (27.35); 6^th Colm O’Connell (27.43); 10^th Graham Hopkins M35 (28.14); 33^rd Henry English M35 (29.30); 35^th Will Morris M35 (29.36); 37^th Paul O’Callaghan (29.41); 51^st Darren Hughes (31.10); 77^th Niall P. O’Reilly (33.41)

Team: 1^st Liffey Valley AC (44); 2^nd Sli Cualann AC (51); 3^rd Donore Harriers <Lynch; O’Connell; Hopkins; English> (53); 4^th Sliabh Buidhe Rovers (88); 5^th Tullamore Harriers (116)

Other results: –

BHAA Bank of Ireland XC at ALSAA (8/11/14) Women 2 miles: –

4^th Maura Kearns (12.37); 16^th Rhona Duane W35 (13.49)

BHAA Bank of Ireland XC at ALSAA (8/11/14) Men 4 miles: –

14^th Emmet O’Briain M35 (23.00); 61^st Tom Fagan M45 (26.28); 68^th Joe Murphy (26.49); 69^th Peter Nugent M45 (26.51); 96^th Eoin George (28.51); 126^th Des Gill M45 (32.46); 130^th Joseph Maguire M75 (33.54)

Malahide Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 1^st Stephen Gavin JNR (17.45)

Waterstown Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 29^th Andrew Maguire M45 (29.05)

Tymon Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 11^th / 2^nd woman Samantha Conroy W35 (22.02)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 43^rd David Hudson M55 (24.13); 49^th Joan McTernan W55 (24.47)

Dublin Senior Cross Country Championships

November 4, 2014Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Strong running by Barbara Cleary and Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill laid the foundations for an excellent silver medal performance from the Donore Harriers women’s team at the Dublin Senior cross country championships at Santry Demense on Sunday. On a bright and calm day the 6km and 4 lap course proved a testing course as the Donore Harriers team threw the gauntlet down to team favourites Crusaders AC. A magnificent effort fell only 7 points short of overall team glory.

Barbara (17.49), the current Women’s Mini-Marathon champion, mixed it at the front early on and found herself adrift in third place at the halfway stage. However, she eventually had to settle for fourth position behind Ciara Durkan (17.26) of Skerries AC, Orla Drumm (17.32) of Crusaders and Sarah Mulligan (17.32) of DSD. Aislinn (18.54) showed the determined form that recently won her the Dublin Novice championship to come home in an excellent 8^th position. The team silver was secured thanks to the ever consistent Ann Curley (19.20) who placed 12^th and Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (20.02) who the fourth scorer in 19^th spot.

A fine run from Grace Kennedy (20.19) in 23^rd position ensured good cover in the quest for team glory.

The men’s race over a 6 lap course (10km) proved to be a disappointing fare for the Donore Harriers team. Missing Van Haeften, Hynes and Eric Keogh from last year’s bronze team it was always going to be a tough day out in the field. News that reigning champions Clonliffe had a depleted team gave early encouragement, but the fine team packing by a resurgent Rathfarnham AC team gave them a deserved 3^rd position behind favourites DSD and a solid Raheny Sharmocks AC crew that got the team silver.

The Donore Harriers team was led home by the defending champion John Travers. John (28.10) made a conservative start before picking up to 3^rd position by the end of lap 2. He then put in an effort to catch the front pair of Brendan O’Neill (28.05) of DSD and national cross country champion Mick Clohisey (28.15) of Raheny Shamrocks. However as the race developed it was O’Neill, recent winner of the new Autumn Open Cross race, who kicked on whilst Travers (28.10) pulled away from Clohisey to finish in a clear second position.

Mark Dooley (29.28) had a fine run to place 9^th. The very consistent John Dunne (29.53) was always competitive and gained to 15^th, whilst Caoimhin Kelly (30.18) proved once again that he a key player in the team’s future plans.

With 6 to score the Dublin Senior is surely the most competitive race on the cross country calendar. The gap back to 5^thand 6^th scorers, respectively Colm O’Connell (31.18) and Gavin Keogh (31.40) in 30^th and 36^th places, allowed the Rathfarnham team that closed in 23^rd position edge out Donore for the bronze medals.

The other members of the Donore team were Aogan MacDomhnaill (32.01) who placed 39^th and Fergal Whitty (32.26) who was 42^nd.

Results in brief: –

Women’s Dublin Senior XC 6km

4^th Barbara Cleary (17.49); 8^th Aislinn NicDhomhnaill (18.54); 12^th Anne Curley (19.20); 19^th Sorcha NicDhomhnaill (20.02); 23^rd Grace Kennedy (20.19)

Team: 1^st Crusaders AC (36); 2^nd Donore Harriers <Cleary; A. NicDhomhnaill; A. Curley; S. NicDhomhnaill> (43); 3^rd Raheny Shamrocks AC (58)

Men’s Dublin Senior XC 10km

2^nd John Travers (28.10); 9^th Mark Dooley (29.28); 15^th John Dunne (29.53); 19^th Caoimhin Kelly (30.18); 30^thColm O’Connell (31.18); 36^th Gavin Keogh (31.40); 39^th Aogan MacDomhnaill (32.01); 42^nd Fergal Whitty (32.26)

Team: 1^st DSD AC (65); 2^nd Raheny Shamrocks (84); 3^rd Rathfarnham (104); 4^th Donore Harriers (111)

Other results: –

Dublin Athletics Board Marathon championships (27/10/14): – M35 category – 3^rd Sean Fox (2.50.20); M40 Category – 3^rd Graham Hopkins (2.51.00)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km (1/11/14): – 3^rd George Brady M35 (18.08); 49^th David Hudson M55 (24.32); 56^th Joan McTernan F55 (25.01)

Tymon Parkrun 5km (25/10/14): – 20^th / 3^rd woman Samantha Conroy (21.20); 21^st Frank McNally M50 (21.30)

Dublin Uneven Age Groups Cross Country Championships

November 4, 2014Club News, Juvenile, ResultsMedbh Peavoy

The main Donore Harriers interest was centred on the Boys under 15s race over 3500m in the Dublin Uneven Age Groups cross country championships at Santry Demense. Fathi Aden, fresh from his win in the u/14s championship a couple of weeks ago, was stepping up for the purpose to field a team in the older age group.

After another slow start Fathi picked his way through the field and was an isolated 3^rd at the end of lap 1 of 3. Leading was eventual winner James Maguire (10.52) who is a national champion, with Craig Giles (11.03) of Clonliffe Harriers in second. Fathi (11.14) gave chase, but ultimately had to settle for the bronze medal position.

Next in for Donore was Sekeriye Ahmed (11.40) in 6^th place, well good enough for an automatic spot on the Dublin team in the National Unevens due to take place in Santry on the 7^th of December. This was a fantastic run by Sekeriye, who is relatively new to the sport and is making noted improvement.

Jack Raftery, also stepping up an age group, had a very fine run gaining from 27^th at the end of lap 1 to finally get up to 17^th. Ruairi Fitzgibbon probably made ‘his move’ too early in the race and struggled home in 31^st stop.

The team placed an agonising 4^th, just 3 points behind Tallaght as DSD and Clonliffe Harriers took places 1 and 2.

8 years-old Honor Lynch placed an excellent 17^th amid a huge field in the Girls u/9s over 800m. Conor Mulcahy made a very encouraging debut in the u/9s Boys, also over 800m, when placing 27^th. Honor and Conor are certainly young athletes to watch out for in the future!

Lucy McCann stepped up an age group and placed an excellent 8^th in the Girls u/17s contest over 4000m. In the Boys u/17s over 5000m Michael Gibbs narrowly missed automatic selection to the Dublin team when he lost the battle for 12^th place; finishing a gallant 13^th. This was a huge effort by Michael, who is also relatively new to the sport. In the same race Paul O’Neill pulled out due to injury.

Results in Brief:

u/9s Girls 800m – 17^th Honor Lynch

u/9s Boys 800m – 27^th Conor Mulcahy

u/11s Girls 1500m – 38^th Grace Raftery; 52^nd Sadbh Parker

u/13s Girls 2500m – DNF Ellie Raftery

u/15s Boys 3500m – 3^rd Fathi Aden (stepping up); 6^th Sekeriye Ahmed; 17^th Jack Raftery (stepping up); 31^st Ruairi Fitzgibbon (team placed 4^th)

u/17s Girls 400m – 8^th Lucy McCann (stepping up)

u/17s Boys 500m – 13^th Michael Gibbs; DNF Paul O’Neill

Other results: –

Griffeen Parkrun 5km (1/11/14): – 10^th Andrew Strickland (20.04); 29^th Oisin Campbell (22.07) debut; 129^th Kate Lynch (36.20); 130^th Ben Halpin (36.20); 132^nd Robyn Strickland (37.23); 133^rd Shannon Verdon-Byrne (37.23); also Justin Maher who completed 2.5km.

Dublin Marathon 2014

October 31, 2014Club News, ResultsMedbh Peavoy

There was more heartbreak and disappointment than celebration after this year’s Dublin Marathon. Alterations to the course map made the 35^th edition of the race tougher than in previous years. The long climb from Parkgate Street and up along the Chesterfield Avenue through the Phoenix Park made the first quarter of the race very demanding. There was also a strong head-wind to contend with at various stages of the route and the day was surprisingly humid. In such energy sapping conditions the performance of Andy Kinane (2.46.16) deserves special mention. Andy took 5 minutes of his previous best time and was the 62^nd overall finisher.

Elaine Verdon and Laura Murray also had excellent PBs, whilst Dave Wogan endured the pain of a long-term knee injury to complete the distance.

Club results in brief: –

62^nd / 30^th Andrew Kinane SEN (2.46.16) PB; 99^th / 19^th Sean Fox M35 (2.50.20); 104^th / 17^th Graham Hopkins M40 (2.51.00); 134^th / 29^th Patrick Moriarty M35 (2.52.51) PB; 590^th / 54^th Derek O’Neill M45 (3.10.43); 1147^th / 315^th Andrew Cusack M35 (3.22.59); 1204^th / 309^th Liam Hickey SEN (3.24.10); Karol Kelly SEN 2921^st / 742^nd(3.46.20); 3983^rd / 798^th Des Tremble M40 (3.56.08); 3695^th / 102^nd Elaine Verdon F35 (3.53.41) PB; 5223^rd /98^thLiz MacCurtain F45 (4.05.53); 5636^th / 299^th David Wogan M50 (4.09.46); 8233^rd / 643^rd Laura Murray SEN (4.35.38) PB; 8662^nd / 1473^rd Shane McAuley M40 (4.40.06)

Other results: – 1067^th / 121^st Stephen McCann (Lucy’s Dad) M45 (3.21.20) PB; 3557^th /723^rd Declan Raftery (Jack’s Dad) M40 (3.52.16)