It was a busy morning and afternoon in Donore Harriers on September 21st.  The club has a long tradition of an ‘opening run’ which marks the traditional start of the cross country season.
Photos of previous opening runs can be seen in the club lounge and in club archival material.  We continued this time-honoured tradition last weekend.
But first there was the running of the club novice races for men and women up at the Phoenix park Magazine area.  It was a beautiful morning and while the half marathon in the park meant numbers were a little depleted, well done to the winners Abdel Lajel and Jill Dempsey and the participants and guests.  Willie Smith set the course and he and Iain Morrison club President acted as timekeepers.
Back to the club where everyone middle distance, sprinters, throwers, coaches and members old and young gathered for a photo on the newly marked track and set off for the opening run, a leisurely one lap of 300m!

Then we gathered in the lounge where a minute’s silence was observed for the late Mick Connolly the legendary Donore runner who passed away on Friday 20th after a short illness RIP

Presentations were made to the athletes who won international master, junior and U23 selection this year.  They were Rossa Hurley and Niall Lynch who were picked on the M35 and M45 teams at the British and Irish masters CC in Swansea and both won team silver.  Aoife Lynch has had a terrific year including international representation on the 4×100 u23 Irish team in Sweden and was honoured, thanking her coach John Geoghegan and all who supported during the year.  Jack Raftery too competed in the European U20 4x400m in Sweden this year and was honoured (Absent was middle distance junior international Louis O’Loughlin)
A special tribute was given to Ann Woodlock for her W80 world and European gold and silver indoor and outdoor in 2019 and overall international achievement which has been particularly fruitful in the past few years.

Willie Smith then spoke of the late Basil Clifford of Donore Harriers, Ireland’s second ever sub 4 minute miler, 1964 Olympian and how from 2019 the winner of the men’s national senior 1500m will be presented with the Basil Clifford trophy, this year’s winner was our own John Travers.

The oldest living member of Donore Harriers Dr Cyril white aged 90 and a member for the past 75 years spoke and paid tribute to Basil and his achievements and many others who influenced him in a lifetime in athletics as a runner and race official including the legendary US sprinter Jesse Owens

Cyril Smyth, well known to many as a race starter and official has been extensively researching Basil’s running career at home and abroad and gave us a sense of the achievements of the Inchicore man who died tragically in a factory accident in Birmingham in 1973 aged only 35.

It was great to see members old and young, new and long-standing here , and thanks Stephen for the Barbecue after the presentations .  Here’s to a good Season of racing for all our members.

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

KBC DUBLIN HALF-MARATHON at PHOENIX PARK (21.09.2019)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4055 M finishers, 2883 W finishers.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2019 Eddie Hogan Cup (sealed handicap 4.1km)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

GRIFFITH AVENUE MILE (22.09.2019)

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

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

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

215 finishers

 

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

Women’s 3km Race

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

16^th Claire Mulligan (13.10)

32 finishers

 

PARKRUNS (14.09.2019)

Bushy: 1140^th Tommy Halton M60 (30.56)

Corkagh: 56^th Mary Murphy W45 (27.31)

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

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

HIGHLIGHT: Ann Woodlock adds gold to silver at the European Masters track & field championships in Italy. Ann Woodlock added a 5,000m gold medal to the 1,500m silver secured a week earlier at the EUROPEAN MASTERS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS at Venice, Italy. Woodlock won the over 80s category in a time of 32.14.53 on Saturday (14.09.2019). Her two medals helped Ireland (total of 26 medals) to place a highly respectable 15^th on the medals table after 10 days of competition. Anne Gormley competed in the W55 walking events, placing 6^th over 20km (13.09.2019) in a time of 2.54.17 and gained a season’s best time of 1.11.24 when finishing 12^th in a very competitive 10km race (11.09.2019).

 

At the CHARLEVILLE INTERNATIONAL HALF-MARATHON on Sunday (15.09.2019) Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill (1.22.18) placed 94^th overall from a field of 1,290 athletes. In the process she was the 4^th woman home and won the W40 age grade. Colm O’Connell (1.29.48) came 224^th.

Alasdair Brown (17.43) came 2^nd in the ST. BRIGID’S CASTLEKNOCK 5KM ROAD RACE, also on Sunday. Juvenile athlete Isabella Jackson (30.24) came 161^st. Elsewhere, Andy Kinane (34.58) won the DUNDERRY 10KM ROAD RACE in Co. Meath.

WESTPORT ATHLETICS CLUB marked their 40^th ANNIVERSARY with a FESTIVAL of ROAD RACES on Saturday (14.09.2019). Donore Harriers had three athletes compete in the 5km race – Audrey Gahan (20.57) placed an excellent 9^th overall and was the 3^rd woman home; Julia Hackett (23.52) was 17^th and 7^th woman; and Jennifer O’Keeffe (29.53) placed 31^st and 16^th. There were age category wins for Gahan (W40) and Hackett (W45), whilst O’Keeffe was second in the W50 grade.

The 2019/20 cross-country season kicked off with the first round (of 3) of the DUBLIN JUVENILE CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE at picturesque Newbridge Demesne in Donabate on Sunday (15.09.2019). The event was well organized by local clubs Lambay Sports & Athletic and Lusk Athletics Club, with plenty of exciting races making it an excellent morning of athletics. Newcomer Emily Bolton jostled her way through the melee of athletes in the early stages of the one kilometre Under 12 girls’ race, before running out a convincing winner. Leah Nunan came 29^th in the same race. Three Donore Harriers athletes finished in runner-up positions – Eva Crowe had to settle for 2^nd best behind Saoirse Fitzgerald of Lucan Harriers in the Under 13 Girls’ race over one kilometre; Thomas Bolton challenged for top spot in the Under 14 Boys 1.2km race, before a Clonliffe Harriers athlete went clear over the final 400m; and Oliver Hopkins placed an excellent 2^nd behind a strong DSD AC athlete in the Under 15 Boys race over 1.5km. Top ten spots went to Honor Lynch, who placed 7^th in the Under 14 Girls’ 1.2km race, Ruby Blake 10^th in the Under 10 Girls over 600m and James Dunne, 10^th in the Under 13 Boys one- kilometre race. The other competing Donore Harriers athletes were: – Mark Nunan 21^st in the Under 9 Boys race over 400 metres; the trio of Conor Garvey, Phillipe Gaudan and Harry McGilloway who placed 21^st, 50^th and 57^th respectively in the Under 10 Boys race over 600 metres; and Eoin Mooney 35^th in the Under 11 Boys (800m) category. The 2^nd round of the league will be hosted by Donore Harriers in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 6^th October 2019, prior to the Dublin Novice XC Championships.

In the Saturday morning (14.09.2019) 5km PARKRUN SERIES, Nicola Dowdall (23.04) was first woman home at Corkagh Park when placing 16^th overall, whilst Sinead O’Reilly (20.45) was 3^rd overall and first woman at Kilcock. Two juvenile athletes competed in the Waterstown Parkrun. Katie Delaney (24.00) placed 16^th overall and was the 2^nd female finisher, whilst Joe Kinsella (29.14) came 34^th.

 

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

EUROPEAN MASTERS ATHLETICS T & F CHAMPIONSHIPS at VENICE (05-15.09.2019)

11.09.2019 W55 10km Race Walk: 12^th Anne Gormley (1.11.24)

13.09.2019 W55 20km Race Walk: 6^th Anne Gormley (2.54.17)

14.09.2019 W80 5,000m: 1^st Ann Woodlock (32.14.53) hold medal

WESTPORT AC 40^th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL 5KM ROAD RACE (14.09.2019)

9^th overall, 3^rd woman & 1^st W40: Audrey Gahan (20.57)

17^th, 7^th woman & 1^st W45: Julia Hackett (23.52)

31^st, 16^th woman & 2^nd W50: Jennifer O’Keeffe (29.53)

65 finishers

CHARLEVILLE INTERNATIONAL HALF-MARATHON (15.09.2019)

94^th overall, 4^th woman & 1^st W40: Aislinn Nic Dhomnaill (1.22.18)

224^th Colm O’Connell (1.29.48)

1,290 finishers

ST. BRIGID’s 5KM ROAD RACE at CASTLEKNOCK (15.09.2019)

2^nd Alasdair Brown (17.43)

161^st Isabella Jackson U.13 (30.24)

277 competitors

DUNDERRY 10KM ROAD RACE, Co. MEATH (15.09.2019)

1^st Andy Kinane (34.58)

31 finishers

DUBLIN JUVENILE CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE No. 1 at NEWBRIDGE HOUSE, DONABATE (15.09.2019)

U.9 Boys 400m: 21^st Mark Nunan

U.10 Girls 600m: 10^th Ruby Blake

U.10 Boys 600m: 21^st Conor Garvey, 50^th Phillipe Gaudin, 57^th Harry McGilloway

U.11 Boys 800m: 35^th Eoin Mooney

U.12 Girls 1km: 1^st Emily Bolton; 29^th Leah Nunan

U.13 Girls 1km: 2^nd Eva Crowe

U.13 Boys 1km: 10^th James Dunne

U.14 Girls 1.2km: 7^th Honor Lynch

U.14 Boys 1.2km: 2^nd Thomas Bolton

U.15 Boys 1.5km: 2^nd Oliver Hopkins

PARKRUNS (14.09.2019)

Fairview: 20^th Frank McNally M55 (23.28)

Griffeen: 100^th & 15^th woman: Anna McMahon W35 (28.24)

Corkagh: 17^th & 1^st woman: Nicola Dowdall W45 (23.04)

Royal Canal, Kilcock: 3^rd & 1^st woman: Sinead O’Reilly W35 (20.45); 4^th Niall O’Reilly M35 (20.50)

Waterstown: 16^th & 2^nd woman: Katie Delaney U.14 (24.00); 34^th Joe Kinsella U.14 (29.14)

 

The 126th Annual General Meeting of  Donore Harriers will take place on Thursday October 10th 2019 at 7:30 PM in the Clubhouse, Chapelizod, Dublin 20. Agenda and Important Notes regarding the AGM are outlined below.

 

 

 

AGENDA

• Minutes of last A.G.M.
• President’s Address/ Report to encompass Secretary’s report in absence of current acting Hon Secretary
• Financial 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 19th September 2019).

OR

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

They both require a proposer and seconder

At the discretion of the committee motions and nominations will be considered even if they are submitted after this date but the committee reserves the right to rule these inadmissible. 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 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

(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)

 

 HIGHLIGHTS:  Ann Woodlock won a silver medal in the European Masters track & field championships in Italy. Claire Morrissey completes the Ultra-Trail Du Mont Blanc in France. Eric Keogh 3^rd in the Blessington 10km, with Peter Gaffney 1^st in the M50 group. Amy Moriarty is first woman home in the Day for Edel Half-Marathon.

 

EUROPEAN MASTERS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS, VENICE (07.09.2019)

The superlative Ann Woodlock again represented Ireland with distinction at the European Masters Athletics Championships at Venice gaining a silver medal in the W80 age-group in the 1,500 metres. The race was won by Lydia Ritter (8.40.51) of Germany, with Maria Fragiocomo (8.27.58) having to settle for bronze behind Woodlock (8.16.90).

 

ULTRA-TRAIL DU MONT BLANC at CHAMONIX, FRANCE (26.08.2019)     

Ultra-marathon runner Claire Morrissey (42.31.43) placed 952^nd and was the 70^th woman to complete the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, a single-stage mountain ultramarathon. The annual event, with more than two thousand starters, follows the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland. It has a distance of approximately 166 kilometres (103 mi), and a total elevation gain of around 9,600 m. It is widely regarded as one of the most difficult foot races in Europe, with several mountain passages above an elevation of 2,500m.

Liagh Miller was Donore Harriers sole competitors among the 50,000-plus starters in Sunday’s GREAT NORTH RUN at Gateshead (08.09.2019). She competed the popular north-east England route in 2.14.35.

Club athletes were also busy on the home front. At last Wednesday’s GRANT THORNTON 5KM ROAD RACE at the Docklands (04.09.2019) Luke Boland (16.32) placed 10^th of more than 4,000 starters. The next Donore Harrier home was Gavin Keogh (16.46) in 13^th position, with Tristan Druet (16.57) in 20^th. Other Donore finishers included: Paul Cummins (17.49) in 54^th, Fergal Roche (18.00) in 69^th, Craig Scott (18.31) in 107^th and Sinead Graham (20.25) in 370^th. Graham was the 13^th woman across the finish line.

In the LAKES BLESSINGTON 10KM ROAD RACE on Saturday (07.09.2019), Eric Keogh (31.17) placed 3^rd behind Sean Hehir (MSB AC) and Thomas Fitzpatrick (Tallaght AC). Peter Gaffney (36.04) placed 56^th overall and was the winner of the M50 age group.

Amy Moriarty (1.36.18) was the first woman home in the 2^nd edition of the DAY FOR EDEL HALF-MARATHON at the Curragh on Saturday (07.09.2019). She placed 15^th overall, one place behind club colleague Eddie Bolton (1.36.15).

Gavin Keogh (28.16) came 7^th in the LUCAN HARRIERS AC 5-MILE ROAD RACE on Sunday morning (08.09.2019). Also, among the 348 finishers were Donal Iremonger (30.37), who placed 17^th overall and 4^th in the M40 category – and Charlie O’Neill (39.38) in 130^th and 5^th in the M60 age group. The race finished on the new track at Lucan.

Niall Lynch (1.17.22) came 5^th in the picturesque DINGLE HALF-MARATHON on Sunday (08.09.2019). His daughter Honor (1.41.15) was 148^th and 32^nd woman home in a field of more than 2,000 finishers.

 

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

ULTRA TRAIL DU MONT BLANC at CHAMONIX, FRANCE (26.08.2019)

952^nd & 70^th woman: Claire Morrissey (42.31.43)

2,000 plus finishers

GRANT THORNTON 5km ROAD RACE at DOCKLANDS (04.09.2019)

10^th Luke Boland (16.32))

13^th Gavin Keogh (16.46)

20^th Tristan Druet (16.57)

54^th Paul Cummins (17.49)

69^th Fergal Roche (18.00)

107^th Craig Scott (18.31)

370^th & 13^th woman: Sinead Graham (20.25)

4,000 plus finishers

EUROPEAN MASTERS ATHLETICS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS at VENICE (07.09.2019)

Women’s W80 1,500m: 2^nd Ann Woodlock <Ireland> (8.16.90) silver medal r

THE LAKES BLESSINGTON 10km ROAD RACE at BLESSINGTON (07.09.2019)

3^rd Eric Keogh (31.17)

56^th and 1^st M50: Peter Gaffney (36.04)

272 finishers

DAY FOR EDEL HALF-MARATHON at THE CURRAGH (07.09.2019)

14^th Eddie Bolton (1.36.15)

15^th & 1^st woman: Amy Moriarty (1.36.18)

54 finishers

LUCAN HARRIERS AC 5-MILE ROAD RACE at LUCAN (08.09.2019)

7^th & 6^th MS: Gavin Keogh (28.16)

17^th & 4^th M40: Donal Iremonger (30.37)

130^th & 5^th M60: Charlie O’Neill (39.38)

348 competitors

DINGLE HALF-MARATHON (08.09.2019)

5^th Niall Lynch (1.17.22)

148^th & 32^nd woman: Honor Lynch (1.41.15)

2,045 finishers

GREAT NORTH RUN HALF-MARATHON at GATESHEAD (08.09.2019)

18,923^rd Liagh Miller (2.14.35)

PARKRUNS (07.09.2019)

Brickfields: 16^th Frank McNally M55 (22.39)

Corkagh: 66^th Mary Murphy W45 (26.38)

Porterstown: 4^th Tom Fagan M50 (21.40)

Waterstown: 14^th & 2^nd woman: Katie Delaney U.14 (23.51)

ATHLETICS REPORT – for week ending 1^st September 2019

HIGHLIGHTS: Sinead Lambe 2^nd in the Walled Derry Half-Marathon; Barry Potts wins the M60 & M70 grades in the Leinster Half-Marathon; Ray Hynes 3^rd in Portmarnock 5-mile. Donore Harriers senior men’s team won the Dublin 10-mile road championships (at Frank Duffy 10 on 24.08.2019) with the M50 team taking silver.

 

WALLED DERRY HALF-MARATHON (01.09.2019)  

An excellent performance from Sinead Lambe (1.22.48) to place 43^rd overall from a field of more than 1,400 runners in the Walled Derry Half-Marathon on Sunday (31.08.2019). In the process she finished 2^nd in the women’s category behind Irish international Anne-Marie McGlynn of Finn Valley AC.

QUINLAN HALF-MARATHON, inc. Leinster Championships at TULLAMORE (31.08.2019) report by Des Gill

The indefatigable Barry Potts came home with double gold for Donore Harriers in the Leinster Half Marathon Championship in Tullamore on Saturday (31.08.2019).  In what has been a superb season for Barry he ran a fabulous 1.33.54 to take Championship Gold in the M70 category. Barry felt that it was ‘a very good course that suited him and his training.’ In fact, it suited him and his training so well that in the open (full field) competition he defeated all others to also take gold in the M60 category.

Chris Muldoon (1.18.00) was the first Donore Harriers home in 21^st position, placing 6^th in the M40 category. The other competing Donore athletes among more than 800 competitors were: – Derek McArdle (1.23.08) 55^th overall and 23^rd M40; Craig Scott (1.26.11) 86^th and 37^th M40; Stephen Dawson (1.27.57) 92^nd and 40^th senior; Patrick Farrell (1.34.25) 193^rd and 66^th senior; David McGrath (1.39.46) 276^th and 89^th senior; Deirdre Healy (2.02.12) 629^th and 106^th W40; Michelle Dawson (2.03.31) 642^nd and 82^nd senior; and Jo Hughes (2.06.24) 665^th and 115^th W40.

PORTMARNOCK 5-MILE ROAD RACE (29.08.2019)

Ray Hynes (27.36) finished 3^rd in the Portmarnock 5-mile road race last Thursday evening (29.08.2010) behind winner Jonathan Escalante-Phillips of London based club Cambridge & Coleridge AC.

TARA 5KM ROAD RACE (30.08.2019)

Alasdair Brown (17.29) placed 15^th in the Tara 5-mile road race at Skyrne in County Meath on Friday evening (30.08.2019)

LONGFORD MARATHON & HALF-MARATHON (25.08.2019)  Report by Florence Curley

Chris Muldoon (2.56.54) took on the marathon the day after running the Frank Duffy 10 mile and he finished in 10th place. Neil Hand unfortunately had a bad day hampered by bad blisters from 10 mile on so had to walk part of the course and he bravely finished in 3.21.00. Grace Kennedy Clarke was an official pacer in this marathon for the 3.30 cohort and she took them safely home coming over the line in 3.29.29 and 6th woman. In the half marathon Noel Davis, after a year dogged with injury finished in a fine 1.47.32.

DUBLIN 10-MILE CHAMPIONSHIPS inc. Frank Duffy 10 (24.08.2019)

Individual medals won by Eric Keogh (51.41) 2^nd senior; Ariana Ball (1.14.02) 2^nd W35; Fergal Whitty (55.58) 1^st M40; Peter Gaffney (1.00.23) 1^st M50; Tony Kynes (1.12.31) 3^rd M60 and Barry Potts (1.12.09) 1^st M70.

Senior Men’s team took gold (Eric Keogh, Lee Van Haeften, Fergal Whitty & Andy Kinane) ahead of Raheny Shamrocks AC and Crusaders AC. The M50 team of Peter Gaffney, Barry Potts & Tony Kynes placed 2^nd behind Raheny Shamrocks AC, with Brothers Pearse AC in 3^rd.

PARKRUNS (31.08.2019)

An improving Aidan Kelly (19.28) was first home in Corkagh Park, where Rachel Haskins (24.11) was 3^rd woman home. Sinead O’Reilly (21.12) was 2^nd woman home at Kilcock, whilst 13 years-old Katie Delaney (24.04) chalked up another number one spot at Waterstown

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

LONGFORD MARATHON (25.08.2019)

10^th Chris Muldoon (2.56.54)

49^th Neil Hand (3.21.00)

65^th & 6^th woman Grace Kennedy-Clarke (3.29.29)

218 finishers

LONGFORD HALF-MARATHON (25.08.2019)

Noel Davis (1.47.32)

TARA 5KM ROAD RACE at SKRYNE, CO. MEATH (30.08.2019)

15^th & 7^th MS: Alasdair Brown (17.29)

340 competitors

PORTMARNOCK 5-MILE ROAD RACE (29.08.2019)

3^rd & 3 MS: Ray Hynes (27.36)

410 competitors

QUINLAN CUP HALF-MARATHON at TULLAMORE (31.08.2019)

Incorporating the Leinster Half-Marathon Championships

21^st & 6^th M40: Chris Muldoon (1.18.00)

55^th & 23^rd M40: Derek McArdle (1.23.08)

86^th & 37^th M40: Craig Scott (1.26.11)

92^nd & 40^th MS: Stephen Dawson (1.26.57)

186^th & 1^st M60: Barry Potts (1.33.52)

193^rd & 66^th MS: Patrick Farrell (1.34.25)

276^th & 89^th MS: David McGrath (1.39.46)

629^th & 106^th W40: Deirdre Healy (2.02.12)

642^nd & 82^nd WS: Michelle Dawson (2.03.31)

665^th & 115^th W40: Jo Hughes (2.06.24)

813 competitors

WATERSIDE DERRY HALF-MARATHON (01.09.2019)

43^rd & 2^nd Woman: Sinead Lambe (1.22.48)

1,449 finishers

DUBLIN 10-MILE ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS incorporated into Frank Duffy 10 (24.08.2019)

2^nd Senior Men: Eric Keogh (51.41 PB)

2^nd W35: Ariana Ball (1.14.02)

1^st M40: Fergal Whitty (55.58)

1^st M50: Peter Gaffney (1.00.23)

3^rd M60: Tony Kynes (1.12.31)

1^st M70: Barry Potts (1.12.09)

TEAM: Senior Men: 1^st Donore Harriers (4^th Eric Keogh; 11^th Lee Van Haeften; 16^th Fergal Whitty; 47^th Andy Kinane) 78pts: 2^nd Raheny Shamrocks AC 84 pts: 3^rd Crusaders AC 98 pts.

TEAM: Over 50 Men: 1^st Raheny Shamrocks AC 659 pts: 2^nd Donore Harriers (53^rd Peter Gaffney; 331^st Barry Potts; 345^th Tony Kynes 729 pts: 3^rd Brothers Pearse AC 789 pts.

PARKRUNS (17.08.2019)

Corkagh: 1^st Aidan Kelly U.19 (19.28); 26^th & 3^rd woman: Rachel Haskins (24.11)

Hartstown: 7^th Tom Fagan M50 (21.26)

Royal Canal, Kilcock: 12^th & 2^nd woman: Sinead O’Reilly W35 (21.12)

St. Anne’s: 68^th Frank McNally M55 (21.55)

Waterstown: 6^th & 1^st woman: Katie Delaney U.14 (24.04)

Donal Iremonger (gold and silver) and Fiona Keegan-Smith (gold and bronze) were the star performers at the National Masters Track & Field championships. Orlaith Read and Anne Gormley gain silver and bronze. Excellent 2^nd place for Sinead Lambe in the Kilcock 10-mile road race.

 

 

NATIONAL MASTERS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS at TULLAMORE (18.08.2019)

Donal Iremonger won out in a close encounter in the M45 800m race at the national master’s track and field championships at Tullamore on Sunday (18.08.2019). Iremonger secured the gold with a time of 2.11.54, holding off the challenge of Finbarr Dywer (2.11.71) of Leevale AC and Keith Daly (2.11.86) of Limerick AC. Iremonger (57.46) also took a silver medal in the M45 400m event. Fiona Keegan-Smith was busy in the field, winning gold in the W40 Javelin with a throw of 21.16m and bronze in the Shot Putt (5.87m). She also placed 4^th in the 28lb Weight for Distance (3.26m) and 5^th in the Discus (14.91m) Donore Harriers athletes won two more medals, with Orlaith Read (23.09m) getting silver in the W45 Hammer and Anne Gormley (21.26.02) bronze in the W55 3KM Walk.

MONAGHAN 10-MILE ROAD RACE (11.08.2019) Barbara Murray was the 3^rd woman home in the recent Monaghan 10-mile road race. She finished 51^st overall from a field of more than 200 runners.

KILCOCK 10-MILE ROAD RACE (18.08.2019) Sinead Lambe (1.01.30) was the second home in the 2^nd running of the Kilcock 10-mile road race last Sunday (18.08.2019). She was 35^th of the 620 finishers. Sean Fox M40 (59.09) was 24^th overall, with Niall O’Reilly (1.07.27) in 82^nd.

RATHKENNY 5KM ROAD RACE (16.08.2019) Tommy Halton M60 (28.28) placed 181^st in the Rathkenny 5km road race in Co. Meath on Friday evening (16.08.2019).

PARKRUNS There were three first finisher performances by Donore Harriers women in the Parkrun series last Saturday (17.08.2019). Sinead O’Reilly W35 (22.23) was first home at the Royal Canal, Kilcock, whilst Caren Crowley W40 (23.08) and Katie Delaney U.14 (25.06) won at Corkagh and Waterstown respectively.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

NATIONAL MASTERS TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS at TULLAMORE (18.08.2019)

M45 800m: 1^st Donal Iremonger (2.11.54) M45 400m: 2^nd Donal Iremonger (57.46) W55 3km Walk: 3^rd Anne Gormley (21.26.02) W40 Javelin: 1^st Fiona Smith-Keegan (21.16m) W40 Shot Putt: 3^rd Fiona Smith-Keegan (5.87m) W40 Discus: 5^th Fiona Smith-Keegan (14.91m) W40 Weight For Distance 28lb: 4^th Fiona Smith-Keegan (3.26m) W45 Hammer: 2^nd Orlaith Read (23.09m)

MONAGHAN 10 Mile ROAD RACE (11.08.2019) 51^st & 3^rd woman: Barbara Murray (1.08.08) 213 finishers RATHKENNEY (Co. Meath) 5km ROAD RACE (16.08.2019) 181^st & 7^th M60: Tommy Halton (28.28) 286 finishers ST. COCA’S 10 Mile ROAD RACE at KILCOCK (18.08.2019) 24^th & 9^th M40: Sean Fox (59.09) 35^th & 2^nd WS: Sinead Lambe (1.01.30) 82^nd & 34^th MS: Niall O’Reilly (1.07.27) 620 finishers

PARKRUNS (17.08.2019)

Bushy: 113rd Tommy Halton M60 (27.40)

Corkagh: 56^th & 1^st Woman: Caren Crowley W40 (23.08); 58^th & 2^nd woman: Nicola Dowdall W45 (23.14)

Porterstown: 8^th Tom Fagan M50 (21.40)

Royal Canal, Kilcock: 6^th & 1^st woman: Sinead O’Reilly W35 (22.23): 7^th Niall O’Reilly M35 (22.24)

Waterstown: 12^th & 1^st woman: Katie Delaney U.14 (25.06)