Category Archives: Juvenile

Donore’s Euro Stars Shine at National Junior & U23 Championships

July 8, 2019Club News, Juvenile, ResultsEmmet Ó Briain

ATHLETICS REPORT – for week ending 7th July 2019

This week’s highlights: NATIONAL JUNIOR GOLD FOR JACK RAFTERY and LOUIS O’LOUGHLIN in the 400m and 800m – and an excellent bronze medal for Aoife Lynch in the Irish Under 23 Women’s 200m.

NATIONAL JUNIOR & UNDER 23 CHAMPIONSHIPS at TULLAMORE (06.07.2019)

There was high drama at the Irish Junior and Under 23 track and field championships at Tullamore on Saturday (06.07.2019). As if in a high stakes poker game the Donore Harriers duo of Jack Raftery and Louis O’Loughlin each played their winning hand at the final showdown.

In the 400 metres junior men’s final Raftery was languished back in 7th place at the 200m mark. His chances of a medal seemed remote. Round the top bend the affable Donore Harriers athlete drove forward in pursuit of the leaders. Entering the home strait ’Big Jack’ played his ace and used his superior strength to put himself back in contention. He sliced his way through the field and hit the front with just 5 metres remaining. A final forward lunge to the line secured the gold medal and a new personal best time of 48.40. David Ryan (48.45) of Moycarkey Coolcroo AC was 2nd and Adam Hughes (48.79) of City of Lisburn AC was 3rd . Raftery qualified for the final by finishing 2nd in Heat 1 in a time of 49.75.

O’Loughlin (1.54.00) had earlier won the most dramatic race of the day, when he edged out Mark Milner (1.54.01) of Tullamore Harriers and Daragh McIlhenny (1.54.02) of Bantry AC in a tense, tactical race. The 3 pre-race favourites had broke clear of their pursuers at 300 metres and reached the bell in a moderate 60 seconds. The race did not reach high-tension until the 600 metres mark when Milner made his move gaining 3 metres on O’Loughlin and McIlhenny as they rounded the top bend. McIlhenny, who recently set new Irish junior records for the 5,000m and the 3,000m, began chasing down Milner in the sprint to the line in what seemed like an ultimate duel between the two. O’Loughlin was two strides back and looked out of contention. But Louis wanted to be the King and holding the inside line he sprinted to a remarkable win, with just two-hundredths of a second separating the three athletes.

Donore Harriers other medal on the day was a bronze to Aoife Lynch (24.37) in the final of the Under 23 Women’s 200m. Newport AC athlete Sharlene Mawdsley (23.74) came 1st with Sophie Becker (24.05) of St. Joseph’s AC the runner-up. Donore’s Sarah Lahiff (27.83) came 5th.

Aoife Lynch has been selected to represent the Ireland 4 x 100m team in the European Under 23 championships at Gavle in Sweden between the 11th and 14th of July, with Jack Raftery (4 x 400m team) and Louis O’Loughlin (800m) selected on the Irish team going to the European Under 20 championships at Borsa in Sweden (18th to 21stJuly).

U.23 athlete Eva McPartlan came 4th in the 100m Hurdles final in a time of 16.52 and 5th in the second Heat of the Women’s 100m in a time of 13.47, thus failing to reach the final. McPartlan, a former St. Coca’s AC athlete, continues to make steady progress after a long lay-off due to injury.

Ailbhe Healy (2.85m) is another athlete trying to regain form after injury. With only limited preparation Healy came 4th in the final of the U.23 Women’s Pole Vault, losing out on the bronze medal on count-back.

Sprint star Paul McDermott had a busy day, qualifying from the heats to finals in the Under 23 Men’s 100m and 200m. McDermott (11.02 & 22.18) came 5th in both finals.

NATIONAL JUVENILE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 1 at TULLAMORE (07.07.2019)
Day 1 of the National Juvenile Track & Field Championships for 2019, also at Tullamore, on Sunday (07.07.2019) saw Louis O’Loughlin win the club’s only medal. In the Under 19 Boys 800m final the outstanding O’Loughlin front ran the race from gun to tape winning in a new championship best time of 1.52.58. Jake Bagge (1.56.22) of Ferrybank AC was 2nd with Conor Matthews (2.01.34) of Dunleer AC in 3rd.

First season athlete Rory O’Farrell (10.21) showed plenty of potential when placing 4th in the final of the Under 13 Boys 60m Hurdles. He quailed to the final by placing 3rd in the first heat in a time of 10.19.

Ruby Kelly (8.38.15) ran a very creditable 5th in the final of the Under 17 Girls 2,000m steeplechase – an event that she only recently adopted. Gavin Curtin (10.38.17) also came 5th in the Under 18 Boys 3,000m steeplechase – and although disappointed not to make the podium his yearly progression in the event suggests that national medals will come. He has already improved his time by more than half-a-minute since last year.

Abdel Laadjel (2.03.08) could not stay with the pace of the lead group on the 2nd lap and faded to 6th place in the final of the Under 17 Boys 800m. He progressed to the final by coming 2nd in the first qualifying heat in a time of 2.03.37.

NORTHERN IRELAND & ULSTER TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS at BELFAST (30.06.2019)

Master athlete Orlaith Read (25.88m) won a gold medal in the Northern Ireland & Ulster Masters Championships at Belfast last weekend in the 4kg Hammer competition.

ROSCOMMON 10 MILE ROAD RACE (06.07.2019)
In the Roscommon 10-mile road race Chris Muldoon M40 placed 38th from 557 finishers in a time of 1.04.02; with Grace Kennedy-Clarke (1.05.52) the 6th woman home when placing 54th overall.

ALANNA RUSSELL MEMORIAL RUN at NAVAN (07.07.2019)
Elsewhere, Brian Gaffney (26.17) placed 174th of 470 finishers in the second running of the Alanna Russell Memorial Race at Navan on Sunday.

PARKRUNS
Sam Allen (16.19) was first home in the Naas Parkrun (06.07.2019) and 13 years-old Katie Delaney (23.52) 4th overall and 1st woman in the Waterstown Parkrun.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

IRELAND JUNIOR AND UNDER 23 TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019 at TULLAMORE
(06.07.2019)
Junior Men’s 400m Final: 1st Jack Raftery (48.40 PB) qualified 2nd from Heat 1 in 49.75
Junior Men’s 800m Final: 1st Louis O’Loughlin (1.54.00)
U.23 Women’s 200m Final: 3rd Aoife Lynch (24.37), 5th Sarah Lahiff (27.83)
U.23 Women’s 100m Heat 2: 5th Eva McPartlan (13.47)
U.23 Women’s 400mH Final: 4th Eva McPartlan (16.52)
U.23 Men’s 100m Final: 5th Paul McDermott (11.02) qualified 2nd from Heat 2 in 11.06
U.23 Men’s 200m Final: 5th Paul McDermott (22.18) qualified 3rd from Heat 2 in 22.12
U.23 Women’s Pole Vault Final: 4th Ailbhe Healy (2.85m SB)

IRISH JUVENILE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 1 at TULLAMORE (07.07.2019)
U.19 Boys 800m Final: 1st Louis O’Loughlin (1.52.58 championship record)
U.13 Boys 60m H Final: 4th Rory O’Farrell (10.21) qualified 3rd from Heat 1 in 10.19
U.17 Girls 2,000m Steeplechase Final: 5th Ruby Kelly (8.38.15)
U.17 Boys 800m Final: 6th Abdel Laadjel (2.03.08) qualified 2nd from Heat 1 in 2.03.37
U.18 Boys 3,000m Steeplechase Final: 5th Gavin Curtin (10.38.17)

ROSCOMMON 10 MILE ROAD RACE (06.07.2019)
38th Chris Muldoon M40 (1.04.02)
54th & 6th woman Grace Kennedy-Clarke (1.05.52)
557 finishers

ALANNA RUSSELL MEMORIAL RUN at NAVAN (07.07.2019)
174th & 33rd MS: Brian Gaffney (26.17)
470 finishers

NORTHERN IRELAND & ULSTER MASTER CHAMPIONSHIPS at BELFAST (30.06.2019)
Women’s W45 4kg Hammer: 1st Orlaith Read (25.88m)

GUEST RACES held with NATIONAL LEAGUE Q. MATCH at SANTRY (30.06.2017)
Men’s 400m: Adam Halpin (55.79)
Men’s Javelin: Jaco Oosthuysen (51.59m)
Men’s 200m: Farrell Ebisin (26.02 debut)

PARKRUNS
Waterstown: 4th & 1stWoman: Katie Delaney U.14 (23.52)
Naas: 1st Sam Allen (16.19)
Porterstown: 10th Tom Fagan M50 (22.34)
Brickfields: 56th Ray Holmes M60 (35.13)
Corkagh: 137th Nicola Dowdall W45 (50.25)

Donore Harriers Athletic Report (week ending 30th June) BUMPER EDITION!

July 3, 2019Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorEmmet Ó Briain

Plenty of action again this week!

by Gerry Naughton

The highlight being the outstanding team results in the 2nd qualifying round of the National Track & Field League at Santry on Sunday.

We also had Louis O’Loughlin and Jack Raftery consolidating their claims for selection to the
European Under 20 Championships and news of Aoife Lynch being selected to the Irish 4 x
100m relay team to compete in the European Under 23 Championships.

Other highlights include the women’s team 2nd placing in the St. Coca’s 5km road race and
Matei Ursachi winning our first medal in the 2019 national juvenile championships.

NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD LEAGUE ROUND 2 at SANTRY (30.06.2019)

Men’s captain David Campbell described it as being an “Awesome day” for Donore Harriers
as both the women’s and men’s team progressed to the finals of the premier track and field
league. “We’ve got a special group of athletes” proclaimed Campbell as he offered
congratulations to women’s track and field captain Leonie Newman and to the coaches at
the club.

The women’s team (104 points) were 1st on the day with Louth County on 103.5 and
Tipperary County on 101. Maximum 9 points were gained in 6 events, including Aoife Lynch
in the 100m and 200m, Barbara Clearly (10.18.1) in the 3,000m, Caoimhe Mackey (1.12.250
in the 400m Hurdles, Lauren O’Keeffe in the Hammer and Lara O’Byrne (1.60m) in the High
Jump.

Other strong performances came from Rebecca Power 2nd in the Javelin, Anne Gormley
(9.15.70) 3rd in the 1,500m Walk, Ruby Kelly (13.17.8) 3rd in the 3,000m steeplechase and
Lara O’Byrne (1.60m) 3rd in the High Jump. The versatile O’Byrne had earlier picked herself of
the track after a fall in the 100m Hurdles to place 4th in that event.

Grace Kennedy-Clarke (5.18.8) answered a late call-up to place 4th in the 1,500m. it was a
very creditable performance as she feels more at home running the marathon and ran 10
miles in training on the previous day. Roisin Rynn-Cahill (8.56m) 4th in the Triple Jump, Emily
Geoghegan (7.87m) 4th in the Shot Putt, Florence Curley (1.19.0) 5th in the 400m and Maura
Kearns (2.24.7) 5th in the 800m all gained valuable points for the team.

The 4 x 100m team (52.34) of Lauren Flaherty, Sarah Latiff, Emily Geoghegan and Lara
O’Byrne and the 4 x 400m team (4.26.0) of Lauren Flaherty, Sarah Higgins, Caoimhe Mackey
and Maura Kearns both placed in 4th position.

The women’s team (194) qualify to the final on the 20th July 2019 at Tullamore in 6th place
from the 2 qualifying sections, behind the county teams of Galway (211), Louth (209.5),
Kildare (201.5), Tipperary (200) and Monaghan (195) and ahead of DSD AC (186.5) and St.
Abbans AC (181).

The men’s team (107) came 2nd behind Clonliffe Harriers (123). Nenagh Olympic (100) came
3rd , with Crusaders AC (97) 4th of the 7 competing teams.

David Slupko (15.61) got the team off to a great start by winning the 110m Hurdles. The
foundation for an impressive team showing came in the mid-distance events with John
Travers (1.56.4) in the 800m, Daragh Fitzgibbon (4.04.5) in the 1,500m and Rossa Hurley
(15.43.0) in the 5,000m all gaining 9 points – and the ever gutsy Gavin Curtin (10.36.9)
collecting 7 points for runner-up spot in the 3,000m steeplechase.

In the final field event on the day Edgar Rutins won 9 points in the Javelin, whilst more 7
pointers were accrued by Paul McDermott (11.07) in the 100m and Elliot Slade (49.06) in the
400m.

McDermott (22.50) had earlier placed 4th in the 200m. Daragh McAuley (59.06) ran a fine
race to place 3rd in the 400m Hurdles. The other individual results included: – Kolade Abiodun
(12.26m) 5th in the Triple Jump, Jaco Oosthuysen 5th in the Shot Putt and 6th in the 56lb
Hammer, Zak Higgins (1.60m) 6th in the High Jump, Alex Conway 6th in the Hammer, and Sean
Chann 7th in the Long Jump.

The 4 x 400m relay team (3.24.7) were involved in a very exciting race, but had to settle for
2nd place behind Finn Valley AC. The team consisted of Zak Higgins, Conor Fox, Daragh
McAuley and Elliot Slade. The 4 x 100m team (44.79), consisting of Sean Chann, David
Slupko, Adam Halpin and Zak Higgins, came 4th.

Donore Harriers qualify to the final on 206 points from the 2 rounds. Clonliffe Harriers (251)
are the leading qualifiers with Raheny Shamrocks AC and Crusaders AC 0(both 208) next.
The other teams to make the final include St. Abbans AC (198), DSD AC (196) and Galway
City Harriers (193)

BAUHAUS JUNIOR GALA INVITATION at MANNHEIM (29 & 30.06.2019)

At the Bauhaus Junior Gala at Mannheim on Sunday (29.06.2019) Louis O’Loughlin placed 2 nd
in the Under 20 men’s 800m in a time of 1.50.28. The six-athlete A race proved to be a
bumpy affair with a lot of barging throughout the first 500 metres. O’Loughlin stayed in the
mix and moved from 6th to 1st along the back strait, with Mark Milner (1.50.72) of Tullamroe
Harriers giving chase. In the run to the line a fast finishing Maximiliam Sluka of Germany
(1.50.03) used his superior speed to take first place. O’Loughlin gained his 2nd ‘B’ standard
time and is now eligible for selection to the European Under 20 championships.

On Saturday (29.06.2019) Jack Raftery won the 1st heat in the Under 20 Men’s 400m in a
time of 48.81, just one-tenth of a second short of his personal best time. On Sunday ‘Big
Jack’ was back in action, this time running Leg 3 on the Irish Under 20 relay team. The
Ireland team placed 3rd behind two strong German outfits in a time of 3.15.59. Raftery
certainly consolidated his claim for inclusion to the team in the forthcoming Euro U.20s.

BRITISH MILERS CLUB GRAND PRIX at WATFORD (29.06.2019)

On a balmy, humid evening in Hertfordshire Daragh Fitzgibbon and John Travers lined up in
the British Milers Club Grand Prix meeting at Watford. Fitzgibbon (8.32.82) placed 15th in the
Men’s 3,000m A race, whilst John Travers stepped off the track after 2 laps in the Men’s
1,500m A race. “I just didn’t feel right, like I had no energy” explained Travers later. Both
Fitzgibbon and Travers were back in action on the following day gaining maximum points in
the National League over 1,500m and 800m respectively.

DUBLIN OPEN GRADED MEET NO. 5 at TALLAGHT (26.06.2019)

The fifth Dublin Open Graded meeting at Tallaght Track on Wednesday (26.06.2019)
incorporated some 800m championship races.

In the Dublin Open Championship Elliot Slade (1.52.45) ran out a convincing winner in the
A1 race to claim the gold medal. Abdel Laadjel (2.04.56) came 4th overall in the A2 race,
which was good enough to win the bronze medal in the Dublin Under 17 juvenile
championship. Simon Murphy (2.08.97) faded after a strong first lap to place 4th in the Under
19 age-group.

The other competing Donore athletes were: – Ailbhe Healy (2.40m) 3rd in the Pole Vault;
Colm Dunne (24.87) 2nd in the C1 grade 200m; Barbara Clearly (2.27.83) 4th in the B1 grade
800m; Dominic Boyle (2.15.72) 4th in the C1 grade 800m; and Paul Cummins (9.45.68) 3rd in
the B grade 3,000m.

ALL IRELAND JUVENILE GAMES at TULLAMORE (29.06.2019)

There championships are specific for athletes in the Under 9 to 13 age groups. Matei
Ursachi (4.65m) won the club’s first medal at this year’s national juvenile championships
with 3rd place in the Under 13 Boys Long Jump. Ursachi (7.93m) also placed 12th in the Shot
Putt.

Another versatile athlete Mario Omozee was busy in the Under 12 Boys group, placing 3rd in
his heat of the 60m (8.70 – he did not qualify to the final), 5th in the High Jump (1.25m) and
13th in the Shot Putt (7.53m).

In the Pairs competitions the Under 11 Girls Turbo Javelin team came 5th with Zoe Conroy
throwing 15.51m and Amber Lynch 16.52m for a combined effort of 32.03m.

The Under 11 Boys 600m pairing of Luuk Jackson (1.57.20) and Cillian McCooey (1.54.33)
placed 7th .

Sebastian Ursachi (9.99) and Dylan O’Connor (9.86) came 12th in the 60m pairs, the same
position gained by Amber Lynch (3.16m) and Talitha Hynes (3.19m) in the Under 11 Girls
Long Jump.

The Under 13 Boys 4 x 100m quartet of James Dunne, Alex Leonard, Paddy Nolan and Ciaran
O’Farrell were disappointed when they could only manage 6th place in Heat 2 and failed to
make the final.

ST. COCA’S 5km ROAD RACE at KILCOCK (28.06.2019)

It was a night of PBs for Donore athetes last Friday (28.06.2019) in the annual St. Coca’s 5km
road race at Kilcock. On a warm calm evening the conditions were ideal for good times on a
fast-flat course. Fergal Whitty (16.23) was the first Donore athlete home in 26th place overall
and 4th in the M40 category. Next in was Des Tremble (16.53) in 50th and 5th M45. Alan Farrell
(16.54) 52nd and 6th M45 broke the 17 minutes barriers for the first time – with an improving
Alan Keogh (17:40) also getting a PB when placing 77th .

Aislinn NicDhomhnaill (18.01 & 94th overall) made an excellent return to competition after a
long lay-off due to injury by winning the Women’s Over 40 category. NicDhomhnaill led the
Donore Harriers women’s team to 2nd place. The other scoring team members were Maura
Kearns (18.35) in 123rd overall and 5th senior woman, Pamela White (21.5) in 291st and 20 th
senior, and Sinead Graham 322nd and 25th senior. St. Coca’s AC (58) were 1st women’s team,
with Donore Harriers (129) in 2nd and Na Fianna AC (166) in 3rd .

The other competing Donore athletes were: – Niall O’Reilly (17.52) 85th and 17th M40; Chris
Muldoon (18.29) 117th and 24th M40; Peter Nugent (19.14) 145th and 13th M50; Oliver O’Hara
(20.09 PB) 209th and 40th M40; Frank McNally (21.39) 277th and 11th M55; Charlie O’Neill
(24.02) 384th and 8th M60; and Terry Mee 441st and 14th M60.

The Donore Harriers men’s team placed 6th . There were 556 finishers.

CLONEE 10km ROAD RACE (27.06.2019)

In the Clonee 10km road race on Thursday evening Ian Redican (44.16) placed 106th of 398
finishers, with Ann Ryan (57.18) in 291st .

PARKRUNS

Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (16.03) was the runaway winner of the 5th anniversary Waterstown
5km Parkrun on Saturday (29.06.2019) morning. Under 16 athlete Alan Farrell (24.06)
gained a personal best when finished in 22nd place. Under 19 Aidan Kelly (18.59) won the Corkagh Parkrun.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

DUBLIN OPEN GRADED MEET 5 at TALLAGHT TRACK (26.06.2019) incorporating the Dublin
Juvenile 800m championships for U17, U18 & U19
Men’s 200m CI Grade: 2nd Colm Dunne (24.87)
Women’s 800m B1 Grade: 4th Barbara Cleary (2.27.83)
Men’s 800m A1 Grade: 1st Elliot Slade (1.52.45) 1st in Dublin Open 800m Championship
Men’s 800m A2 Grade: 4th Abdel Laadjel (2.04.56) 3rd in Dublin U.17 championship; 7th Simon
Murphy (2.08.97) 4th in Dublin U.19 championship
Men’s 800m C1 Grade: 4th Dominic Boyle (2.15.72)
Men’s 3,000m B Grade: 3rd Paul Cummins (9.45.68)
Women’s Pole Vault: 3rd Ailbhe Healy (2.40m)

CLONEE 10km (27.06.2019)
106th & 18th M45: Ian Redican (44.16)
291st & 17th W45: Ann Ryan (57.18)
398 finishers

ST. COCA’S 5km ROAD RACE at KILCOCK (28.06.2019)
26th & 4th M40: Fergal Whitty (16.23)
50th & 5th M45: Des Tremble (16.53)
52nd & 6th M45: Alan Farrell (16.54 PB)
77th & 46th MS: Alan Keogh (17.40 PB)
85th & 17th M40: Niall O’Reilly (17.52)
94th & 1st W40: Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill (18.01)
117th & 24th M40: Chris Muldoon (18.29)
123rd & 5th WS: Maura Kearns (18.35)
145th & 13th M50: Peter Nugent (19.14)
209th & 40th M40: Oliver O’Hara (20.09 PB)
277th & 11th M55: Frank McNally (21.39)
291st & 20th WS: Pamela White (21.50)
322nd & 25th WS: Sinead Graham (22.24)
384th & 8th M60: Charlie O’Neill (24.02)
441st & 14th M60: Terry Mee (27.15)
556 finishers
WOMEN’s TEAM: 1st St. Coca’s AC 58; 2nd Donore Harriers (Nic Dhomhnaill, Kearns, White,
Graham) 129; 3rd Na Fianna AC 166. 11 teams
MEN’s TEAM: 1st Raheny Shamrocks AC 90, 6th Donore Harriers 202. 19 teams.

BRITISH MILERS CLUB GRAND PRIX at WATFORD (29.06.2019)
Men’s 3,000m A: 15th Daragh Fitzgibbon (8.32.82)
Men’s 1,500m A: DNF John Travers

ALL IRELAND JUVENILE GAMES at TULLAMORE (29.06.2019)
U.13 Boys Long Jump: 3rd Matei Ursachi (4.65m) bronze medal

U.12 Boys 60m Heat 2: 3rd Mario Omozee (8.70)
U.12 Boys High Jump: 5th Mario Omozee (1.25m)
U.12 Boys Shot Putt: 13th Mario Omozee (7.53m)
U.13 Boys Shot Putt: 12th Matei Ursachi (7.93m)
U.10 Boys Pairs 60m: 12th Donore Harriers (Sebastian Ursachi 9.99 & Dylan O’Connor 9.86)
(19.85)
U.11 Girls Pairs Turbo Javelin: 5th Donore Harriers (Zoe Conroy 15.51m & Amber Lynch
16.52) 32.03m
U.11 Girls Pairs Long Jump: 12th Donore Harriers (Amber Lynch 3.16m & Talitha Hynes
3.19m) 6.35m
U.11 Boys Pairs 600m: 7th Donore Harriers (Luuk Jackson 1.57.20 & Cillian McCooey
1.54.33) (3.53.53)
U.13 Boys 4 x 100m Heat 2: 6th Donore Harriers ( James Dunne, Alex Leonard, Paddy Nolan,
Ciaran O’Farrell) (55.66)

BAUHAUS JUNIOR GALA INVITATION at MANNHEIM (29&30. 06.2019)
U.20 Men’s 400m Heat 1 of 3: 1st Jack Raftery (48.81) placed 10th overall on time
U.20 Men’s 800m Heat 1 of 2: 2nd Louis O’Loughlin (1.50.28)
U.20 Men’s 4 x 400m: 3rd Ireland U.20 with Jack Raftery on Leg 3 (3.15.59)

NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD LEAGUE 2nd QUALIFYING ROUND at SANTRY (30.06.2019)
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
100m: 2nd Aoife Lynch
200m: 1st Aoife Lynch (23.70)
400m: 5th Florence Curley (1.19.0)
800m: 5th Maura Kearns (2.24.7)
1,500m: 4th Grace Kennedy-Clarke (5.13.8)
3,000m: 1st Barbara Cleary (10.18.1)
100mH: 4th Lara O’Byrne (26.60)
400mH: 3rd Caoimhe Mackey (1.12.25)
1,500m Walk: 3rd Anne Gormley (9.15.70)
3,000m SC: 3rd Ruby Kelly (13.17.8)
Long Jump: 3rd Lara O’Byrne
High Jump: 1st Lara O’Byrne (1.60m)
Triple Jump: 4th Roisin Rynn-Cahill (8.56m)
Pole Vault: no competitor
Shot Putt: 4th Emily Geoghegan (7.87m)
Discus: 5th Rebecca Power
Hammer: 1st Lauren O’Keeffe
Javelin: 2nd Rebecca Power
4 x 100m relay: 4th Donore Harriers (Lauren Flaherty, Sarah Latiff, Emily Geoghegan, Lara
O’Byrne) (52.34)
4 x 400m relay: 4th Donore Harriers (Lauren Flaherty; Sarah Higgins, Caoimhe Mackey,
Maura Kearns) (4.26.0)

TEAM SCORE: 1st Donore Harriers (104), 2nd Louth County (103.5), 3rd Tipperary County (101),
4th Monaghan County (97), 5th Clonliffe Harriers (88), 6th Wexford County (61.5)

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
100m: 2nd Paul McDermott (11.07)
200m: 4th Paul McDermott (22.50)
400m: 2nd Elliot Slade (49.06)
800m: 1st John Travers (1.56.4)
1,500m: 1st Daragh Fitzgibbon (4.04.5)
5,000m: 1st Rossa Hurley (15.43.0)
110mH: 1st David Slupko (15.61)
400mH: 3rd Daragh McAuley (59.06)
3,000m Walk: no competitor
3,000m SC: 2nd Gavin Curtin (10.36.9)
Long Jump: 7th Sean Chann
High Jump: Zak Higgins (1.60m)
Triple Jump: 5th Kolade Abiodun (12.26m)
Pole Vault: no competitor
Shot Putt: 5th Jaco Oosthuysen
Discus: 5th Edgar Rutins
Hammer: 6th Alex Conway
Javelin: 1st Edgar Rutins
56lb Hammer: 6th Jaco Oosthuysen
4 x 100m: 4th Donore Harriers (Sean Chann, David Slupko, Adam Halpin, Zak Higgins) (44.79)
4 x 400m: 2nd Donore Harriers (Zak Higgins, Conor Fox, Daragh McAuley, Elliot Slade)
(3.24.7)

TEAM SCORE: 1st Clonliffe Harriers (123), 2nd Donore Harriers (107), 3rd Nenagh Olympic
(100), 4th Crusaders (97), 5th Finn Valley AC (89), 6th Tipperary County (77), 7th Leevale AC (67)

PARKRUNS
Corkagh: 1st Aidan Kelly U.19 (18.59)
Waterstown: 1st Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (16.03); 3rd Gavin Byrne (18.40); 22nd Alan Farrell
U.16 (24.06 PB); 69th Oliver Hopkins U.15 (30.40) went off course
Griffeen: 134th Anna McMahon W35 (31.20)

Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield – Race Report & Results

December 31, 2018Club News, Events, Juvenile, Results, SeniorEmmet Ó Briain

Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield

Thanks to Willie Smith for this report of the race. Willie not only painstakingly marked the course but also was finish timer with Iain Morrison. For the second time in a row we also had the juvenile shield where some of our young runners completed a lap of the course. Thanks to Niall Lynch and Graham and Faith Hopkins for this.

Beautiful day for the 122nd Anniversary and 122nd running of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird 10miles cross-country race. Started flagging the 2 mile lap shortly after 9am with Mick Bourke. On the way around some fantastic scenery with a herd of deer enveloped in low-lying mist. The mist had cleared before the 11am start. The going was sticky but not boggy.

25 runners started off their marks with Michele Murphy, her daughter Molly and son Gavin on the limit of 35 mins. Anne Curley off 18mins 30seconds, running her best for years took the lead on lap 4, and with laps of 13’57”; 13’51”; 13’49”; 14’03”; and 13’43” came home 24 seconds ahead of track runner Dave Campbell, who impressed in his debut with a time of 67mins 17seconds.

It was an emotional win for Anne who had dedicated her race to Jim McNamara prior to her start. Her actual time of 69mins 23 seconds was a big improvement of 8mins 12seconds on last year’s time! With the injury problem she has been dealing with, this was a terrific effort.

There were 20 finishers, with some close battles to the finish line with no quarter given!

The Tommy Hayward cup for the fastest time went to Niall Lynch (60mins 21seconds); the fastest female was Sinead Lambe with an excellent 65mins 46seconds. The youngest finisher was Ava Clarke, daughter of Jim who also finished.

There was a great atmosphere around the finish area with some past members in attendance. Then back in the Lounge for the presentation of the Shield, the Tommy Hayward Cup, the Shield for the juvenile race & prizes. Ian Redican and Des Gill put together on screen a compilation of interviews & reflections by members who ran in the race over the years.

Also well done to Colin Moore & our President Iain on the production of the program, who was also handicapper with Florence Curley with some assistance from Willie Smith. But most of all well done to the 25 members who took their marks.

A collection of images from the day is available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/donoreharriers/albums/72157705079805034

Results of Race and Junior Shield below

Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield
Open Handicap over 10 mile 26th December 2018 Scratch athlete 36mins after 1st athlete

	NAME	RACE TIME	HANDICAP	10 MILE TIME
1	Anne Curley	1h 27m 53s	17m 30s	1h 9m 23s
2	David Campbell	1h 28m 17s	15m	1h 7m 17s
3	Gavin Keogh	1h 32m 24s	5m	1h 1m 24s
4	Donal Iremonger	1h 33m 0s	12m 30s	1h 9min 30s
5	Des Gill	1h 33m 12s	13m 30s	1h 10m 42s
6	Angela Eustace	1h 33m 13s	25m 30s	1h 22m 43s
7	Neil Hand	1h 33m 14s	8m 30s	1h 05m 44s
8	Sinead Lambe	1h 33m 16s	8m 30s	1h 05m 46s
9	Craig Scott	1h 34m 53s	10m 30s	1h 09m 23s
10	Alan Farrell	1h 35m 10s	5m	1h 04m 10s
11	Niall Lynch	1h 35m 21s	1m	1h 0m 21s
12	Catherine McKeon	1h 37m 05s	30m 30s	1h 31m 35s
13	Ian Redican	1h 37m 46s	15m 30s	1h 17m 16s
14	Ken Nugent	1h 38m 55s	Scratch	1h 02m 55s
15	Cliodhna Carthy	1h 39m 0s	18m 30s	1h 31m 30s
16	Tony Griffin	1h 39m 48s	15m 30s	1h 19m 18s
17	James Clarke	1h 39m 51s	25m 30s	1h 29m 21s
18	Charlie O’Neill	1h 43m 12s	28m	1h 38m 12s
19	Frank McNally	1h 44m 17s	17m 30s	1h 21m 47s
20	Ava Clarke	1h 44m 45s	19m 30s	1h 28m 15s

*Fastest 10 mile (Men) / Tommy Hayward Perpetual Trophy	Niall Lynch
*Fastest 10 mile (Women)	Sinead Lambe

DNF
4 laps	Dana Mackey
3 laps	Gavin Murphy O’Kane and Molly Murphy O’Kane
2 laps	Michelle Murphy
1 lap	Florrie Curley

Junior shield results

	NAME	RACE TIME	HANDICAP	2 MILE TIME
1	Amber Lynch	14m 28s	2m	14m 28s
2	Honor Lynch	14m 29s	1m	13m 29s
3	Oliver Hopkins	15m 04s	scratch	13m 04s
4	James Dunne	15m 09s	1m 30s	14m 39s
5	Jamie Kavanagh	15m 16s	1m 45s	15m 01s
6	Laura Noone	DNF

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

June 19, 2018Club News, Events, Juvenile, Results, SeniorEmmet Ó Briain

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 9, 2018Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorEmmet Ó Briain

IUAA T&F Championships 2018

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

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

West Leinsters Track & Field School – Santry April 2018

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

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

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

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

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

Senior Girls Discus
1st Robyn O’Keeffe

Inter Girls 800m
4th Ruby Kelly

Inter Girls 1500m
2nd Roisin Brady

Inter Girls 3000m
3rd Roisin Brady

Junior Boys 800m
1st Abdel Laadjel

Senior Boys 1500m
1st Abdel Laadjel

Senior Boys 110m Hurdles
1st Alex Clarkin

Senior Boys 400m Hurdles
1st Darragh McCauly

Senior Boys Pole Vault
1st Max Carey

Senior boys High Jump
2nd Max Carey

Senior Boys 800m
1st Jack Raftery

Senior Boys 400m
2nd Jack Raftery

Dublin Graded Series: Meet 1 & IMC Greystones

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 Gold 2 Silver 1 Bronze! National Juvenile Indoor Championships Day 2 Report

March 20, 2018Club News, Juvenile, ResultsEmmet Ó Briain

It’s been a long time coming! Jack Raftery could have been described as the ‘nearly man’ in juvenile athletics after a succession of 4th place finishes in 2017. However, he showed his potential with a bronze in the national under 17 Boys 400m final last July. It was a question of perseverance and hard work… On Sunday (18.03.2018) he had the confidence to front run the final of the National Indoor Under 18s Boys 400m at the Athlone Arena. Running from the outside lane he went through the 200m in 24 seconds and withheld the late challenges of Ciaran Carthy (50.42) of DSDAC and Cormac O’Rourke (50.47) of Lagan Valley AC to win his first individual national gold medal in a personal best time of 50.17.

The prolific Louis O’Loughlin chalked up his 15th national title by winning the 1500m. He made his intentions known from the gun by opening a huge lead through 400m, reached in 57 seconds. By the 800m (2.02) mark he had widened the gap on his pursuers but was visibly slowing obviously feeling the effects of the tough All-Ireland school’s race on the previous week. His 3rd 400m section of the race was run in 69 seconds. However, his sheer tenacity saw him home in a personal best time of 4.01.87, with Brian Maguire (4.06.06) of DSDAC and Jake Bagge (4.06.75) of Ferrybank AC next.

Multi-event athletes Lara O’Byrne and Max Carey both won silver medals despite not performing to their normal high standards. O’Byrne opened her Girls Under 19s Long Jump account with a 4.76m leap that put her into 2nd position. However, Laura Cunningham of Craughwell AC had subsequent jumps of 4.83m and 4.87m to relegate the Donore athlete to 3rd. But a final jump of 4.91m saw O’Byrne regain the silver medal position behind Vicki Cusack (5.16m) of Liscarrol AC. Max Carey had a best clearance of 3.40m to win the silver medal in the Under 19 Boys Pole Vault behind Ben O’Dwyer of Moycarkey Coolcroo AC.

Alex Leonard made it 5 medals for Donore Harriers on the first day of the championships. Leonard won his heat in the Under 12 Boys 60m in 8.70 seconds and was the 4th ranked athlete going into the final. He improved his time to 8.54 in a close final to win the bronze medal. His time was equal to Richard McGrath of Galway City, but the Donore athlete lost out on countback – being 5-hundredths of a second slower in heat time. Darragh Fahy of Loughrea AC won in 8.53. Abdel Laadjel (4.23.85) and Sekeriye Ahmed (4.15.74) both got personal bests and 6th positions in their respective finals of the Under 16 Boys and Under 19 Boys 1500m finals.

Isabella Kelly (8.78) placed 4th in her heat of the Under 13 Girls 60m, whilst Lucy Kirwan (8.44) was 5th in heat 2 of the Under 17 Girls 60m. Lucy Hurley (8.61) placed 4th in Heat 1 of the Under 19 Girls 60m. Sean Kinsella could not go higher than 1.45m in the final of the Under 15 Boys High Jump and was disappointed with 15th position.

Results

TRACK:
U/12 Boys 60m Final – 3rd Alex Leonard (8.54) bronze. Alex won qualifying Heat 2 in 8.70
U17 Girls 60m Heat – 5th Lucy Kirwan (8.44)
U/19 Girls 60m Heat – 4th Lucy Hurley (8.61)
U/13 Girls 60m Heat – 4th Isabella Kelly (8.78)
U/18 Boys 400m Final – 1st Jack Raftery (50.17 PB) gold. Jack won qualifying Heat 1 in 52.75; Daragh McAuley 4th in qualifying Heat 3 in 54.89
U/16 Boys 1500m Final – 6th Abdel Laadjel (4.23.85 PB)
U/18 Boys 1500m Final – 1st Louis O’Loughlin (4.01.87 PB) gold. Louis won qualifying Heat 1 in 4.27.05
U/19 Boys 1500m Final – 6th Sekeriye Ahmed (4.15.74 PB)
FIELD:
U/15 Boys High Jump Final – 15th Sean Kinsella (1.45m)
U/19 Girls Long Jump Final – 2nd Lara O’Byrne (4.91m) silver
U/19 Boys Pole Vault Final – 2nd Max Carey (3.40m) silver

Great Road Results on St Patrick’s Day

March 20, 2018Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorEmmet Ó Briain

The weather forced the cancellation of many sports fixtures today including the MSB 5k but yesterday there were some impressive runs around the country from Donore.

John Travers won the Tubbercurry 10k in his adopted county of Sligo in a time of 31.34 and Rossa Hurley was 3rd in 33.07. Eric Keogh had one of his best races of recent times when he came 2nd in the Portlaoise 5k in 14.41.95 only one second off winning the race (DSD’s Hiko Tonosa) and ahead of many international runners like Mick Clohisey, Sean Hehir and Kevin Maunsell. Anthony Ferns finished in 32.44
At the Mullingar half marathon, Chris Muldoon finished faster here 77.27 than in last week’s Bohermeen half marathon achieving 12th place.

Report by Florence Curley

Roads Roundup 23 Feb – 10 March

March 20, 2018Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorEmmet Ó Briain

There have been some notable wins and fine runs on the roads over the past few weeks.

On March 10 in the small Meath village of Bohermeen, the men’s team were victorious on the 2 lap course in the half marathon winning the Rennicks cup Anthony Flannery came 6th and Fergal Whitty 7th and 1st M40 with Niall lynch and Des Tremble the next scorers. The ladies were 3rd team with Florence curley in 9th Place, Elaine Verdon aced a PB too.

Full results

Anthony Flannery 72.54
Fergal Whitty 73.07
Niall lynch 74.51
Des Tremble 75.38
Shane Russell 80.31
Shane McAuley 81.55
Chris Muldoon 84.02
Florence Curley 88.47
Grace Kennedy 89.43
Anne curley 91.15
Tony Griffin 92.20
Ken Cronin 94.24
Elaine 1.40.41 PB
Marianne Dunlevy 1.41.51
Charlie O’Neill 1.48.53 2nd M60
10k – David McGrath 46.51

Up in Bundoran John Travers easily won the Cara Bundoran 10mile in 53.07
Rhona McHugh had a great run in the SSE Derry City 10 Mile 5th woman in 68.44
The same weekend in Barcelona Ciaran Ryan ran an excellent 3.08 in the marathon.

Gavin Keogh won the Adamstown CC 5k in Lucan in 17.08 in late February.
Ariana Ball was 4th in the Duleek 5k in 20.19

Report by Florence Curley

Leinster Indoor & National Master Indoor round-up

March 20, 2018Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorEmmet Ó Briain

A look back to the last few events of the indoor season in February and March where Donore athletes were in action

There was a good haul at the Leinster championships where in the junior rankings, Alex Clarkin won 60MH gold in a time of 8.10; Aoife Lynch won 200m silver in 24.70 and Lara O’Byrne won silver in the long jump with a best leap of 4.96. She also came 4th in 60MH in 9.40. Caoimhe Mackey and Clodagh Martin contested the 400m finishing in 62.54 and 62.84 respectively.

In the senior ranks Zak Higgins won 400m bronze in 51.45 with Adam halpin 53.10 in the same race.
David Campbell ran 2.04.37 in the 800m. Jona Kalemi the 1500m in 5.39.66.

At masters level Donal Iremonger won the M45 400m in 57 seconds exactly and got bronze in the 800m 2.11.95. Thrower Niall Allen won gold in the m40 weight throw with 6.88m

The national masters was a week later than usual because of the snow. Donal Iremonger repeated his feat at the Leinsters with even faster times winning the 400m in 56.84 and bronze in the 800m in 2.11.78. Anne Gormley won gold in the W50 3k walk.

Report by Florence Curley

(Donal Iremonger pictured by Sportsfile at the national masters Athlone)

Juvenile Race Report: Dublin Indoor T&F Championships 2018

February 15, 2018Club News, Juvenile, ResultsEmmet Ó Briain

RACE REPORT – (2, 9, 10 & 11 February 2018)

Report by Gerry Naughton

The Donore Harriers team had plenty to celebrate in the 2018 Dublin Indoor track and field championships at the National Arena at Abbotstown last weekend. Top of the bill was Louis O’Loughlin and Jack Raftery in the Under 18 Boys 800m final on Sunday, which returned a Donore Harriers gold and silver as O’Loughlin took more than 2 and a-half seconds of the personal best with a time of 1.52.24, whilst runner-up Raftery (1.56.64) took 3 seconds off his previous best mark.

The highlight on Saturday was the high jumping exploits of Max Carey. Competing in the Under 19 category Carey and Kevin Byrne of Raheny Shamrocks AC were the last men standing, but the latter held the advantage by jumping the 1.75m mark before the Donore athlete. Carey then made a crucial first clearance with the bar at 1.80m, with Byrne clearing at the 2nd attempt. The bar was then put up to 1.85m and both Carey and Byrne failed with their first 2 attempts. The Raheny athlete then cleared the 1.85m to take the lead. It was last-chance- saloon for Carey! But the Donore man held his nerve and cleared the bar to record an excellent win on count-back. Carey also won a silver medal by jumping 3.40m in the Pole Vault.

Newcomer Alex Leonard had a day of mixed emotions in the Under 12 Boys 60m sprints on Saturday. He easily won his heat, but the photo-recorder did not pick up his finishing image and he was not qualified to the final. However, a successful appeal saw Leonard continue in the competition and he justified his place on the start line by winning the gold medal. Emma Stacey and Aoibheann Scott, both members of the Dublin U/14 camogie squad, qualified for the final of the Under 15 Girls 800m. The realistic expectation was for the girls to try to make the top 6. But Stacey clearly had other ideas. She quickly settled into 4th place and passing the 200m in 35 seconds, she gained to 3rd. She held that position passing laps 2 and 3 in times of 1.12 and 1.53. Down the back strait for the last time she edged into 2nd place and with a gritty determination held on to the silver medal position in an excellent time of 2.29.5. Scott also ran a very gutsy race and maintained 5th position throughout.

Gold medals were also won by Sebastian Ursachi (1.45.00) in the Under 9 Boys 500m; Ben Iveagh (23.26pb) in the Under 18 Boys 200m; Andie Maguire in the Under 19 Girls Triple Jump, Lara O’Byrne (5.01m) in the Under 19 Girls Long Jump and the Under 18 Boys (Daragh McAuley, Ben Iveagh, Louis O’Loughlin, Jack Raftery) 4 x 200m relay team. Promising under 16 athlete Abdel Laadjel picked up a double silver in the 800m (2.09.60) and 1500m (4.25.53). Matei Ursachi also won double silver in the Under 12 Boys High Jump and Long Jump, whilst the other silver medallists included Sean Kinsella (1.55m) in the Under 15 Boys High Jump, Ryan O’Keeffe (11.13m) in the Under 18 Boys Shot Putt, Suzi O’Farrell in the Under 19 Girls 60m; and the Under 19 Girls (Ciara O’Donnell, Lucy Hurley, Andie Maguire & Suzi O’Farrell) 4 x 200m relay.

Bronze medals were won by Mario Omozee in the Under 11 Boys 60m, Matei Ursachi in the Under 12 Boys Shot Putt; debutante Eve Conroy in the Under 13 Girls 60m Hurdles; Sarah Tavel in the Under 15 Girls Shot Putt; Daragh McAuley (52.67pb) in the Under 18 Boys 400m, Lucy Hurley in the Under 19 Girls 60m; Suzi O’Farrell in the Under 19 Girls 200m, Sekeriye Ahmed (4.21.98( in the Under 19 Boys 1500m; and the Under 12 Boys (James Dunne, Matei Ursachi, Louis Wright, Ciaran O’Farrell) 4 x 100m relay team.

Whilst there are many who earned a special mention, there is none more deserving than brave James Dunne who held 3rd position for most of the Under 12 Boys 600m final, only to fade in the final 50 metres and having to settle for 6th place. Among those who qualified for the national finals, by placing 4th, were sisters Isabella Kelly in the Under 13 Girls 60m, and Ruby Kelly (2.34.6) in the Under 16 Girls 800m.

Donore’s medal tally was 11 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze.

RESULTS IN BRIEF.
GOLD = U/9 Boys 500m – Sebastian Ursachi (1.45.0); U/12 Boys 60m – Alex Leonard (NTA);
U/18 Boys 200m – Ben Iveagh (23.26 PB); U/18 Boys 400m – Jack Raftery (50.53); U/18 Boys
800m – Louis O’Loughlin (1.52.U/18 Boys 1500m – Louis O’Loughlin (4.05.79); U/18 Boys
High Jump – Jack Raftery (1.73m PB); U/18 Boys 4 x 200m (Daragh McAuley, Ben Iveagh,
Louis O’Loughlin & Jack Raftery); U/19 Girls Triple Jump – Andie Maguire (NMA); U/19 Girls
Long Jump – Lara O’Byrne (5.01m); U/19 Boys High Jump – Max Carey (1.85m PB)
SILVER = U/12 Boys High Jump – Matei Ursachi (NMA); U/12 Boys Long Jump – Matei
Ursachi (NMA); U/15 Girls 800m – Emma Stacey (2.29.50PB); U/15 Boys High Jump – Sean
Kinsella (1.55m); U/16 Boys 800m – Abdel Laadjel (2.09.60); U/16 Boys 1,500m – Abdel
Laadjel (4.25.53); U/18 Boys 1500m – Jack Raftery (1.56.64 PB); U/18 Boys Shot Putt – Ryan
O’Keeffe (11.13m); U/19 Girls 60m – Suzi O’Farrell; U/19 Boys Pole Vault – Max Carey
(3.40m); U/19 Girls 4 x 200m (Ciara O’Donnell, Lucy Hurley, Andie Maguire & Suzi O’Farrell)
BRONZE = U/11 Boys 60m – Mario Omozee (NTG); U/12 Boys Shot Putt – Matei Ursachi
(NMA); U/12 Boys 4 x 100m (James Dunne, Matei Ursachi, Louis Wright, Ciaran O’Farrell);
U/13 Girls 60m Hurdles – Eve Conroy (NTA); U/15 Girls Shot Putt – Sarah Tavey (NMA); U/18
Boys 400m – Daragh McAuley (52.67); U/19 Girls 60m – Lucy Hurley; U/19 Girls 200m Suzi
O’Farrell (NTA); U/19 Boys 1500m – Sekeriye Ahmed (4.21.98)
Others who deserve a special mention: – U/14 Girls 800m – 7th Grace Raftery (2.44.1 won
Heat in 2.42.39); U/15 Girls 800m heat – 3rd Abbie Brennan (2.44.0 – qualified to final); U/15
Girls 60m Hurdles – 5th Aoife Sammon (NTA); 6 th Sophie O’Farrell (NTA); U/15 Boys 800m –
5th Sean Kinsella (2.21.4): U/16 Girls 1,500m – 7th Ruby Kelly (4.40.8 – race one lap short);
U/16 Boys 800m – 7th Sean Kissane (2.19.9); U/19 Girls 200m – 5th Lucy Hurley (NTA); U/19
Boys 800m – 5 th Sekeriye Ahmed (2.05.8)

Some listed results are hand-timed and are subject to confirmation.

DH LTDP Camogie Girls Squad Members –
U/15 Girls 4 x 200m Heat 1 – 3rd Donore Harriers B in 2.02.4 (Caitriona McMahon, Ruth Fitzsimons, Leonie Power & Emma Stacey) – hand times;

U/15 Girls 4 x 200m Heat 3 – 2 nd Donore Harriers A in 1.59.3 (Sophie O’Farrell, Sarah
Tavey, Sophie McIntyre & Aoife Sammon) – hand times;
U/15 Girls 60m Heat 1 – 4th Sophie McIntyre (NTA);
U/15 Girls 60m Heat 3 – 5th Emma Stacey (NTA);
U/15 Girls 60m Heat 4 – 4th Caitriona McMahon (NTA);
U/15 Girls 60m Heat 5 – 6th Ruth Fitzsimons (NTA)
U/15 Girls 800m Heat 1 – 1st Emma Stacey (2.30.43), 5th Annabelle Timothy (2.49.0)
U/15 Girls 800m Heat 2 – 3rd Abbie Brennan (2.44.0); 6th Ruth Fitzsimons (2.49.0); 7 th
Caitriona McMahon (2.50.0)
U/15 Girls 800m Heat 3 – 5th Sarah-Louise Nolan (2.49.0), 6th Tara Coffey (2.54.0)
U/15 Girls 800m Heat 4 – 1st Aoibheann Scott (2.38.23); 8th Lily Rooney (2.56.0); DNF Leonie
Power (retired ill on last lap)
U/15 Girls 800m FINAL – 2nd Emma Stacey (2.29.50); 5th Aoibheann Scott (2.37.50)