A short video of the highs and lows of our club activities for 2020 can be seen here

Detailed results available below.

 

 

 

 

JANUARY

01: Tom Brennan 5km Road Race at Phoenix Park – 16 years old Abdel Laadjel ran 15.19 to finish 8^th and 1^st junior; Barbara Cleary (17.10) was 2^nd woman and 1^st W45; Barry Potts (22.02) 1^st M65. 12 DH athletes took part, including Frank Greally.

05: Dublin Masters XC at Raheny – DH W35 team (Barbara Murray, Audrey Gahan, Ariana Ball & Sinead Graham-O’Reilly) took bronze, finishing 10^th, 13^th, 19^th & 23^rd respectively. DH M50 team (Peter Gaffney, Phil Hennessy, Ciaran O’Flaherty & Peter Nugent) claimed silver, with 50^th, 55th, 105^th & 126^th placings. DH M35 team came 7^th. Barry Potts won the M70 category. DH had a total of 8 women and 19 men compete.

11: National Indoor League (1 of 2) at NIA – DH in 7^th position, with best performances from Eva McPartlan (8.22) 4^th in 60m, Caoimhe Mackey (10.10) 3^rd in 60mH and Jack Byrne (1.59.7) 4^th in 800m.

11: Half-Marathon Festival Race 2 at Donadea Forest – Paul Cummins (1.24.28) came 3^rd.

12: Leinster Masters XC at Gowran – DH W35 & M50 teams both came 6^th.

12: Half-Marathon Festival Race 4 at Donadea Forest – Cathal McCarron (1.22.27) won.

14: NIA Live Indoor Meet No. 3 – Jack Byrne (1.58.82) 2^nd in 800m. 8 juveniles competed, with Luuk Jackson (1.51.31) 1^st in the U12 600m.

19: BHAA EIR XC at Cherryfield Park – Tristan Druet (26.55) & Rossa Hurley (27.10) placed 6^th and 8^th over 5 miles.

19: Women’s Meet & Train Winter League Race 3 at Cherryfield Park – Caroline McCarthy (13.17) in 5^th place led home 11 DH women, including W80 athlete Ann Woodlock.

23: West Leinster Schools XC at Phoenix Park – Thomas Bolton & Oliver Hopkins 1^st and 2^nd in the Junior Boys; Abdel Laadjel 2^nd in Intermediate Boys; and Louis O’Loughlin 2^nd in Senior Boys. Also, Laura Nunan 4^th in Minor Girls.

23: North Leinster Schools XC at Phoenix Park – Matei Ursachi 2^nd in Minor Boys

25: AI National Junior & U23 Indoor Championships at AIT: Jack Raftery (48.87) won the Junior Men’s 400m. Paul McDermott (21.84) 2^nd in U23 200m.

26: National Indoor League (2 of 2) at AIT: Aoife Lynch (25.05) 1^st in 200m, DH 4 x 200m relay team (Lauren Flaherty, Aoife Lynch, Lucy Hurley, Sarah Latiff) 3^rd in 1.49.87. Paul McDermott & Louis O’Loughlin won the 200m & 1,500m respectively in 21.99 & 4.04.56. DH 4 x 200m relay team (Alex Clarkin, Zak Higgins, Jack Raftery & Paul McDermott) also won in a club record 1.30.25. DH women’s team came 8^th overall. Men’s team came 6^th.

26: 36^th AXA Raheny 5 Mile Road Race: Vaporflys and PBs galore! John Travers (23.15) came 8^th despite having to stop to remove a sock, with Eric Keogh (23.21) 10^th, Lee Van Haeften (24.27) 22^nd. James Bolton (27.29) 4^th junior. Barbara Cleary (27.34) 7^th woman & 1^st W45. DH senior team of Travers, Keogh & Van Haeften came 2^nd from 73 teams. 23 DH athletes competed.

26: AXA Raheny Juvenile Road Races: Emily Bolton, Eva Crowe & Julie Cleary came 1^st, 2^nd, and 5^th in the Girls 8-12 race, Matei Ursachi won the Boys 8-12 race, Katie Delaney 4^th in Girls 13-16 race and Sean Kinsella and Oliver Hopkins 2^nd and 5^th in the Boys 13-16 category.

28: NIA Live Indoor Meet No. 4 – Jack Byrne (2.00.18) 1^st in senior 800m. 7 juveniles, including Luuk Jackson 1^st in both U12 60m (9.15) & 200m (31.30), Ruby Blake (33.14) 2^nd in U12 200m and Alex Leonard 2^nd in both U14 60m (8.21) & 200m (28.33).

FEBRUARY

01: BHAA Garda XC at Phoenix Park – 4 miles 3^rd Rossa Hurley (22.28)

02: Trim 10 Mile Road Race – 2^nd Eric Keogh (49.28), 5^th Lee Van Haeften (52.20)

08: National Intermediate & Masters XC Championships at Rathdrum – DH women’s Intermediate team 4^th. Maura Kearns 7^th individual. DH men’s intermediate team (Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (7^th), Matthieu Proffitt (16^th), Eoin Durkan (23^rd) & Rossa Hurley (24th) won gold by 2 points ahead of Leevale AC. DH master women came 11^th and master men 6^th. DH had 10 women and 19 men compete.

12: Leinster Schools XC at Santry Demesne – Matei Ursachi 5^th in Minor Boys, Oliver Hopkins & James Bolton 4^th & 5^th respectively in Junior Boys, Abdel Laadjel 2^nd in Intermediate Boys, Louis O’Loughlin 2^nd in Senior Boys.

12: Dublin Juvenile Indoor Championships Day 2 at NIA – DH U14 Boys 4 x 200m Relay team of James Dunne, Alex Leonard, Paddy Nolan & Ciaran O’Farrell won silver.

15: Armagh International 5km Race – 56^th Daragh Fitzgibbon (14.23)

15: Dublin Juvenile Indoor Championships Day 3 at NIA – GOLD = Mario Omozee U13 Boys 60mH, Rory O’Farrell U14 Boys 60mH, Eva Conroy U16 Girls 60mH, Emily Bolton U12 Girls 600m, Matei Ursachi U14 Boys 800m, SILVER = Lorraine O’Connor U14 Girls 800m, Thomas Bolton U15 Boys 800m, Sean Kinsella U17 Boys 800m, Matei Ursachi U14 Boys LJ, Romeo Omozee U15 Boys LJ, BRONZE = Mario Omozee U13 Boys 60m, Jennifer O’Reilly U19 Girls 200m, Luuk Jackson U12 Boys 600m, Oliver Hopkins U16 Boys 800m, Rory O’Farrell U14 Boys LJ, Caolan Costello U14 Boys SP

15: Irish Universities Indoor Track & Field Championships at AIT: SILVER = Lara O’Byrne (1.65m) in High Jump & Paul McDermott (21.67) in the 200m. BRONZE = Aoife Lynch (24.84) in 200m. Eva McPartlan (9.55) & Caoimhe Mackey (9.89) 4^th in 6^th in 60mH. Ailbhe Healy (2.45m) 6^th in PV.

16: Barcelona International Half-Marathon – 48^th John Travers (1.04.42), 55^th Eric Keogh (1.05.11), 107^th Lee Van Haeften (1.08.29). 6 DH competed.

16: Enniscorthy 10km Road Race – 11^th and 1^st woman was Barbara Cleary (36.11). Also, Gavin Keogh 7^th in 35.41.

16: Dublin Juvenile Indoor Championships Day 4 at NIA – GOLD = Oliver Hopkins (4.29.14) U16 Boys 1,500m, Romeo Omozee (1.40m) U15 Boys HJ, SILVER = Jennifer O’Reilly U19 Girls 60m, Gavin Curtin (4.28.39) U19 Boys 1,500m, Mario Omozee (1.40m) U13 Boys HJ, BRONZE = Annabella Omozee U10 Girls 60m, Alex Leonard U14 Boys 60m, Isabella Kelly U15 Girls 60m, James Bolton (4.34.35) U17 Boys 1,500m, Mario Omozee (7.74m) U13 Boys SP.

16: Women’s Meet & Train Winer League No. 4 at Abbotstown – DH had 5 competitors led home by Cliodhna Carthy in 9^th. Ann Woodlock W80 came 125^th.

19: Dublin Juvenile Indoor Championships Day 5 at NIA – BRONZE = Romeo Omozee U15 Boys SP

21: NIA Live Indoor Meet No. 5 – Aidan O’Rourke M35 3^rd in both 400m and 800m in 59.96 and 2.13.59 respectively. Sean Fox (5.04.78) 7^th in the Mile.

22: Leinster Senior & Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships at AIT – There were gold medals for Emmet O’Brian (2.10.64) in the M40 800m, and Niall Allen (11.00m) in the M45 Shot Putt. Jona Kalemi (2.41.07) was 7^th in the senior women’s 800m.

23: Seville International Marathon – Ray Hynes ran 2.24.18.

29: Donore Harriers Men’s XC Championships for the Faugh-A-Ballagh Cup 6 miles – 15 competitors, with Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (34.03) in 1^st, Rossa Hurley (36.02) 2^nd and Tadgh Moriarty (36.42) 3^rd. Former Club President and international athlete Tony Murphy presented the Faugh-A-Ballagh trophy.

29: Donore Harriers Women’s XC Championships for the Jim McNamara Cup 4 miles – 11 competitors, with Grace Kennedy-Clarke (28.36) 1^st, Anne Curley (30.15) 2^nd, and Caroline McCarthy (30.37) 3^rd. Shane McNamara presented the Jim McNamara Cup, so named in honour of his late father.

29/01 March: National Senior Indoor Championships at AIT – John Travers (8.00.96) retained the 3,000m crown after an exciting race. Paul McDermott (21.73) took silver in the 200m.

MARCH

01: Lusk 4-Mile Road Race – Maura Kearns (24.05) was 2^nd woman, and Peter Gaffney (23.54) 2^nd in the M50 age-class.

07: All Ireland Schools XC at Santry Demesne – Oliver Hopkins ran gun to tape in 1^st place to pull off a surprise victory in the Junior Boys. Abdel Laadjel left behind a good quality field in the final lap to win the Intermediate Boys. Neither Oliver or Abdel had won at the qualifying West Leinster or the Leinster XC races! Louis O’Loughlin was 6^th in Senior Boys.

07: Straffan 10km Road Race – Eric Keogh (30.05) and Lee Van Haeften (31.25) came 1^st and 2^nd.

07: IUAA XC Championships at Currahean, Cork – 5 members of DH competed, with Matthieu Proffitt (28.47) 22^nd in the Men’s 8km race in the colours of TCD.

07: Kinvara Half-Marathon – 6 DH competed, with Barry Potts (1.40.34) 1^st in the M70 category,

08: Irish Life National Masters Indoor Championships at AIT – GOLD = Emmet O’Brian (2.06.72) in the M40 800m, SILVER = Niall Allen (11.16m) in the M45 Shot Putt & Anne Gormley (22.10.50) in the 3km Walk, BRONZE = Colm Dunne (7.85) in the M45 60m and Donal Iremonger (2.11.01) in the M45 800m.

08: Bohermeen Half- Marathon – Barbara Cleary (1.17.15) was first woman and 28^th overall. Fergal Whitty (1.12.30) came 11^th and 2^nd M40. DH had 12 competitors.

21: Schools International XC at Falkirk – CANCELLED

APRIL

05: Great Ireland Run incorporating National 10km Championships at Phoenix Park – CANCELLED

19: National Road Relay Championships at Raheny – CANCELLED

26: National Juvenile Indoor Championships at AIT – CANCELLED

29: Dublin Open Graded series – POSTPONED

MAY

02: Leinster Road Championships – CANCELLED

03: Belfast Marathon – CANCELLED

13: Leinster Schools T&F Championships at Santry – CANCELLED

17: National League at Various – CANCELLED

17: Irish Runner 5km incorporating National Championships at Phoenix Park – CANCELLED

JUNE

12: Dublin Juvenile T&F Championships – CANCELLED

13: National 5 Mile Championships at Phoenix Park – CANCELLED

20: Tailteann Games – CANCELLED

JULY

07: Cork City Sports – CANCELLED

10: Morton Games – CANCELLED

12: Irish 10 Mile Championships at Phoenix Park – CANCELLED

12: National Juvenile T&F Championships at Tullamore – CANCELLED

18: Schools International T&F at Derbyshire – CANCELLED

 

22: Competition resumed after more than 4 months restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic with the Dublin Open Graded Meet (1 of 3) at Santry. The event incorporating the Dublin Championships. Eric Keogh (29.20.3) recorded the fastest 10km by an Irishman in 2020 to win gold, whilst Lee Van Haeften (31.04.8) took bronze. Aoife Lynch (12.42) took silver in the women’s 100m, but Paul McDermott (11.06) narrowly missed the podium with 4^th in the 100m.

AUGUST

05: Dublin Open Graded Meet (2 of 3) at Tallaght. Paul McDermott (22.45) 1^st in Men’s 200m. Aoife Lynch (25.28) 2^nd in Women’s 200m.

09: Rock & Roll Half-Marathon incorporating National Championships at Phoenix Park – CANCELLED

12: Dublin Open Graded Meet (3 of 3) at Tallaght. DH 4 x 1 Mile relay attempt to break 1963 club record of 17.20.8 failed – Eliott Slade 4.20.5, Abdel Laadjel 4.23.96, Louis O’Loughlin 4.20.80 & Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan 4.21.60 ran a combined time of 17.32.20. In the 5,000m U19 athlete Gavin Curtin ran a PB of 15.53.60.

16: Kilkenny Open Track Meeting – Louis O’Loughlin (3.56.90) and Abdel Laadjel (4.03.49) ran PBs to finish 1^st and 2^nd in the 1,500m. Gavin Curtin (4.09.24) came 6^th with a new PB.

22 & 23: National Senior & U23 T&F Championships (Days 1 & 2) at Santry – John Travers (13.57.11) claimed silver in the 5,000m. Caoimhe Mackey (1.07.20) took bronze in the U23 400mH. Also, Ide Nic Dhomhnaill (16.52.57) & Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (17.09.55) 5^th & 8ths in the 5,000m, Aoife Lynch (12.25) 8^th in 100m, and Lara O’Byrne (1.60m) 5^th in High Jump and (27.70) 10^th in Javelin.

29 & 30: National Senior & U23 T&F Championships (Days 3 & 4) at Santry – At senior level Eric Keogh (29.36.21) won the silver medal in the 10,000m, and Louis O’Loughlin (1.53.83) took bronze in the 800m. Lara O’Byrne (15.17) claimed bronze in the U23 100mH, as did Ailbhe Healy (2.60m) in the U23 Pole Vault and Paul McDermott (21.75) in the U23 200m. Aoife Lynch (24.47) came 4^th in the senior 200m. Adam Halpin (23.59) and Conor Fox (23.95) got PBs in the 200m qualifiers.

SEPTEMBER

04: NIA Live Juvenile Track Meet at Santry – Luuk Jackson (1.46.51) won the U12 Boys 600m.

06: National Masters T&F Championships at Santry – GOLD = Niall Allen (5.82m) in the M45 56lb Throw, SILVER = Fiona Smith-Keegan (14.91) W35 Javelin, Donal Iremonger (2.14.38) M45 800m, Emmet O’Briain (4.26.52) in M40 1,500m, Des Tremble (16.50.33) M50 5,000m, Tony Kynes (5.32.63) in M65 1,500m & Barry Potts (22.50.38) M70 5,000m, BRONZE = Colm Dunne (12.30) M45 in the 100m.

11: Morton Live Track Meet at Santry – Emmet O’Briain M40 (4.42.85) 4^th and Donal Iremonger M45 (5.06.02) 9^th in the Men’s mile.

12 & 13: National Combined Events Championships at Santry – in the Senior Women’s Heptathlon Lara O’Byrne was 1^st in the 100mH (15.92), 1^st in the High Jump (1.64m) & 2^nd in the Shot (9.14m) but unfortunately had to retire from the event due to injury.

13: The Willie Dunne Juvenile Relay on the Donore Harriers track – about 30 club juveniles covered the marathon distance to honour Willie Dunne’s 1960 Olympic Marathon (10.09.1960) race, which he completed in 2.33.08. Those who took part were Oliver Hopkins, Amber Lynch, Honor Lynch, Liam Morris, Liam Blair, Lorraine O’Connor, Alex Phelan, Luuk Jackson, Hannah Eustace, Sebastian Ursachi, Tara Hoare, Avan Hoare, Ruby Kelly, Claudia Redmond, Roisin Kirby, Eva Crowe, Daniel Hughes, Katie Delaney, Rebecca Horan, James Dunne, Sam Inverarity, Tom Nolan, Emily Bolton, Matie Ursachi, Annabella Omozee, Melody Omozee, Dylan McKenna, Laura Nunan, Eleanor Hopkins, Joe Kinsella, Sean Kinsella & Mario Omozee. The team ran the marathon distance in about 2h.41m.

13: National Junior T&F Championships at Santry – Louis O’Loughlin (1.50.93) retained his title in the Junior Men’s 800m, whilst Abdel Laadjel (8.39.72) took silver in the 3,000m and still has 2 years left in the grade. In the B 3km Gavin Curtin was 2^nd in 9.05.66 and James Bolton 5^th in 9.26.30.

13: Charleville International Half-Marathon – 3 DH women in the top 4, with Ide Nic Dhomhnaill (1.18.36) the winner, newcomer Sorcha Loughnane (1.20.48) in 2^nd and Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (1.21.31) 4^th. They placed 55^th, 65^th & 67^th in the overall race. Ray Hynes (1.09.57) came 10^th, Robert Murphy (1.10.19) 12^th and Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (1.11.33) 20^th.

19: Castlegar Open XC at Doughiska – Des Tremble 22^nd and 1^st M50 in Men’s 6km. Claire Mulligan 27^th and 7^th W40 after 4km.

19: Charlestown 10km – Alasdair Brown (36.47) came 12^th.

20: Dublin Juvenile League – CANCELLED

OCTOBER

11: Spar Open International XC at Abbotstown – CANCELLED

18: Dublin Novice & Even Ages XC – CANCELLED

25: Dublin Marathon incorporating National Championships – CANCELLED

NOVEMBER

08: Dublin Senior, Junior & Uneven Ages XC – POSTPONED

10: 17 years old Leaving Certificate student Abdel Laadjel accepts to go on an Athletics Scholarships to Providence College in the USA beginning in September 2021.

14: British & Irish Masters XC at Santry Demesne – CANCELLED

14: We lost our wonderful friend and brilliant sprints/hurdles coach John Geoghegan. RIP.

22: National Senior, Junior & Even Ages XC – POSTPONED

DECEMBER

05: DH Jingle Bells 5km – CANCELLED

06: National Novice & Uneven Ages XC Championships at Gowran – POSTPONED

12: Inaugural Maurice B Ahern Cup 5km (DH Junior & U23 XC handicap championship) at Waterstown Park – 1^st Gavin Curtin 16.42.0 (- 0.45) = 15.57.0, 2^nd Sean Kinsella 18.08.1 (- 1.50) = 16.018.1, 3^rd Fathi Aden 16.18.3 (scratch) = 16.18.3. Pat Hennessy (West Waterford AC) won the open race in 15.47.6. There were 14 competitors.

26: 124^th Waterhouse-Byrne-Baird Shield at the ‘Dog Pond’ – 40 starters & 40 finishers. James Bolton became the 2^nd youngest winner aged 16 and 53 days. His actual time of 62.09 was amended to 85.39, and that put him 20 seconds clear of Donal Iremonger (66.59 – 85.59). Men’s Captain Craig Scott (66.47 – 86.47) came 3^rd. Eric Keogh was fastest man in 53.00 and Barbara Cleary fastest woman in 63.07. Louis O’Loughlin was fastest junior man in 60.24. About 20 members of the Baird family were in attendance, as a mark of respect to their grandfather/great-grandfather Davie Baird, who won the first of his 3 wins in 1920.

27: 4^th Willie Dunne Shield 2-mile (DH juvenile U16s handicap championship) at the ‘Dog Pond’. A record 17 athletes made it to the start line on a very cold morning. Result – 1^st Matei Ursachi (12.03 – 16.18), 2^nd Lorraine O’Connor (12.45 – 16.30), 3^rd Emily Bolton (12.58 – 16.43). Willie Dunne was in attendance but kept a social distance.

DONORE HARRIERS ATHLETES IN THE IRISH TOP LISTS (RANKINGS) FOR 2020

MEN’S OUTDOORS

100m 20^th – Paul McDermott 11.06 at Dublin Graded

200m 7^th – Paul McDermott 21.75 at National Championships

800m 5^th – Louis O’Loughlin 1.50.93 at National Junior Championships

3,000m (track) 20^th – Abdel Laadjel 8.39.72 at National Junior Championships

5,000m (track) 5^th – John Travers 13.57.11 at National Championships

10,00m (track) 1^st – Eric Keogh 29.20.3, 16^th – Lee Van Haeften 31.04.8 both Dublin Graded

Half-Marathon 7^th – John Travers 1.04.53, 11^th – Eric Keogh 1.05.19 both Barcelona

Marathon 6^th – Ray Hynes 2.24.18 at Sevilla

WOMEN’S OUTDOORS

100m 8^th – Aoife Lynch 12.25 at National Championships

200m 7^th – Aoife Lynch 24.57 at National Championships

5,000m (track) 11^th – Ide Nic Dhomhnaill 16.52.57 at National Championships, 12^th – Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill 16.56.16 at Belfast

Half-Marathon 10^th – Barbara Cleary 1.17.16 at Bohermeen, 12^th – Ide Nic Dhomhnaill 1.18.40 at Charleville, 18^th – Sorcha Loughnane 1.20.53 at Charleville, 20^th – Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill 1.21.35 at Charleville

100m Hurdles 7^th – Lara O’Byrne 15.17 at National Championships

400m Hurdles 10^th – Caoimhe Mackey 1.07.20 at National Championships

High Jump 9^th – Lara O’Byrne 1.65m at National Championships

Pole Vault 10^th – Ailbhe Healy 2.70m at Field Events Festival

Javelin Throw 14^th – Lara O’Byrne 27.70m at National Championships

MEN’S INDOORS

200m 3^rd – Paul McDermott 21.67 at Irish Universities Championships

400m 11^th – Jack Raftery 48.87 at National Junior Championships

3,000m 2^nd – John Travers 8.00.96 at National Championships

WOMEN’S INDOOR

60m 16^{th –} Aoife Lynch 7.72 at Athletics Ireland Indoor Games

200m 9^th – Aoife Lynch 24.78 at National Championships

60m Hurdles 17^th – Eva McPartlan 9.50 at Athletics Ireland Indoor Games

High Jump 11^th – Lara O’Byrne 1.65m at Irish Universities Championships

Pole Vault 17^th – Alibhe Healy 2.45m at Irish Universities Championships

 

This event is normally run-in conjunction with the Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield race. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions and protocols a decision, based on risk assessment, was made to delay the ‘time-trial’ by 24 hours.

 

 

 

Very cold air emerging from northwest Canada and Greenland made it a bitterly cold morning for the young athletes. Heavy rain in the previous 20 hours meant that the underfoot conditions were much softer and more challenging than in the previous day’s W-B-B Shield run.

Seventeen starters made it the biggest ever field for the W-D-S – and included all 3 of the previous winners: – Oliver Hopkins (2017), Amber Lynch (2018) and James Dunne (2019).

The 3 fastest athletes on the day took the first 3 positions, even allowing for their time delays. Matei Ursachi, a talented and committed young athlete with a great future in the sport, took just 12.03 to complete the 2-mile circuit starting at the Citadel Pond, going around the Gallops and returning past the Garda, Army & Cricket sports grounds. With a handicap of 4m.15s, his amended time was 16.18. Next came training partners Lorraine O’Connor and Emily Bolton, who both had handicaps of 3m.45s. They ran handicap times of 16.30 and 16.43 and real times of 12.45 and 12.58 respectively to claim 2^nd and 3^rd places.

Just outside the medals was 2019 winner James Dunne, who did a real time of 15.24, amended to 16.54. Sebastian Ursachi came 5^th in 15.08 after a plus 2 minutes to 17.08. The 2018 winner Amber Lynch occupied 6^th with times of 15.10 and 17.10. All the results are listed below. Note that there were 2 DNFs.

The LTAD juvenile squad coaches of Graham Hopkins, Niall Lynch and Thomas Delaney were complimented by the Club President Charlie O’Neill, Club Secretary Peter Nugent, Juvenile Secretary Leonie Newman and others on organizing the event in such adversarial circumstances. Niall Lynch later said “Brilliant morning, thanks to Graham for putting it together. The Willie Dunne Shield is firmly on the calendar now”

Club President Charlie O’Neill, who presented the medals and the Shield, said “Delighted to there this morning. Well done to the athletes and special thanks to the organisers, helpers, and coaches. Congratulations to the winner Matei”

Fred Kiernan took the legend that is Willie Dunne (1960 Olympic Games marathoner) to watch the event named in his honour. Due to covid-19 restrictions and the bitterly cold weather the two former club coaches viewed the time-trial from the car. Willie is said to have been very impressed by the winner Matei and has tipped him for big things in athletics. High praise indeed!

 

	Athlete	Amend	H/Cap	Actual
1	Matei Ursachi	16.18	4.15	12.03
2	Lorraine O’Connor	16.3	3.45	12.45
3	Emily Bolton	16.43	3.45	12.58
4	James Dunne	16.54	1.3	15.24
5	Sebastian Ursachi	17.08	2	15.08
6	Amber Lynch	17.1	2	15.1
7	Laura Nunan	17.18	2.45	14.33
8	Ruairi Kirby	17.43	2.3	15.13
9	Roisin Kirby	17.47	2.3	15.17
10	Rian Kavanagh	17.54	2	15.54
11	Olivia Furlong	17.58	0	17.58
12	Oliver Hopkins	18.02	4.3	13.32
13	Eleanor Hopkins	18.09	2	16.09
14	Katie Delaney	18.09	1.3	16.39
15	Joe Kinsella	19.03	2.3	16.33

 

Some sporting events are sacred! The FA Cup Final in football, the Ryder Cup in golf, Wimbledon in tennis, the Olympic Games, the Tour De France in cycling, the Six Nations in rugby are examples! And you can add the Waterhouse Byrne Baird (W-B-B) Shield in club cross-country running.

 

 

The Shield is the oldest and longest consecutively run club cross-country event in the world, dating back to 1896. The race has been held every year since then, except for 1916 – when it is said that many members of the club were fighting in the trenches in the Great War. The other factor was the proximity of the Magazine Fort to the course, which was then an ammunitions depot and the scene of one of the first casualties in the 1916 Easter Rebellion.

The W-B-B was held during the most part of the Great War, and continued during the Spanish Flu, the Civil War, the 2^nd World War, the Tuberculosis Epidemic, 3 outbreaks of Foot and Mouth disease and severe weather conditions in 1962 and 2010. History will show that the 2020 version survived the coronavirus pandemic thanks to the diplomatic intervention of Club President Charlie O’Neill to convince the Office of Public Works (OPW) of the historical importance of the W-B-B Shield and we are very grateful to the OPW for permission to hold the Shield.

Thus the 124^th edition of the ‘Shield’ took place as a ‘time-trial’ on the 26^th December 2020 under strict protocols agreed between the club and the OPW to restrict the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. On a cold morning with the barometer reading 8° and gusts up to 50km per hour a total of 40 athletes toed the line with great expectations, this making it be best attended WBB since the centenary race in 1996.

As the clock reached 11am the starters duo of Club President Charlie O’Neill and former club president Iain Morrison signalled for Deirdre Brennan and Dana Mackey to set off. A rollcall of athletes, coming from different coaching groups within the club, followed… Indeed, many were still to start when the early race leader Deirdre Brennan had completed the first of her 5 two-mile laps in 17.07. Ava Clarke was next, with Cliodhna Carthy – having made up ground on Dana Mackey and Michelle Dawson – setting her stall as a serious contender in 3^rd place.

Deirdre Brennan (35.03) had just completed her 2^nd lap as ‘scratch’ runner Eric Keogh heard the starters whistle. Behind her Cliodhna Carthy was making up group and Ava Clarke had slipped one place to 3^rd.

Deirdre (53.54) still held pole position after 3 laps, with Cliodhna (54.10) gaining – and Ava Clarke (56.46) maintaining the numbr 3 spot. Behind, most of the field were gaining ground, and as a handicapper’s dream – it was still too early on who to predict would win. There were, of course, predictions! Cliodhna, Audrey (Gahan), Barbara (Cleary), Donal (Iremonger) and James (Bolton).

By the end of lap 4 Cliodhna (71.17) was at the front, with Deirdre now one minute behind in 2^nd. The field were closing fast! Donal (72.32) gained to 3^rd, with the youngest athlete in the field James Bolton (73.14) hot on his heels. Craig Scott (73.40), Peter Nugent (74.02), David McConn (74.24) followed, with the big hitters Eric Keogh (77.21) in 22^nd, Louis O’Loughlin (77.35) in 23^rd, with Robert Murphy (78.59) even further back.

The 5^th and final lap in the W-B-B is the crescendo! Its where hopes are dashed, and dream are made! James Bolton (85.39- real-time 62.09) increased his tempo and overtook Donal Iremonger (85.59 – 66.59) with about a mile to go, to become the 2^nd youngest winner of the Shield at aged 16 years and 53 days. Willie Smith was aged 15 when he won the event in 1958, with Joe Dunne (brother of Willie) aged 16 years and 77 days in the previous year. It was a very fine effort by runner-up Donal, who was 3 and a-half minutes faster (in real time) than in 2019.

Craig Scott claimed 3^rd in 86.47 – 66.47 in actual time. Gavin Curtin (87.42 – 61.42), the recent winner of the inaugural Maurice B Ahern Cup for junior and Under 23 athletes, gained from 12^th to 4^th on the last lap. His lap times of 12.18, 12.24, 12.24, 12.21 and 12.15 made him the most consistent-paced runner on the day. Scratch athlete Eric Keogh ran laps between 10.19 and 10.47, gained 17 places on the last lap to place 5^th. His time of 53.00 won him the ‘fastest time’ medal and puts him as one of the fastest to cover the W-B-B course. Club historian Willie Smith claims it’s the fastest time since Donal O’Sullivan ran 52.56 in 1995. Remember that Eric had to contend with 50km gusts!

Louis O’Loughlin (88.54 – 60.24) won the fastest junior athlete medal. His fast last lap of 11.19 saw him gain from 23^rd to 8^th position. Barbara Cleary’s actual time of 63.07 apparently puts her as the 2^nd fastest ever woman for the WBB behind former Irish international Valerie McGovern, who won the Shield in 1985 and 1988. Barbara placed 12^th overall with a handicap time of 89.37. Cliodhna Carthy (89.01 – 83.01), who put in such a spirited performance, had to finally settle for 9^th place. Ava Clarke (93.03 – 89.03) finally placed 30^th overall, beating her father James in a dash to the line.

Among the restricted number of spectators were members of the Baird family. They attended as a mark of respect to the late Davie Baird, who won the W-B-B first the first time in 1920 (100 years ago), and again in 1921 and 1937. As a 3-times winner his name is the middle part of W-B-B.

A special gratitude from all the members/participants to the handicappers and race officials who made it another great occasion. So, a big thanks to Charlie O’Neill, Willie Smith, Iain Morrison, Florence Curley, Craig Scott and others.

A video of the even tis available here. Full results below with time splits available here. The flier for the Shield with full entry list is available here

	Name	Start Time	Shield time	Handicap	10mile time
1st	James Bolton	11.23.5	1hr 25’39”	11’30”	62’09”
2nd	Donal Iremonger	11.19	1hr 25’59”	16’	66’59”
3rd	Craig Scott	11.20	1hr 26’47”	15’	66’47”
4th	Gavin Curtin	11.26	1hr 27’42”	9’	61’42”
5th	Eric Keogh	11.35	1hr 28’00”	Scratch	53’00” Fastest Time
6th	David McConn	11.18	1hr 28’26”	17’	70’26”
7th	Peter Nugent	11.16	1hr 28’49”	19’	72’49”
8th	Louis O’Loughlin	11.28.5	1hr 28’54”	6’30”	60’24” Fastest Junior
9th	Cliodhna Carthy	11.06	1hr 29’01”	29’	83’01”
10th	Emmet O’Briain	11.26	1hr 29’06”	9’	63’06”
11th	Danny O’Sullivan	11.27	1hr 29’15”	8’	62’15”
12th	Barbara Cleary	11.26.5	1hr 29’37”	8’30”	63’07” Fastest Lady
13th	Niall Lynch	11.27.5	1hr 29’39”	7’30”	62’09”
14th	Alan Keogh	11.22.5	1hr 30’01”	12’30”	67’31”
15th	Sean Redmond	11.17	1hr 30’24”	18’	73’24”
16th	Robert Murphy	11.34	1hr 30’26”	1’	56’26”
17th	Andrew Wilson	11.17	1hr 30’28”	18’	73’28”
18th	Neil Hand	11.22	1hr 30’34”	13’	68’34”
19th	Sorcha Loughnane	11.22	1hr 30’36”	13’	68’36”
20th	Audrey Gahan	11.12	1hr 31’00”	23’	79’00”
21st	Claire Mulligan	11.12	1hr 31’05”	23’	79’05”
22nd	Tony Kynes	11.12	1hr 31’15”	23’	79’15”
23rd	Stephen Murphy	11.15	1hr 31’19”	20’	76’19”
24th	Alan Farrell	11.22	1hr 31’21”	13’	69’21”
25th	Peter Gaffney	11.25	1hr 31’22”	10’	66’22”
26th	Deirdre Brennan	11.00	1hr 31’31”	35’	91’31”
27th	Barry Potts	11.12	1hr 32’04”	23’	80’04”
28th	Tom Fagan	11.14	1hr 32’17”	21’	78’17”
29th	Ian Redican	11.13	1hr 32’19”	23’	79’17”
30th	Ava Clarke	11.04	1hr 33’03”	31’	89’03”
31st	James Clarke	11.08	1hr 33’03”	27’	85’03”
32nd	Rossa Hurley	11.28	1hr 33’13”	7’	65’13”
33rd	Stephen Dawson	11.18	1hr 33’49”	17’	75’49”
34th	Dean Fullston	11.13	1hr 35’55”	22’	83’55”
35th	Frank McNally	11.07	1hr 36’39”	28’	89’39”
36th	Oliver O’Hara	11.14.5	1hr 37’10”	20’30”	82’09”
37th	Angela Eustace	11.03	1hr 41’42”	32’	98’42”
38th	Dana Mackey	11.00	1hr 44’39”	35’	104’39”
39th	Michelle Dawson	11.01	1hr 46’06”	34’	105’06”
40th	Des Gill	11.12	1hr 57’58”	23’	105’58”

 

 

 

 

With the track and field season now concluded and growing uncertainty regarding the autumn cross-country fixture list, the amount of available competition for athletes remains sparse. The usual cross-country season opener, the first round of the Dublin Juvenile League, scheduled to take place at the Newbridge House & Park in Donabate on Sunday was cancelled as late as Friday evening due to the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and the announcement of new restrictions.

Three Donore Harriers athletes went west to compete in two separate events. Des Tremble placed 22^nd overall and 1^st in the M50 category in the 25^th edition of the Castlegar Open Cross-Country event at Doughiska, near Galway City on Saturday (19.09.2020). The race was won by Donal Devane of Ennis Track club in 21.18. In the women’s 4km race Claire Mulligan came 27^th in 19.01, placing 7^th in the W40 category.

In the Charlestown 10km road race, also on Saturday, Alasdair Brown finished in 12^th position in a time of 36.47. This was the 8^th annual Charlestown race, organised by the local CBD Sports Complex in conjunction with the newly formed East Mayo Athletics Club. There were 150 finishers and the race was won by Seamus Somers of Sligo AC in a time of 32.32.

Results in brief:

CASTLEGAR OPEN CROSS-COUNTRY at DOUGHISKA, CO. GALWAY (19.09.2020)

WOMEN’S 4KM: 27^th & 7^th W40 Claire Mulligan (19.01). 41 finishers.

MEN’S 6KM: 22^nd & 1^st M50 Des Tremble (24.22). 68 finishers.

CHARLESTOWN 10km ROAD RACE at Co. MAYO (19.09.2020)

12^th Alasdair Brown (36.47). 150 finishers