Category Archives: Results

Leinster Schools Track & Field & Weekend Round Up

Five gold medals were won by Donore Harriers athletes on the first day of the Leinster Schools Track & Field championships at Santry  with a notable double for the very talented Louis O’Loughlin of Moyle Park College in the Minor Boys category.

O’Loughlin (2.06.5) was always near the front of the field in the 800m. His superior speed over the final 150 metres allowed him to stay clear of pre-race favourite Ben Jones of Pres. Bray. Louis (3.18.7) made it a track double later in the day when he won out in a close encounter in the 1,100m.

Another emerging athlete to shine on the day was Lucy Hurley (1.55m) of Maynooth PP, who beat her previous best mark by 5 centimetres to win the Junior Girls high jump.

Jack Rudden-Kelly and Alex Clarkin made the Inter Boys 100m Hurdles the most exciting race of the day. Rudden-Kelly (14.11) dipped on the line to edge out a victory from his fast finishing Castleknock Community College and Donore teammate Clarkin (14.16).

Louis McDonagh (Castleknock CC) won the Minor Boys javelin by three metres with a best of 34.05m.

A magnificent double by sprint star Sean Lawlor and a championship record for Lauren O’Keeffe were the highlights for the Donore Harriers representation at the second day of the Leinster Schools Track & Field championships at Santry on Saturday. Lawlor (10.89), competing in the Senior Boys category and running in the vest of Kylemore College, ran close to his personal best when winning the 100m. He would later run out a clear winner in the 200m with a time of 22.01.

Lauren O’Keeffe (52.94m) smashed the championship record when winning the Inter Girls Hammer. The Loreta Balbriggan student, who is coached by Gerry Ronan, had to be at her best as the first five all beat the previous championship mark – including her Donore Harriers team-mate Clodagh Read (43.65m) who placed 5th in the colours of Donabate CC.

Belvedere College student Eoin Molloy brought the Donore Harriers tally to 9-gold in the championship when he won the Senior Boys Hammer with a best throw of 47.27m. Silver medals were won by Juvenile Captain Karen Hughes (9.89m) in the Inter Girls Triple Jump and Oran O’Brien (42.05m) in the Inter Boys Discus. Karen was running for Donabate CC and Oran for Belvedere College. Ailbhe Healy (2.50m) and Rolus Olusu (3.00m) both won bronze in their respective Pole Vault competitions. Ailbhe (Castleknock CC) competed in the Inter Girls and Rolus (Kings Hosp) in the Senior Boys.

There were also some promising performances in the middle distance and distance events. Sam Gallagher (16.08) of CBS Lucan again broke his PB when placing 6th in the Senior Boys 5,000m; Ciara Murphy (11.32.3) and Suzanne Masterson (11.41.5) both lowered their PBs when placing 4th and 5th in the Intermediate Girls 3,000m – and Conor Ray (9.54.1) showed his athletic potential when recording a new best time placing 6th in the Inter Boys 3000m.
In the recent second round of the Dublin Juvenile Track & Field league at Tallaght (9/5/15) the affable Kolade Abiodun had a fine ‘double’ with victory in the Boys u/16s 200m and the Shot Putt. Kolade is the clear leader in his age group after 2 rounds, whilst an improving Robyn O’Keeffe lies 2nd overall in the Girls u/16s class following her 2nd place in the 200m and 3rd in the Shot Putt. The club’s other winner on the day was Brooke Fagan in the Girls u/11s Javelin.

Robyn O’Keeffe continued her recent good form by winning the under 16 Girls Discus and placing 3rd in both the 400m and the High Jump in the third round of the Dublin Juvenile Track & Field League also at Tallaght (16/5/15). Her team made Cara Brennan placed 2nd in both the High Jump and Discus in the same age category. Robyn and Cara occupy 2nd and 3rd overall positions with one match remaining.

In the Waterstown 5km Parkrun on Saturday morning (16/5/15) there were a host of personal bests from the Fit-4-Youth development squad coached by Janette Strickland. The most notable was achieved by Kate Lynch (26.50) who took 6 minutes of her previous best time when placing as 7th female finisher. Ben Halpin, Robyn Strickland and Shannon Verdon-Byrne all lowered their previous best marks, whilst Elena Gaina, Justin Maher and Teigan Doran all completed the distance for the first time.

 Senior Report

In the Terenure 5 miles road race (17/5/15) collective running brought team victory for the women’s master team. Florence Curley (31.29), the team captain, won the over 40s category and led the team to glory. Alma Hanevy (33.03), runner-up in the F35 class, Caren Grady (37.45) and Mary Murphy (38.31) who placed 12th in their respective F35 and F45 categories were the other team scorers.

Over in London on Saturday evening the Night of the 10,000m PBs event hosted by Highgate Harriers on the Parliament Hill track the Donore Harriers and Ireland star runner John Travers (29.04.66) ran a personal best when placing 4th in a highly competitive ‘A’ race. Indeed the race incorporated the British 10km track Championships and was won by British international Jonny Mellor (28.46.8) of Liverpool Harriers.

In the Athletics Ireland Open Games at Santry (17/5/15) a returning Simon Taggart (15.03) won the ‘A’ 110m Hurdles race, whilst Jaco Oosthuysen (57.11m) came second in the Javelin. In the Senior Women’s Hammer juvenile athlete Lauren O’Keeffe (51.31m) placed 2nd behind Michaela Walsh of Swinford AC. These two athletes are destined to bring Irish Hammer throwing into a new golden era!

The 124th annual Clonliffe Harriers 2 Miles road race (14/5/15) saw good results for Donore athletes with sisters Ide (11.37) & Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (11.39) finishing as 3rd and 4th in the women’s class, whilst Terry Mee (14.04) and Jim McNamara (14.09) won the M70 and M75 age groups.

Niall Lynch continues to press for the overall lead in the Irish Mountain Running Association Leinster League. Lynch (34.02) placed second in the fourth round race at Carrick Mountain (13/5/15) and remains in second overall position. The race was held over a distance of 6km and had a total climb of 427 metres.

Results in brief:

IMRA Leinster League Round 4 (6km) at Carrick Mountain (13/5/15): 2nd Niall Lynch M40 (34.02): 170thSarah Ni Ruairc (1.14.58)

124th Clonliffe Harriers 2 Mile at Santry (14/5/15): 19th Andrew Ledwith (10.37); 39th / 3rd woman Ide Nic Dhomhnaill (11.37); 40th / 4th woman Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (11.39); 47th / 6th woman Maura Kearns (11.57); 48th/ 7th woman Michelle Childs (12.00); 96th / 1st M70 Terry Mee (14.04); 99th / 1st M75 Jim McNamara (14.09)

Night of the 10,000m PBs hosted by Highgate Harriers in London (16/5/15): 10,000m A race – 4th John Travers (29.04.66 PB)

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (16/5/15): 34th Peter Bonnar M45 (22.30)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (16/5/15): 26th / 6th female Janette Strickland F40 (26.49)

Calcutta 5km at Phoenix Park (16/5/15): 18th / 3rd woman Julia Hackett (22.23)

Terenure 5 mile (16/5/15): 45th Paul Cummins (29.30); 104th / 1st F40 Florence Curley (31.29); 153rd / 2nd F35 Alma Hanevy (33.03); 166th / 9th Snr Emer Rattigan (33.34); 280th / 1st M65 Terry Mee (36.09); 361st / 12th F35 Caren Grady (37.45); 383rd / 12th F40 Mary Murphy (38.31); 455th / 18th F35 Catherine McKeon (40.02)

TEAM: Women’s Masters team: 1st Donore Harriers <Curley, Hanevy, Grady, Murphy>

Blackwater 10km at Monaghan (17/5/15): 39th / 5th woman Barbara Murray (41.44)

Maynooth 10km (17/5/15): 98th Joan McTernan (48.25); 210th Liz McCurtain (50.47); 211th David Hudson (50.48); 347th Sue Lynch (58.03)

AAI Open Games at Santry (17/5/15): Men’s High Jump – 4th Cathal O’Brien (1.80m): Men’s Javelin – 2nd Jaco Oosthuysen (57.11m): Women’s 4kg Hammer – 2nd Lauren O’Keeffe JNR (51.31m): Men’s 110mH – 1st Simon Taggart (15.03): Women’s 100m – 5th Ailise Keating JNR (13.98): Men’s 400m – 4th Eamon Fahey (49.14 PB)

Juvenile Results in brief:

Leinster Schools Track & Field Championships Day 1 at Santry (13/5/15):

Gold = Minor Boys 800m – 1st Louis O’Loughlin (2.06.5 PB): 1,100m 1st Louis O’Loughlin (3.18.73); Inter Boys 100mH – 1st Jack Rudden-Kelly (14.11); Minor Boys Javelin – Louis McDonagh (34.05m); Junior Girls High Jump – 1st Lucy Hurley (1.55 PB): Silver = Inter Boys 100mH – 2nd Alex Clarkin (14.16): Bronze = Junior Boys 80mH – 3rd Max Carey (12.06); Junior Girls Pole Vault – Lara O’Byrne: u/16 Girls 4 x 300m Relay – Eve Reilly (Castleknock CC)

Also: Senior Boys 110mH – 4th Rolus Olusu (15.61); Senior Girls 100mH – DNF injured Lauren Kennedy; Inter Girls 80mH – 6th Ailbhe Healy (14.05); Junior Girls 75mH – 7th Ciara O’Donnell (13.5); Inter Girls 1500m Steeplechase – 6th Suzanne Masterson (5.59.3); u/16 Girls 200m – 8th Eve Reilly (NT); Junior Girls 4 x 100m Relay – 6th Maynooth PP inc Ciara O’Donnell, Angie Gonia & Lucy Hurley (55.61); Junior Girls Hammer – 4th Eleanor Ronan (23.28)

Leinster Schools Track & Field Championships Day 2 at Santry (16/5/15):

Gold = Senior Boys – 100m 1st Sean Lawlor (10.89); 200m 1st Sean Lawlor (22.01): Inter Girls Hammer – 1stLauren O’Keeffe (52.94m championship record); Senior Boys Hammer – 1st Eoin Molloy (47.27m): Silver = Inter Girls Triple Jump – 2nd Karen Hughes (9.89m): Inter Boys Discus – 2nd Oran O’Brien (42.05m) Bronze = Inter Girls Pole Vault – 3rd Ailbhe Healy (2.50m); Senior Boys Pole Vault – 3rd Rolus Olusu (3.00m)
Also: Inter Girls 100m – 5th Suzi O’Farrell (13.21), 6th Aoife Lynch (13.26): Inter Boys 100m – 6th Kolade Abiodun (11.70): Senior Girls 100m – 4th Ailise Keating (13.10): Inter Girls 800m – 8th Claire O’Connor (2.42.8); Inter Girls 3,000m – 4th Ciara Murphy (11.32.3 PB), 5th Suzanne Masterson (11.41.5 PB): Inter Boys 3,000m – 6th Conor Ray (9.54.1 PB): Inter Girls 200m – 5th Aoife Lynch (27.54) 7th Lauren O’Flaherty (NT): Senior Girls 200m – 6th Karen Hughes (28.21); Senior Girls 1500m – 9th Julia Kazmierczak (5.39.2): Inter Boys Hammer – 4th Ian Darroch (41.87m): Inter Boys Javelin – 4th Alex Clarkin (42.89m): Inter Girls Javelin – 4th Rebecca Power (27.67m): Inter Girls Hammer – 5th Clodagh Read (43.65): Inter Girls Shot Putt – 6th Lauren O’Keeffe (8.84m): Inter Boys Discus – Sean Young (NR)
Senior Boys 5,000m – 6th Sam Gallagher (16.08.0 PB): Inter Inter Girls 4 x 100m relay – 5th Castleknock CC inc Ailbhe Healy & Eve Reilly: Senior Girls 4 x 100m relay – 6th St. Joseph’s Lucan inc. Roisin Rynn-Cahill
Waterstown 5km Parkrun (16/5/15): 26th / 7th female Kate Lynch u/15s (26.50 PB); 42nd Ben Halpin u/17s (29.20 PB); 44th / 15th female Elena Gaina u/17s (29.26 debut); 51st / 18th female Robyn Strickland u/15s (32.18 PB); 56th / 22nd female Shannon Verdon-Byrne u/15s (33.00 PB); 71st Justin Maher u/15s (37.17 debut); 85th / 40th female Teigan Doran u/15s (47.26 debut)

Dublin Juvenile T&F League Round 2 at Tallaght (9/5/15): Leading results: Girls u/11s Javelin – 1st Brooke Fagan; 200m – 6th Brooke Fagan: Boys u/11s Javelin – 3rd Oliver Hopkins: Boys u/12s 200m – 5th Sean Kinsella; Long Jump – 5th Sean Kinsella; Girls u/13s High Jump – 3rd Robyn Sweeney; Girls u/16s 200m – 2nd Robyn O’Keeffe, 3rd Cara Brennan: Shot Putt – 3rd Robyn O’Keeffe, 5th Cara Brennan: Boys u/16s 200m – 1st Kolade Abiodun; Shot Putt – 1st Kolade Abiodun, 4th Max Carey

Dublin Juvenile T&F League Round 3 at Tallaght (16/5/15): leading results: – u/10 Boys 500m – 5th Joe Kinsella: Long Jump – Joe Kinsella 6th: u/11 Girls 600m – 5th Grace Raftery: u/11 Boys 600m – 5th Conor Mahony; Javelin – 4th Oliver Hopkins: u/12 Boys 600m – 2nd Sean Kinsella, 4th Michael Barry: Girls u/16s 400m – 3rd Robyn O’Keeffe; High Jump – 2nd Cara Brennan, 3rd Robyn O’Keeffe; Discus – 1st Robyn O’Keeffe, 2nd Cara Brennan

Second Graded Meet and Weekend Round Up

Donore’s Eric Keogh won a competitive 800m A race at the second Dublin Open Graded Meeting of the season at Tallaght track (6/5/15). In what proved to be a tactical race Keogh (1.55.61) outsprinted rising star Conall Hayes (1.56.45) of Dunshaughlin AC on the run to the finish line. At the same meeting there were notable performances from Maura Kearns (2.23.47) who won the women’s 800m B race and 47 years-old Sean O’Broin (13.01) who came second in the Men’s C 100m. The club’s younger stars also gave indication of early season good form as junior athletes Ailise Keating (13.74), Aoife Lynch (13.48) and Cian O’Reilly (12.1) all placed second in their respective 100m races.

At the Belfast Marathon on bank holiday Monday (4/5/15) an improving Gavin Byrne (2.53.33) placed an excellent 26th and is an athlete with great potential for the future. George Brady M35 (3.05.18) came 76th.

In the second round of the Women’s Meet & Train League at Cherryfield Park on Sunday (10/5/15) the Donore Harriers team was led home by Grainne Nolan (21.21) in 7th place with Julia Hackett (21.22) just a metre behind. Four other Donore athletes competed in the 5km race.

Niall Lynch lies second in the IMRA Leinster mountain league after the third race in the series at The Scalp in Co. Wicklow (6/5/15). Lynch (22.34) was the 3rd finisher in the 5.8km race with a total climb of 212 metres, but a disqualification improved his ranking to second.

Samantha Conroy F35 (21.17) was the first woman to reach the ‘light’ of the finish line in the Pieta House Darkness to Light 5km run (9/5/15) at the Phoenix Park in the early hours of Saturday morning. There were encouraging performances from Breda Mahony (39.57), who broke the 40 minute barrier for the first time when finishing 3rd woman in the Annerville 10km at Clonmel – and Niall P. O’Reilly (38.40), who ran a personal best when placing 4th in the recent Summerhill 10km.

Ciara Murphy (11.26) ran out a clear winner of the Girls Intermediate 3000m at the South Leinster Schools Track & Field championships at Kilkenny (6/5/15). Her Scoil Mhuire (Clane) and Donore Harriers team-mate Lucy McCann (5.14) took the bronze medal in a keenly contested Intermediate Girls 1500m race, whilst Michael Gibbs (also Scoil Mhuire) had to settle for 5th in a very competitive Senior Boys 1500m. On the following day Lucy McCann (4.59) gained a personal best when winning the Intermediate Girls 1500m at the Community & Comprehensive Schools championships at Santry.

In the West Leinster Schools B Championships at Santry (6/5/15) Fathi Aden recorded a fine double when winning the Junior Boys 800m and 1500m. In both races his Synge Street and Donore Harriers colleague Sekeriye Ahmed placed second. Jack Raftery (Castleknock CC) won the Junior Boys B 800m.

In the recent Round One of the Dublin Juvenile T&F League at Santry (2/5/15) there were wins for Peace Onokoia in the Girls u/13s Shot Putt, Cara Brennan in the Girls u/16s Javelin and a ‘double’ for Kolade Abiodun in the Boys u16s 100m and Long Jump. Runner-up positions were gained by Oliver Hopkins in the Boys u/11s Javelin and Max Carey in the Boys u/16s Javelin. Joe Kinsella (Boys u/10s), Suzi O’Farrell (Girls u/16s) and Max Carey (Boys u/16s) all took 3rd spots in their 100m races, whilst Kolade Abiodun rounded up a successful day with 3rd in the Boys u/16s Javelin.  Robyn O’Keeffe also had a busy day in the Girls u/16s category placing 3rd in the Javelin, 4th in the 100m and 6th in the Long Jump.

Results in brief:

Belfast Marathon (4/5/15): 26th Gavin Byrne (2.53.33); 76th George Brady M35 (3.05.18)

Summerhill 10km (4/5/15): 4th Niall P. O’Reilly M35 (38.40 PB)

Irish Mountain Runners Association Leinster League Race 3 (5.8km, climb 212m) at The Scalp, Co. Wicklow (6/5/15): 2nd Niall Lynch M40 (22.34) lying 2nd in series

Dublin Open Graded Meet 2 at Tallaght (6/5/15): Women’s 100m B1 2nd Ailise Keating JNR (13.74); 100m B2 2nd Aoife Lynch JNR (13.48); Men’s 100m B2 5th Zafar Zafar (17.89); 100m C1 2nd Cian O’Reilly (12.1); 100m C2 2nd Sean O’Broin M45 (13.01); 4th Daragh Hughes (13.3); Women’s 800m B1 5th Claire O’Connor JNR (2.34.44); 800m B2 1st Maura Kearns (2.23.47); 5th Ide Nic Domhnaill (2.30.86); Men’s 800m A1 1st Eric Keogh (1.55.61); 800m B3 3rd David Campbell (2.06.81); 8th Stephen Gavin JNR (2.15.63); 800m C 5th Killian O’Hora (2.13.06); Men’s 3000m A 7th Michael McMahon (9.00.29); 15th Sam Gallagher JNR (9.25.92); 16th Sam Allen (9.43.94)

Midleton 5 mile road race (7/5/15): 239th / 36th woman Meadhbh Campbell (38.41)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (9/5/15): 2nd Alan Farrell M40 (19.06)

Pieta House Darkness to Light 5km at Phoenix Park (9/5/15): 11th / 1st woman Samantha Conroy F35 (21.17)

Meet & Train League Race 2 (5km) at Cherryfield Park (10/5/15): 7th Grainne Nolan (21.21); 8th Julia Hackett (21.22); 32nd Angela O’Dea (22.56); 55th Laura Murray (24.36); 67th Therese Brophy (25.25); 82nd Sue Lynch (27.41)

Annerville 10km at Clonmel (10/5/15): 47th / 3rd woman Breda Mahony F35 (39.57 PB)

LATE RESULTS:

Isle of Man Easter 10km (3/4/15): 7th Mark Dooley (32.21)

Isle of Man Easter 5km (5/4/15): 4th Mark Dooley (15.21)

AM Redshaw Memorial Track Meet at Shildon, Co. Durham (12/4/15): 3000m 3rd Lee Van Haeften (8.45.3)

New Marske 5km, Redcar (29/4/15): 3rd Lee Van Haeften (15.14.3)

Juvenile Results:

Dublin Juvenile Track & Field League 1 at Santry (2/5/15): Selected results: Boys u/10s – 60m 3rd Joe Kinsella; Long Jump 4th Joe Kinsella: Girls u/11s – 600m 6th Grace Raftery; Javelin 6th Grace Raftery; Boys u/11s – Javelin 2ndOliver Hopkins: Boys u/12s – 80m 6th Sean Kinsella; 600m 4th Sean Kinsella; Shot Putt 5th Sean Kinsella: Girls u/13s – Shot Putt 1st Peace Onakoia: Girls u/16s – 100m 3rd Suzi O’Farrell, 4th Robyn O’Keeffe: Long Jump 4th Cara Brennan, 6th Robyn O’Keeffe: Javelin 1st Cara Brennan, 3rd Robyn O’Keeffe: Boys u/16s – 100m 1st Kolade Abiodun, 3rd Max Carey; Long Jump 1st Kolade Abiodun; Javelin 2nd Max Carey, 3rd Kolade Abiodun

South Leinster Schools Track & Field Championships at Kilkenny (6/5/15): Intermediate Girls 300m – 1st Ciara Murphy (11.26); Intermediate Girls 1500m – 3rd Lucy McCann (5.14); 4th Ciara Murphy; Senior Boys 1,500m – 5thMichael Gibbs

West Leinster Confined Track & Field Championships at Santry (6/5/15): Junior Boys 800m A 1st Fathi Aden (2.18), 2nd Sekeriye Ahmed: Junior Boys 1500m A 1st Fathi Aden, 2nd Sekeriye Ahmed: Junior Boys 800m B 1stJack Raftery (2.25)

Community & Comprehensive Schools at Santry (7/5/15): Intermediate Girls 1500m 1st Lucy McCann (4.59 PB)

Dublin Juvenile Track & Field League 2 at Tallaght (9/5/15): results to follow

Dublin Novice and Weekend Round Up

Donore Harriers women’s captain Florence Curley proved to be the popular winner of the Tallaght 5km road race (3/5/15) F40 category. On a dull, overcast morning Florence (19.35) showed a fine return to form after her mid-winter injury problems and was the 12th woman to complete the course. Strong running by her club colleagues ensured bronze medals in the incorporated Dublin Novice road running championships. Michelle Childs (19.26) came 10th in the women’s overall category, with an improving Aisling Swaine (20.20) in 21st, Sinead Graham (20.50) in 29th, Marianne Dunlevy (21.41) in 43rd, Eva Campion F35 (22.22) in 53rd; and Mary Murphy F40 (22.58) in 53rd. The evergreen Terry Mee (22.25) was winner of the Men’s over 65 category.

The club’s women section also had good results in the Leixlip 5km road race (2/5/15) on Saturday. Four of the first seven women home were in the black and white of Donore Harriers. Ide Nic Domhnaill (18.39) was 24th overall in the race and the second woman across the finish line. Her sister Sorcha was just one place and 4 seconds further back, whilst Maura Kearns (19.45) placed 4th and Rhona Duane (20.39) came 7th.

John Travers was the comfortable winner in the One Mile race, which was part of the Ballymote Team Challenge(2/5/15) event. Travers (4.04) had 5 seconds to spare over runner-up Richard Mooney (4.09) with Danny Mooney (4.10) another second back.

There were excellent performances from Niall Lynch (42.39) and Graham Hopkins (42.46) who placed 2nd and 4threspectively in the Irish Mountain Running Association series at Howth Head (29/4/15).

In the opening round of the Meet & Train Summer Road series at Griffeen Park (29/4/15) the Donore Harriers team was led home by Grainne Nolan (21.13) in 8th place. Seven other Donore Harriers ladies competed in the 5km race including Julia Hackett (21.54) in 14th place and Lee Chambers (22.11) in 24th.

In the first Irish Milers Club track meet of the season at Greystones Eric Keogh (1.56.25) came 3rd in the 800m ‘B’ race. It was an encouraging track season opener for Keogh, who was just one second outside his best ever time. The race was hampered by windswept rain conditions and mid-race bumping and barging further upset the ‘flow’ of the race. John Fitzsimons (1.55.34) of Kildare AC was the winner.

George Brady recorded a time of 3.05.18 when placing 76th in the Belfast Marathon on the May bank holiday Monday.

In the East Leinster Schools Track & Field Championships at Santry (29&30/4/15) Suzanne Masterson (Loreta Stephen’s Green) took silver in the Intermediate 1500m Steeplechase and bronze in the 3000m.

Results in brief:

Irish Mountain Runners race series at Howth Head (29/4/15): 2nd Niall Lynch (42.39); 4th Graham Hopkins (42.46); 137th Sarah Ni Ruairc (74.06)

Meet & Train Summer Road League Series Race 1 (5km) at Griffeen Park (29/4/15): 6th Grainne Nolan (21.13); 14th Julia Hackett (21.54); 24th Lee Chambers (22.11); 37th Angela O’Dea (23.00); 44th Laura Moynihan (23.24); 62nd Lauren Brady (24.24); 64th Aisling Hannon (24.30); 110th Sue Lynch (28.08)

Irish Milers Club Track & Field Meeting 1 at Greystones (2/5/15): 800m B – 3rd Eric Keogh (1.56.25)

Leixlip 5km Road Race (2/5/15): 24th / 2nd woman Ide Nic Domhnaill (18.39); 25th / 3rd woman Sorcha Nic Domhnaill (18.43); 38th / 4th woman Maura Kearney (19.45); 49th / 7th woman Rhona Duane (20.39)

Hartstown 5km Parkrun (2/5/15): 2nd Sean Fox M40 (17.45)

Ballymote Team Challenge 1 mile road race (2/5/15): 1st John Travers (4.04)

Tallaght 5km Road Race (3/5/15): 16th Luke Boland (16.53); 17th Andrew Ledwith (16.58); 81st / 10th woman Michelle Childs (19.26); 86th / 12th woman / 1st F40 Florence Curley (19.35); 103rd / 21st woman Aisling Swaine (20.20); 123rd / 29th woman Sinead Graham (20.50); 150th / 43rd woman Marianne Dunlevy (21.41); 165th / 53rdwoman Eva Campion F35 (22.22); 166th / 1st M65 Terry Mee (22.25); 180th / 60th woman Mary Murphy F40 (22.58)

TEAM: Dublin Novice Road Championship – 3rd Donore Harriers

Boyne 10km at Drogheda (3/5/15): 269th / 30th woman Sian O’Connor (47.38); 515th Eilish Joyce (52.35)

Great Limerick Half-Marathon (3/5/15): 392nd / 43rd woman Ariana Ball (1.42.22)

Northwest 10km at Letterkenny (3/5/15): 618th Hilary O’Connor (55.58)

Wings for Life World Run at Dublin (3/5/15): Kevin English 45.5km completed

Belfast Marathon (4/5/15): 76th George Brady M35 (3.05.18)

LATE RESULT: Samsung Night Run at Custom House Quay (26/4/15): 162nd Sean Smith (40.57); 387th Colm Nugent (45.00); 1046th Elaine Verdon (48.52); 1834th Laura Murray (50.19)

Wexford 10km (26/4/15): 2nd Gavin Keogh (34.18); 16th Bernard Byrne (39.53)

Juvenile Results:

East Leinster Schools Track & Field Championships at Santry (29&30/4/15): Intermediate 1500m Steeplechase – 2nd Suzanne Masterson: Intermediate 1500m – 7th Eliza Ni Thighearnaigh; Intermediate 3000m – 3rd Suzanne Masterson; 5th Eliza Ni Thighearnaigh

Dublin Juvenile Track & Field League at Santry (2/5/15): results to follow

Anne Curley Nets Another Sub-3 and Weekend Round Up

 Michael McMahon’s win the Dublin 10,000m championship and Anne Curley breaking the 3 hours marathon barrier for the 11th consecutive time were the notable highlights for the Donore Harriers club in the past week.

McMahon (32.18.38) was the clear winner of the Dublin 10km track championship, which was incorporated into the first Dublin Open Graded meeting (22/4/15 at Santry) of the season. He finished more than a minute and-a-half in front of his nearest challenger Brian Furey (34.00.21) of Rathfarnham AC and gave further notice of his rising profile in Irish distance running. The redoubtable Anne Curley, running in her 11th marathon, kept her 100% sub-3 record with a super time of 2.58.59 in the London Marathon. She passed the halfway mark in 1.28 and maintained a good pace over the latter stages to cross the line 12th overall in the F40 category.

In the RTE Business Houses AA (BHAA) 5 miles road race on Saturday morning Ken Norgrove (27.35) placed 6thoverall, whilst Florence Curley (32.17) and a returning Niamh Donnelly (formerly Murphy) (36.02) placed 1st and 3rd in the F40 category.

The BHAA presented Donore Harriers stalwart Ann Woodlock with their Athlete of the Year award for 2015 at a special post-race presentation in the RTE Sports club. The BHAA described Ann as: “… a great ambassador for our sport and an inspiration to all up and coming athletes in Ireland”. A tribute was also paid to 76 years-old Ann by her Donore Harriers ladies captain Florence Curley who praised her achievements over a 34 year national and international running career which most recently saw her become double European Masters indoors champion. Her gritty determination as a competitor, dedication to training and inspirational status in women’s masters running in Ireland was also lauded. Ann was then presented with a Waterford Crystal trophy by Terry Clarke of BHAA and the RTE athletics club. With members of her family present, Ann thanked the association for the award and for their support in continually acknowledging her age category. Congratulations Ann, a richly deserved award.

It was a busy week for the club’s juvenile members with the beginning of the schools track and field competitions. In theWest Leinster Schools Track & Field championships at Santry the outstanding performances came from: – Aoife Lynch (Luttrelstown CC) who recorded a fine double in winning the Intermediate 100m and 200m; Ailbhe Healy (Castleknock CC) who won both the Intermediate High Hurdles and Pole Vault; Lauren Kennedy (St. Joseph’s Lucan) had victories in both the Senior High Hurdles and 400m Hurdles; Max Carey (Lucan CC) who won double gold in the Junior Hurdles and Long Jump; and Louis O’Loughlin (Moyle Park) who was a clear winner in both the Minor 800m and 1100m. The other star performances came from Sam Gallagher (Lucan CBS) who took 30 seconds off his previous best time to win the 5,000m in 16.20.7; Roisin Rynn-Cahill (St. Joseph’s Lucan) who won the Intermediate 300m and took silver in the Long Jump; Sean Lawlor (Kylemore) who was narrowly edged out on the line in the 100m, but stormed to success in his favoured 200m; and Oran O’Brien (Belvedere) who won gold in the Intermediate Discus and silver in the Shot Putt. Ciara O’Donnell and Lucy Hurley (both Maynooth PP) are certainly emerging athletes as they recorded fine wins in the Junior Hurdles and Junior High Jump respectively. Lucy also took bronze in the Junior 200m and then anchored the Maynooth PP school team, which contained her club-mates Ciara and Angie Gonia, to silver in the relay.

In the North Leinster Schools Track & Field championships, also at Santry, the Juvenile Section captain Karen Hughes (Donabate CC) took gold in the Senior Triple Jump and then went on to take silver in the 200m. Throwing specialist Lauren O’Keeffe (Loreta Balbriggan) won gold in the Intermediate Hammer and a bronze in the Shot Putt. The Hammer event brought further medals with Iain Darroch (Donabate CC) taking gold in the Intermediate Boys, Eleanor Ronan (Donabate CC) a silver medal in the Junior Girls and Clodagh Read (Donabate CC) a bronze gong in the Intermediate Girls.

Dublin Open Graded Meeting 1 at Santry: 200m B1 – 6th Adam Halpin (24.48); 200m C1 – Sean O’Broin M45 (25.11); 200m B2 – 3rd David Campbell (24.11); 200m C2 – 6th Paul Cummins (25.92); 200m B3 – 4th Cian O’Reilly (24.01) 200m C3 – Killian O’Hora (25.49); 1500mW – 4th Barbara Cleary (4.45.47); 1500m B – 9th Luke Boland (4.24.05); Hammer – 3rd Clodagh Read JNR (42.74); 5th Orlaith Read (27.13); 10,000m inc Dublin Championship – 1st Michael McMahon (32.18.38); 4th George Brady (3.53.05)

BHAA RTE 5 Mile: 6th Ken Norgrove M45 (27.35); 14th Patrick Moriarty M35 (28.31); 50th Joe Murphy (31.12); 61st Ian Redican M40 (32.10); 63rd / 1st F40 Florence Curley (32.17); 113rd / 3rd F40 Niamh Donnelly (36.02); 130th Terry Mee M70 (36.58); 178th Tommy Halton M55 (41.39)

Griffeen 5km Parkrun: 2nd George Brady M35 (17.57)

London Marathon: 1693rd / 12th F40 Anne Curley (2.58.59); also Colin Morrissey M40 (3.09.00 PB)

Athlone 10km: 6th Chris Muldoon (34.32)

Samsung 10km Night Run at Dublin Docklands: results will be listed next week
LATE RESULT: Manchester Marathon (19/4/15): 251st Fred Kiernan M35 (2.54.29); 345th Derek O’Neill M45 (3.01.26)

Juvenile Results:

CORRECTED RESULT: Naas 5km Parkrun: 6th Michael Gibbs (17.39 PB)
West Leinster Schools T&F Championships Day 1 at SantryGold = Senior Hurdles – Lauren Kennedy; Intermediate 100m – Aoife Lynch; Intermediate Pole Vault & Hurdles – Ailbhe Healy; Junior Hurdles – Ciara O’Donnell; Junior Pole Vault – Lara O’Byrne; Senior Hammer – Eoin Molloy; Intermediate Hurdles – Alex Clarkin; Junior Hurdles – Max Carey; 1100m – Louis O’Loughlin (3.19.8); Intermediate Hammer – Aoife Simms: Silver = Senior 100m – Ailise Keating; Intermediate 100m – Suzi O’Farrell; Intermediare 100m – Kolade Abiodun; Senior 100m – Sean Lawlor; Intermediate Hurdles – Jack Rudden-Kelly; Intermediate Shot Putt – Oran O’Brien: Bronze = Senior 100m – Conor O’Ceallaigh; Intermediate 1500m – Conor Ray

Also: Sean Young 6th in Senior Shot Putt (9.90 PB) also Hammer (20.22); Sean Classman 5th in Senior 100m; Robyn O’Keeffe 4th in Intermediate 100m; Angie Gonia 4th in Junior Hurdles; Ruairi Fitzgibbon 13th in Junior 1500m

North Leinster Schools T&F Championships Day 1 at SantryGold = Intermediate Hammer – Lauren O’Keeffe; Senior Triple Jump – Karen Hughes; Intermediate Hammer – Iain Darrock: Silver = Junior Hammer – Eleanor Ronan; Bronze = Intermediate Hammer – Clodagh Read

Also: Clodagh Read 4th in Intermediate Triple Jump; Caoimhe Mackey 4th in 300m.

West Leinster Schools T&F Championships Day 2 at SantryGold = Intermediate 200m – Aoife Lynch; Junior High Jump – Lucy Hurley; Intermediate 300m – Roisin Rynn-Cahill; Senior 400mH – Lauren Kennedy; Senior 200m – Sean Lawlor; Minor 800m – Louis O’Loughlin (2.14.6); Senior 5000m – Sam Gallagher (16.20.7 – PB); Junior Long Jump – Max Carey; Intermediate Discus – Oran O’Brien; Senior Pole Vault – Rolus Olosu: Silver = Intermediate 200m – Lauren O’Flaherty; Intermediate Girls 800m – Claire O’Connor (2.39.00); Intermediate Long Jump – Roisin Rynn-Cahill; Intermediate Javelin – Alex Clarkin; Bronze = Intermediate 200m – Robyn O’Keeffe; Junior 200m – Lucy Hurley; Intermediate 200m – Kolade Abiodun; Intermediate 3,000m Conor Ray; Intermediate Discus – Sean Young (25.30)

North Leinster Schools T&F Championships Day 2 at SantrySilver = Senior 200m – Karen Hughes;Bronze = Intermediate Shot Putt – Lauren O’Keeffe: Also – Iain Darroch 5th in Intermediate Discus

National Road Relays and Weekend Round Up

On a calm, sunny Sunday afternoon the roads near Raheny Village in north Dublin were filled with expectation and excitement. The 43rd edition of the National Road Relays, Ireland’s premier team road racing event, brought together most of the country’s leading distance running clubs.

In the senior men’s race 26 teams toed the line – including defending champions Sligo AC, host club Raheny Shamrocks and last year’s runners-up Ennis Track. Donore Harriers, with European Indoors 1500 metres finalist John Travers running the key 3-miles stage, was among the favourites.

Lee Van Haeften (9.34) opened for Donore and in his typical gutsy fashion he ran near the front on the 2-mile leg before tapping on to Daragh Fitzgibbon in second place. Ferrybank AC were leading by 7 seconds, with their lead runner Niall Touhy recording the fastest two-mile leg of the day in a very fine 9.27.

Fitzgibbon (4.31), called into the team a few days earlier when Irish international Mark Dooley was forced to withdraw due to illness, ran an absolute stormer! The middle-distance specialist certainly eyed the prize and brought the team into a lead of 3 seconds – with Ennis Track in second and Clonliffe Harriers in third. Fitzgibbon was second fastest for the mile leg just one second shy of Raheny’s Cillian Kirwan.

With an in-form John Travers (14.07) taking Stage 3 it must have felt like a fait-accompli for the opposition! And so it proved! The Donore man ran the fastest stage and opened up a sizeable gap on his nearest pursuer. He handed over to Eric Keogh with a lead of 37 seconds. Raheny Shamrocks were lying 2nd with Ennis Track in 3rd one minute off the lead.

Keogh (9.40) was impressive over the final two laps (2 miles) extending the lead as Kevin Mulcaire of Ennis Track, the country’s leading junior distance athlete, recorded the fastest stage (9.29) and brought his team into the silver medal position. Raheny Shamrocks had to be content with 3rd place with defending champions Sligo AC back in fifth. Donore’s final time of 37.52 was narrowly outside the course record. Ennis Track had a final time of 38.41, with Raheny on 39.05.

This was Donore’s 8th senior win in the competition and the first since 1992.

The Donore ladies brought home a national relay medal for the first time in many years. The masters team got off to a fine start with Rhona Duane’s 6.06 for the first mile. Kim Hickey did the damage in the crucial second leg over 2 miles where she pushed the team up into 3rd place with an impressive time of 11.52. Breda Mahony held this gap in the last leg with an excellent 5.58 mile which secured the W35 bronze medal by a margin of 14 seconds. There were 13 teams on the day so a great achievement and testament to the current strength in masters competition.
Next up were two Donore teams in the senior women’s relay. In a very competitive first mile Ide Nic Dhomhnaill was 9th over the line in 5.40 and handed over to Barbara Cleary making a welcome comeback to racing. Barbara made up lots of ground in the 2 mile leg which featured two members of the European XC team and pushed the team into 5th with an excellent 11.16 time. Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill fought hard in the last mile and on the final corner she had 3 runners on her shoulder – she held off all but one in a battling finish in 5.37 bringing the team to 6th overall out of 17 teams. Maura Kearns ran the fastest mile of the Donore ladies on the day when she kicked off for the second team and finished in 5.30, Michelle Childs ran a very gutsy 2 mile leg to finish in 12.13. Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill had a good finish in the last mile in 5.44 bringing the team home to 13th place.
In the masters men’s race Donore could not match the team silver medals won last year. Putting out an entirely new team it was a tall order for athletes more at home on mountain terrain or in the marathon. George Brady (5.00), preparing for next month’s Belfast marathon, ran the opening mile leg and placed 13th. Niall Lynch (10.29) was 9th fastest on the 2 miles stage and tapped on in 9thposition. Andy Kinane (5.05) was 7th fastest on the final mile leg and gained to 8th place. Newbridge AC, 3rd last year, won in a time of 19.27 with Donore 8th in 20.34.

Meanwhile in Budapest Nicola Dowdall ran 99 minutes in the half marathon, practically replicating her PB in Bohermeen a few weeks ago.

In the 5km Naas Parkrun on Saturday 17 years old Michael Gibbs knocked almost half-a-minute of his previous best time when placing 6th.

Results in brief:

National Road Relay at RahenySenior Men = 1st in 37.52 – 2M Lee Van Haeften (9.34); 1M Daragh Fitzgibbon (4.31); 3M – John Travers (14.07); 2M Eric Keogh (9.40); 2nd Ennis Track (38.41); 3rd Raheny Shamrocks (39.05)

Senior Women: = 1st Leevale AC (20.39); 6th Donore Harriers ‘A’ 22.33 – 1M Ide Nic Domhnaill (5.40); 2M Barbara Cleary (11.16); 1M Aislinn Nic Domhnaill (5.37); 13th Donore Harriers ‘B’ 23.27 – 1M Maura Kearns (5.30); 2M Michelle Childs (12.13); 1M Sorcha Nic Domhnaill (5.44)

Masters Men: = 1st Newbridge AC 19.27; 8th Donore Harriers 20.34 – 1M George Brady (5.00); 2M Niall Lynch (10.29); 1M Andy Kinane (5.05)

Masters Women: = 1st Raheny Shamrocks 23.29; 2nd Letterkenny AC 23.41; 3rd Donore Harriers 23.54 – 1M Kim Hickey (6.04); 2M Rhona Duane (11.54); 1M Breda Mahony (5.58)

Budapest Half-Marathon: Nicola Dowdall (1.39.00)

Juvenile Result:

Naas 5km Parkrun: 6th Michael Gibbs u/18s (19.39 PB)

National 10K and Weekend Round Up

Another busy weekend for Donore Harriers!  The club had athletes competing in a variety of events at different venues both at home and abroad.

Claire Morrissey finished a very impressive 5th in the 30th edition of the Marathon Des Sables in Morocco. The multi-stage race takes place over the formidable landscapes of the Sahara Desert in one of the World’s most inhospitable climates. Described as the toughest footrace on Earth the athletes cover a distance of 251km in 5 or 6 days and must carry self-sufficient supplies in their back-packs whilst competing. More than 1300 competitors from many different countries lined up for this year’s event. Claire lay in 11th position in the women’s category after two stages, but a brilliant 4th placing on the penultimate 4th stage over 91km leapfrogged her to 5th. A 10th place finish over the marathon 42.2km final stage consolidated Claire’s fifth overall position as she recorded a combined time of 31h.47m.04s.

John Dunne had an eventful run in the popular Rotterdam Marathon posting a new PB time of 2.34.37. Dunne was on target to break the 2.30 barrier until the 30km mark, but a groin strain and windy conditions over the final kilometres lowered his expectations. It was very much a case of Plan B and a steady run to the finish. John later commented: “All in all a good day with amazing support”. Ciaran McCarthy (2.39.10) had a very solid run and placed a very creditable 7thin the M40 age class. Chris Muldoon (2.45.32) and Graham Hopkins (3.00.15) were narrowly outside their respective target times.

Hugh Brosnan (2.58.05) placed 3rd in the Connemarathon International Marathon in County Galway. Starting next to the shores of Lough Inagh this testing race follows an undulating route around the edges of the Maam Mountains – passing the village of Leenane at halfway – before reaching the finish at Maam Cross village. Niall P. O’Reilly (1.28.20) came 18th in the Half-Marathon race and Liagh Miller 738th in (2.07.19).

In the Irish Universities AA track and field championships at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast there were wins for club members John Travers in the 5000m and Jaco Oosthuysen in the Javelin. Travers (14.28.56) was a convincing winner in the colours of Athlone IT. Eric Keogh (14.54.55) came 4th in the same race representing UCD. Oosthuysen (59.23m) had 5 metres to spare over his nearest rival whilst representing DIT. Eamon Fahey (TCD) and Daragh Fitzgibbon (UCD) reached the finals of the 200m and 800m, with Fahey (22.14) placing 5th and Fitzgibbon (1.59.88) 6th in their respective races.

The Great Ireland Run at the Phoenix Park on Saturday afternoon attracted a number of high profile African and British athletes to the men’s and women’s races. The Donore Harriers women’s section had a large turn-out in the women’s race, with impressive racing from Anne Curley (39.17), who placed 19th overall and won the women’s over 40 category. Grace Kennedy (40.18) was the next Harrier home in 24th position, whilst Sorcha Ni Domhnaill (41.09) in 31st and Karla Doran (41.18) in 33rd ensured that the Donore colours were prominent against the other home-based club runners. In the AA1 senior team championship Donore Harriers placed 3rd with Curley, Kennedy and Ni Domhnaill being the scorers.

With Ethopian and Kenyan athletes dominating the front of the men’s race the incorporated Irish 10km championships drew more attention for the local spectators. Michael McMahon (32.54) was always pressing for a top 20 finish, but had to settle for a noteworthy 21st overall. In the process he was the 12th Irish finisher, a remarkable performance considering that Michael only took up the sport less than 3 years ago.

At the Business Houses 10km race at the K Club in Straffan on Saturday morning there were impressive results from Colm O’Connell (33.29) and Gavin Keogh (33.36) who placed 5th and 6th respectively.

Elsewhere, Shane McCauley (36.55) won the M40 category when placing 6th overall in the Fr. Murphy’s Easter 10km at Athboy.

In the Great Ireland Junior Run at the Phoenix Park there were some impressive performances from some of the club’s younger members. Noah Synott (9.43) finished an impressive 7th in the Boys race, with Oliver Hopkins (10.48) the next best in 23rd place. Honor Lynch (12.44) led the Girl’s team home in 44th position.

Results in brief:

Marathon Des Sables at Sahara Desert in Morocco (5-10/4/15): 5th Claire Morrissey (31.47.04) – best result 4thon Stage 4.

Irish Universities AA Track & Field Championships at Mary Peters Track in Belfast (10-11/04/15): 200m Final – 5th Eamon Fahey (22.14); 800m Final – 6th Daragh Fitzgibbon (1.59.88) also (1.59.60) in S/F; 5000m Final – 1st John Travers (14.28.54); 4th Eric Keogh (14.54.55); Javelin – 1st Jaco Oosthuysen (59.23m)

Great Ireland Run 10km at Phoenix Park (11/4/15): WOMEN: 19th /1st F40 Anne Curley (39.17); 24th Grace Kennedy (40.18); 31st Sorcha Ni Domhnaill (41.09); 33rd Karla Doran (41.18); also Breda Mahony (41.55); Emer Rattigan (41.55); Sian O’Connor (47.47); Eva Campion (47.50); Mary Murphy (48.05); Lee Chambers (50.10); Meadbh Campbell (50.44);  Catherine McKeon (51.15); Laura Murray (51.53); Teresa Brophy (54.25); Jo Hughes (54.34); Dana Mackey (54.39); Hilary O’Connor (58.08):

TEAM: 3rd Donore Harriers <A. Curley, G. Kennedy & S. Ni Domhnaill>

MEN: 21st Michael McMahon (32.54);  105th  George Brady M35 (36.50); also John Gleeson (45.23); Jim McNamara (46.35); Stephen Carey (55.32)

BHAA K Club 10km at Straffan (11/4/15): 5th Colm O’Connell (33.29); 6th Gavin Keogh (33.36); 29th Patrick Moriarty M35 (35.37); 131st Ian Redican M40 (39.59); 141st Joe Murphy (40.48); 184th Rhona Duane F35 (42.35); 189th Alma Hanevy F35 (42.53); 252nd Terry Mee M70 (45.54)

Fr. Murphy’s Easter 10km at Athboy (11/4/15): 6th / 1st M40 Shane McCauley (36.55)

Rotterdam Marathon (12/4/15): 71st / 11th M35 John Dunne 2.34.37k; 102nd / 7th M40 Ciaran McCarthy (2.39.10); 184th /23rd M40 Chris Muldoon (2.45.32); 588th / 99th M40 Graham Hopkins (3.00.15)

Connemarathon International 26.2km at Co. Galway (12/4/15): 3rd Hugh Brosnan (2.58.05)

Connemarathon 13.1km at Co. Galway (12/4/15): 18th Niall P. O’Reilly (1.28.20); 738th Liagh Miller F40 (2.07.19)

JUVENILE RESULTS in brief:

Great Ireland Junior Run at Phoenix Park (11/4/15): 7th M Noah Synott (9.43); 23rd M Oliver Hopkins (10.48); 43rd F Honor Lynch (12.44); 45th M Robert Lynch (11.33); 63rd M Daniel O’Neill (12.47); 90th F Ellie Hoare (15.26); 103rd F Ava Hoare (18.04)

Great Ireland Mini Run at Phoenix Park (11/4/15): Amber Lynch, Eleanor Hopkins, Skye Synott, Matthew Lynch and Conan Mackey competed

Note: results from Scottish Athletics Throws & Jumps grand prix not to hand

Easter Weekend Round-Up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weekend Round-Up March 29th

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


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

Alex Clarkin 4th in U16H  the spring throws contes

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

Weekend Round-Up March 22nd

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antrim International, MSB 5K and Weekend Round-Up

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

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

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

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

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

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

Results in brief:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Barcelona Marathon: Alan Farrell M40 (3.09.52)

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

JUVENILE RESULTS in brief:

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

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