October 1st at Donore Harriers was the traditional annual opening run and group photo. A little later on and with a great turnout, Donore Harriers celebrated the achievements of its runners 40 years ago in 1976 and 50 years ago in 1966. Club President Iain Morrison introduced and there was a minute’s silence for the Donore members who passed during the year and who had family members present.

A keen custodian of Donore’s rich past, Willie Smith spoke about the 1966 European championships and the Montreal Olympics 1976. He also made a presentation to the family of high jumper Dick Raftery who were present.

Dr Cyril White who joined the club in 1944, has been President of the club and a former coach and is also well know as a race starter . He spoke and paid tribute to the volunteers that have made the club a great one. He also found out this year that he is longest serving starter in athletics in Europe, playing this role for 62 years, congratulations Cyril!

Michael Gygax was there to talk about his excellent new book on Irish Masters Athletics and brought copies of it for sale. It features a number of Donore athletes some of who were present, Willie Dunne, Ann Woodlock and Tony Murphy. There were many extended family members of the late Jim McNamara present, also family of the late Maurice Mullins. Michael read extracts from the book and Jim McNamara’s older brother Maurice paid a a moving tribute to Jim.

Thanks all who attended and helped out, especially the family members of the deceased – great to see faces old and new.

Midweek & Weekend round-up

There were no less than 3 night-time races during the week which featured runners from Donore Harriers. In Sligo was the Ballymote Firefly 5k challenge organised by Corran AC and Dermot McDermott. John Travers won the road mile event in 4.01 seeing off Alberto Sanchez in 4.02. The 5k featured young Sam Allen and he was an excellent 4th in 15.56. Earlier in the week, the Twilight Team Challenge took place around Sandyford Business Park. The winner in 17.21 was back from injury Ian O’Leary; 3rd overall and 1st woman was Ide Nic Dhomhnaill fresh from a great Rathfarnham 5K days before. Karla Doran was 3rd lady in 18.55 and great to Aislinn NiDhomhnaill back in action where she ran 19.20.
The ParkWest 10k and 5K nighttime races took place in the Clondalkin area and the indefatigable George Brady was 3rd in the 10k in 36.30. Luke Boland came 2nd in the 5k race in 17.04 with Peter Nugent running 20.09 There were only two Donore athletes in the Dublin Simon Fun Run, held over 5 miles in the Phoenix Park last Saturday. Anthony Flannery came in 4th in 27:16, while Tony Barry dipped under the 30-minute barrier finishing in 15th place in 29:42.

In Galway, Mark Dooley showed excellent form ahead of the cross-country season with a clear win in the half marathon. His time of 71 minutes is particularly impressive considering his victory was a solo run, with 2nd and 3rd place 7 and 8 minutes behind and bodes well for the important races coming up over the next few months.

The track and field season drew to a close with a number of impressive performances in many age groups at the National Track and Field Masters championships in Tullamore. A number of competitors won multiple medals in both track and field events notably Niall Allen’s gold in the WFD and silver in the discus. Karla Doran had a treble and won W35 400m gold, 800m silver and 1500m bronze. Donal Iremonger was an impressive double silver winner for M45 400m and 800m. Michael McMahon won silver in a very competitive 5000M. Orlaith Read was leading the W45 up til the last round and she won silver. Tony Jenkins won bronze in the M70 shot and Alex Kelly won discus bronze too.
A great end to the season – well done all.

Full results

The day before in the Phoenix Park, over 40 Donore runners took part in the Frank Duffy 10 mile road race which also doubles as the Dublin 10 mile road championship (results of that awaited). Before the race even started, participants got soaked and the benefits of a slightly easier course than last year were cancelled out by the rain and wind that runners had to contend with in the race. Despite that, there were many good runs on the day. First home for the club was Anthony Flannery followed by Phil Hennessy Fergal Whitty. Grace Kennedy finished first of the ladies and was 17th woman overall with Amy Moriarty in 20th position and she got a PB. Well done to Barry Potts who won the M65 agegroup. It was good to see some new members in the singlet for the first time (Audrey Gahan) and a group of the Fit4Life runners. Many are using this as a good buildup to Autumn marathons – well done all, full results below.

Sinead Jennings returned to Ireland after her Olympic rowing adventure and one of the first things she did was run a half marathon in her native Donegal, she was the first woman by some distance in a time of 83 minutes – inspiring stuff!
Over in the west Aine Mahony was the 2nd woman home in the Gaelforce West event, which is a combination of cycling, kayaking and road and trail running, sister Breda Mahony performed well too.
Well done all!

It was an action packed week for the club on track and road with podium positions aplenty. Going back to the AAI games and national combined events last week now that all results are to hand, belated well done to Rolus Olusa in the Multi Event National Championship where he won silver in a new PB points tally of 6222 points. In the AAI games, kudos to Eamonn Fahey back in good form with 2nd in the 200m and 100m and Caoimhe Mackey on a great win in the 400h

The day before, Lynda Ngakam got to wear the Irish vest for the first in the Celtic international student games where she was narrowly of 3rd in the triple jump with a leap of 10.90

Staying on the track, John Travers had a clear win in the IMC 1500m race at the Bertie Quinn memorial Tullamore in 3.51.19 and at the same meet Sam Allen ran 9.23.95 in the 3000m.

There were many medals won at the Leinster T&F championships, best of the day was the three golds for Niall Allen in the M40 shot (10.46), discus.(28.84) and weight for distance (5.51)

Donal Iremonger won the M45 400m (57.89) and 800m (2.09.52)

Karla Doran won gold in the 1500m (5.04.22)

Anne Gormley W50 3000m walk gold (20.43)and silver in the shot put 6.27

Terry Mee M70 gold 800m 2.59.54 and 3000m 12.57.97

Lynda Ngakam gold 100m 12.92, 4th in triple Jump with best jump of 10.85

Orlaith Read gold in the W45 hammer 32.97

Zak Higgins senior bronze 400m 51.05 with Adam Halpin 6th 54.2 and David Campbell (a day after his charity skydive!) 54.35

Well done all!

On the road, the fast course of the BHAA government services Dunboyne 5 mile on a warm night during the week yielded good result with Fergal Whitty first home there.

There were a number of marathons over the weekend, first of those was in Tullaroan in Kilkenny where George Brady, running his 100th marathon, recorded his first ever actual marathon win in 2.56, congrats George.

In Derry on Sunday we had the Walled city marathon, not an easy course with a particularly savage hill at the end, where Laura Murray ran 4.23.21.
The next Day was the Cork marathon and there we had Michael Barry who ran 3.33.29.
In the half marathon event, runners were reportedly sent in the wrong direction so ended up running more than the distance! Nonetheless, taking the long course into account, well done to Noel Davis 1.53.46 and Anthony Flannery, who got sent the wrong way twice, 2.16.03.
On the mountains Niall Lynch came 4th in the latest Leinster league event on Trooperstown hill last Wednesday night.

As usual, a large contingent of Donor ladies ran in the Women’s Mini Marathon on Monday with some great performances on a warm day, first home for Donore was Kim Hickey in 16th position overall with 39.00, followed by Amy Moriarty in 31stwho clocked up a new pb with 41.10 and Grace Kennedy in 32nd with 41.11

The big success of the week for Donore Harriers was at the popular Bob Heffernan 5k in Enfield which is known for some very fast times and once again it didn’t disappoint.  Ashling Swaine continues to blaze a trail on the 5k road scene and knocked another chunk off her PB over the distance to run into 3rd place in 18.29.  She led the ladies team into 3rd place with Amy Moriarty and Bronagh Elliot being the scorers.  First home of the men were Rossa Hurley and Ciaran McCarthy in identical times of 16.05 and 13th place and there was a podium place for the men’s team too with a second placing there – 5 men went well under 17 minutes.  25 Donore runners took part in all – well done everyone.

John Travers finished up his American ‘tour’ of the indoor track season in the best possible way, with a new indoor PB in the 1500m.  John toed the line at the prestigious Millrose games at the New York Armory (scene of many Irish track triumphs in the 80s and 90s).  In the Armory invitational mile in a quality field, John finished 6th in another sub 4 minute time of 3.58.10.  This comes after his impressive 3000m showing the week before where he also PB’d.

Back in Ireland there were impressive runs by two Donore athletes at the popular Armagh international road races which attract many high calibre runners from abroad.  Darragh Fitzgibbon was a super 2nd in the open 3k running 8.50.81 and Sam Allen got a PB in the 5k race with a time of 16.05.51.

Sinead Lambe had another impressive 800m race, she guested in the Connacht indoors at the Athlone arena and came 4th in her race in 2.23

Back on the cross country, Fergal Whitty finished 3rd overall in the BHAA ALSAA 4 mile with Phil Hennessy 8th and 1st M45 followed by Chris Muldoon 16th, Tom fagan 48th, Peter Nugent 51st and Terry Mee 121st and 1st M70.  Ann Woodlock was 37th and 1st W75 in the ladies 2.5

The 3rd leg of the winter women’s meet and train cross country league took place in a wet and windy Dunboyne.  It was true cross country conditions in the aptly named Cowpark; results are not posted yet but first home was Caren Crowley and Mary Murphy not far behind, then Sarah Ni Ruairc and Sue Lynch.

Paul McDermott took both the 60m and 200m title in the under 19 boys, also taking double titles were Ciarán O’Farrell under 10 in 60m and long jump, Louis O’Loughlin again taking the 800m and 1500m title’s as he did in the summer just after winning the lenister cross country in the same week. 

Ailbhe Healy, under 19, took the pole vault title with a new pb of 2.90 and the 60m hurdle title. We also had success in high jump with Seán Kinsealla and Gabhan O’Thighearnaigh taking the under 13 and 18 title’s and under 16 Jack Rafferty second. In shot putt we had wins in the under 16 girls  and under 18 girls with Oran O’Brien taking the under 19 boys title. 

As a club we were very strong in the sprints and hurdles with plenty of young talent coming through the ranks . We won over 13 medals in sprints and hurdles we many athletes doubling up for two medals. Kolade Abiodun was our top athlete over the the 4 days winning both the 200m and 60m hurdles, long jump and placing 2nd in the 60m . Thanks to all the coaches for the hard work and the parents and supporters.

Juvenile Dublin Indoor Championship 2016

Girls

u/10 girls 500m – Faye O’Keeffe = 4th,1.47.8

u/16 girls  shot putt – Beth Kirwin = 1st,7.49    – Ciara Simms = 3rd,6.83

u/16 girls  60m hurdles – Angie Gonia = 2nd

u/17 girls 200m – Cara Brennan = 4th,27.3

u/17 girls shot putt – Jennifer Treadwell = 3rd,7.42

u/17 girls 4x200m relay – 2nd,1.53.14

u/17 girls 60m – Suzi O’Farrell = 3rd   – Cara Brennan = 4th

u/17 girls 60m hurdles – Ciara O’Donnell = 2nd

u/18 girls 60m – Aoife Lynch = 3rd   – Lauren Flaherty = 4th

u/18 girls 60m hurdles – Róisín Rynn = 1st

u/18 girls 800m – Lucy McCann = 3rd,2.35.4

u/18 girls 200m – Aoife Lynch = 3rd,27.1

u/18 girls 1500m – Eliza Ní Thighearnaigh = 2nd,5.15.3

u/18 girls long jump – Eve Reilly = 3rd,4.31

u/18 girls shot putt – Lauren O’Keeffe = 1st,10.54

u/18 girls 4x200m relay – 2nd,1.53.4

u/19 girls shot putt – Aoife Simms = 3rd,6.95

u/19 girls shot putt – Clodagh Reid = 2nd,8.80

u/19 girls pole vault – Ailbhe Healy = 1st,2.90

u/19 girls 60m hurdles – Ailbhe Healy = 1st

u/19 girls 4x200m – 3rd = 1.54.4

Boys

u/10 boys  long jump – Ciarán O’Farrell = 1st,3m30

u/10 boys 60m – Ciarán O’Farrell = 1st

u/12 boys  shot putt – Oliver Hopkins = 4th,3m13

u/13 boys 600m – Séan Kinsella = 2nd,1.51.5

u/13 boys high jump – Séan Kinsella = 1st,1.35

u/16 boys 800m – Louis O’Loughlin = 1st,2.08.0

u/16 boys 1500m – Louis O’Loughlin = 1st,4.30.3    – Faithi Aden = 4th,4.35.5

u/16 boys high jump – Jack Raftery = 2nd,1.55

u/16 boys 200m – Brad Hennessy = 4th,25.4

u/17 boys 200m – Kolade Abiodun = 1st,23.4    – Jordan Dunne = 4th,24.2

u/17 boys 60m – Kolade Abiodun = 2nd

u/17 boys 60m hurdles – Kolade Abiodun = 1st

u/17 boys 1500m – Sekeriye Ahmed = 3rd,4.45.08

u/17 boys long jump – Kolade Abiodun = 1st,5.95   – Max Carey = 3rd,5.62

u/18 boys high jump – Gabhan O’Thighearnaigh = 1st,1.75

u/18 boys shot putt – Ian Darrach = 3rd,9.2

u/18 boys 60m hurdles – Alex Clarkin = 1st

u/19 boys 200m – Paul McDermott = 1st

u/19 boys 60m – Paul McDermott = 1st

The cross country season in its last month and the BHAA Garda cross country races in the Phoenix park were a popular option for the Donore runners who are well used to the magazine hills.  In the ladies race, the ever improving Aisling Swaine had a super performance coming 3rd (and not far off 2nd).  Cliodhna Carthy was 1st W40.  Fergal Whitty was an excellent 9th and 1st M40 in the men’s 4 mile race.  There were unusually big numbers competing, the races incorporated the Lord Mayor 5 alive challenge.

Full results:

Ladies 2 mile (266 finishers)
Aisling Swaine 3rd
Cliodhna Carthy 12th 1st W40
Mary Murphy 43rd
Catherine Mckeon 47th
Ann Woodlock 91st 1st W75
Pauline fagan 95th

Men’s 4 mile (246 finishers)
Fergal Whitty 9th
Philip Hennessey 18th
Tom fagan 68th
Peter Nugent 73rd
Barry Potts 90th 2nd m65
Tommy Halton 213th

Meanwhile, 4 Donore runners braved the unbelievably gruelling cross country course that is Parliament Hill Fields in Hampstead Heath London, the traditional home of the sport in England.  They competed in the South of England cross country championship in the colours of Herne Hill Harriers in a field of 1000 runners. The race was 15k so it was the best part of an hour’s intense running. Michael McMahon was an impressive 69th, John dunne a minute back in 90th, Ciaran McCarthy 181st and Aogan Macdhomhnaill 211th.  By all accounts, the group found it a fantastic experience!

Junior and U23 track indoor nationals

Donore Harriers has a new national champion in Ailbhe Healy who recently won the junior pole vault event at the national junior and U23 championships athlone with a jump of 2.75 metres.  At the same event, Zak Higgins contested the junior 400m in 52.9 sec and Adam Halpin ran 56.9 in the U23 400m.

National indoor league

The men’s and women’s teams both reached the final in Athlone this year and came agonisingly close to medal positions, but had to settle for 4th place apiece.  There were some great performances and a number of new faces on both teams.  Finishing top 3 in their events were Lynda Tcheudji, Ailbhe Healy, Lara O’byrne (2 events)and Mimi Agargbo in the ladies competition and there were PBs for Sinead Lambe and Karla doran in the middle distance events.  In the end, the ladies were only a few points off bronze.  In the men’s event, Paul McDermott, Rolus Olusa and Darragh Fitzgibbon got top 3 positions, there were many good performances from new team members like Emmet o’Briain and Gabhan O’Tighearnaigh and in the end the result in one of the jumps events went to count back leaving Donore an agonising single point off bronze with 54( winners were Clonliffe, Galway city harriers, followed by Leevale).  Roll on the outdoor league for these two fine teams and thanks Leonie Newman and all the team supporters for their hard work.

Full results
Ladies

Men

(Guest athletes Cara Brennan 8.16 60m, Anna O’Reilly 3.87 long jump, max Carey 200m 24.17, Adam Halpin 55.84)

AAI games

The day after the national league final, 2 of the ladies team were back out in the Athlone arena to contest the AAI games 800m.  Karla Doran had a super race finishing 3rd in 2.20.23 and Sinead Lambe in an impressive 2.24.19.

IUAA championships

At the universities national indoors, Lynda Tcheudji continues an impressive season with bronze in the triple jump 11.01.  Mael Lambert came 9th in the 3000m in 9.01.  Rolus Olusa competed in several events as part of the combined events incorporated.

US indoors

John Travers continues his run of competition in the American indoor circuit with 4.02 in the Armory invitational mile where he finished 8th.  But the week after he got a PB over 3000m indoors and a 2nd place in the Boston university David Hemery invitational meet where he finished in 7.55.

Back in the outdoors, there was another great win for Louis O’Loughlin.  In Santry Demesne at the  Leinster schools Athletics cross country junior race he was the clear victor.

One of the first big road events of the year is the PB-friendly Raheny 5 mile which had record numbers this year.  Roadworks meant a slightly altered course which took the runners through St Anne’s park in the latter stages for the first time.  The rain stayed away but there was occasional wind.  There were many impressive times on the day First home for the club was Eoin Durkan and Niall Lynch got a PB running 26.58 which also made him the 3rd M40.  First home of the ladies was Amy Moriarty in 33.16.  There were age group prizes too for Terry Mee and Ann Woodlock.

Results in full:

The second ever Bewleys Trim 10 mile race took place on a very cold day and took the racers from the outskirts of the town into surrounding villages Dunderry, Kilbride and back.  A fair course, but from 4-10 miles, the wind was a factor.  First home was Anthony Flannery in another impressive race and just outside the top 10.  Sean Fox broke the 60 minute barrier and Shane McCauley came in over a minute after with another 2 minutes to Niall O’Reilly.  First of the ladies was Florence Curley in 5th, she was 4th for most of the race but was overhauled by Emilia Dan in the last kilometre.  Angela Eustace got a PB and it was good to see Medbh Peavoy back racing after a long break.

In Clonakilty Cork, the rescheduled Marathon took place after it was postponed from December.  Weather conditions were still tough but Laura Murray did well to get a PB here in 4.22.

In Donadea forest, on February 13th, the annual national 50k championship took place over 10 5k laps.  Gavin Byrne finished in 4.04 and Medbh Peavoy ran 6 of the laps.