Congratulations to both Donore teams who traveled to Athlone for the first Indoor  League

The men’s team scored 46 points and are in 3rd place after round one while the  women’s team scored 47 and are in second place. We had some great individual performances with John Travers winning the the 8oom for the men and Ailbhe Healy winning pole vault for the women’s team.

MENS TEAM
Rolous Olusa 60mh 2nd
Rolous Olusa 60   8th
John Travers 800 1st
Kolade Abiodum long jump 7th
Niall Allen shot putt 

WOMENS TEAM
Lauren Kennedy 60mh  6th
Suzi O Farrell   60 7th
Sinead Lambe 800 8th
Ailbhe Healy pole vault 1st
Mimi Agargbo shot putt 2nd
Roisin Rynn Chaill  long jump 5th
Next round is the 30th january

The next day in Kilmacow, Kilkenny, our senior ladies won the Leinster Senior Cross Country Championship.  This was a first time senior medal for 4th placed Karla Doran, closely followed by Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill in 5th and her twin Ide in 6th, Aisling Swaine came 11th and also got her first senior medal.  The team won the Championship easily with Liffey Valley in 2nd place.

Other recent results:

Park run

16/01/2016
Donabate: Eilish Darby 24.30
Porterstown: Tom Fagan 20.55 3rd
Griffeen: Liz MCCurtain 26.47
Castletown: Joan McTernan 24.50

The club had a great start to 2016 with outstanding performances at the Dublin Masters competitions in sodden St Annes Park On Sunday .  On a beautiful, sunny , cold day our Masters Ladies team packed strongly over the 3,000m to deliver second place , just two points behind the winners Sportsworld. The scoring team lead by Kim Hickey in 6th place, Barbara Murray 14th, sisters Florence and Anne Curley in 15th and 16th places scored 51points and were well supported by Karen Behan 38th, Julia Hackett 43rd, Mary Murphy 99th.  Ann Woodlock won the o.70 category.

In the men ‘s race Michael Mc Mahon lead the race from start to finish in an outstanding performance of front running, with last year’s winner John Dunne and club mate in 2nd place. Niall Lynch and Ciaran Mc Carthy completed a very impressive winning team performance, its third successive win in this event. However The depth of the squad was reflected in Fergal Whitty, Chris Muldoon , Andy Kinnane,  Des Tremble , Philip Hennessy and Andrew Wilson applying  constant pressure throughout the race. The latter two finished first and second in the 045 category. Peter Nugent and Tom Fagan, fought their own battle down the huge field of 17 teams and the indestructible Terry Mee won the 070 category.

Meanwhile in Edinburgh on Saturday, Louis O’ Loughlin made his first appearance in an Irish singlet competing for Ireland in the Celtic Games u17 race which formed part of the Great Edinburgh XC.  against athletes several years older than him. Watch out for Louis in the coming years. One of Gerry Naughton’s young guns, he is a young athlete with great potential.

John Travers lead off for the Irish senior mixed relay c.c team which were a very impressive third to Scotland as part of the same event in Edinburgh. John had a good run.

Later this month the schools cross-country championships will get underway with the West Leinster championships.

Looming up large is the first round of the National Indoor Inter-Clubs track and Field championships. The club is entering a ladies and men’s team in this very useful competition, aimed very much at our emerging juvenile athletes but not solely so.

The 119th running of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird shield 10 mile handicap race took place this St Stephens Day in driving rain and treacherous underfoot conditions, a real challenge for the 28 runners who toed the line.

The lead changed many times during the race. For the first few laps Michelle Dawson (winner in 2012)and Dana Mackey who were first to start at a 35 minute handicap took the lead. Then it was the turn of Charlie O’Neill but he retired after 3 laps. For the last two laps, the race saw some runners making great ground such as Alan Farrell, scratch man John Travers and the pairing of Tom Fagan and Peter Nugent. Angela Eustace also held the lead for some time but was overhauled going into the last lap by a number of runners. Alan Farrell opened up quite a lead with George Brady and Tom Fagan in pursuit. Unfortunately John Travers got an opened shoe going into the last lap which cost him a little time. But there was no stopping Alan Farrell, a relatively new member of the club, who finished with over a minute to spare on the 2nd runner. His handicap was 13.30 minutes and it took him 66.52 to complete the course. 2nd was Tom Fagan with George Brady 10 seconds later: this was George’s best ever position in the race which he has done many times. In 5th place and in the fastest time of the day was John Travers who completed the sodden course in impressive 54.35. First Lady over the line was Angela Eustace in 11th place and she completed the course in 82.15. There was a sprint finish between John Dunne 12th (fastest master of the day) and 2013 winner Paul Cummins in 13th. Fastest lady although carrying an injury was Anne Curley in 15th place. In 16th was 2014 winner Ian Redican. Other former winners who competed were Mark Dooley 19th and John Breen 22nd. Laura Murray 21st and Peter Nugent 8th competed for the first time.

After the race, the 2014 winner Ian Redican formally handed the shield over to Alan Farrell. Later in the clubhouse was the prize giving when former winner Jim McNamara presented the shield again to the winner. Big thanks to master of ceremonies Iain Morrison who was also race handicapper along with Florrie Curley and Fred Kiernan. Willie Smith was timer and marked the course along with Albert Prendiville. As always Stephen Kelly cooked the post-race soup!

Full results below

Alan Farrell13.301.27.2266.52

DNF
Barry Potts
Charlie O’Neill
Patrick Byrne
Stephen Dawson

The Christmas and New Year period is a busy one on the race calendar and there were Donore runners in action all over the country. Notable performances included the following.
Pre-Christmas in Farranfore Kerry, twin sisters Sorcha and Ide Nic Dhomhnaill ran well in the 5k; Sorcha placed 3rd lady in 18.26 with Ide just 9 seconds back in 18.35. Their bother Aogan came 8th in 16.10.
In Limerick where she is now based, Sinead Jennings Lynch (who will compete for the Irish rowing team in the Rio Olympics) was 1st lady in the Caherdavin 10 mile in 61.18 showing that her intense rowing schedule also makes for fast times on dry land.

There was 7th and 8th and place respectively for Ciaran McCarthy (16.14) and Sam Allen (16.17) in the Clonliffe Christmas Cracker 5k on Santry Demesne which finished in Morton Stadium. Ciaran also placed 2nd in the M40 class.

Chris Muldoon came 6th in the Kilbeggan 6k in 20:49

Mark Dooley came 2nd in the Clarinbridge 10k in 34.21 not long after competing in the gruelling Waterhouse Byrne Baird race on St Stephen’s Day.

Barbara Murray was delighted to finally break 40 minute for 10k in a well deserved 39.50 which made her 3rd lady in the Emyvale 10k in her native Monaghan.

Emer Rattigan was 1st lady in the Garrycastle GAA 5k in Athlone (times n/a)

On the parkrun front Graham Hopkins scored a win in Poppintree on 2 January and Gavin Byrne was 2nd in Waterstown on Christmas Day. Laura Murray was the most prolific runner of the period running no less than 3 parkruns as well as the Shield race and the Meet and Train round 2 race.

The Tom Brennan 5k race on New Years Day had Fergal Whitty coming 9th and 2nd M40.
The 2nd round of the Meet and Train cross country league in Bushy Park turned out to be a race on the paths because the grass was so waterlogged and we had 6 runners in action that day.

Full results
Farranfore 5k Aogan MacDhomhnaill 8th (16.10) Des Tremble 16th (16.59) Patrick Moriarty 19th (17.19) Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill 3rd woman (18.26) Ide Nic Dhomhnaill 4th woman (18.35)
Caherdavin 10 mile Sinead Jennings 1st woman (61.18)
Clonliffe Christmas Cracker 5k Ciaran McCarthy 7th (16.14) Sam Allen 8th (16.17)
Fields Of Athenry 10k: Alma Hanevy (43.39) Cariosa Walsh (58.59) Dearbhla Walsh (69.19)
Kilbeggan 6k: Chris Muldoon 6th (20.49)
Garrycastle 5k: Emer Rattigan 1st woman
Fat Turkey 10k Sutton: Des Gill (48.49)
Emyvale 10k: Barbara Murray 3rd woman (39.50) (PB)
Clarinbridge 10k: Mark Dooley 2nd (34.21)
Tom Brennan New Years Day 5k: Fergal Whitty 9th (16,39) Luke Boland (17.22) George Brady 18.06) Derek O’Neill (19.26) Tony Griffin (21.26) Karen Behan (22.11) Charlie O’Neill (23.34) Tom Halton (26.44)
Meet and Train league 2 mile race: Mary Murphy 63rd, Laura Murray 86th, Catherine McKeon 90th, Lee Chambers 94th, Sue Lynch 100th, Ann Woodlock 104th

Parkrun
Waterstown 25/12/15: Gavin Byrne 2nd 18.47 Laura Murray 3rd female 24:00
Porterstown 26/12/15: Niall O’Reilly 2nd 19.01
Griffeen: 1/1/16: Laura Murray 25.18
Malahide/l 2/1/16: Laura Murray 24.14
Hartstown: 2/1/16: Peter Nugent 19.30 (9th)
Poppintree: 2/1/16: Graham Hopkins 18.26(1st)

January 2015

Tom Brennan Memorial 5km at Lucan

1st John Travers (14.43)

Dublin Masters Cross Country Championships

2nd Anne Curley; 3rd Kim Hickey

1st W75 Ann Woodlock

1st Women’s Team <A Curley, Hickey, Mahony & Murray>

1st John Dunne

1st M40 Niall Lynch

1st Men’s Team <Dunne, Lynch, McCarthy & Whitty>

New Balance Invitational Mile at the Armoury Centre, New York:

1st John Travers 3.59.62

National Indoor Junior & under 23s Championships

1st u/20s 200m Sean Lawlor (21.88)

2nd u/23 1500m Daragh Fitzgibbon (4.04.22)

February 2015

Athletics Ireland Indoor Games 2015

2nd 200m Final Sean Lawlor JNR (22.40)

1st 3000m Final John Travers (8.19.30)

Dungarvan 10 Mile

3rd W40 Anne Curley

1st M70 Jim McNamara

Trim 10 Mile

2nd M40 Garvan Smith

3rd Team <Smith, Fox, Morris, O’Reilly>

National Masters Cross Country championships

1st M35 John Dunne

1st Men’s Team <Dunne, McCarthy, Lynch Muldoon>

3rd Women’s Team <Hickey, Curley, Morrissey, Campion>.

2nd M70 Terry Mee

1st M75 Jim McNamara; 3rd M75 Joseph Maguine

1st M50 Team <Mee, McNamara & Maguire>

Dublin Indoor Juvenile Track & Field Championships

44 medals won by Donore athletes including 17 gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze

Gold – u/14s Girls Shot Putt – Ashling Read: u/16s Girls 200m – Aoife Lynch: u/16s Girls – High Jump – Lara O’Byrne: u/16s Girls Shot Putt – Lara O’Byrne: u/16s Girls Pole Vault – Lara O’Byrne: u/17s Girls Shot Putt – Lauren O’Keeffe: u/18s Girls Triple Jump – Karen Hughes: u/18s Girls Pole Vault – Albhe Healy: u/16s Boys 200m – Kolade Abiodun; u/17s Boys High Jump – Gabhan O’Tighearnaigh; u/18s Boys Shot Putt – Oran O’Brien: u/19s Boys 200m – Sean Lawlor;u/16s Girls 60mH – Lara O’Byrne: u/17s Girls 60m – Aoife Lynch: u/16s Boys 60m – Kolade Abiodun: u/16s Boys 60mH – Kolade Abiodun: u/17s Boys 60mH – Jack Rudden-Kelly

National Senior Indoor Track & Field Championships

1st 1500m John Travers (3.49.93)

March 2015

National Senior Cross Country Championships

8th Mark Dooley (38.59); 13th Eric Keogh (39.31); 16th Michael McMahon (39.47); 17th .John Dunne (39.50); 52nd Caoimhin Kelly (43.40T

3rd team <Dooley, Keogh, McMahon & Dunne>

IAAF Permit Antrim International Cross Country race

29th Mark Dooley (first Irish singlet)

National Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships

1st W50 3km Walk Anne Gormley

2nd W50 Shot Putt Anne Gormley

1st M70 800m Terry Mee (2.52.25) & 2nd M70 3000m Terry Mee

30th edition of the Marathon Des Sables in Morocco.

5th Claire Morrissey

European Indoor Track & Field Championships at Prague

7th Final 500m John Travers (3.41.50): 3rd in Heat 1 in (3.41.37 – PB)

National Juvenile Indoors Championships

1st u/19s 200m Sean Lawlor

2nd u/17s 60mH Jack Rudden-Kelly

2nd u/16s 60mH Kolade Abiodun

3rd u/16s 60m Kolade Abiodun

Leinster Indoor Track & Field Championships

1stBoys u/19s 200m Sean Lawlor (22.02) & 1st u/19s 60m Sean Lawlor (7.00s)

1st u/17 Boys 60mH  Jack Rudden-Kelly

2nd Girls u/17s 200m Aoife Lynch (26.63)

3rd Girls u/19s 60m Alise Keating (8.54)

April 2015

National Road Relays

1st Senior Men <Van Haeften, Fitzgibbon, Travers, Keogh>

Club Team of the Year: Winners of the 43rd edition of the National Road Relays back in April. Donore Harriers had won the title 7 times previously, but the previous success was back in 1992.  Lee Van Haeften (9.34) ran the opening 2-mile leg and handed over 2nd of 26 teams. Daragh Fitzgibbon (4.31), a late replacement for the ill Mark Dooley, put in a brilliant shift and finished his stage with a 3 seconds lead. John Travers (14.07) ran the fasted 3 mile stage and widened the gap to 37 seconds. The final 2 mile leg saw Eric Keogh (9.40) raise the famous Donore by cruising to victory in 37.52 – well ahead of Ennis Track (38.41) and Raheny Shamrocks (39.05). Donore’s time was the second fastest ever!

3rd Masters Women: 1M Kim Hickey (6.04); 2M Rhona Duane (11.54); 1M Breda Mahony (5.58) = total time of 23.54>

Irish Universities Track & Field Championships

1st 1500m John Travers

1st Javelin Jaco Oosthuysen

Great Ireland Run

1st W40 Florence Curley

European Indoor Masters Track & Field Championships

1st in both W75 1500m and W75 3000m Ann Woodlock

National Juvenile Indoors Championships

1st u/19s 200m Sean Lawlor

2nd u/17s 60mH Jack Rudden-Kelly

2nd u/16s 60mH Kolade Abiodun

3rd u/16s 60m Kolade Abiodun

Schools International Cross Country championships

10th Junior Boys Fathi Aden (3rd scorer on Irish team that won team silver medals)

London Marathon

12th W40 Anne Curley (2.58.59) 11th consecutive sub 3 hours marathon

Dublin 10,000m Track Championship

1st Michael McMahon

May 2015

All Ireland Schools Track & Field Championships

1stSenior Boys 200m Sean Lawlor (21.54 PB):

2nd Girls Hammer Lauren O’Keeffe (52.08m): Minor Boys 800m Louis O’Loughlin (2.06.56): Senior Boys 100m Sean Lawlor (10.69 PB):

3rd Inter Boys 100m Hurdles – Alex Clarkin (13.85)

Leinster Masters Track & Field Championships

8 Gold medals won by Ann Gormley, Terry Mee x 2, Niall Allen x 3 & Tony Jenkins: plus 4 silver and one bronze

Leinster Schools Track & Field Championships

9 Gold medals won by Louis O’Loughlin x 2 (800m & 1100m), Sean Lawlor x 2 (100m, 200m), Jack Rudden Kelly (110H), Louis McDonagh (Jav), Lauren O’Keeffe (Hammer – with championship record), Eoin Molloy (Hammer) & Lucy Hurley (HJ): plus 3 silver and 3 bronze

Dublin Novice 5km championship inc. Tallaght 5km

1st W40 Florence Curley

3rd Women’s Novice Team <Childs, Curley, Swaine, Graham>

June 2015

European Team Athletics Championships at Heraklion in Crete

3rd in 3,000m John Travers (IRL) 8.12.76

Dublin Juvenile Track & Field Championships

58 medals won by Donore Harriers = 20 gold, 24 silver and 14 bronze

Gold won by Louis O’Loughlin in 800m & 1500m; Peace Onakoya, Beth Kirwan, Eleanor Ronan, Adam Maher, Lauren O’Keeffe, Clodagh Read & Kerri Noonan in Hammer; Rian Carey, Ciara Simm & Oran O’Brien in Shot Putt; Kolade Abiodun in 100mH; Rebecca Power in Javelin; Aoife Lynch in 200m; Suzanne Masterson in 2k Steeplechase; Leanne Brosnan & David Keenan in Long Jump; Conor Fox in 100m.

La Cheile International / IMC Meet

2nd 1500m ‘John Travers 3.41.43

July 2015

World University Games at Gwangju, South Korea

8th in Men’s 1,500m Final John Travers (IRL) 3.42.63, 2nd in heat (3.44.48)

National Juvenile Track & Field Championships

1st u/15 Boys 1500m Louis O’Loughlin (4.17.95 PB)

1st u/15 Boys 800m Louis O’Loughlin (2.04.92 PB)

2nd u/17 Boys 100mH Jack Rudden-Kelly (15.34)
3rd u/15 Boys 1500m Fathi Aden (4.20.44 PB)

3rd u/15 Boys 800m Fathi Aden (2.09.90 PB)

3rd u/18 Girls Pole Vault Ailbhe Healy (2.75m PB)

3rd u/14 Girls Hammer Keri Noonan (29.10m)

European Youth Olympics at Tbilisi, Rep. of Georgia

7th Girls Hammer Final – Lauren O’Keeffe (57.35m PB)

Irish Mountain Running Association Leinster League

2nd overall Niall Lynch

August 2015

National Half Marathon inc. Rock & Roll HM

2nd M45 Phil Hennessy

1st M65 Barry Potts

3rd Men’s Team <Smith, Hennessy, Fox>

2nd Women’s Team <Hanevy, Mahony, Verdon>

World Masters Athletics Championships at Lyon France

2nd M35 XC John Dunne

National Track & Field Championships

3rd Javelin Jaco Oosthuysen

3rd 110 Hurdles Simon Taggart

3 members contested 1,500m final = John Travers, Eric Keogh & Daragh Fitzgibbon

Women’s National Track & Field Final

8th team Donore Harriers (first time women’s team qualified for final)

Sunrise to Sunset Marathon at Hovsgol, Mongolia

3rd Des Tremble

Isle Of Man Half Marathon

1st Mark Dooley

Dublin 10 Mile Championships inc. Frank Duffy 10

1st M40 Fergal Whitty

3rd M40 Niall Lynch

3rd M45 Phil Hennessy

1st Junior Michael Gibbs

1st M65 Barry Potts

1st M70 Terry Mee

3rd Senior Women Grace Kennedy

September 2015

Rathfarnham 5km

1st John Travers

1st Men’s Team <Travers, Keogh, Dunne>

2nd Women’s Team  <MacDhomhnaill, Doran, Murray>

Dublin Half-Marathon

3rd Ken Nugent

1st M35 Andy Kinane

1st Junior Michael Gibbs

1st M70 Terry Mee

October 2015

Leinster Masters XC

2nd Niall Lynch

Dublin Novice XC

3rd Men’s Team <McCarthy, O’Briain, Boland, Bynre>

3rd women Karla Doran

3rd Women’s Team <Doran, Swaine, Rattigan, Elliott>

Leinster Novice XC

3rd Karla Doran

2nd Women’s Team <Doran, Hickey, Swaine, Elliott>

Dublin/National Marathon Championships

1st Women’s Team <Moriarty, Mahony, Graham>

2nd Men’s Masters Team <Whitty, Kinane, Moriarty>

November 2015

Dublin Senior XC

2nd Women’s Team <MacDhomhnaill, Curley, MacDhomhnaill, Curley>

2nd Men’s Team <Dooley, Keogh, Hynes, McMahon, Dunne, MacDomhnaill>

Dublin Juvenile XC Championships

3 gold = u/15 Boys Louis O’Loughlin, u/16 Boys Louis O’Loughlin, u/16 Boys team

3 silver = u/15 Boys Fathi Aden, u/16 Boys Fathi Aden, u/17 Girls team

3 bronze = u/16 Boys Sekeriye Ahmed, u/18 Girls Lucy McCann, u/17 Boys team

British & Irish Masters XC

7 members represented Ireland

W70 Ann Woodlock (silver)

M65 Barry Potts (gold)

M70 Terry Mee

M75 Jim McNamara (bronze)

M40 Niall Lynch (gold)

M35 Michael McMahon & John Dunne (gold)

National Inter-Clubs Championships

5th team <Travers, Keogh, Dooley, Hynes>

National Juvenile u/16 Championships

3rd Louis O’Loughlin (step-up)

Dublin Juvenile XC League

1st Fathi Aden u/15 Boys

1st Sekeriye Ahmed u/16 Boys

1st Eliza NiThighearnaigh u/17 Girls

2nd Suzanne Masterson u/17 Girls

Dublin Intermediate XC Championships

1st Karla Doran

3rd Kim Hickey

1st team <Doran, Hickey, Swaine, Rattigan>

Men’s Team 4th

December 2015

Ist  Jingle Bells-  John Travers 14. 44

National Uneven Age C. C. juvenile Championships –Dungarvan

U15 Boys Ist LouisO’Loughlin

2nd Faithi Aden

Louis and Faithi lead Dublin team to ist place in inter county competition.

U17 girls County gold medals for winning Dublin team members Lucy Mc Cann and Suzanne Masterson.

12 Echo newspaper Awards

Club of the year –Donore Harriers

Monthly awards to John Travers, Ladies Masters, Men’s Masters, Men’s National Road  Relay team, World Masters cc team lead by John Dunne to bronze position.

Results compiled by Gerry Naughton

At the National Uneven Age Groups cross country championships at Dungarvan Donore Harriers sensation Louis O’Loughlin stamped his authority all over the Boys under 15s over a distance of 3.5km. Once he took the lead at the 500 metres point there was no catching him! The slightly undulating and mud-laden course did not hamper O’Loughlin’s front running style. Over the remaining 3 kilometres the Moyle Park student continually stretched out his lead – and speeding up on the run in to the finish he won by a margin of about 80 metres.

This was O’Loughlin’s 4^th individual national victory in 2015 having also won the Minor Boys Schools cross country title as well as the 800m and 1500m track championships in his age group.

Fathi Aden made it a One-Two for Donore Harriers. Last year’s under 14s champion ran a smart race! After a conservative opening kilometres he steadily worked his way through the field. Aden was 24^th after 500 metres and 12^th at the end of the first 1.5km lap. On the second longer 2km lap he maintained his aggressive form and advanced to 2^nd position with 500 metres remaining. In the later stages of the race he held off the gallant challenge of Tim Scott of Lagan Valley AC to create a piece of history for the Donore club. The exploits of team-mates and best friends O’Loughlin and Aden was the first time that the club had the top two finishers in a national juvenile cross country championship.

O’Loughlin and Aden were also the 1^st and 2^nd scorers on the Dublin team that won the Inter-County team title. Dublin finished on 89 points, with Cork (182) in 2^nd and Antrim (198) in 3^rd.

There were also county gold medals for Lucy McCann and Suzanne Masterson in the Girls under 17s race held over 4 kilometres. They finished as 5^th and 6^th scorers on the Dublin team that won on 92 points ahead of Wicklow (130) and Cork (142). McCann got badly hampered at the start of the race, but then picked her way up the field to place a very fine 21^stoverall. An improving Masterson, a late replacement on the Dublin team, ran her best race to date. She also gained several places over the second half of the race to finish in 33^rd position. Indeed, she may have finished a little higher up the field had she not got badly boxed in going around the final bend. A very encouraging performance nevertheless!

Eliza NiThighearnaigh placed 42^nd and as the 7^th Dublin scorer was outside of the medals. Sekeriye Ahmed was also outside the county medals when he placed 46^th in the Boys under 17s race over 5 kilometres. Ahmed, who was stepping up an age group, was the 8^th home on the winning Dublin team.

Good team packing saw the Donore Harriers men’s team win bronze medals in the National Novice cross country championships also at Dungarvan. Arguably the most competitive and exciting race on the Irish cross country calendar the ‘Novice’ is always keenly contested and this year’s race was no different! Clubs from all corners of Ireland earmark this ‘development’ race as their primary target in the cross country season. Donore won the title in 2013 and missed out on retaining the title by just one point last year.

The cause for 2015 was not helped by having so many athletes barred from entry under the competition rules. Without a finisher in the top 20 the chances of Donore winning team medals probably seemed forlorn! But a team is only as strong as its 4^th and final scoring runner! So whilst the team filed home athletes in 23^rd, 27^th and 36^th positions it was the well-paced race by the 4^th and final scoring man Emmet O’Briain in 44^th place that proved crucial on the day.

At the front of the race Stephen Lawlor (19.54) of St. Abbans AC pegged back a 30 metres lead over the final kilometres to relegate Patrick Roche (19.56) of Naas AC to 2^nd. The first home for Donore was debutante Mael Lambert (20.50) in 23^rdspot. M40 athlete Niall Lynch (20.56) produced a fine race to place 27^th, whilst the ever consistent Ciaran McCarthy (21.06) came 36^th. Behind them O’Briain was gaining places over the last of 3 two-kilometre laps and in the process put the team into the bronze medal position.

The remaining ‘A’ team scorers were: – Aogan MacDomhnaill (21.36) in 58^th, Fergal Whitty (21.53) in 75^th, Sam Allen (22.16) in 98^th & Patrick Byrne (23.38) in 165^th.

Donore Harriers also fielded a ‘B’ team that placed 18^th of 24. The scorers were: – Frederico Camponetti (21.45) who placed 66^th on his debut, Des Tremble (22.24) in 108^th, Rossa  Hurley (22.43) in 128^th and Antonin Fouret (23.04) in 145^th. Andrew Wilson M40 (23.19) in 156^th and Paul Cummins (23.39) in 168^th were the non-scoring ‘B’ runners among a field of 211 finishers.

Ciaran McCarthy was the 4^th scorer on the Dublin team that won bronze medals in the Novice inter-country championship.

In the women’s race over 4km Karla Doran (16.06) put in another strong performance running in her third championship race within 15 days. Doran held 5^th position through the opening 2km lap, but race fatigue finally told in the second lap as she was passed by two DSD AC athletes. Nevertheless she held on with great determination to hold 7^th place across the finish line. She led home the Dublin team (76) in the novice inter-county championship that placed 2^nd behind Cork (36) and narrowly ahead of Meath (83).

Unfortunately Donore Harriers finished just out of the team medals in 4^th place. Youghal AC (87), who were led home by race winner Aoife Cooke (15.08), won the team prize by two points ahead of DSD AC. Then came Galway City Harriers on 104 with Donore Harriers on 116. The team was completed by Kim Hickey (17.01) in 28^th, Ashling Swaine (17.12) in 34^thand Emer Rattigan (17.38) in 47^th.

The 25^th edition of the Donore Harriers annual Jingle Bells race was one of the few events that survived ‘Storm Desmond’ on Saturday morning! Indeed, it is testimony to the organizers and competitors that almost one thousand keen runners crossed the finish line amid a warm, festive spirit despite the strong blustery winds and rain!

A special mention must go to Drogheda & District AC who had 165 runners take part. As one Donore commentator said: “They must have emptied out the town to come and support our race”. The Drogheda club used the Jingle Bells race as a primary target for their ‘Couch to 5k’ programme. They certainly brought colour (red, red and more red) and a sense of camaraderie to the Jingle Bells!

The men’s race was won by John Travers (14.44) from the host club with Kevin Maunsell (14.55) of Clonmel AC in 2^nd and Andrew Connick (15.09) of Ferrybank AC in 3^rd. Donore Harriers won the team event as Travers was well supported by Ray Hynes (15.17) in 6^th and Daragh Fitzgibbon (15.26 PB) in 11^th.

The women’s competition also had a high quality field with 3 Irish internationals occupying the top 3 places. Ciara Mageean (16.16) of UCD AC was the first woman home in 18^th place – and was closely followed by Laura Crowe (16.22) of An Riocht AC in 20^th and Mary Cullen (16.26) of North Sligo in 22^nd.

Donore won the women’s team prize with twins Ide & Sorcha NicDhomhnaill recording times of 18.08 and 18.11 respectively. The 3^rd scorer on the team was junior athlete Niamh O’Neill who recorded a time of 20.57.

Other club runners included: – Michael Gibbs u/18 (17.59), George Brady M35 (20.20), Joe Murphy (20.21), Paul O’Neill u/18 (20.47), Daniel Brady u/17 (21.50), Leonie Barry (27.31), Elena Gaina u/16 (29.45) & Darren Kinsella (31.16).

Results in brief  

National Novice Cross Country Championships at St. Augustine’s College in Dungarvan (6/12/15):

Novice Women 4km: – 7^th Karla Doran (16.06), 28^th Kim Hickey (17.01), 34^th Ashling Swaine (17.12), 47^th Emer Rattigan (17.38). 89 finishers.

TEAM: – 1. Youghal AC (87), 2^nd DSD AC (89), 4. Galway City Harriers (104) 4. Donore Harriers <Doran, Hickey, Swaine, Rattigan> (116). 11 teams closed.

COUNTY TEAM: 1. Cork (38), 2. Dublin <inc. Doran> (76), 3. Meath (83).

Novice Men 6km: – 23^rd Mael Lambert debut (20.50), 27^th Niall Lynch M40 (20.56), 36^th Ciaran McCarthy M35 (21.06), 44^th Emmet O’Briain M35 (21.19), 58^th Aogan McDomhnaill (21.36), 66^th Frederico Camponetti debut (21.45), 75^th Fergal Whitty M35 (21.53), 98^th Sam Allen (22.16), 108^th Des Tremble M35 (22.24), 128^th Rossa Hurley (22.43), 145^th Antonin Fouret debut (23.04), 156^th Andrew Wilson M40 (23.19), 165^th Patrick Byrne (23.38), 168^th Paul Cummins (23.39). 211 finishers.

TEAM: 1. Ennis Track (45), 2. St. Abban’s AC (123), 3. Donore Harriers ‘A’ <Lambert, Lynch, McCarthy & O’Briain> (130), 18. Donore Harriers ‘B’ <Camponetti, Tremble, Hurley & Fouret>. 24 teams closed.

COUNTY TEAM: 1. Laois (179), 2. Clare (197), 3. Dublin <inc. McCarthy> (214)

25^th Jingle Bells 5km road race at Phoenix Park (5/12/15): MEN: 1^st John Travers (14.44), 2^nd Kevin Maunsell – Clonmel AC (14.55), 3^rd Andrew Connick – Ferrybank AC (15.09), 6^th Ray Hynes (15.17), 11^th Daragh Fitzgibbon (15.26 PB).

TEAM: 1. Donore Harriers <Travers, Hynes, Fitzgibbon>

WOMEN: 1^st Ciara Mageean – UCD AC (16.16), 2^nd Laura Crowe – An Riocht AC (16.22), 3^rd Mary Cullen – North Sligo (16.26).

TEAM: 1. Donore Harriers <Ide NicDhomhnaill (18.08), Sorcha NicDhomhnaill (18.11), Niamh O’Neill (20.57)>

Other results: – Michael Gibbs u/18 (17.59), George Brady M35 (20.20), Joe Murphy (20.21), Paul O’Neill u/18 (20.47), Daniel Brady u/17 (21.50), Leonie Barry (27.31), Elena Gaina u/16 (29.45) & Darren Kinsella (31.16).

Juvenile Results

National Juvenile Uneven Age Groups XC Championships at Dungarvan (6/12/15): Under 15 Boys 3.5km – 1^st Louis O’Loughlin; 2^nd Fathi Aden

COUNTY TEAM: 1. Dublin <inc O’Loughlin & Aden> (89), 2. Cork (182), 3. Antrim (198)

Under 17 Girls 4km – 21^st Lucy McCann, 33^rd Suzanne Masterson, 42^nd Eliza NiThighearnaigh

Second season club member Karla Doran continues to impress and her victory in the Dublin Intermediate cross country championship last Sunday is yet another indication of her rising profile in Irish athletics. In the process she spearheaded the Donore Harriers (16) women’s team to a comfortable win ahead of Rathfarnham (29) and Clonliffe Harriers (47).

Doran (20.42) was among a lead group of athletes through the first 4 kilometres and then sped away over the last kilometre to finish well clear of runner-up Emma Dolan (20.57) of Metro St. Bridget AC.

The strong gusting winds that blew across Tymon Park did not hamper an exciting race with the black and white of Donore Harriers very much to the fore. The ever consistent Kim Hickey (21.10) crossed the line in a clear 3^rd place, whilst Aisling Swaine (21.27) made it 3 in the top 4 for Donore when she outpaced Louise Gaffney (21.31) of Rathfarnham over the final hundred metres. The scoring team was completed by the in-form Emer Rattigan (21.39) in 8^th place.

The non-scoring runners were: – Bronagh Eliott (22.40) in 12^th position and Rhona Duane (23.10) in 17^th.

The final Dublin Juvenile cross country league fixture preceded the Intermediate championship and there were some excellent results for the Donore team. Fathi Aden held off the gallant challenge of Pearse Christie of Brothers Pearse AC to win the Boys under 15s race over 2 kilometres and in the process finished as the individual league winner. Sekeriye Ahmed was narrowly beaten by a Tallaght AC athlete in the under 16s race, but his 2^nd place was good enough to claim the league title having won the first two fixtures. Eliza NiThighearnaigh and Suzanne Masterson placed 1^st and 2^nd in the Girls under 17s race, also over 2 kilometres, and they respectively finished as 1^st and 2^nd overall in the final league placings.

The best of the rest included Oliver Hopkins who placed a fine 6^th in the Boys under 11s race over 1 kilometre. Oliver put in a huge effort and gained to 4^th in the middle stages of the race, before being outkicked by two competitors in the run in to the line. Roisin Brady continues to improve and her 8^th place in the Girls under 15s race over 2 kilometres suggests that she is a young athlete with great potential.

The other young Donore Harriers athletes who competing in the very windswept conditions were: – Joe Kinsella (10^th) and Conor Mulcahy (26^th) in the Boys under 10s; Brooke Fagan (10^th) and Grace Raftery (13^th) in the Girls under 11s; Sean Kinsella (13^th) and Michael Barry (14^th) in the Boys under 12s and Jack Raftery (11^th) in the Boys under 15s.

There were 5 kilometre Parkrun wins for Colin Morrissey (18.50 at Waterstown Park, Paul Cummins (18.47) at Tymon Park, George Brady (18.11) and 15 years old Lucy McCann (21.05) at Griffeen Park. Declan Lynch (19.27) came 2^nd at Waterstown, whilst Michael Barry (19.45) broke the 20 minutes barrier for the first time in 4^th place.

Results in brief  

Dublin Intermediate Cross Country Championships at Tymon Park (29/11/15): Senior Women’s 5km: – 1^st Karla Doran (20.42, 3^rd Kim Hickey (21.10), 4^th Aisling Swaine (21.27), 8^th Emer Rattigan (21.39), 12^th Bronagh Elliott (22.40), 17^th Rhona Duane (23.10)

TEAM: – 1. Donore Harriers <Doran, Hickey, Swaine, Rattigan> (16), 2. Rathfarnham WSAF (26), 3. Clonliffe Harriers (47)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (28/11/15): 1^st Colin Morrissey M35 (18.50), 2^nd Declan Lynch M35 (19l27), 4^th Michael Barry (19.45 PB), 20^th Andrew Maguire M45 (25.21 PB)

Tymon 5km Parkrun (28/11/15): 1^st Paul Cummins (18.47)

Castletown 5km Parkrun (28/11/15): 21^st /3^rd woman Laura Murray (24.47)

Naas 5km Parkrun (28/11/15): 4^th Ian Redican M40 (21.04)

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (28/11/15): 1^st George Brady M35 (18.11), 42^nd / 8^th woman Michelle Dawson (25.59)

Juvenile Results

Dublin Juvenile XC League Fixture 3 at Tymon Park (29/11/15):

u/10 Boys 700m – 10th Joe Kinsella, 26th Conor Mulcahy

u/11 Girls 1000m – 10th Brooke Fagan, 13th Grace Raftery

u/11 Boys 1000m – 6th Oliver Hopkins

u/12 Boys 1000m – 13th Sean Kinsella, 14th Michael Barry

u/15 Girls 2000m – 8th Roisin Brady

u/15 Boys 2000m – 1st Fathi Aden, 11th Jack Raftery

u/16 Boys 2000m – 2nd Sekeriye Ahmed

u/17 Girls 2000m – 1st Eliza NThighearnaigh, 2nd Suzanne Masterson

OVERALL LEAGUE: u/15 Boys – 1^st Fathi Aden; u/16 Boys – 1^st Sekeriye Ahmed; u/17 Girls – 1^st Eliza NiThighearnaigh, 2^nd Suzanne Masterson

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (28/11/15): 11^th / 1^st woman Lucy McCann u/17s (21.05)

Expectations and dreams turned to disappointment in the Santry mud on Sunday last. The Donore Harriers challenge for team medals in the Men’s Inter-Club Senior Championships fell short of the mark as the revamped championship had a much more competitive edge than in recent years. The change of calendar date from spring to late autumn for Ireland’s premier championship cross-country race brought out an array of Ireland’s top distance runners in a keenly contested competition held over 10,000 metres on a testing undulating course. The event also served as a major part of the selection process for the forthcoming European Cross Country championships.

John Travers (32.53) started as one of the pre-race favourites, but he was later to admit to feeling very “flat” after just one of 6 laps. Travers was as high as 5^th position through the first two kilometres and thereafter faded to close in 23^rd place. The next clubman home was Eric Keogh (33.16), who gained several places after a conservative start, in 27^th spot. Mark Dooley was just once place and 2 seconds behind his team-mate. The Donore Harriers scoring team was completed by Ray Hynes (33.29) in 34^th place. The team placed 5^th on 112 points as defending champions Clonliffe Harriers (47) narrowly held off the challenge of Leevale AC (48) and Raheny Shamrocks (51).

The non-scoring team members were – Lee Van Haeften (34.05) in 50^th, Michael McMahon (34.07) in 51^st and John Dunne (34.53) in 68^th. McMahon and Dunne later admitted to feeling tired having competed in the British & Irish International Masters on the previous weekend.

The Donore Harriers ‘B’ team placed 17^th on 400 points. The team included – Niall Lynch (35.15) in 77^th, Ciaran McCarthy (35.39) in 86^th, Fergal Whitty (36.27) in 103^rd and Andrew Wilson (38.10) in 134^th place.

The race was won by defending champion Michael Clohisey (31.11) of Raheny Sharmocks, with John Coghlan (31.27) of Metro St. Bridgids AC in 2^nd and Paul Pollock (31.33) of Annadale Striders in 3^rd.

The women’s race over 8km was won by international star athlete Fionnuala McCormack (formerly Britton) of Kilcoole AC, whilst Donore’s lone representative Karla Doran – running in the first senior national competition – raced admirably to place 42^nd among another strong field of runners.

Niamh O’Neill was the club’s lone athlete in the Junior Women’s race over 4km and placed a creditable 40^th behind winner Hope Saunders of Clonliffe Harriers.

Men’s team manager Ciaran O’Flaherty described Louis O’Loughlin’s performance in the under 16 Boys race over 4km as the “club’s one shining light on a day of disappointments”. Stepping up an age-group and spearheading a Donore Harriers team on the first day of the National Juvenile Cross Country Championships the Moyle Park student again raised his profile as one of the most exciting young talents in Irish athletics. O’Loughlin was in 14^th position at the half-way stage and with a kilometre to go he had gained to 9^th. Any chance of an individual medal seemed remote as the athletes were well spread out in front of him. But he kept gaining ground! Going into the final bend with 80 metres to go O’Loughlin was in 6^th place. He had to check his stride at the turn so as to find a gap on the inside track and then with a great acceleration of speed he gained to 3^rd on the final stride ahead of Donal Devane of Ennis Track. The race was won by Irish juvenile international Daragh McElvenny of Bantry AC with Jamie Battle of Mullingar Harriers in second. O’Loughlin will now start as the favourite when he competes in his own age group (u/15s) at the National Uneven Age Groups at Dungarvan on the 6^th of December.

In the same race Sekeriye Ahmed placed 15^th, whilst Fathi Aden paid the price for an over ambitious start and faded to a disappointing 35^th. The other team members were Jack Raftery in 131^st and Ruairi Fitzgibbon in 132^nd. The team placed 4^thof 16 on 184 points behind Westport AC (81), Mullingar Harriers (115) and Ennis Track (157).

O’Loughlin (1^st scorer), Ahmed (2^nd scorer) and Aden (5^th scorer) won silver team medals as part of the Dublin county team that finished behind Cork.

There were also county medals won by Lucy McCann and Eliza NiThighearnaigh, who were both stepping up an age group to compete in the Girls under 18s race over 4km. McCann placed 28^th overall, whilst NiThighearnaigh came 36^th.  They were the 2^nd and 4^th scorers on the Dublin team than placed 2^nd behind Wicklow.

In the Boys under 18s race over 6km Michael Gibbs (22.29) placed 90^th.

Donore Harriers athletes were to the fore in the Gingerbread 10km road race at Portarlington. New member Anthony Flannery (35.54) placed 2^nd, whilst Shane Russell (36.57) and Alasdair Brown (37.59) recorded personal bests when gaining 3^rd and 5^th positions. There was also a PB for Ken McKeon (1.38.50) in the Gingerbread Half-Marathon.

Results in brief  

National Inter-Clubs Cross Country Championships at Santry Demesne (22/11/15): Senior Men’s 10km: – 1^st M. Clohisey – Raheny Shamrocks (31.11), 2^nd John Coghlan – MSB (31.27), 3^rd Paul Pollock – Annadale Striders (31.33), 23^rdJohn Travers (32.53), 27^th Eric Keogh (33.16), 28^th Mark Dooley (33.18), 34^th Ray Hynes (33.29), 50^th Lee Van Haeften (34.05), 51^st Michael McMahon (34.07), 68^th John Dunne (34.53), 77^th Niall Lynch (35.15), 86^th Ciaran McCarthy (35.39), 103^rd Fergal Whitty (36.27), 134^th Andrew Wilson (38.10), DNF Aogan MacDomhnaill:

TEAM: – 1. Clonliffe Harriers (47), 2. Leevale AC (48), 3. Raheny Shamrocks (51), 5. Donore Harriers ‘A’ <Travers, Keogh, Dooley, Hynes> (112), 17. Donore Harriers ‘B’ <Lynch, McCarthy, Whitty, Wilson> (400)

Senior Women’s 8km: – 1^st Fionnuala McCormack – Kilcoole AC (NTG), 42^nd Karla Doran (NTG)

Junior Women’s 4km: – 40^th Niamh O’Neill

Tymon 5km Parkrun (21/11/15): 2^nd Paul Cummins (18.16)

Porterstown 5km Parkrun (21/11/15): 2^nd Tom Fagan M45 (20.12)

Castletown 5km Parkrun (21/11/15): 4^th Laura Murray (24.28)

Clontarf Half-Marathon (21/11/15): 7^th Rossa Hurley (1.20.00)

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (21/11/15): 3^rd Colin Morrissey M35 (18.07 PB)

Gingerbread 10km road race at Portarlington (22/11/15): 2^nd Anthony Flannery (35.54), 3^rd Shane Russell (36.57 PB), 5^th Alasdair Brown (37.59 PB)

Gingerbread Half-Marathon at Portarlington (22/11/15): Ken McKeon (1.38.50 PB)

Juvenile Results

National Juvenile Even Age Groups XC Championships at Santry Demesne (22/11/15):

Boy’s u/16s 4km: – 3^rd Louis O’Loughlin (step-up), 15^th Sekeriye Ahmed, 35^th Fathi Aden (step-up), 131^st Jack Raftery (step-up) & 132^nd Ruairi Fitzgibbon:

TEAM: – 1. Westport AC (81), 2. Mullingar Harriers (115), 3. Ennis Track (157), 4. Donore Harriers (184) – 16 teams

County Teams: 1. Cork (106), 2. Dublin <inc. O’Loughlin, Ahmed & Aden> (154), 3. Kilkenny (245)

Girl’s u/18s 4km: 28^th Lucy McCann, 36^th Eliza NiThighearnaigh

County Teams: 1. Wicklow (122), 2. Dublin <inc. McCann & NiThighearnaigh> (196), 3. Waterford (203).

Boy’s u/18s 6km: 90^th Michael Gibbs

The 28^th edition of the British and Irish Masters International Cross Country Championships held at Santry Demesne on Saturday last proved a successful outing for both Ireland and its Donore Harriers participants. Seven members of the Chapelizod based club wore the singlets of Ireland with distinction. Not least first time international Michael McMahon, who was the 3^rd scorer on a strong Irish team that convincingly won the M35 team category.

McMahon has been a revelation since taking up athletics 3 years ago! The former Civil Service gaelic footballer was always near the front of the field over a tough 4 laps 8km course. Despite losing a place on the final circuit McMahon (26.23) placed a magnificent 5^th and 3^rd Irish scorer as the team won by 13 points ahead of England. The final team score read 1^st Ireland (16), 2^nd England (29) and 3^rdScotland (52)

John Dunne (26.55) placed 9^th in the same race and later admitted to feeling tired after a busy race and training schedule. Dunne was the 5^th Irish home and played a key part in reducing the England score.

Niall Lynch (27.35), another former gaelic footballer in his native Cavan, was the key 4^th scorer on the Irish team that won the M40 category. Lynch used his mountain running strength over the mud-fest 8km race and his 9^th place finish helped the Ireland team secure gold on 18 points with England (27) in second and Scotland (58) in third.

Barry Potts (25.32) was the first non-scoring athlete on the winning Irish team in the M65 race over 6kms. Potts placed 10^th as Ireland (11) outscored England (20), Scotland (32) and Northern Ireland (also 32).

In the M70 race, also over 6km, Terry Mee (29.11) struggled over the muddy terrain and had to settle for 15^th position. He was the 3^rd Irish scorer, but the team were out of the medals in 4^th place (38) behind England (8), Scotland (20) and Northern Ireland (26).

It was different story in the M75 race where Jim McNamara (29.39) led the Irish team to bronze medals when placing 5^th individual. Ireland scored 21 behind England (8) and Scotland (16), but ahead of Wales and Northern Ireland.

Ann Woodlock, the Business Houses Athletics Association’s athlete of the year for 2015 and also known as ‘Wonderful Woodlock’, placed an excellent 10^th in the Women’s 70+ race over 6km. Woodlock (35.12) was the 3^rd Irish scorer as the team won silver on 23 points behind England (23) and ahead of Wales (31).

COMMENT: What a great shame that the media gives such little coverage to events like this! It was great to see the Irish teams compete so well against their English counterparts. It was wonderful to see the camaraderie among the teams of all the home nations. And the winds and rain did not deter from the spectacle and the occasion. The dedication and determination of the athletes deserves better recognition – and not just because they train so hard, but the level of human endeavours and the sportsmanship at events like this is simply outstanding. Cross-Country and athletes deserve better recognition!

Results in brief  

British & Irish International Masters Cross Country Championships at Santry Demesne (14/11/15): W70 6km: – 1^st Dot Fellows ENG (29.08), 10^th Ann Woodlock IRL (35.12) – TEAM: 1. England (14), 2. Ireland (23), 3. Wales (31):M65 6km: – 1^st Martin McEvilly IRL (23.21), 10^th Barry Potts IRL (25.32) – TEAM: 1. Ireland (11), 2. England (20), 3. Scotland (32): M70 6km: – 1^st Peter Giles ENG (24.56), 15^th Terry Mee IRL (29.11): M75 6km – 1^st Peter Covey ENG (28.47), 5^th Jim McNamara IRL (29.39) – TEAM 1. England (8), 2^nd Scotland (16), 3. Ireland (21): M35 8km – 1^st Michael Harty IRL (28.03), 5^th Michael McMahon IRL (26.23), 9^th John Dunne IRL (26.56) – TEAM: 1. Ireland (16), 2. England (29), 3. Scotland (52): M40 8km – 1^st Christopher Greenwood ENG (25.33), 9^th Niall Lynch IRL (27.35) – TEAM: 1. Ireland (18), 2. England (27), 3. Scotland (58).

Dublin Run in the Dark 10km (11.11.15): 9^th Rossa Hurley (35.27)

MoRun 10km at Phoenix Park (14.11.15): 13^th / 3^rd M40 Kevin Odgers (42.37 PB)

Naas 5km Parkrun (31/10/15): 3^rd Ian Redican M40 (20.23)

St. Anne’s 5km Parkrun (7/11/15): 4^th Alan Farrell M40 (17.51 PB), 5^th Colin Morrissey M35 (17.53 PB), 7^th Alasdair Brown (18.02 PB)

Porterstown 5km Parkrun (14/11/15): 3^rd Tom Fagan M45 (20.59)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (14/11/15): 2nd Laura Murray FS (24.16)

Juvenile Results

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (7/11/15): 3^rd Noah Synnott u/13s (21.05), 15^th / 1^stwoman Syke-Dixie Synnott u/11s (24.53)

So near! After a time span of 37 years the wait must continue for at least one more year! It was 1978 when Donore Harriers last won the Dublin Senior Men’s team cross country title. In this year’s championship race, held at Tymon Park last Sunday, strong team packing ensured that Donore were in the mix for that elusive glory! Ultimately Donore Harriers had to settle for the team silver medal amid a rule controversy!

After five 2km laps over a meandering and hilly route it was Mark Dooley (33.45) who led the team home in an excellent 6^th place. Eric Keogh (33.55) gained a place on the final circuit to cross the line in 9^th, whilst Ray Hynes (34.15) and Michael McMahon (34.17) had their own nip-and-tuck battle throughout the race before settling for 12^th and 13^th positions respectively. With six-to-score the team was closed out by John Dunne (34.33) in 17^th and Aogan MacDomhnaill (35.26) in 21^st. The non-scoring team members were Niall Lynch (35.35) in 23^rd and Des Tremble (39.07) in 51^st.

Donore Harriers closed with a final team score of 78, seven points behind winners Raheny Shamrocks AC (71) and some way clear of 3^rd placed Dundrum South Dublin (126). A prior complaint that Raheny’s second scoring runner did not comply with the ‘residency rule’ was not allowed.

The Donore women’s team also took team silver in what can be described as a ‘sister act’. Two sets of sisters made up the team as Ide NicDhomhnaill (24.31) came 9^th after a tough 6km race run in warm conditions – with Anne Curley just one place and four seconds further back. Next home for the team was Sorcha NicDhomhnaill (24.42) in 12^th, whilst team captain Florence Curley (25.37) continues to regain form following an injury lay-out came 21^st. The unfortunate Grace Kennedy was forced to retire in the latter stages of the race with a foot injury.

Donore Harriers (52) placed 2^nd behind Crusaders (23) with Liffey Valley AC (59) in 3^rd.

Earlier in the day the Dublin Juvenile Uneven age-groups championships were also held at Tymon Park. The bright sunny morning saw plenty of great races, not least the Boys under 15s battle between Donore’s outstanding talents of Louis O’Loughlin and Fathi Aden. Aden put in a huge effort in the opening half of the 3,500m route and build a lead of about 50 metres. But as Aden began to tire and O’Loughlin used his finishing speed it was the latter who won the spoils to add the under 15s title to the under 16s crown won two weeks earlier. O’Loughlin will now be favourite to win the national crown next month. Aden held on for 2^nd place. The Donore team (50) placed 4^th behind Clonliffe Harriers (31), DSD (42) and host club Brothers Pearse AC (43). The other team members were Jack Raftery (20^th), Lorcan O’Ceallaigh (27^th) and Jack Connolly (33^rd).

The Girls under 17s team (53 points) won team silver after 4km over a tough cross country course. The team was led home by Ireland’s Fittest Family star Lucy McCann in 8^th place with Eliza NiThighearnaigh in 9^th and Suzanne Masterson in 12^th. The scoring team was completed by debut runner Ruth Hutton in 24^th, whilst her twin sister Grace (debut) was next over the line. A strong DSD team (14) easily won the team prize, whilst Raheny Shamrocks (61) were 3^rd.

There was also a surprise team bronze for the under 17s boys team – also run over 4km. Sekeriye Ahmed (step-up) led the team home in 7^th place, whilst the remainder of the scoring team are all first-season members. Ibrahim Mohammed came 18^th, whilst debut runners James Murphy and Liam Brophy came 19^th and 20^th. Both Mohammed and Murphy were stepping-up an age group. The non-scoring runner was Daniel Brady, who placed 21^st.

Clonliffe (20) came 1^st with DSD (31) in second and Donore Harriers (64) 3^rd.

Roisin Brady placed 17^th in the Girls under 15s race over 3,500m.

There were other encouraging performances by the younger club members as debutants Fay and Queen Leigh-O’Keeffe placed 27^th and 13^th respectively in the Girls and Boys under 9s raced over 800m. The Girls under 11s failed to close out a team as Skye-Dixie fell during a mid-race tussle and retired from the race. Her team members included Brooke Fagan (19^th), Grace Raftery (20^th) and step-up athlete Honor Lynch (39^th).  The other competing Donore athletes were: – Eleanor Hopins (41^st) and Mira Hendrickson (52^nd) in the Girls u/9s; Ciaran O’Farrell (20^th) in the Boys u/9s; and Oliver Hopkins (30^th), debutant Fergus Johnson (31^st) and Max Hendrickson (58^th) in the Boys u/11s.

In very competitive races for athletes aged18 – 20 Niamh O’Neill fell back to 12^thafter a strong start in the 3km junior women’s race, whilst Sam Gallagher showed good form in his first race after an injury time-out to place 13^th over the 6km junior men’s race. Stephen Gavin retired from the race in the closing stages due to a hamstring injury.

If ever there was a week to prove that Donore Harriers are the nearly men then this was it! In the National Marathon team competition incorporated in the last week’s Dublin Marathon the Donore masters team of Fergal Whitty, Andy Kinane and Patrick Moriarty placed 2nd – must 7 seconds short of team winners St. Finbarrs AC. The winners combined time was 8hrs.12mins.23secs (M. Morgan 2.35.56, M. Corbett 2.47.40, J. Cunningham 2.48.57) with Donore Harriers at 8.12.30 (F. Whitty 2.35.15, A. Kinane 2.44.38, P. Moriarty 2.52.37).

Clonmel AC came 3^rd with a time of 8.14.55 (D. Ryan 2.39.57, B. Long 2.46.37, D. Curley 2.48.21) with Inishowen AC in 4^th 8.15.51 and Westport AC in 5^th8.17.25

There was better fortune for the women’s team who won a surprise team senior gold for the first time ever. The team was made up of newcomer Amy Moriarty (3.15.22), Breda Mahony (3.27.12) and Sinead Graham (3.29.20). Their combined time of 10.11.54 edged out Brothers Pearse AC (10.12.23) and Springwell AC (10.13.53).

Results in brief  

Dublin Senior Women’s XC Championships at Tymon Park (1/11/15): 6,000m– 9^th Ide NicDhomhnaill (24.31), 10^th Ann Curley F35 (24.35), 12^th Sorcha NicDhomhnaill (24.42), 21^st Florence Curley F35 (25.37), DNF Grace Kennedy (injured)

TEAM: 1^st Crusaders (23), 2^nd Donore Harriers (52), 3^rd Liffey Valley AC (59)

Dublin Senior Men’s XC Championships at Tymon Park (1/11/15): 10,000m – 6^th Mark Dooley (33.45), 9^th Eric Keogh (33.55), 12^th Ray Hynes (34.15), 13^thMichael McMahon M35 (34.17), 17^th John Dunne M35 (34.33), 21^st Aogan MacDomhnaill (35.26), 23^rd Niall Lynch M40 (35.35), 51^st Des Tremble M40 (39.07)

TEAM: 1^st Raheny Shamrocks (71), 2^nd Donore Harriers (78), 3^rd DSD AC (126)

Dublin Junior Women’s XC Championship at Tymon Park (1/11/15): 3,000m– 12^th Niamh O’Neill

Dublin Junior Men’s XC Championships at Tymon Park (1/11/15): 6,000m – 13^th Sam Gallagher, DNF Stephen Gavin (injured)

New York Marathon: Joan McTernan 124^th in F50 category (4.10.53)

Fighting Blindness Trail Race (15.5km inc. 500m of gain/loss) at Glendalough (31/10/15): 3^rd Ken Norgrove M45 (1.06.21), 80^th Anne Rush F40 (1.39.25)

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (31/10/15): 1^st Declan Fahey M40 (17.01)

Porterstown 5km Parkrun (31/10/15): 4^th Tom Fagan M45 (20.41)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (31/10/15): 1^st Rossa Hurley (18.49), 20^th / 8^th woman Leonie Barry (27.29 PB)  

Juvenile Results

Dublin Juvenile Uneven Age Groups XC Championships at Tymon Park (1/11/15): Girls u/9s 800m – 27^th Fay Leigh-O’Keeffe (debut), 41^st Eleanor Hopkins, 52^nd Mira Hendrickson; Boys u/9s 800m – 13^th Quinn Leigh-O’Keeffe (debut), 20^th Ciaran O’Farrell; Girls u/11s 1,500m – 19^th Brooke Fagan, 20^th Grace Raftery, 39^th Honor Lynch (step-up), DNF Skye-Dixie Synnott (fell midrace);Boys u/11s 1,500m – 30^th Oliver Hopkins, 31^st Fergus Johnson (debut), 58^th Max Hendrickson; Girls u/15s 3,500m – 17^th Roisin Brady; Boys u/15s 3,500m – 1^stLouis O’Loughlin, 2^nd Fathi Aden, 20^th Jack Raftery, 27^th Lorcan O’Ceallaigh (step-up), 33^rd Jack Connolly – TEAM: 1. Clonliffe (31), 2. DSD (42), 3. Brothers Pearse (43), 4, Donore (50); Girls u/17s 4,000m – 8^th Lucy McCann, 9^th Eliza Ni Thighearnaigh, 12^th Suzanne Masterson, 24^th Ruth Hutton, 25^th Grace Hutton –TEAM: 1. DSD (14), 2. Donore (53), 3. Raheny (61), 4. Clonliffe (78); u/17 Boys 4,000m – 7^th Sekeriye Ahmed (step-up), 18^th Ibros Mohammed, 19^th James Murphy (debut & step-up), 20^th Liam Brophy (debut & step-up), 21^st Daniel Brady – TEAM: 1. Clonliffe (20), 2. DSD (31), 3. Donore (64)