Category Archives: Senior

Race Report for Weekend 4th January 2015

January 6, 2015Club News, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

John Travers ran out a clear winner of the Tom Brennan Memorial 5km race in the Phoenix Park on New Year’s Day. A wet and windy day made conditions difficult – and in the circumstances it still proved to be a good day of sport organised by local club Liffey Valley AC. Donore Harriers star man Travers (14.43) was always in command and opened up a gap of about 70 metres on runner-up John Coghlan (14.55) of Metro St. Bridget AC. Brian Keane (15.03) of Leevale AC came 3^rd.

Ian Redican, fresh from his Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield success, won the M40 category in the Caragh 5km, whilst George Brady and Samantha Conroy had wins in the parkrun series at Griffeen Park and Tymon Park respectively. Colin Morrissey achieved a new personal best when placing 2^nd in the Waterstown parkrun.

In the second round of the Women’s Meet and Train Cross Country League, Donore had their usual strong turnout with 11 ladies taking to the frost and mud in Bushy Park. Similarly to the first round, Kim Hickey ran strongly to finish in second place (12.09) to Lucan’s Niamh Fitzgerald who once again set a blistering pace. Next home was Eva Campion 16th (13.40), Sian O’Conor 18th (13.45), Aisling Swaine 33rd (14.04), Lee Chambers 57th (14.13), Angela O’Dea 62nd (14.51), Meadbh Campbell 69th (15.03), Mary Kingston 71st (15.10), Sue Lynch 113th (16.42) and Ann Woodlock 117th (16.54)

Results in brief:

Tom Brennan Memorial 5km (1/1/15)

1^st John Travers (14.43); 41^st Luke Boland (17.23); 53^rd Des Tremble M40 (18.08); 74^th Derek O’Neill M45 (19.04); 111^th David Wogan M50 (20.24); 115^th Rhona Duane F35 (20.40); 148^th Aoife O’Sullivan (21.45); 188^th Florence Curley F40 (22.43); 191^st Charlie O’Neill M60 (22.44); 330^th Sue Lynch F50 (28.19)

Other results:

Caragh Temple Street Hospital 5km (1/1/15): 4^th / 1^st M40 category Iain Redican (19.19)

Emyvale 10k (1/1/15): 1st woman Barbara Murray (41.07)

Waterstown 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 2^nd Colin Morrissey M35 (18.47 – PB)

Griffeen 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 1^st George Brady M35 (17.34)

Tymon 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 11^th / 1^st woman Samantha Conroy F35 (21.35)

Hartstown 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 4^th Niall O’Reilly M35 (19.07); 5^th Peter Nugent M45 (19.08)

Marlay 5km Parkrun (3/1/15): 9^th Alan Farrell M40 (18.33 – PB)

Race Report for Weekend 21 December 2014

December 22, 2014Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Kolade Abiodun has been named as the Leinster Juvenile athlete of the year for 2014 by the Athletics Association of Ireland. The affable 14 years-old Donore Harriers athlete won 8 Dublin titles this year before going on to win the 60m Hurdles All-Ireland indoors championship and the 250m Hurdles All-Ireland outdoors crown. In the latter he set a new national record time of 33.81s where his run was described as “superb” by the Irish Hurdlers website.

Kolade was encouraged to take up athletics a few years ago by his former teacher Tom Clyne of the De La Salle National School. Coached by Ray O’Keeffe and Liam Brennan he has been improving year on year and his sporting ambition is: “… to become a well known Irish athlete”. Kolade is ‘sports mad’ and also represents his St. John’s Secondary School in Ballyfermot in basketball and football. He lists retired American sprinter and Olympic and World champion Maurice Greene as his favourite all-time athlete.

Kolade Abiodun has a very exciting future in athletics. Heartiest congratulations on his achievements thus far from his many friends and colleagues at Donore Harriers!

Donore Harriers held their traditional pre-Christmas Captain’s Race in the Phoenix Park on Saturday (20/12/14).On a crisp, dry morning more than 20 athletes – including 4 members of the Fit4Youth squad – competing over a 5 kilometres, 3 laps grass course near the Army grounds.

A keenly contested race was won by Garvan Smith (19.55) with Des Tremble (20.10) as runner-up and George Brady (20.24) in third. The first woman home was Anne Curley, who was fourth overall, in a time of 21.31.

After the race club members and siblings Aoife and Michael Rickard raised €350 in a charity collection for the Ebola crisis.

Elsewhere , 18 years-old Hannah Barr was the first female finisher at the Waterstown Parkrun 5 kilometres at Palmerstown in a new PB time of 24.04.

Results in brief:

Captain’s Run in Phoenix Park (20/12/14) : 1^st Garvan Smith M40 (19.55); 2^nd Des Tremble M40 (20.10); 3^rdGeorge Brady M35 (20.24); 4^th Anne Curley F40 (21.31); 5^th Joe Murphy (22.11); 6^th Barry Potts M60 (22.41); 7^thRhona Duane (22.59); 8^th Des Gill M45 (24.03); 9^th Ruth Cavanagh (24.26); 10^th Sian O’Connor F35 (25.05); 11^thCharlie O’Neill M60 (25.28); 12^th Joseph Maguire M75 (27.47); 13^th Angela Eustace F40 (27.58); 14^th Mary Kingston F50 (28.01); 15^th Catherine McKeon (28.18); 16^th Eilish Joyce (29.02); 17^th Jennifer O’Keeffe F45 (29.21); 18^th Tony Jenkins M70 (29.35); 19^th Deirdre Brennan (31.52); 20^th Matthew Lynch JUV (35.20); 21^stKate Lynch JUV (37.41); 22^nd Justin Maher JUV (37.41); 23^rd Ben Halpin JUV (NTG)

Other results:

Marlay Parkrun 5km (20/12/14): 6^th Paul Cummins (17.58)

Tymon Parkrun 5km (20/12/14); 13^th / 4^th woman Samantha Conroy F35 (20.59)

Waterstown Parkrun 5km (20/12/14): 6^th Paul O’Neill u/17s (21.04); 16^th / 1^st woman Hannah Barr u/19s (24.04 – PB); 27^th James McDonagh u/14s (26.01); 38^th Shona Smyth u/14s (29.11)

Donore Harriers race report for weekend 14 December 2014

December 17, 2014Club News, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Eric Keogh (16.43) was the runaway winner of the Business Houses Athletics Association 5 kilometres cross country race at Marlay Park on Sunday (14/12/14). Eric, who is getting back to form following an injury, was always in command and had over a half-a-minute to spare over his nearest rival at the finish line.

Here is a list of weekend results: –

Aware 10km at Phoenix Park (13/12/14): 41^st Colin Morrissey (40.32); 132^nd Elaine Verdon F35 (46.16); 169^th Joseph Maguire M75 (47.47); 241^st Karen Behan (49.34); 256^th Karen Crowley (48.21); 280^th Catherine McKeon (51.07)

Business Houses AA 5km Cross Country at Marlay Park (14/12/14): 1^st Eric Keogh (16.43); 29^th Tom Fagan M45 (20.08); 35^th Peter Nugent M45 (20.20); 44^th Ian Redican M40 (20.43); 58^thBreda Mahony F35 (21.18); 139^th Joseph Maguire M75 (26.24)

National Novice and Weekend Round-Up

December 10, 2014Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

With John Travers (14.05) setting a course record when winning the Jingle Bells 5 kilometres road race in the Phoenix Park on Saturday and the senior men’s team coming within a whisker of making athletics history in the national novice cross country championship at Santry Demesne on Sunday it was certainly a memorable weekend for Donore Harriers.

The 24^th edition of the annual Jingle Bells race, hosted by Donore Harriers, had quality competition in both the men’s and women’s fields. This well organised festive opener has something for everybody and is never short on hospitality and good racing. A group of five men took the pace through the opening stages on what was a cool and calm morning with the sun shining down on the morning’s fare. Travers from the host club was nestled among Conor Bradley (14.20) from the City of Derry club, current national cross country Mick Clohisey (14.25) of Raheny Shamrocks, Brandon Hargreaves (14.37) of Clonliffe Harriers and John Coghlan (14.50) of MSB AC. Near the half-way mark Travers moved to the front and maintained a relentless pace to gain a notable victory in front of a big home support.

Former cross country champion athlete Mary Cullen (15.37) of North Sligo AC also set a course record when winning the women’s race. This was Mary’s first race in 10 months due to injury and it proved to be a fine return to form. She placed 14^thoverall and was pushed hard all the way by national 1500m champion Ciara Mageean (15.47) of UCD, with Irish marathon champion Maria McCambridge (16.33) of DSD AC claiming the 3^rd position.

The rules that govern the national novice competition are designed so that it is extremely difficult for a club to record consecutive wins in the team category. As defending champions Donore Harriers had to bring an entirely new team of runners to this year’s competition. On the day the main challengers were going to be Cork based Leevale AC and St. Abban’s from County Laois. With four to score every place was vital! Ben Thistlewood (20.21) of Leevale broke clear from a group of six athletes on the 4^th and penultimate lap to win the 6km race ahead of Thomas Moran (20.27) of Dunshaughlin AC. Donore were packing 5 runners between places 20 and 30 during the early stages with Leevale and St. Abbans having men placed in the top 20. Donore’s cause was helped by a determined run from Michael McMahon (21.20) who gained several places over the latter two laps to record 12^thposition. Strong running from County Monaghan native Caoimhin Kelly (21.38) got him home in 22^nd, with Colm O’Connell (21.40) just one place further back. A fast finishing Daragh Fitzgibbon (21.46) gained to 27^th to take the important fourth team scorer spot, with Leinster novice champion Niall Lynch (21.48) just missing out in 29^th.

St. Abban’s (3^rd on 118 points) challenge for team gold had diminished when one of their key men had to pull out of the race due to illness. That left Leevale! Having the winner and their second and third scoring men in 13^thand 28^threspectively meant that the outcome hung on their fourth man. Thus when Anthony Mannix (41^st position) put in a sprint finish to gain a couple of places in the closing stages he edged Leevale (83) to a one point win over a very gallant Donore Harriers (84) challenge.

Consecutive team wins has never been achieved in the national novice cross country event, but this was as close as it gets! Indeed it took the race officials almost two hours to check video recordings before verifying the result. Who says we don’t have a TMO in cross country!

Colm O’Connell and Daragh Fitzgibbon were members of the Dublin team that won silver medals in the incorporated county championship.

With 23 competitors in a field of almost 250 starters the Chapelizod based club again impressed as a force in Irish distance running.

A huge field of 133 runners contested the ladies 4k novice race on a bitterly cold day on Santry demesne. Ruth Cavanagh was unfortunately forced to pull out of the race early on after a fall in a rough and tumble start. After the race settled into 3 big laps of the park, Kim Hickey was first of the Donore ladies and ran a strong race throughout to feature in the top quarter of the race finishing in 36th. 30 seconds back, Breda Mahony was 60th in her first race since the Berlin marathon. Karla Doran had an excellent run in 81st and Rhona Duane picked off a lot of finishers in the latter stages to come 86th. Emer RATTIGAN was 92nd followed by Sinead Graham in 102nd and making her cross country debut was Martina Nolan in 114th. The team finished 11th out of 16, this was a baptism of fire for a developing cross country team at this level but valuable race experience.The day before, Anne Curley had a great result at the Waterford half marathon finishing 4th in 83.14, Mary Murphy had a super race achieving a PB of 1.44.31. There was a home win for the Donore ladies team at the Jingle bells 5k with Ide Nic Dhomhnaill in 18.06, Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill in 18.14 and Maura Kearns in 19.20, Jona Kalemi ran 21.42, Catherine McKeon 23.55, and Pauline Fagan 26.30, Roisin Mahony 27.52 whilst Samantha Conroy (20.47) and George Brady (17.36) recorded 5km parkrun wins at Tymon Park and Griffeen Park.

Results in brief: –

National Novice Cross Country Championships at Santry Demesne

Women 4km: 36^thKim Hickey (16.49); 60^th Breda Mahony (17.22); 81^st Karla Doran (17.49); 86^th Rhona Duane (17.50); 92^nd Emer Rattigan (17.53); 102^nd Sinead Graham (18.08); 114^thMartina Nolan (18.35)

Team: 1^st Dundrum South Dublin (76 points); 11^th Donore Harriers (263)

Men 6km: 12^thMichael McMahon (21.20); 22^nd Caoimhin Kelly (21.38); 23^rdColm O’Connell (21.40); 27^th Daragh Fitzgibbon (21.46); 29^thNiall Lynch M40 (21.48); 50^th Aogan MacDomhnaill (22.13); 52^ndGraham Hopkins M35 (22.15); 57^th Darren Hand (22.19); 62^ndCiaran McCarthy M40 (22.22); 74^th Emmet O’Briain M35 (22.32); 89^thHenry English M35 (22.52); 100^th Chris Muldoon M35 (23.03); 122^ndWill Morris M35 (23.36); 131^st Paul O’Callaghan (23.44); 134^thDes Tremble M40 (23.52); 145^th Luke Boland (24.08); 166^thAndrew Cusack (25.05); 168^th Niall J. O’Reilly (25.16); 174^thTom Fagan M45 (25.27); `176^th Noel Conway (25.38); 185^th Joe Murphy (26.08); 186^th Peter Nugent M45 (26.09); 188^th Stephen Dawson (26.42)

Team: 1^st Leevale AC (83); 2^ndDonore Harriers <McMahon; Kelly; O’Connell; Fitzgibbon> (84); 3^rdSt. Abban’s AC (118); 19^th Donore Harriers B (456); 21^stDonore Harriers C (607)

Note: O’Connell and Fitzgibbon on Dublin team that won team silver behind Cork

Other results:

Jingle Bells 5km at Phoenix Park (6/12/14): 1^stJohn Travers (14.05) course record; 15^th John Dunne M35 (15.39) PB second in category; 20^th Dave Heffernan M35 (16.06); 105^th/ 14^th women Ide NicDhomhnaill (18.06); 112^th / 16^thwoman Sorcha NicDhomhnaill (18.14); 139^th Bernard Byrne (18.36); 166^thMaura Kearns (19.20); 262^nd Johnny Brady M45 (21.15); 277^thJona Kalemi (21.42); 283^rd Aoife O’Sullivan (22.05); 37^thCatherine McKeon F35 (23.55); 488^th Pauline Fagan F45 (26.30); 592^ndRoisin Mahony F40 (27.52); 597^th Robyn O’Keeffe FJ (28.18); 851^stCarmel Lawlor F45 (37.41)

Waterford Half-Marathon (6/12/14): 62^nd/ 4^th woman Anne Curley F35 (1.23.14); 136^th Colin Morrissey (1.27.35) PB; 240^th Niall P. O’Reilly (1.31.34); 605^thMary Murphy F40 (1.44.31)

Tymon Parkrun 5km (6/12/14): 5^th/ 1^st woman Samantha Conroy F35 (20.47)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km (6/12/14): 1^stGeorge Brady M35 (17.36)

JUVENILE REPORT:

Two weeks after winning the national under 14s cross country championship Fathi Aden stepped up an age group to compete in the under 15s category in the National Juvenile Uneven Age championships at Santry Demesne on Sunday (7/12/14). It proved to be a tough assignment! His cause was not helped by a cautious start that found him well adrift of the leaders at they headed out along the first of 3 laps on an undulating and mud-laden 3.5km course. Picking his way through the field of 130 starters he got up to a high of 15^th position by the end of lap two. However he paid the price for his mid-race efforts and faded to 21^stplace at the finish line.

Sekeriye Ahmed competed with distinction in the same race. After a steady start he ran with great determination to pick his way past a host of runners to place 27^thoverall. Both Fathi and Sekeriye were scoring members of the Dublin team (137 points) that placed second behind winners Cork (131) in the inter-county competition. Clare (250) came third.

Michael Gibbs, a late call-up to the Dublin team, placed 94^thin the Boys under 17s race over 5.000 metres. This was Michael’s debut at a national competition and the experience should auger well for his future in the sport.

A number of Donore Harriers juvenile members competed in the Jingle Bells 5 kilometres road race at the Phoenix Park on Saturday (6/12/14). Daniel Brady, Claire O’Connor, Roisin Brady, Elena Gaina, Taylor Robertson, Robert Lynch, Sophie O’Farrell, Sadbh Parker, Suzie O’Farrell, Alannah McCauley and Robyn O’Keeffe were joined by Ben Halpin, Shannon Verdon-Byrne, Teigan Doran and Justin Maher from the Fit4Youth group in completing the course.

Results in brief: –

National Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships at Santry Demesne (7/12/14)

u/15s Boys (3.500m): 21^st Fathi Aden (stepping up); 27^thSekeriye Ahmed (both boys won silver medals as part of Dublin team in the county championships)

u/17s Boys (5.000m): 94^th Michael Gibbs

Dublin Intermediate Cross Country Championship

December 2, 2014Club News, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

John Dunne (27.42) had an excellent runaway win in the Dublin Intermediate cross country championship (8km) at Tymon Park on Sunday (30/11/14). Dunne was always in command and led the race from gun to tape. In the process he spearheaded the Donore Harriers team to silver medals in the team race.

Second home for the team was Andy Kinane (28.46) in 7^th place. Kinane made a steady start and put in a big effort in the latter 2 of 4 laps to gain ten places. In the process he caught team-mate Ciaran McCarthy (8^th in 28.47) close to the finish line. Garvan Smith (29.34) closed the scoring four in 18^th spot. Despite being caught for two places on the run-in to the line this was an impressive performance from Smith, who is still relatively new to the sport.

The non-scoring members of the team were Paul O’Callaghan (30.42) in 29^th and Sean Fox, making his cross country debut, in 30^th.

With four runners in the top ten Raheny Shamrocks AC won the team event on 24 points, ten clear of Donore Harriers, with local rivals Liffey Valley AC (42) in third.

Triathlon competitor Kim Hickey (20.39) led the Donore Harriers women’s team in the 5km race. Hickey challenged for a top three placing in the early stages of the race, but faded slightly in the latter half of the race to place 8^th at the finish line. Next home was Rhona Duane (21.46) in 21^st, just one place and two seconds ahead of Emer Rattigan. Caren Crowley (23.34) closed the team in 45^th spot.

A very strong Dublin City Harriers team (17) were decisive winners of the women’s team category with Donore Harriers (96) back in sixth place.

Donore Harriers had a notable one-two at the St. Anne’s Parkrun 5km race on Saturday. Michael McMahon and Aogon MacDomhnaill both recorded 16 minutes and 21 seconds, getting in a good workout run before next Sunday’s national novice cross country championships at Santry Demesne.

Results in brief: –

Dublin Intermediate Cross Country Championships at Tymon Park

Women 5km: 8^th Kim Hickey (20.39); 21^st Rhone Duane (21.46); 22^nd Emer Rattigan (21.48); 45^th Caren Crowley (23.34)

Team: 1^st Dublin City Harriers 17 points; 6^th Donore Harriers 96

Men 8km: 1^st John Dunne (27.42); 7^th Andy Kinane (28.46); 8^th Ciaran McCarthy (28.47); 18^th Garvan Smith (29.34); 28^th Paul O’Callaghan (30.42); 29^th Sean Fox (30.43)

Team: 1^st Raheny Shamrocks AC (24); 2^nd Donore Harriers <Dunne, Kinane, McCarthy, Smith> (34); 3^rd Liffey Valley AC (42)

Tymon Parkrun 5km: 22^nd / 2^nd woman Samantha Conroy W35 (20.32); 34^th Frank McNally M50 (21.37)

St. Anne’s Parkrun 5km: 1^st Michael McMahon (16.21); 2^nd Aogan MacDomhnaill (16.21)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km: 2^nd George Brady M35 (17.50); 30^th Charlie O’Neill M60 (22.22)

Even Age Cross Country Championships and Weekend Round Up

November 27, 2014Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Donore Harriers has a new national champion in the shape of 13 years old sensation Fathi Aden. Born in Somalia and a student at Synge Street School young Fathi ran a tactically brilliant race at the National Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships at Dundalk IT on Sunday (23/11/14). Tracking a lead group of about 12 athletes through the opening kilometre lap in the Boys under 14s race ensured that he was always in contention. As the race continued through the second longer 2 kilometres lap the lead group reduced in numbers. There were 5 in contention as the race hit the short steep incline with 600 metres to go. Cormac O’Rourke of Lagan Valley AC was having a great run. Jake Bagge, the Munster champion and one of the pre-race favourites was also in contention – as was Tony McCambridge of North Belfast Harriers. The Donore star was 5^th, but only a couple of metres back. As the race reached a short incline at the top of the bend for the last time young Fathi made the winning move and raced away from his pursuers over the final 250 metres. At the finish banner he had 20 metres to spare over O’Rourke with Bagge a couple of metres further back.

This was only Fathi Aden’s fifth competitive race and he is already Dublin and National champion. Gerry Naughton, his coach, gave the opinion that: “Fathi Aden is probably the most naturally gifted young distance runner in Ireland today. He also listens and executes race tactics to perfection. A mark of a great champion in the making…”

Fathi’s win was crucial to the Dublin team (144) in the county championship as they had just 6 points to spare over second-placed Cork (150). Mayo (204) came third.

There was also a county team medal for Suzanne Masterson in the Girls under 16s race over 4km. Suzanne, also in her first season, was a scoring member of the Dublin team (107) that won gold medals ahead of Wicklow (131) and Cork (215). She was lying in 28^th place at the end of the first of the 2 kilometres circuit, but faded in the latter stages to cross the line in 36^th position. Eliza NiThighearnaigh placed a disappointing 71^st in the same race, obviously not comfortable with the soft, muddy ground conditions.

Sekeriye Ahmed stepped-up an age group to compete in the Boys under 16s race over 4km. He ran the race to gain experience and placed a creditable 80^th.

Results in brief:

National Juvenile Even Age Cross Country Championships at Dundalk IT (23/11/14)

Boys u/14s 3000m: 1^st Fathi Aden (gold medal on winning Dublin county team)

Girls u/16s 4000m: 36^th Suzanne Masterson (gold medal on winning Dublin county team); 71^st Eliza NiThighearnaigh

Boys u/16s 4000m: 80^th Sekeriye Ahmed

In the senior races, Barbara Cleary was 15th in the women’s race and Caoimhin Kelly who was 12th in the U23 race and Darren Hand in men’s race. Great runs in Nottingham at the British and Irish masters, Jim McNamara was 2nd M75 and many team medals- well done Ann Woodlock 6th W70 , Anne Curley 14th W40 , John Dunne 7th M35 , Niall Lynch 8th M40, Joe Maguire 7th M75, Terry Mee 10th M70 and Barry Potts 8th M65.

Martina 1st lady in Waterston Parkrun and Sam 1st lady in Tymon Parkrun, well done Rhona (41:20) for 3rd in Off the Laois 10k and George Brady was 4th in the Half marathon with 1:20:28.

Nine Donore Athletes to Compete at British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships and Weekend Round Up

November 17, 2014Club News, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Donore Harriers star runner John Travers helped Athlone IT to second place in the Universities Road Relay championships at Maynooth on Saturday. John ran the middle leg in a 1, 2, 3, 2, 1 miles race that attracts some of the best athletes in the country. His time of 13.50.00 was second fastest of the day and ensured his team consolidated second position behind team winners DCU. Heywood Richardson (5.09 & 11.09) helped the host team NUI Maynooth to 16^th fastest team from a field of 25 by running in the 1^st and 4^th legs.

In the Meet & Train Cross Country League fixture at Cow Park in Dunboyne on Sunday the Donore Harriers women’s team were well represented. Kim Hickey led a team of 13 in 2^nd place. The other finishers in a demanding mud laden course were: – 21^st Mary Melvin; 34^th Karen Crowley; 35^th Sian O’Connor; 47^th Lee Chambers; 49^th Mary Murphy; 55^th Meadbh Campbell; 60^th Mary Kingston; 75^th Teresa Brophy; 76^th Angela O’Dea; 84^th Eilish Joyce; 107^th Michelle Dawson; 113^th Sue Lynch. There were 120 finishers.

Other results: –

Microgaming Manx League, Peel, Isle of Man 6 miles

2^nd Mark Dooley (32.36)

Morun 10km at Phoenix Park

1^st Gavin Keogh (33.54); 16^th Andrew Cusack (39.57); 26^th Ruairi Short (41.42)

Marley Parkrun 5km: 1^st Barbara Cleary W40 (16.54); 2^nd Will Morris M35 (17.11)

Malahide Parkrun 5km: 18^th David Wogan M50 (21.34)

Tymon Parkrun 5km: 11^th / 1^st woman Samantha Conroy W35 (21.06); 12^th Frank McNally M50 (21.27)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km: 2^nd George Brady M35 (17.44)

Next Saturday sees 9 Donore Harriers athletes represent Ireland in the British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships at Nottingham. Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill competes in the Womens W35 category whilst Anne Curley and Ann Woodlock compete in the W40 and W70 races respectively. John Dunne M35; Niall Lynch M40; Barry Potts M65; Terry Mee M70; Jim McNamara and Joseph Maguire in the M75 class make this a proud and special event for the club.

On Sunday a number of Donore athletes will compete in the National Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships at Dundalk IT. Those to watch out for include John Travers representing Dublin in the Senior Men, Barbara Clearly in the colours of Clare in the Women’s race and Caoimhin Kelly running for Monaghan in the u/23s category. This championship acts as a trial in the selection process for the forthcoming European Cross Country championships which takes place in Bulgaria on the 14^th of December.

Good luck to all!

Leinster Intermediate Cross Country Championship and Weekend Round Up

November 10, 2014Club News, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Donore Harriers men’s team had to settle for 3^rd place in the Leinster Intermediate Cross Country championship at Adamstown in County Wexford on Sunday in what proved to be a keenly contested race.

Niall Lynch (27.35), fresh from his win in the Leinster Novice race last month, was edged out of an individual medal position when he placed 4^th – just two seconds behind both the second and third placed runners – respectively Stephen Hunter (27.33) of St. Michaels AC and James McAssey (27.33) of St. Laurence O’Toole AC. The relatively flat course over a distance of 8km, in rained soaked conditions, would not have suited Niall’s preference for a hilly terrain.

Colm O’Connell (27.43) continues to improve following his transfer from Raheny Shamrocks AC, placing an encouraging 6^th position. Graham Hopkins (28.14) gave a fine display of running, having obviously recovered from his Dublin Marathon exploits, to edge into the top 10 in the field.

The scoring 4 was completed by Henry English (29.30) in 33^rd position. Liffey Valley AC (44) were team winners with Sli Cualann AC (51) second and Donore Harriers (53) in third.

The individual winner was Henry Lupton (26.19) of Portlaoise AC.

Four other Donore Harriers athletes competed, including Paul ‘Padre Pio’ O’Callaghan (29.41) who placed 37^th and showing good promise for the future. The others were: – Will Morris (29.36) in 35^th; Darren Hughes (31.10) in 51^st and Niall P. O’Reilly (33.41) in 77^th.

Results in brief: –

4^th Niall Lynch M40 (27.35); 6^th Colm O’Connell (27.43); 10^th Graham Hopkins M35 (28.14); 33^rd Henry English M35 (29.30); 35^th Will Morris M35 (29.36); 37^th Paul O’Callaghan (29.41); 51^st Darren Hughes (31.10); 77^th Niall P. O’Reilly (33.41)

Team: 1^st Liffey Valley AC (44); 2^nd Sli Cualann AC (51); 3^rd Donore Harriers <Lynch; O’Connell; Hopkins; English> (53); 4^th Sliabh Buidhe Rovers (88); 5^th Tullamore Harriers (116)

Other results: –

BHAA Bank of Ireland XC at ALSAA (8/11/14) Women 2 miles: –

4^th Maura Kearns (12.37); 16^th Rhona Duane W35 (13.49)

BHAA Bank of Ireland XC at ALSAA (8/11/14) Men 4 miles: –

14^th Emmet O’Briain M35 (23.00); 61^st Tom Fagan M45 (26.28); 68^th Joe Murphy (26.49); 69^th Peter Nugent M45 (26.51); 96^th Eoin George (28.51); 126^th Des Gill M45 (32.46); 130^th Joseph Maguire M75 (33.54)

Malahide Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 1^st Stephen Gavin JNR (17.45)

Waterstown Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 29^th Andrew Maguire M45 (29.05)

Tymon Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 11^th / 2^nd woman Samantha Conroy W35 (22.02)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km (8/11/14): 43^rd David Hudson M55 (24.13); 49^th Joan McTernan W55 (24.47)

Dublin Senior Cross Country Championships

November 4, 2014Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

Strong running by Barbara Cleary and Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill laid the foundations for an excellent silver medal performance from the Donore Harriers women’s team at the Dublin Senior cross country championships at Santry Demense on Sunday. On a bright and calm day the 6km and 4 lap course proved a testing course as the Donore Harriers team threw the gauntlet down to team favourites Crusaders AC. A magnificent effort fell only 7 points short of overall team glory.

Barbara (17.49), the current Women’s Mini-Marathon champion, mixed it at the front early on and found herself adrift in third place at the halfway stage. However, she eventually had to settle for fourth position behind Ciara Durkan (17.26) of Skerries AC, Orla Drumm (17.32) of Crusaders and Sarah Mulligan (17.32) of DSD. Aislinn (18.54) showed the determined form that recently won her the Dublin Novice championship to come home in an excellent 8^th position. The team silver was secured thanks to the ever consistent Ann Curley (19.20) who placed 12^th and Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (20.02) who the fourth scorer in 19^th spot.

A fine run from Grace Kennedy (20.19) in 23^rd position ensured good cover in the quest for team glory.

The men’s race over a 6 lap course (10km) proved to be a disappointing fare for the Donore Harriers team. Missing Van Haeften, Hynes and Eric Keogh from last year’s bronze team it was always going to be a tough day out in the field. News that reigning champions Clonliffe had a depleted team gave early encouragement, but the fine team packing by a resurgent Rathfarnham AC team gave them a deserved 3^rd position behind favourites DSD and a solid Raheny Sharmocks AC crew that got the team silver.

The Donore Harriers team was led home by the defending champion John Travers. John (28.10) made a conservative start before picking up to 3^rd position by the end of lap 2. He then put in an effort to catch the front pair of Brendan O’Neill (28.05) of DSD and national cross country champion Mick Clohisey (28.15) of Raheny Shamrocks. However as the race developed it was O’Neill, recent winner of the new Autumn Open Cross race, who kicked on whilst Travers (28.10) pulled away from Clohisey to finish in a clear second position.

Mark Dooley (29.28) had a fine run to place 9^th. The very consistent John Dunne (29.53) was always competitive and gained to 15^th, whilst Caoimhin Kelly (30.18) proved once again that he a key player in the team’s future plans.

With 6 to score the Dublin Senior is surely the most competitive race on the cross country calendar. The gap back to 5^thand 6^th scorers, respectively Colm O’Connell (31.18) and Gavin Keogh (31.40) in 30^th and 36^th places, allowed the Rathfarnham team that closed in 23^rd position edge out Donore for the bronze medals.

The other members of the Donore team were Aogan MacDomhnaill (32.01) who placed 39^th and Fergal Whitty (32.26) who was 42^nd.

Results in brief: –

Women’s Dublin Senior XC 6km

4^th Barbara Cleary (17.49); 8^th Aislinn NicDhomhnaill (18.54); 12^th Anne Curley (19.20); 19^th Sorcha NicDhomhnaill (20.02); 23^rd Grace Kennedy (20.19)

Team: 1^st Crusaders AC (36); 2^nd Donore Harriers <Cleary; A. NicDhomhnaill; A. Curley; S. NicDhomhnaill> (43); 3^rd Raheny Shamrocks AC (58)

Men’s Dublin Senior XC 10km

2^nd John Travers (28.10); 9^th Mark Dooley (29.28); 15^th John Dunne (29.53); 19^th Caoimhin Kelly (30.18); 30^thColm O’Connell (31.18); 36^th Gavin Keogh (31.40); 39^th Aogan MacDomhnaill (32.01); 42^nd Fergal Whitty (32.26)

Team: 1^st DSD AC (65); 2^nd Raheny Shamrocks (84); 3^rd Rathfarnham (104); 4^th Donore Harriers (111)

Other results: –

Dublin Athletics Board Marathon championships (27/10/14): – M35 category – 3^rd Sean Fox (2.50.20); M40 Category – 3^rd Graham Hopkins (2.51.00)

Griffeen Parkrun 5km (1/11/14): – 3^rd George Brady M35 (18.08); 49^th David Hudson M55 (24.32); 56^th Joan McTernan F55 (25.01)

Tymon Parkrun 5km (25/10/14): – 20^th / 3^rd woman Samantha Conroy (21.20); 21^st Frank McNally M50 (21.30)

Leinster Novice and Masters Cross Country Championships and Weekend Round Up

October 28, 2014Club News, Juvenile, Results, SeniorMedbh Peavoy

The ladies novice race consisted of 4 x 1k loops of the largely flat and dry course in Avondale. Rhona Duane was first home for the team in 21^st

place. Karla Doran made her cross country debut for Donore and was a solid 28^th . Ashling Swaine was 35^th and Medbh Peavoy is racing her way back to fitness to finish 41^st. The team finished 5^th overall, a solid result considering that all of the novice team wasn’t represented.

The Masters race was an identical course to the novice route. Anne Curley led it out for some time, she was overhauled by eventual winner Jackie Carty (Kilmore) and there was also a battle with 2^nd placed Paula Grant (Portlaoise) but this was a commanding run just a month after the Berlin marathon and improved markedly on her Autumn cross country open the week before, Anne was 3^rd overall and silver W40 with a Dublin team gold also. Karen Behan had her trademark sprint finish to come over the line in 17^th place with Eva Campion finishing 39th. The team just missed the bronze by 5 points, 4^th of 10 teams was a fine result.

Donore Harriers novice men stepped up to the mark in Leinster, after achieving gold in Dublin they set their sights on medalling in the Leinster novice and they didn’t disappoint. In the beautiful setting of Avondale House on a challenging course all team members put in solid performances to take the deserved team silver medal. The team was lead home by Caoimhin Kelly who ran an excellent race slotted into a nice group on lap one and put himself into medal contention on lap two but finished out and excellent fourth place well clear of fifth. Next home was Darren Hand in 17^th, after starting well back on lap 1 he work through the field well particularly on the downhill sections. Darragh Fitzgibbon had a very solid race to finish just inside the top 20 and Luke Boland completed the team scorers with an excellent 36^th. Darren Hughes had a good race to come in at 52^nd with Bernard Byrne not far behind in 58^th and Killian O’Hora in 63^rd.

In the masters race Niall Lynch took the lead at the first corner and threw himself down the first downhill section to open up a gap on the field behind and managed to hold onto the lead for the 3 lap course and take the win in a good follow up to his M40 win at the Autumn Open Cross the previous week. Will Morris and Emmet O’Brian followed in 12^th and 15^th respectively in a big improvement on their outing for the Dublin Novice. Will took bronze in the M35 category. Final scorer on the team was Phill Hennessey in his first cross country race of the season and only a few weeks after his run in the Berlin marathon, this was enough to get Donore the silver medal well ahead of Raheny in 3^rd and only 3 points behind Liffey Valley in gold. Hugh Brosnan ran a solid race to finish 32^nd and Tom Fagan completed the Donore team coming in a commendable 58^th out of 113 runners.

Results in brief: –

Women’s Leinster Novice XC 4km

21^st Rhona Duane (15.47); 28^th Karla Doran (16.35); 35^th Ashling Swaine (16.47); 40^th Medbh Peavoy (16.58)

Team: 1^st Dublin City Harriers (20); 5^th Donore Harriers (124)

Men’s Leinster Novice XC 6km

4^th Caoimhin Kelly (20.51); 17^th Darren Hand (22.10); 19^th Daragh Fitzgibbon (22.20); 36^th Luke Boland (23.05); 52^nd Darren Hughes (24.09); 58^th Bernard Byrne (24.54); 63^rd Killian O’Hora (25.24)

Team: 1^st Liffey Valley AC (59); 2^nd Donore Harriers <Kelly, Hand, Fitzgibbon & Boland> (76); 3^rd Tullamore Harriers (87)

Women’s Leinster Masters XC 4km

3^rd Ann Curley (14.26); 17^th Karen Behan (15.43); 39^th Eva Campion (17.02)

Team: 1^st Rathfarnham WSAF (36); 4^th Donore Harriers (59)

Men’s Leinster Masters XC 6km

1^st Niall Lynch (21.07); 12^th Will Morris (22.35); 15^th Emmet O’Briain (22.39); 23^rd Phil Hennessy (23.01); 32^nd Hugh Brosnan (23.37); 58^th Tom Fagan (24.52)

Team: 1^st Liffey Valley (48); 2^nd Donore Harriers <Lynch, Morris, O’Briain, Hennessy> (51); 3^rd Raheny Shamrocks AC (120)

Other results: –

Amsterdam Marathon (19/10/14): – Ian Redican (3.27.45)

Tymon Parkrun 5km (25/10/14): – 12^th / 3^rd woman Samantha Conroy (21.00)

Marlay Parkrun 5km (25/10/14): – 6^th Paul Cummins (18.25)

Frankfurt Marathon (26/10/14): – 147^th / 29^th woman Claire Morrissey (3.22.00)

Leinster Schools Combined Championships at Athlone IT (22/10/14)
One gold (Max Carey), 2 silver (Alex Clarkin and Rolus Olosa) and a bronze (Lara O’Byrne) made it a successful day for Donore Harriers athletes at the Leinster Schools Combined championship at Athlone on Wednesday.

Results in brief: –

MINOR GIRLS: 3^rd Lara O’Byrne; 18^th Tanisha Bissett
JUNIOR GIRLS: 9^th Martina Hughes
INTERMEMEDIATE GIRLS: 4^th Roisin Rynn-Cahill; 9^th Lauren Kennedy; 14^th Albhe Healy
MINOR BOYS: 1^st Max Carey; 11^th Jack Raftery
JUNIOR BOYS: 2^nd Alex Clarkin
INTERMEDIATE BOYS: 10^th Zak Higgins
SENIOR BOYS: 2^nd Rolus Olosa

Salestian College Road Race (4.2km) at Celbridge (23/10/14)

Oisin Fitzgibbon’s win in the 34^th running of the Salesian College road race means that Donore Harriers athletes have won the Fr. Charlie Archer Cup on each of the last 8 occasions.

Results in brief: –

1^st Oisin Fitzgibbon; 2^nd Stephen Gavin; 42^nd Ruairi Fitzgibbon; 66^thTadgh Fitzgibbon

Make-A-Wish Witches & Wizards 5km Run at Phoenix Park (25/10/14)

Good results from Donore athletes in the inaugural Make-A-Wish run on Saturday. This novelty race will hopefully become a regular event and target more young athletes to take part.

Results in brief: –

2^nd Michael Gibbs (18.57); 3^rd Lucy McCann (19.51); 5^th Daniel Brady (21.06); 14^th Roisin Brady (25.59)