HIGHLIGHTS Women masters team bronze, Men’s M50 team silver in the DUBLIN MASTERS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS. Barry Potts individual gold in the M70 class. 16 years-old Abdel Laadjel ran a superb 15.19 to win Junior category in the TOM BRENNAN NEW YEAR’S DAY 5km. Barbara Cleary 2^nd woman and 1^st W45 and Barry Potts 1^st M65.

The DUBLIN MASTERS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Raheny on Sunday (05.01.2020) kicked off another year of team competition with Donore Harriers again in the mix for medals. Big fields, tight bends and narrow tree-lined passages gave the athletes plenty to consider at the St. Anne’s Park venue. A chilled, dry afternoon and flat, grassy underfoot conditions offered some respite after recent mud laden XC races.

Good team-packing brought its reward in the Women’s 3km race. Barbara Murray (13.07) gained to 10^th position in a fine contest held over 2 laps. Next home was Audrey Gahan (13.14), who took the advice of her captain Florence Curley to get a good start so as not to be boxed-in in the crowded field, in an excellent 13^th position. Ariana Ball (13.32) followed in 19^th place, as Sinead Graham-O’Reilly (13.34) took the final scoring position just one-second and one place ahead of the fast finishing Caroline McCarthy. The Donore Harriers team (65) took the bronze medal position ahead of Civil Service AC (86) – and behind winners Sportsworld AC (42) and Raheny Shamrocks AC (also 42).

Also, in the field of 180 finishers were Cliodhna Carthy (14.23) in 61^st and Mary McDermott (15.45) in 131^st. Barbara Murray (W45) and Audrey Gahan (W40) narrowly missed individual medals as both placed 4^th in their age categories. Team captain Florence Curley said afterwards: “Very proud of our women’s team today … so happy for this hardworking team who richly deserved their medals”.

The Men’s race over 4 laps (6km) had the expectation that the M50-plus team would feature, whilst the M35 team had less reason for optimism with the withdrawal due to illness of Rossa Hurley, the defending Dublin Masters XC champion, and Luke Boland, recent winner of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird shield race.

Both categories were combined in a unique race where many long-standing rivalries were renewed. Every finishing position was contested with sheer determination due to team commitments and bragging rights. This was all about good team sport and personal honour!

The Donore M50 team came an excellent 2^nd of 14 teams on 336 points behind Raheny Shamrocks AC on 220. The team was led home by Peter Gaffney (23.46), who ran a very consistent race to place 50^th. Phil Hennessy (24.00) gained to 55^th in the second half of the race, whilst Ciaran O’Flaherty (25.29) was paying the price for a fast start and had to dig-deep for the sake of the team before crossing the line in 105^th position. The team was closed by Peter Nugent (25.52) in 126^th.

The non-scoring M50 athletes were – Tom Fagan (26.07) in 137^th, Tony Kynes (27.29) in 195^th, Tony Griffin (28.28) in 225^th, Kenneth Cronin (29.35) in 248^th and Des Gill (29.47) in 253^rd.

Niall Lynch (22.27) was first home for the M35 team in 19^th place. The scoring 4 was completed in a flurry as fast finishing Gavin Keogh (22.54) passed his two team-mates to finish 28^th, with Fergal Whitty (22.55) in 29^th and Danny O’Sullivan (22.57) in 30^th. The team came 7^th (18 teams) on 106 points. Raheny Shamrocks AC (42) won the category.

The other Donore finishers were – Des Tremble (23.29) in 44^th, Alan Keogh (23.51) in 53^rd, Donal Iremonger (24.36) in 71^st and Chris Muldoon (24.36) in 115^th.

In the Master Men’s 3km race for M65 plus runners the evergreen Barry Potts (14.13) came 2^nd overall and claimed the individual gold medal in the M70 age group.

Within a few minutes of finishing a disappointing 12^th in last month’s National U17 cross-country championships Abdel Laadjel was advised by his Academy Squad coaches Gerry Naughton and Ciaran O’Flaherty to compete in the TOM BRENNAN NEW YEAR’S DAY 5KM race. “It was a case of getting back on the horse. Abdel was tired in Dunboyne and the performance did not justify the hard work he put into training” explained Naughton.

When Laadjel passed the 3km marker he was in a chase group of 4 athletes that included the national senior cross-country champion Liam Brady of Tullamore Harriers and 1996 Olympic Games 1,500m athlete Shane Healy of MSB AC. The young Donore Harrier was in new territory and he did not look out of place! And whilst Laadjel lost a little ground on the elite athletes over the remaining 2 kilometres a strong finish brought him home in an excellent 8^th place overall, just 7 seconds shy of Brady (6^th in 15.12). He won the junior men’s category ahead of Jafer Abduisheker (15.44) of Tulsa (USA). The overall race was won by Hiko Tonosa (14.20) of DSD AC. .

Laadjel, Irish born to Algerian parents, ran only one previous 5km race when he posted a time of 17.34 at the Brickfields Parkrun one year ago (05.01.2019). Coach Ciaran O’Flaherty was full in his praise of the Kishoge Community College student “Today he proved that he has the talent and it was reward for his commitment. Abdel has a big future in the sport”.

Barbara Cleary covered the flat 2-laps course in 17.10 to finish as 2^nd woman behind Catherine Mullan (16.52) of MSB AC. She convincingly won the Women’s Over 40 category having 3 minutes to spare over runner-up Valentina Kossio (20.20) from Italy. Another category winner was Barry Potts (22.02), who placed 161^st overall and 1^st M65.

The other competing club athletes were: – Stephen Dawson (19.24) 83^rd overall and 15^th in the M35 age grade, Audrey Gahan (21.22) 145^th and 6^th W40, Pamela White (22.28) 179^th and 25^th senior woman, Frank McNally (22.47) 191^st and 9^th M55, Dana Mackey (26.07) 283^rd and 18^th W45, Tommy Halton (27.14) 298^th and 5^th M40, Michelle Dawson (28.06) 329^th and 18^th W35, Conan Mackey U14 (28.40) 355^th and 15^th junior man, and Frank Greally (39.21) in 686^th and 16^th M60.

Patrick Farrell (42.31) placed 10^th of 102 finishers in the CARAGH NEW YEAR’S DAY 10KM RACE in Co. Kildare.

In her native Co. Clare Barbara Cleary (18.17) was 3^rd overall and first woman in a field of 202 finishers in the MILLTOWN MALBAY GAA 5KM ROAD RACE on St. Stephen’s Day. It was a case of finish as you started! Cleary won at the same fixture on New Year’s Day 2019 in a time of 18.24.

In the PARKRUN series on New Year’s Day Fergal Whitty (17.27) was the first finisher at Hartstown, whilst two Under 19 athletes Gavin Curtin (17.24) and Barney Kelly (18.25) were runners-up at Corkagh Park and Griffeen Park respectively. Eva Crowe U14 (20.11) was 12^th overall and 2^nd woman at Porterstown.

There was plenty of more action from club runners in last Saturday’s (04.01.2020) PARKRUN races. Tristan Druet (16.59) was first home in Tymon Park, whilst Gavin Curtin (18.38) took the plaudits at Waterstown. Curtin and 6^th place Aidan Kelly (20.33) were directed off the route and had to retrace some of their strides to join back into the race. Barney Kelly (18.38) was again runner-up, this time at Castletown Estate in Celbridge, whilst Paul Cummins (18.45) was also 2^nd home at Brickfields. 13-years old Laura Nunan (22.12) was first woman home when 15^th overall at Porterstown. Kate Cleary (21.58) was 2^nd woman at Poppintree Park with another 13 years-old Katie Delaney (24.49) 3^rd woman at Waterstown. Special mention to Nicola Dowdall who did 3 parkruns in the space of 4 days which she finished with a 24.50 and 4^th place at Kilcock and to 10 years-old Eoin Mooney who ran 21.59 for 9^th place at Corkagh Park. More results below.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

TOM BRENNAN NEW YEAR’S DAY 5KM ROAD RACE at PHOENIX PARK (01.01.2020)

8^th & 1^st Junior Abdel Laadjel U18 (15.19 PB)

29^th, 2^nd woman & 1^st W45 Barbara Cleary (17.10)

83^rd & 15^th M35 Stephen Dawson (19.24)

145^th & 6^th W40 Audrey Gahan (21.22)

161^st & 1^st M65 Barry Potts (22.02)

179^th & 25^th WS Pamela White (22.28)

191^st & 9^th M55 Frank McNally (22.47)

283^rd & 18^th W45 Dana Mackey (26.07)

298^th & 5^th M60 Tommy Halton (27.14)

329^th & 18^th W35 Michelle Dawson (28.40)

355^th & 15^th MJ Conan Mackey U14 (28.40)

686^th & 16^th M60 Frank Greally (39.21)

772 finishers

CARAGH NEW YEAR’S DAY 10KM RUN at CARAGH, CO. KILDARE (01.01.2020)

10^th Patrick Farrell (42.31)

103 finishers

DUBLIN MASTERS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at ST. ANNE’s PARK (05.01.2010)

MASTERS WOMEN 35-plus 3KM

10^th & 4^th W45 Barbara Murray (13.07)

13^th & 4^th W40 Audrey Gahan (13.14)

19^th & 5^th W35 Ariana Ball (13.32)

23^rd & 6^th W35 Sinead Graham-O’Reilly (13.34)

24^th & 7^th W35 Caroline McCarthy (13.35)

61^st & 13^th W45 Cliodhna Carthy (14.23)

131^st & 19^th W50 Mary McDermott (15.47)

DNF Julia Hackett (injured)

180 finishers

TEAM W35: 1^st Sportsworld AC 42, 2^nd Raheny Shamrocks AC 42, 3^rd Donore Harriers <Murray, Gahan, Ball & Graham-O’Reilly> 65. 16 teams

MASTERS MEN 35-plus 6KM

19^th & 5^th M45 Niall Lynch (22.27)

28^th & 17^th M35 Gavin Keogh (22.54)

29^th & 5^th M40 Fergal Whitty (22.55)

30^th & 18^th M35 Danny O’Sullivan (22.57)

44^th & 10^th M45 Des Tremble (23.29)

50^th & 5^th M50 Peter Gaffney (23.46)

53^rd & 9^th M40 Alan Keogh (23.51)

55^th & 7^th M50 Phil Hennessy (24.00)

71^st & 14^th M45 Donal Iremonger (24.36)

105^th & 13^th M50 Ciaran O’Flaherty (25.29)

115^th & 29^th M40 Chris Muldoon (25.42)

126^th & 14^th M50 Peter Nugent (25.52)

137^th & 18^th M50 Tom Fagan (26.07)

195^th & 5^th M60 Tony Kynes (27.29)

225^th & 8^th M60 Tony Griffin (28.28)

248^th & 13^th M60 Kenneth Cronin (29.35)

253^rd & 52^nd M50 Desmond Gill (29.47)

DNF Lou MacCurtain

291 finishers

TEAM M35: 1^st Raheny Shamrocks AC 42, 7^th Donore Harriers <Lynch, Keogh, Whitty & O’Sullivan> 106, 18 teams

TEAM M50: 1^st Raheny Shamrocks AC 220, 2^nd Donore Harriers <Gaffney, Hennessy, O’Flaherty & Nugent> 336, 3^rd Rathfarnham WSAF 442. 14 teams

MASTERS MEN 65-plus 3KM

2^nd & 1^st M70 Barry Potts (14.13)

LATE RESULT: MILLTOWN MALBAY GAA 5KM ROAD RACE in CO. CLARE (26.12.2019)

3^rd overall and 1^st woman Barbara Cleary (18.17)

202 finishers

PARKRUN SERIES (01.01.2020)

Corkagh: 2^nd Gavan Curtin U19 (17.24), 100^th Nicola Dowdall W45 (25.18), 130^th David Hudson M60 (26.50), 145^th Mary Murphy W45 (27.32), 245^th Joan McTernan W60 (33.39)

Griffeen: 2^nd Barney Kelly U19 (18.25), 111^th Nicola Dowdall W45 (24.49), 118^th Helaine Kelly W45 (25.12 PB)

Hartstown: 1^st Fergal Whitty M40 (17.27), 10^th Owen Robinson M35 (20.28), 43^rd Caroline McCarthy W35 (24.18)

Porterstown: 12^th & 2^nd woman Eva Crowe U14 (20.11 PB)

PARKRUN SERIES (04.01.2020)

Castletown: 2^nd Barney Kelly U19 (18.38). 91^st Helaine Kelly W45 (26.01), 98^th Hugh David Kelly U11 (26.43)

Brickfields: 2^nd Paul Cummins (18.45), 69^th Ray Holmes M60 (32.07)

Bushy: 179^th Tommy Halton M60 (29.27)

Corkagh: 9^th Eoin Mooney U10 (21.59)

Griffeen: 122^nd Liz MacCurtain W50 (27.39), 140^th Terry Mee M75 (28.20)

Poolbeg: 51^st Karen Woods W40 (22.41)

Poppintree: 13^th & 2^nd woman Kate Cleary W45 (21.58)

Porterstown: 15^th & 1^st woman Laura Nunan U15 (22.12)

Royal Canal, Kilcock: 22^nd & 4^th woman Nicola Dowdall W45 (24.50), 31^st David Hudson M60 (25.43), 38^th Joan McTernan W60 (26.36)

Tymon: 1^st Tristan Druet M35 (16.59)

Waterstown: 1^st Gavin Curtin U19 (18.38), 6^th Aidan Kelly JNR (20.33), 21^st & 3^rd woman

Katie Delaney U15 (24.49)

HIGHLIGHTS: Luke Boland won the 123^rd Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield after a dramatic finish. James Dunne became the 3^rd winner of the Willie Dunne Shield juvenile race. Niall Lynch (fastest in WBB) won the Tommy Hayward Cup. Sinead Lambe 1^st woman in the Fat Turkey 10km and Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill 2^nd in the Farranfore Maine 5km.

The 123^rd WATERHOUSE BYRNE BAIRD SHIELD (report by Iain Morrison) race saw an entry list of experienced Stephen’s day warriors and bright shiny new debutants to the event to brave the epic distance. It was fitting therefore that the race in the end came down to battle between 2 athletes from each camp. It’s list of winners runs like a calling card of many of the Donore greats…but many a fine Donore athlete has not had the rub of the green …or the mud…or the snow…. or maybe just the handicappers. This of course is as it should be as every athlete should have an equal chance of winning when they line up on December the 26^th. The vagaries of form, time of year sickness injury conditions all play their part, but the adage still endures coined by our very own late Jim McNamara – “You must use your handicap when you get it”. The field was whittled down by injuries and illness, ruling out former winner Michelle Dawson, former men’s cross and Road captain Rossa Hurley. It also saw Liz Mac Curtain. Claire Mulligan and Treasa Boylan bow out. Conditions above ground proved fair very little wind and very mild. The ground was heavy and sticky and caused several stalwarts of the race to bow out early such as Barry Potts and Dana Mackey with an Achilles problem and Patrick Farrell battled hard in his first ever cross country against an ongoing knee problem but was forced to yield after 8 miles.

Early running saw several athletes set their intent out. Catherine McKeon and Dana Mackey were paired as lead off athletes and beat out the early tempo only for Dana to pull up but Catherine undaunted kept her pace up to go through with over two, two-mile laps to spare over the scratch athletes. Julia Hackett similarly had company in Angela Eustace before Angela had to pull out and this perhaps helped these two athletes in their overall races. Neil Hand appeared to take out a fast-early lap. Luke Boland recorded the fastest lap only to be bettered by Niall Lynch with an 11min 35s first lap. Niall was paired with Ken Nugent whom between them have shared the Tommy Hayward trophy for the fastest 10 mile since its inception, so when Niall broke away from Ken in that first lap his intent was clear.
The race unfolded as the Junior Shield was run after scratch athlete Peter Sweeney former men’s road and cross country captain started. Anne Curley the defending champion was going steady, but the event is notoriously hard to win two years in a row and the momentum just didn’t seem to be with her this year. Similarly, Alan Farrell former winner after working with Sinead Lambe for nearly 3 laps seemed not to have the magic of his victory year and Sinead Lambe started to pull away from him. Two laps in another former winner Tony Griffin cast aside his gloves and appeared to have a sense that perhaps he could be a double winner of the Shield and was moving well. Two laps to go Catherine McKeon still had a long lead and as latter athletes started to unwind the head start she’d got on them it all came down to time gaps and speed on the track coming into the last lap.
Taking the bell with two miles of running to go Catherine had a minute and 40 seconds lead on Julia Hackett. Julia a veteran of the Stephen’s day race known for her canny pacing doggedness in the final stretch of any race was lapping 2 minutes faster than Catherine and she could see Catherine up the horse gallops … the race was well and truly on. Tony Griffin had a had a look of determination on his face as he passed to line going into the final lap. There had been a surge from the back of the field, Niall Lynch had appeared not to make the progress on Luke Boland as had been suggested from the early laps, but the 4^th lap was the slowest of Luke’s race with a 12 min 52. Catherine was 12 min 30 seconds ahead, so it required a low 12-minute lap to overcome the gap. Luke had also passed Gavin Keogh who was himself running well. This appeared to be where the placings would be decided.

Julia (Hackett) took Catherine (McKeon) at the back of the course after the hill and pushed on through the trees, the pink headband looking comfortably in the lead, with seemingly a long gap to the chasing men. Could there be a 3 in a row for the ladies of Donore! Momentum of course is everything on the last lap of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird. Luke (Boland) now getting a sense that the line and the lead were within touching distance seemed to eat the ground as he chased Julia around the civil service cricket ground. The gap seemed to disappear as quickly and assuredly as Julia lead had seemed to be commandingly clear minutes before. A mixture of a groan for the vanquished and a cheer for the challenger rang out as Luke took Julia up the home straight before the small bump with enough time to savour a sweet victory. Julia brilliant in second place smiled and raised her own hand as she crossed the line knowing shed come so very close. Luke had run a 12 min 14 seconds last lap. Just behind Gavin Keogh had a nearly equally storming last lap and despite nearly falling in the home straight due to the intensity of his efforts sprinted past Tony Griffin to snatch 3^rd place. Catherine the long-time leader for 9.5 miles, was passed by Niall Lynch who didn’t quite have the last lap that would have brought him right into contention but still ran fast enough to be the winner yet again of the Tommy Hayward Trophy for fastest ten mile of the day. Sinead Lambe was as predicted the fastest lady on the day but didn’t quite get enough momentum to take her through to the top 6. The day belonged to Luke in his debut on the Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield and it caps off a great season of cross-country running. He won medals for the club team in the Dublin Novice (silver) and in the Dublin Intermediate (gold) as well as a fine run in the National Novice 2 weeks previously. It was another thrilling St Stephen’s Day duel!

Video of finishing stages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmaE0ZF8zy0&t=125s

WBB Feedback:

Club President Charlie O’Neill: “Looks like it was a thrilling race. Well done to everyone who kept this unique tradition alive”.

Club stalwart Anne Curley: “… Luke Boland, a very worthy winner today, he’s been having a fantastic season this year and had a storming race today to finish first after starting near to last! Well done to our Julia second finisher, just unlucky to be pipped in the last 200 metres but that’s the bittersweet thrill of this very special race…”

Club member Gerard McDonald: “It was a cracking race today. Credit to the handicappers (Iain Morrison, Florence Curley, Willie Smith) too”

Club Captain Florence Curley: “It all happened in the last lap, long-time leader Catherine McKeon was overhauled by Julia Hackett and then a number of other runners, and an exciting last few hundred metres and the final straight saw Luke Boland (who has been flying this year) overtake Julia (hard luck Julia it was nearly there!) to take the win, he had a mere 2 minute handicap so this was a great achievement to pass everyone…”

Runner-up Julia Hackett: “Very honoured to be so close, very proud of my club Donore Harriers, very happy to be second, very shocked to be first woman. That’s a proper race. Well done Luke Boland”.

Coach & Race Organiser and Timekeeper Willie Smith: “Luke Boland was the 105th member to win. From available records the closest finish was 1962, when Leo Lynch got to finish less than one yard/meter ahead of the fast finishing scratch man Mick Neville … Next year will be the 100th anniversary of Davy Baird’s first win in 1920”.

Florence Curley again: “Thanks to Iain (Morrison) who hosted… and Willie (Smith) and Mick (Bourke) who were up in the park since 9 o’clock marking the course, hats off!”

The 3^rd WILLIE DUNNE 2-MILE HANDICAP JUVENILE SHIELD, which was run in conjunction with the WBB, added to the sense of occasion. Would the talented Bolton siblings rule the day? Or would the handicap system allow for one of the developing young athletes to get their name on the Shield? Roisin Kirby and Katie Delaney were first away, with a 4-minutes allowance on scratch runner James Bolton. 30 seconds elapsed before James Dunne was set on his way. Dunne quickly set his sight on Kirby and Delaney and passed them just before the half-way mark. Scratch athlete James Bolton (11.16) was working his way through the field – and after passing Kirby and Delaney he reeled-in his sister Emily and brother Thomas and then had his big target James Dunne in view. However, Dunne (14.32) stuck to his task and reached the finish line with about 70 metres (14 seconds) to spare over 15 years-old Bolton. 11 years-old Emily Bolton (12.28), with a handicap of one-minute, narrowly beat her 13 years-old brother Thomas (11.47) for 3^rd place. There adjusted times were 11.28 and 11.32 respectively. Roisin Kirby (15.40) and Katie Delaney (15.41) came 5^th and 6^th with adjusted times of 11.40 and 11.41. Two members of the National Under 13 XC championship team filled the next two places as Eva Crowe (13.09 & 11.54) and Eleanor Hopkins (15.06 & 12.21) came 7^th and 8^th. Honor Lynch (13.53 & 12.23) was 9^th with her younger sister and defending Shield champion Amber Lynch (15.42 & 12.42) in 10^th.

Two club athletes competed in the 58^th FARRANFORE MAINE AC ST. STEPHEN’S DAY 5KM RACE RACE in Co. Kerry. Des Tremble (17.02) placed 11^th overall and 1^st M45 from a field of 320 finishers. Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (17.49) was 17^th finisher and 2^nd woman behind experienced Irish international Michelle Finn. The race was run on an undulating out-and-back route between Farranfore and the village of Firies.

Sinead Lambe (38.53) convincingly won the FAT TURKEY 10KM ROAD RACE organised by the Suttonians Rugby Club on the 28^th December 2019. The race was held over a hilly and scenic route that included parts of Howth. Lambe placed 14^th overall with Des Gill (47.43) 97^th among a field of 461 finishers.

Other Donore Harriers members who competed in Christmas season road races were – Chris Muldoon (23.10) 25^th in the KILBEGGAN 6KM; Michael Ryan who won the MOUNT LEINSTER RANGERS 5KM; and M60 athlete Tommy Halton (26.59) who was 154^th in the MORTON STADIUM XMAS CRACKER 5KM.

Many club athletes took park in various PARKRUN races (25 & 28.12.2019) with Lee Van Haeften (16.24) first home at Castletown (Celbridge) and Sean Fox (18.11) the winner at Limerick. Eva Crowe (20.14), aged 12, was 4^th overall and first woman at Porterstown, with Caroline McCarthy (20.17) 2^nd woman home at Malahide and Mary McDermott (24.54) 3^rd woman finisher at Naas. More results below.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

THE 123^rd WATERHOUSE BYRNE BAIRD SHIELD 10-MILE (Handicap) at PHOENIX PARK (26.12.2019)

1^st Luke Boland 1.34.10 (+ 2, – 33 minutes) = 1.01.10 (11.45, 12.06, 12.13, 12.52, 12.14)

2^nd Julia Hackett 1.34.18 (+ 24, – 11 minutes) = 1.23.18 (16.32, 16.18, 16.36, 16.29, 16.39)

3^rd Gavin Keogh 1.34.51 (+ 3, – 32 minutes) = 1.02.51 (12.14, 12.28, 12.40, 12.52, 12.37)

4^th Tony Griffin 1.34.52 (+ 17, – 18 minutes) = 1.16.52 (15.42, 15.23, 15.19, 15.24, 15.04)

5^th Niall Lynch 1.35.03 (+ 1, – 34 minute) = 1.01.03 (11.35, 12.05, 12.18, 12.35, 12.30)

6^th Catherine McKeon 1.35.29 (+ 35, – 0 mins) = 1.35.29 (18.40, 19.08, 18.49, 19.31, 19.21)

7^th Neil Hand 1.35.47 (+ 8, – 27 mins) = 1.08.47 (13.27, 13.45, 14.00, 14.06, 13.39)

8^th Ken Nugent 1.35.57 (+ 1, – 34 mins) = 1.01.57 (11.41, 12.09, 12.32, 12.52, 12.43)

9^th Donal Iremonger 1.36.04 (+ 9.30, – 25.30) = 1.10.34 (14.06, 14.11, 14.16, 14.10, 13.51)

10^th Audrey Gahan 1.36.47 (+13, – 22 mins) = 1.14.27 (14.50, 14.47, 14.54, 15.08, 15.08)

11^th Sinead Lambe 1.37.41 (+ 6, – 29 mins) = 1.08.41 (13.23, 13.34, 13.37, 14.03, 14.04)

12^th Alan Farrell 1.38.42 (+ 6, – 29 mins) = 1.09.42 (13.23, 13.33, 14.18, 14.24, 14.04)

13^th Stephen Dawson 1.38.52 (+ 11, – 24 mins) = 1.14.52 (14.37, 14.47, 14.52, 15.07, 15.28)

14^th Ariana Ball 1.39.01 (+ 14, – 21 mins) = 1.18.01 (15.08, 15.25, 15.29, 15.58, 16.01)

15^th Anne Curley 1.39.24 (+ 9, – 26 mins) = 1.13.24 (14.33, 14.34, 14.37, 14.55, 14.45)

16^th Tom Fagan 1.40.01 (+ 13, – 22 mins) = 1.18.01 (16.08, 15.17, 15.00, 15.47, 15.49)

17^th Ian Redican 1.40.06 (+ 15, – 20 mins) = 1.20.06 (15.29, 15.47, 16.07, 16.21, 16.22)

18^th Peter Sweeney 1.40.10 (+ 0, – 35 mins) = 1.05.10 (12.36, 13.03, 13.09, 13.21, 13.01)

19^th Lou MacCurtain 1.40.29 (+ 19, – 16 mins) = 1.24.29 (16.08, 16.21, 16.54, 17.16, 17.50)

DNF Patrick Farrell (+ 15.30, -19.30 mins) = DNF (15.21, 16.01, 16.14, 16.20, retired)

DNF Angela Eustace (+ 24, – 11 mins) = DNF (17.12, 17.25, retired)

DNF Dana Mackey (+ 35, – 0 mins) = DNF (18.40, 19.05, retired)

DNF Barry Potts (+ 15, – 20 mins) = DNF (15.32, 15.43, retired)

DNF Joe Murphy (+ 19, – 16 mins) = DNF (16.02, 15.58, retired)

THE WILLIE DUNNE JUVENILE 2 MILES HANDICAP SHIELD at PHOENIX PARK (26.12.2019)

1^st James Dunne 11.02 (3m & 30s) actual running time 14.32

2^nd James Bolton 11.16 (scratch) = 11.16

3^rd Emily Bolton 11.28 (1 min) = 12.28

4^th Thomas Bolton 11.32 (15 secs) = 11.47

5^th Roisin Kirby 11.40 (4 mins) = 15.40

6^th Katie Delaney 11.41 (4 mins) = 15.41

7^th Eva Crowe 11.54 (1m & 15s) = 11.54

8^th Eleanor Hopkins 12.21 (2m & 45s) = 15.06

9^th Honor Lynch 12.23 (1m & 30s) = 13.53

10^th Amber Lynch 12.42 (3 mins) = 15.42

KILBEGGAN 6KM ROAD RACE (26.12.2019)

25^th & 8^th M40 Chris Muldoon (23.10)

363 finishers

58^th FARRANFORE MAINE AC ST. STEPHEN’S DAY 5KM ROAD RACE (26.12.2019)

11^th & 1^st M45 Des Tremble (17.02)

17^th & 2^nd woman Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (17.49)

320 finishers

MOUNT LEINSTER RANGERS 5KM ROAD RACE at BORRIS, CO. CARLOW (27.12.2019)

1^st Michael Ryan (NTA)

FAT TURKEY 10KM ROAD RACE at SUTTON, CO. DUBLIN (28.12.2019)

14^th & 1^st woman Sinead Lambe (38.53)

97^th Des Gill (47.43)

461 finishers

MORTON STADIUM XMAS CRACKER 5KM (29.12.2019)

154^th & 7^th M60 Tommy Halton (26.59)

249 finishers

PARKRUN SERIES (28.12.2019)

Poppintree (21.12.2019): 10^th & 1^st woman Julie Cleary U13 (20.21), 17^th & 3^rd woman Kate Cleary W45 (22.16), 104^th Eilish Joyce W35 (29.57)

Malahide (25.12.2019) 7^th Ciaran Ryan M35 (17.38)

Waterstown (25.12.2019): 33^rd Gavin Byrne (22.20)

Castletown: 1^st Lee Van Haeften (16.24)

Griffeen: 121^st Terry Mee M75 (33.25)

Limerick: 1^st Sean Fox M40 (18.11)

Malahide: 21^st & 2^nd woman Caroline McCarthy W35 (20.17)

Naas: 40^th & 3^rd woman Mary McDermott W50 (24.54)

New Ross: 63^rd Eugene MacCurtain M50 (28.28), 64^th Liz MacCurtain W50 (28.29)

Porterstown: 4^th & 1^st woman Eva Crowe U13 (20.14), 17^th Tom Fagan M50 (22.16)

Wexford Racecourse: 7^th Owen Robinson M35 (20.44)

The 123^rd Waterhouse Byrne Baird saw an entry list of experienced Stephen’s day warriors and bright shiny new debutants to the event to brave the epic distance. It was fitting therefore that the race in the end came down to battle between 2 athletes from each camp. It’s list of winners runs like a calling card of many of the Donore greats…but many a fine Donore athlete has not had the rub of the green …or the mud…or the snow….or maybe just the handicappers. This of course is as it should be as every athlete should have an equal chance of winning when they line up on December the 26^th. The vagaries of form, time of year sickness injury conditions all play their part, but the adage still endures coined by our very own late Jim McNamara – “You must use your handicap when you get it”.

So the field was whittled down by injuries and illness, ruling out former winner Michelle Dawson, former men’s cross and Road captain Rossa Hurley. It also saw Liz Mac Curtain. Claire Mulligan and Treasa Boylan bow out. Conditions above ground proved fair very little wind and very mild. The ground was heavy and sticky and caused several stalwarts of the race to bow out early such as Barry Potts and Dana Mackey with an Achilles problem and Patrick Farrell battled hard in his first ever cross country against an ongoing knee problem but was forced to yield.

Early running saw a number of athletes set their intent out. Catherine McKeon and Dana Mackey were paired as lead off athletes and beat out the early tempo only for Dana to pull up but Catherine undaunted kept her pace up to go through with over two, two mile laps to spare over the scratch athletes. Julia Hackett similarly had company in Angela Eustace before Angela had to pull out and this perhaps helped these two athletes in their overall races. Neil Hand appeared to take out a fast early lap. Luke Boland recorded the fastest lap only to be bettered by Niall Lynch with an 11min 35s first lap. Niall was paired with Ken Nugent whom between them have shared the Tommy Hayward trophy for the fastest 10 mile since its inception, so when Niall broke away from Ken in that first lap his intent was clear.

The race unfolded as the Junior Shield was run after scratch athlete Peter Sweeney former men’s road and cross country captain started. Anne Curley the defending champion was going steady but the event is notoriously hard to win two years in a row and the momentum just didn’t seem to be with her this year. Similarly Alan Farrell former winner after working with Sinead Lambe for nearly 3 laps seemed not to have the magic of his victory year and Sinead Lambe started to pull away from him. Two laps in another former winner Tony Griffin cast aside his gloves and appeared to have a sense that perhaps he could be a double winner of the Shield and was moving well. Two laps to go Catherine McKeon still had a long lead and as later athletes started to unwind the head start she’d got on them it all came down to time gaps and speed on the track coming into the last lap.

Taking the bell with two miles of running to go Catherine had a minute and 40seconds lead on Julia Hackett. Julia a veteran of the Stephen’s day race known for her canny pacing doggedness in the final stretch of any race was lapping 2 minutes faster than Catherine and she could see Catherine up the horse gallop…..the race was well and truly on. Tony had a chance as passed through with a lap to go and had a look of determination on his face. There had been a surge from the back of the field, Niall Lynch had appeared not to make the progress on Luke Boland as had been suggested from the early laps, but the 4^th lap was the slowest of Luke’s race with a 12 min 53. Catherine was 12 min 30 seconds ahead so it required a low 12 minute lap to overcome the gap. Luke had also passed Gavin Keogh who was himself running well. This appeared to be where the placings would be decided.

Julia took Catherine at the back of the course after the hill and pushed on through the trees, the pink head band looking comfortably in the lead, with seemingly a long gap to the chasing men. Could there be a 3 in a row for the ladies of Donore. Momentum of course is everything on the last lap of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird. Luke now getting a sense that the line and the lead were within touching distance seemed to eat the ground as he chased Julia around the civil service cricket ground. The gap seemed to disappear as quickly and assuredly as Julia lead had seemed to be commandingly clear minutes before. A mixture of a groan for the vanquished and a cheer for the challenger rang out as Luke took Julia up the home straight before the small bump with enough time to savour a sweet victory. Julia brilliant in second place smiled and raised her own hand as she crossed the line knowing shed come so very close. Luke had a run a 12 min 13 seconds last lap. Just behind Gavin Keogh had a nearly equally storming last lap and despite nearly falling in the home straight due to the intensity of his efforts sprinted past Tony Griffin to snatch 3^rd place. Catherine the long-time leader for 9.5 miles, was passed by Niall Lynch who didn’t quite have the last lap that would have brought him right into contention but still ran fast enough to be the winner yet again of the Tommy Hayward \trophy for fastest ten mile of the day. Sinead Lambe was as predicted the fastest lady on the day but didn’t quite get enough momentum to take her through to the top 6.

The day belonged to Luke in his debut on the Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield and it caps off a great season of cross-country running. He won medals for the club team in the Dublin Novice (silver) and in the Dublin Intermediate (gold) as well as a fine run in the National Novice 2 weeks previously. It was another thrilling St Stephen’s Day duel!

2019 Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield Results
26^th December Start Time 11 a.m. Scratch athlete off at 11.35 a.m. handicap is from Scratch Athlete
Incorporating the Tommy Hayward Trophy for fastest 10 mile time of the Day.

Position   Name                        Race Time        Handicap        10 mile Time   Notables

1^st              Luke Boland                  94’10”                  2 min                    61’10”               Winner

2^nd             Julia Hackett                 94’18”                  24 min                 83’18”               2^nd

3^rd             Gavin Keogh                  94’51”                  3 min                    62’51”                3^rd

4^th             Tony Griffin                   94’52”                  17 min                  76’52”

5^th             Niall Lynch                     95’03”                  1 min                    61’03”   Winner Tommy Hayward

6^th             Catherine McKeon       95’29”                  35 mins                95’29”

7^th             Neil Hand                       95’47”                  8 mins                  95’29”

8^th             Ken Nugent                   95’57”                  1 min                    61’57”

9^th             Donal Iremonger          96’04”                  9 min 30s            70’34”

10^th           Audrey Gahan               96’47”                  13 min                  74’47”

11^th           Sinead Lambe               97’41”                  6 min                    68’41”                 Fastest lady

12^th           Alan Farrell                    98’42”                  6 min                    69’’42”

13^th           Stephen Dawson          98’52”                  11 min                  74’52”

14^th           Ariana Ball                     99’01”                  14 min                  78’01”

15^th           Anne Curley                   99’24”                  9 min                    73’24”

16^th           Tom Fagan                     100’01”                13 min                  78’01”

17^th           Ian Redican                    100’06”                15 min                  80’06”

18^th           Peter Sweeney              100’10”                Scratch                 65’10”

19^th           Lou Mac Curtain           100’29”                19 min                  84’29”

DNF:
Patrick O’farrell 8 miles
Dana Mackey
Barry Potts
Angela Eustace

HIGHLIGHTS: A record turn-out in the annual Captains Run. Rossa Hurley and Emily Bolton were first male and female finishers. The life of a Donore Harriers legend Basil Clifford was celebrated with biographer Cyril Smyth and a host of stars past and present.

The CAPTAINS RUN over 5km is a long-standing Donore Harriers race/fun run held on the Saturday morning prior to Christmas Day. This year’s version of the event attracted a record number of entrants with 41 finishers and an age range that spanned between 9 and 75 years old.

The cold, grey morning certainly did not dampen the spirits as the racers and funsters toed the line. The late decision to abandon the 1km juvenile race and put the youngsters into the 5km event was greeted with universal approval and admiration. 9-years old Sebastian Ursachi was totally unphased! “I can do that” he declared with a sense of confidence.

The soft muddy course had been carefully measured and marked off by Willie Smith and Iain Morrison, two former Club Presidents. It was time for action! Willie instructed the start line that there would be three and a-bit flat laps of the Garda Loop, which was as series of puddles and sticky mud. After the first circuit a group of 5 were clear, with 17 years-old Gavin Curtin in the mix. What Gavin did not realise is that he was the odd man out. The other four were all Irish internationals – Rossa Hurley (masters cross-country), Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (orienteering & defences forces XC), Louis O’Loughlin (junior & schools track and XC) and Niall Lynch (masters XC and mountain running). Giving chase to the top 5 was 15 years-old James Bolton, out to prove that his recent 16.10 in the Jingle Bells was a merited achievement.

The battle for first woman was less complicated, but just as intriguing, with just two contenders. Emily Bolton, who recently won the National Under 12 and Under 13 cross-country titles held a two-metres lead on 46 years-old Barbara Cleary. Cleary, who came late to the sport of athletics, is a very fine runner and a former winner of the Women’s Mini-Marathon. Pedigree indeed! Who of the two leaders would have the strength to deal best with the muck-laden surface?

As the race passed the two-laps marker the men’s group had spread out, with each passing the imaginary bell comfortably (maybe not the right word to use in this context) in his own space. The duel between Bolton and Cleary remained in the balance with the young starlet still holding a couple of strides lead. The remainder of the field were well spread-out, with some jostling for positions still to be settled.

The rumour that the race leaders had taken a short-cut at the top of the course was quickly dispelled when the official timekeeper Willie Smith announced that 16 minutes, then 17 minutes and then 18 minutes had elapsed. Then cometh the winner! Rossa Hurley stopping his Garmin crossed between the finishing flags in 18.17, a time that indicated the toughness of the conditions. Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (18.28), still overcoming a recent virus, came 2^nd, with Gavin Curtin (18.40) claiming 3^rd spot and bragging-rights over his more illustrious school colleague and training partner Louis O’Loughlin. O’Loughlin, just back to training after a 10 weeks injury lay-off, had a composed run and was well pleased with 4^th place and a time of 18.50. Master athlete Niall Lynch (19.02) came 5^th, with James Bolton (19.18) running strongly to make the top 6.

Next home was Jack Byrne (19.24 in 7^th. Byrne had his work cut-out to see off the challenge of 13 years-old Thomas Bolton (19.43), who in turn built a good margin on 9^th placed Danny O’Sullivan (20.25).

In 10^th place came one Emily Bolton, who is one of the most exciting young athletic talents in Ireland right now. Her time of 20.39 gave her a margin of just 3-seconds over Barbara Cleary and won her some more widespread acclaim within the club.

Matei Ursachi (21.42) is another very fine young athlete, but he ran with a heavy-cold and struggled to the finish line in 12^th position. Alan Farrell (21.51) won out his head-to-head with Donal Iremonger (21.59) to finish 13^th. Behind the two popular Masters athletes came Eva Crowe (22.21), another very promising young athlete who was the 2^nd scorer on the historic Under 13 Girls team that claimed the national title a week earlier. New club secretary Peter Nugent (22.23) finished in 16^th place.

Stephen Dawson and Neil Hand were neck-and-neck from whistle to finish line. The tete-a-tete between the club mates (a-hem! rivals?) nearly came a-cropper when a Hand was seen to impede Mr. Dawson. The Race Commissaire Dr. Iain Morrison, having consulted with the VAR, declared the result a tie and both men were given 17^th place. All is fair in love and VAR!

Lorraine O’Connor (22.57), another talented member of the Under 13 Girls team, came next in 19^th place – with Kieran Beausang just 2 seconds behind. Tony Kynes (23.05) held off the challenges of Barbara Murray (23.06) and Audrey Gahan (23.07) as they placed 21^st, 22^nd and 23^rd respectively. Bronagh Eliot (23.51) made a welcome return to competition to cross the line in 24^th.

13 years old Honor Lynch (24.14) put in a solid run to place 25^th, followed by Ken McKeon (24.18) in 26^th, Ariana Ball (24.24) in 27^th and Rhona McHugh (24.28) in 28^th. The prolific M70 athlete Barry Potts (24.52) placed 29^th with Sean Kinsella next in 25.38.

Joe Murphy (25.53) placed 31^st, just four seconds clear of Anne Curley. Sebastian Ursachi (26.08), the youngest athlete in the field, came 33^rd – and he was followed by Eddie Bolton (26.35) in 34^th, Angela Eustace (27.27) in 35^th, Mary McDermott (27.31) in 36^th and Dana Mackey (29.15) in 37^th. Two more juvenile athletes Eleanor Hopkins and Katie Delaney were both given the same time and placement (i.e. 38^th in 29.57). Bridget Kiely (30.22) came 40^th and Michelle Dawson (30.37) 41^st.

In the second NIA LIVE MEETING at the National Indoor Arena at Abbotstown on Tuesday evening (17.12.2019) there were star performances from some of our juvenile sprinters. Ruby Blake won her Heat in the Under 10 Girls 60m in 9.69 and placed 2^nd in the 200m (33.68); Mario Omozee (8.62) won Heat 1 of the Under 12 Boys 60m, whilst Luuk Jackson (9.14) won Heat 2. Alex Leonard (28.98) won his Heat of the Under 14 Boys 200m and came 2^nd in the 60m (8.66). In 2^nd place behind Leonard in the 200m was James Dunne (30.06). Donore Harriers dominated Heat 2 of the Under 14 Boys 200m with Mario Omozee 1^st in 26.30, Rory O’Farrell (28.87) in 2^nd, Paddy Nolan (28.97) in 3^rd and Ciaran O’Farrell (30.62) in 5^th. Rory O’Farrell (8.60) had earlier won his Heat of the 60m. Luuk Jackson (1.51.27) came 2^nd in his more favoured Under 12 Boys 600m distance. Other results are listed below.

In the PARKRUN SERIES (21.12.2019) Kate Cleary was first woman home at Poppintree in 22.16. Cliodna McCarthey (20.36) was 3^rd woman at Porterstown. Juvenile athletes Eoin Mooney U11 (21.36) was 14^th overall at Corkagh and Dylan McKenna U14 (23.03) was 6^th finisher at Waterstown. More results below.

In the aftermath of the Captains Run a special PRESENTATION EVENT took place in the Clubhouse lounge to mark the publication of the BASIL CLIFFORD, Olympian 1964 book. Basil Clifford was born on 20.04.1938 and died on 14.11.1973 aged 35 when he was tragically killed in an accidental factory explosion in Birmingham, England. The Basil Clifford book was researched and written by Cyril J. Smyth, a retired Professor of Microbiology in Trinity College. Cyril served as president of the Dublin University Harriers & Athletics Club and the Irish Universities Athletics Association. He is a researcher for Athletics Ireland.

Among the special guests were Eamon Coghlan, former World Champion at 5,000m; Willie Dunne, 1960 Olympic Marathon and still a member of Donore Harriers; and Derek McCleane (Crusaders AC), an arch-rival and international team-mate of Basil Clifford.

Here is an introduction by Willie Smith

In the summer of 2014, I realised it was the 50^th anniversary of the club’s first sub-4-minute mile (3.59.8) by Basil Clifford in August 1964. I was coming to the end of my term as president and I thought that this athletic landmark should be commemorated. The Basil Clifford Trophy was inaugurated on the Opening Run day in October of that year, 2014.

During a gathering to celebrate Cyril White’s 90^th birthday in June this year, Cyril Smyth heard that the trophy was to be presented to the winner of the Senior Men’s 1500m in the National Championships. Cyril (Smyth) was intrigued to learn that Basil was the club’s first sub-four-minute miler and Ireland’s second, following Ronnie Delany. Also, he was the first home-trained runner to achieve the mark. Cyril took it on himself to look into Basil’s athletic career. The outcome of this exhaustive research over the summer months is an amazing story of athletic endeavour. When I saw the first draft, I realised that this was a serious piece of athletic history on an Irish athlete and should be taken further. It comprises nearly 300 races over an 11-year span (1955 to early 1966).

In September, the committee agreed to proceed with an initial print of 50 copies. With Colin Moore’s expertise, we have here the results of Cyril Smyth’s work. The Basil Clifford Trophy – and now this publication of his athletic career means that his achievements will not be allowed to fade away.

Cyril has proposed to submit copies of this research to the National Library and the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Donore Harriers owe a big debt of gratitude to Cyril Smyth for this research on one of our Olympian athletes. Basil was a tremendous club man and added greatly to the camaraderie within the club.

We are delighted to welcome Basil’s daughter Karen, her husband Frank, her mother Deirdre and Elaine Gavin’s wife. A special welcome for Basil’s grandchildren Luke, Lauren, Adam and Chloe.

Willie Smith – 21 December 2019

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

NIA LIVE INDOOR MEETING No. 2 at NATIONAL INDOOR ARENA, ABBOTSTOWN (17.12.2019)

JUVENILE RESULTS

U10 Girls 60m Heat 2: 1^st Ruby Blake (9.69)

U12 Boys 60m Heat 1: 1^st Mario Omozee (8.62) – Heat 2: 1^st Luuk Jackson (9.14)

U14 Girls 60m Heat 2: 3^rd Isabella Jackson (9.43)

U14 Boys 60m Heat 1: 2^nd Alex Leonard (8.66) – Heat 2: 1^st Rory O’Farrell (8.60), 3^rd Paddy Nolan (8.90), 4^th Ciaran O’Farrell (8.99), 6^th Daniel Gleeson (9.15)

U10 Girls 200m Heat 2: 2^nd Ruby Blake (33.68), 5^th Annabella Omozee (34.97)

U12 Girls 200m Heat 2: 3^rd Melody Omozee (35.00)

U14 Girls 200m Heat 2: 4^th Isabella Jackson (31.72)

U14 Boys 200m Heat 1: 1^st Alex Leonard (28.98), 2^nd James Dunne (30.06) – Heat 2: 1^st Mario Omozee (26.30), 2^nd Rory O’Farrell (28.87), 3^rd Paddy Nolan (28.97), 5^th Ciaran O’Farrell (30.62)

U12 Boys 600m: 2^nd Luuk Jackson (1.51.27)

THE CAPTAINS 5KM CROSS-COUNTRY RUN at PHOENIX PARK (21.12.2019)

1^st Rossa Hurley (18.17), 2^nd Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (18.28), 3^rd Gavin Curtin (18.40), 4^th Louis O’Loughlin (18.50), 5^th Niall Lynch (19.02), 6^th James Bolton (19.18), 7^th Jack Byrne (19.24), 8^th Thomas Bolton (19.43), 9^th Danny O’Sullivan (20.25), 10^th Emily Bolton (20.39), 11^th Barbara Cleary (20.42), 12^th Matei Ursachi (21.42), 13^th Alan Farrell (21.51), 14^th Donal Iremonger (21.59), 15^th Eva Crowe (22.21), 16^th Peter Nugent (22.23), 17^th Stephen Dawson (22.40), 19^th Lorraine O’Connor (22.57), 20^th Kieran Beausang (22.59), 21 Tony Kynes (23.05), 22^nd Barbara Murray (23.06), 23^rd Audrey Gahan (23.07), 24^th Bronagh Eliot (23.51), 25^th Honor Lynch (24.14), 26^th Ken McKeon (24.18), 27^th Ariana Ball (24.24), 28^th Rhona McHugh (24.48), 29^th Barry Potts (24.52), 30^th Sean Kinsella (25.38), 31^st Joe Murphy (25.53), 32^nd Anne Curley (25.57), 33^rd Sebastian Ursachi (26.08), 34^th Eddie Bolton (26.35), 35^th Angela Eustace (27.27), 36^th Mary McDermott (27.31), 37^th Dana Mackey (29.15), 38^th Eleanor Hopkins (29.57), 38^th Katie Delaney (29.57), 40^th Bridget Kiely (30.22), 41^st Michelle Dawson (30.37)

PARKRUNS (217.12.2019)

Castletown: 68^th David Hudson M60 (27.21), 71^st Joan McTernan (27.48)

Corkagh: 14^th Eoin Mooney U11 (21.36), 82^nd Nicola Dowdall W45 (27.51)

Griffeen: 120^th Terry Mee M75 (28.26)

Poppintree: 17^th & 1^st woman Kate Clearly W45 (22.16)

Porterstown: 14^th & 3^rd woman Caroline McCarthy W35 (20.36 PB)

Waterstown: 6^th Dylan McKenna U14 (23.03)

HIGHLIGHTS: Emily Bolton claimed the individual gold medal and led the Donore Harriers Under 13 team to a historic national title. Novice Men’s team 8^th. Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan 8^th in CSIM Military XC Championships in Belgium.

It was muck and glory all the way for the Donore Harriers Under 13 Girls team as they became the first juvenile team from the club to claim a national cross-country title. On a cold, sunny day a large crowd assembled at Cow Park in Dunboyne on Sunday morning (15.12.2019) for the NATIONAL JUVENILE UNEVEN AGES CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS.

The expectation was high as the convincing Dublin Under 13 Girls team champions toed the line for the start of an energy-sapping 2.5 kilometres route over a mud-laden course. The opening 500 metres saw a field of almost 160 athletes carefully manoeuvre a series of tight turns. At the 1km point as the race headed out for a lap of the ‘far field’ Emily Bolton, who 3 weeks earlier had claimed the national Under 12s title, moved from fifth place to the front of the field. Thereafter, Bolton put in a majestic performance, with the on-course race commentator claiming that her dominance was similar to Fionnuala McCormack’s national senior championship win last month. By the finish line Bolton had 15 seconds to spare over runner-up Emer McKee of Willowfield Harriers.

In the team competition Bolton was well supported by her colleagues. Eva Crowe placed a very fine 19^th with Lorraine O’Connor in 26^th. The team score was closed-out by Julie Cleary in 55^th spot. Cleary, running in her first national race, had been very ill a few days before the race and her participation had been in doubt. But race she did! Team coach Graham Hopkins said afterwards “Julie was a real star today, she left everything out there”. The team had a final score of 101, with Willowfield Harriers 2^nd on 153 and St. Mary’s AC from Co. Clare 3^rd on 180. The non-scoring team member was Eleanor Hopkins, who placed 82^nd – arguably her best race to date.

Earlier in the day the Donore Harriers Under 11 Boys team finished a very creditable 7^th on 275 points behind winners St. Cronan’s AC (172) after a testing 1.5km race. The scoring four were – Cillian McCooey in 52^nd, Luuk Jackson 54^th, Danny Colgan 55^th and Jamie Kavanagh 114^th. The non-scoring athletes were Sebastian Ursachi, who was stepping-up in age group, in 128^th and Daniel Browne-Kennedy in 190^th.

Matei Ursachi ran a super race in the Boys Under 13s 2.5km race. Ursachi challenged gamely for a top 3 spot in the first half of the race but was unable to stay with the pace as the race progressed and had to settle for 6^th position. This was his best placement in a national cross-country and signals his steady progress in the sport.

Donore Harriers had two athletes in the Under 15 Boys race over 3.5km. Oliver Hopkins came 16^th, with step-up athlete Thomas Bolton just one place behind. The unfortunate Bolton had to build his way into the race after he was involved when a melee of athletes took a fall in the early stage of the race.

Abdel Laadjel had ambitions of a podium place in the Under 17 Boys race over 5km. In a very competitive field, he sat behind the lead pack in the early stages, but by half-way he had slipped back to 8^th place and was adrift of the leaders. Laadjel, who may well have been over-prepared for the race, lost four more places on the final 1.5km circuit to finish a very disappointed 12^th. James Bolton, stepping-up in age and fresh after his excellent run in the Jingle Bells 5km, worked his way up the field after a steady start to place 30^th. He lost 3 places in the final sprint for the line which took a bit of gloss off a very fine effort.

In the Under 19s Boys race over 6km Gavin Curtin, also stepping-up, placed a very fine 21^st and helped Dublin County to team gold as the 6^th scorer.

Other county team medals were won by Emily Bolton, Eva Crowe and Lorraine O’Connor who were the 1^st, 4^th and 5^th scorers on the Dublin team that won gold in the Under 13 Girls; Abdel Laadjel 2^nd scorer on Under 17 Boys team that also won gold – and silver medals won by Cillian McCooey 6^th scorer on the Under 11 Boys team, Matei Ursachi 2^nd scorer in the Under 13 Boys and by Oliver Hopkins and Thomas Bolton 2^nd and 3^rd scorers in the Under 15 Boys.

In the NATIONAL NOVICE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS that followed the juvenile races at Cow Park on Sunday the men’s team came a disappointed 8^th. Hopes faded before the start with the withdrawal of Josh O-Sullivan-Hourihan because of illness. But it was still a fine team effort with Matthieu Proffitt (21.56) leading the team home in 11^th place after he made a conservative start to the 4 x 1.5km laps race. Luke Boland (23.01), who also made a steady opening lap, gained steadily to 53^rd position. 19 years old Sekeriye Ahmed (23.11) in 60^th and an improving Rory Burke (23.28) in 70^th made up the scoring four. Alasdair Browne (24.30) was the non-scoring team member in 114^th place. The ‘A’ team scored 194 with Leevale AC winning on 70.

Des Tremble (24.10) had a great race to lead the ‘B’ team home in 111^th position. Ciaran Ryan (24.57) in 140^th, Andrew Wilson (26.59) in 189^th and Tom Fagan (27.07) in 191^st closed the team, that came 23^rd of 26 teams. Peter Nugent (27.11) was the non-scorer in 193^rd position.

In the 4km women’s race Aoife Ni Thuthail (17.49) had a fine run to place 54^th, and Audrey Gahan (18.14) came 66^th of the 134 finishers.

In the recent CSIM EUROPEAN MILITARY CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Schaffen in Belgium (08.12.2019) Josh O’Sullivan placed an excellent 8^th in the Men’s race over 9.4km. The Donore Harriers man was 2^nd scorer on the Irish Defence Forces team that came 3^rd. The 4-lap race was held on an airfield with 2 steep climbs per circuit.

Owen Robinson and Patrick Farrell competed in the AWARE 10KM ROAD RACE in the Phoenix Park on Saturday (14.12.2019). Robinson (43.18) came 93^rd with Farrell (43.23) in 96^th. There were 777 finishers with Pauric Ennis of Tullamore Harriers the winner in 33.10.

In Sunday’s DROGHEDA & DISTRICT 5km ROAD RACE (15.12.2019) Barbara Murray placed 31^st overall out of more than 800 finishers, and in doing so took 2^nd place in the W40 age category. On a flat and fast course that started and finished in the Lourdes Stadium she ran a time of 19.41 and was the 7^th woman finisher.

In the 2^nd round of the WOMEN’S MEET & TRAIN LEAGUE at Sean Moore Park in Irishtown on the 8^th of December Donore Harriers were well represented with Caroline McCarthy (15.22) first home in 5^th place. There were 137 finishers in the two-mile race through a mix of trail and path that took in the Poolbeg Nature Reserve, including Cliodhna Carthy (15.50) in 10^th, Treasa Boylan (17.45) in 66^th, Sarah Ni Ruairc (18.11) in 83^rd, Meadbh Campbell (18.40) in 90^th, Dana Mackey (19.07) in 97^th, Catherine McKeon (19.26) in 103^rd, Mary Murphy (19.56) in 113rd, Michelle Dawson (20.43) in 188^th, Sue Lynch (21.02) in 122^nd and the wonderful Ann Woodlock (23.30) in 134^th. There are two races remaining in the League and Donore Harriers are placed 4^th and 8^th in the silver category.

Cow Park in Dunboyne was also the venue for the DUBLIN NORTHSIDE SCHOOLS CROSS-COUNTRY RACES held on Wednesday 11^th December 2019. Matei Ursachi won the First Year Boys race over 1.5km, and Eleanor Hopkins came 9^th in the Girls 1.5km race. They helped their schools to team gold and silver respectively.

The overall results for the DUBLIN JUVENILE CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE have now been finalized, with individual winners being Emily Bolton in the Under 12 Girls category on a maximum score of 93 points, Eva Crowe (88 points) in the Under 13 Girls, and Oliver Hopkins (88) in the Under 15 Boys. Thomas Bolton (87) was 2^nd overall in the Under 14 Boys, whilst Chloe Andrews (54) came 3^rd in the Under 17 Girls. More results below.

At the ECHO NEWSPAPER 2019 SPORTS AWARDS evening at the Green Isle Hotel on Thursday evening (12.12.2019) the Donore Harriers men’s indoors track & field team picked up the ‘Team of the Month’ award for January 2019. Having 4^th and 3^rd in the previous seasons the Donore Harriers team claimed this year’s silver medal position. Team captain David Campbell accepted the award on behalf of the team. The evergreen Ann Woodlock picked up a ‘Sports Leading Light’ award in recognition of her achievements as a master athlete. The sprightly 81 years-old mother of 5, who only took up running when forced to give-up badminton due to injury, won 3,000m gold and 1,500m silver in the W80 category at World Indoor Masters Championships at Torun, Poland in March. At the European Masters track and field championships at Venice in September Woodlock won gold in the 5,000m and silver in the 1,500m.

In PARKRUNS (14.12.2019) Lee Van Haeften (16.12) and Rossa Hurley (16.44) were first finishers at Castletown (Celbridge) and St. Anne’s Park. Aidan Kelly (19.43) was 2^nd at Corkagh Park with Donal Iremonger (20.01) in 4^th. Two 13 years-old athletes Dylan McKenna and Katie Delaney (23.21) placed 6^th and 11^th respectively at Waterstown Park.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

NATIONAL JUVENILE UNEVEN AGES CROSS-C0UNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at COW PARK, DUNBOYNE (15.12.2019)

U11 Boys (1,500m): 52^nd Cillian McCooey, 54^th Luuk Jackson, 55^th Danny Colgan, 114^th Jamie Kavanagh, 128^th Sebastian Ursachi (step-up), 190^th Daniel Browne-Kennedy

TEAM: 1^st St. Cronan’s AC (172), 7^th Donore Harriers <McCooey, Jackson, Colgan, Kavanagh> (275)

U13 Girls (2,500m): 1^st Emily Bolton (step-up), 19^th Eva Crowe, 26^th Lorraine O’Connor, 55^th Julie Cleary, 82^nd Eleanor Hopkins

TEAM: 1^st Donore Harriers <Bolton, Crowe, O’Connor, Cleary> (101), 2^nd Willowfield Harriers 153, 3^rd St. Mary’s (Clare) AC (180)

U13 Boys (2,500m): 6^th Matei Ursachi

U15 Boys (3,500m): 16^th Oliver Hopkins, 17^th Thomas Bolton (step-up)

U17 Boys (5,000m): 12^th Abdel Laadjel, 30^th James Bolton (step-up)

U19 Boys (6,000m): 21^st Gavin Curtin (step-up)

NATIONAL NOVICE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at COW PARK, DUNBOYNE (15.12.2019)

WOMEN’s RACE (4km):

54^th Aoife Ni Thuathail (17.49), 66^th Audrey Gahan (18.14).

134 finishers

MEN’s RACE (6km):

11^th Matthieu Proffitt (21.56), 53^rd Luke Boland (23.01), 60^th Sekeriye Ahmed (23.11), 70^th Rory Burke (23.28), 111^th Des Tremble (24.10), 125^th Alasdair Browne (24.30), 140^th Ciaran Ryan (24.57), 189^th Andrew Wilson (26.59), 191^st Tom Fagan (27.06), 193^rd Peter Nugent (27.11). 216 finishers

TEAM: 1^st Leevale AC (70), 8^th Donore Harriers <Proffitt, Boland, Ahmed, Burke> (194), 23^rd Donore Harriers B <Tremble, Ryan, Wilson, Fagan> (631). 26 teams.

AWARE 10KM ROAD RACE at PHOENIX PARK (14.12.2019)

93^rd Owen Robinson (43.18)

96^th Patrick Farrell (43.23)

777 finishers

DROGHEDA & DISTRICT CHRISTMAS 5KM ROAD RACE at DROGHEDA (15.12.2019)

31^st, 7 woman & 2^nd W40 – Barbara Murray (19.41)

824 finishers

CISM EUROPEAN REGIONAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at SCHAFFEN, BELGIUM (08.12.2019)

MEN’S RACE 9.4km

8^th Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (2^nd Irish scorer)

TEAM: 3^rd Ireland

650 starters

DUBLIN NORTHSIDE SCHOOLS CROSS-COUNTRY RACES at COW PARK, DUNBOYNE (11.12.2019)

1^st Year Girls 1.5km: 9^th Eleanor Hopkins (team silver)

1^st Year Boys 1.5km: 1^st Matei Ursachi (team gold)

DUBLIN JUVENILE CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE – OVERALL RESULTS for the 2019 season

Here is a list of the Donore Harriers athletes who placed in the top 12. Note that the first 6 in each age group are awarded medals. The 3-race series were held at Newbridge House & Park, Phoenix Park (hosted by Donore Harriers) and Tymon Park.

U9 Girls – 6^th Annabella Omozee (58) – 2 races

U10 Girls – 6^th Ruby Blake (58)

U12 Girls – 1^st Emily Bolton (93) – maximum score with 3 wins

U13 Girls – 1^st Eva Crowe (88)

U14 Girls – 7^th Honor Lynch (69)

U17 Girls – 3^rd Chloe Andrews (54) – 2 races

U11 Boys – 5^th Luuk Jackson (59) – 2 races: 12^th Eoin Mooney (43) – 2 races

U14 Boys – 2^nd Thomas Bolton (87)

U15 Boys – 1^st Oliver Hopkins (88)

WOMEN’S MEET & TRAINING CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE MATCH 2 at SEAN MOORE PARK, SANDYMOUNT (08.12.2019) – 2-mile route over a mix of trail and path

5^th Caroline McCarthy (15.22)

10^th Cliodhna Carthy (15.50)

66^th Treasa Boylan (17.45)

83^rd Sarah Ni Ruairc (18.11)
90^th Meadbh Campbell (18.40)

97^th Dana Mackey (19.07)

103^rd Catherine McKeon (19.26)

113^th Mary Murphy (19.56)

118^th Michelle Dawson (20.43)

122^nd Sue Lynch (21.02)

134^th Ann Woodlock (23.30)

137 finishers

PARKRUNS (14.12.2019)

Castletown: 1^st Lee Van Haeften (16.12), 69^th Amy Brogan W35 (28.31)

Corkagh: 2^nd Aidan Kelly U19 (19.43), 4^th Donal Iremonger M45 (20.01)

St. Anne’s: 1^st Rossa Hurley M35 (16.44)

Waterstown: 6^th Dylan McKenna U14 (NTG), 11^th and 2^nd woman Katie Delaney U14 (23.21)

HIGHLIGHTS: Hiko Tonosa (DSD AC) and Cliona Murphy (DSD AC) were winners of the 29^th Jingle Bells. Daragh Fitzgibbon and Maura Kearns first home for Donore Harriers. 15 years-old James Bolton ran 16.10. Barbara Murray won W45 category. Eric Keogh 3^rd in the Waterford Half-Marathon with Lee Van Haeften 9^th. John Travers helped Irish team to 7^th in Mixed Relay at the European XC championships. Grace Kennedy-Clarke 3^rd in Lanzarote Marathon, with Luke Boland 2^nd in the Half-Marathon at same venue.

Hiko Tonosa (14.16) and Emmet Jennings (14.18) were left to challenge for victory in the closing kilometre of the popular JINGLE BELLS 5KM ROAD RACE hosted by Donore Harriers in the Phoenix Park on Saturday morning (07.12.2019). The DSD AC duo were part of a breakaway group of 12 athletes after the opening kilometre, with Daragh Fitzgibbon from the host club giving chase. As splits began to form, Tonosa and Jennings maintained a high tempo at the front of the field – and going through the Furry Glen and onto the Glen Road it was Jennings in the lead with Tonosa on his shoulder. With 400 metres remaining it was Tonosa who used his superior speed to kick-on and reach the finish line with just 2 seconds to spare over his teammate. Andrew Coscoran (14.24) of Star of the Sea AC broke clear of the chasing group to claim 3^rd spot. Daragh Fitzgibbon (15.07) finished the race strongly to place 13^th.

The best ‘home’ performance of the day came from 15 years old James Bolton (16.10). Bolton had set himself a difficult enough target of 17 minutes, but he started strongly and maintained his form to reach the line in 41^st place, leaving several ‘big fish’ in his wake. He came 3^rd in the Junior Men category.

Donore Harriers’ newly crowned Dublin Intermediate cross-country champion Matthieu Proffit came 50^th in a time of 16.25. Gavin Curtin (16.47) set a new personal best time to place 65^th overall and 5^th in the Junior Men’s category. Club newcomer Rory Burke (16.52) came 72^nd. The next 3 athletes from the host club were all juvenile, with Oliver Hopkins U15 (17.47) in 121^st, Sean Kinsella U16 (18.26) in 147^th and Barney Kelly U18 (18.33) in 158^th. Maura Kearns W35 (18.39) was first Donore Harriers woman home in 160^th. Aidan Kelly came next in 178^th position setting a new PB time of 18.47 and Barbara Murray (19.15) came 195^th and took the W45 age-group prize.

The other competing club members were: – Aisling Kirby (21.45) in 352^nd, Colm Dunne M45 (22.15) in 364^th, Helaine Kelly W45 (24.35) in 482^nd, Niamh Gaudin W40 (28.00) in 621^st, Daniel Nemeth M35 (28.59) in 671^st, Ray Holmes M60 (28.59) in 672^nd, John Grenne M40 (30.22) in 721^st, Patrick Farrell M35 (30.44) in 741^st, Anthony Ferns M55 (31.54) in 771^st, Amandine Devine W40 (34.43) in 897^th, Gerry Murphy M65 (37.03) in 926^th and Dathi Cooney MJ (41.21) in 990^th.

Other juvenile members who competed included: – Jamie Kavanagh U12 (21.25) in 356th place,James Dunne U14 (22.15) in 364^th, Phillipe Gaudin U10 (23.23) no place given, Hugh David Kelly U11 (23.51) NPG, Joe Kinsella U14 (24.20) NPG, Roisin Kirby U13 (24.10) NPG, Eleanor Hopkins U13 (24.15) NPG, Conor Garvey U10 (24.20) NPG and Katie Delaney U14 (24.26) NPG. Rory Gaudin no time available.

Special mention to Kilcoole Athletics Club, who had 40 adult competitors – and to local club Watertown Warriors, who had 34 finishers.

Also, a special mention to the winner of the fancy-dress competition Sarah Nagle, who completed the race in memory of her late husband Joseph Nagle. Joe died in 2012, aged 43, from cancer. He was a huge fan of the Jingle Bells race and regularly took part, usually in fancy dress attire. A former member of Leevale AC Joe had a more serious involvement in athletics. In 2007 he competed in the Special Olympics in Shanghai and picked up a silver medal in the Shot Putt. He also competed in the Long Jump, Weight-for-Distance and Discus. He recorded a personal best of 11.45m for the Shot Putt in 2009. Joseph Nagle was described as a ‘gentle giant’ who loved his sport and his early sporting endeavours had been as a keen boxer.

Finally race director Colin Moore has posted a special thank you to all those volunteers, supporters and sponsors who helped make the 29^th edition of the Jingle Bells race a huge success. These including the OPW, the Park Rangers, Pop-Up Races, An Garda Siochana, Civil Defence, Blanchardstown Brass Band, Last Lap Café, Bill Griffin Motors, 123.ie, Dunnes Stores and all the club members who helped with marshalling, catering, course set-up, etc.

Eric Keogh (1.07.48) put in another high-class performance to place 3^rd amid a strong field in the WATERFORD HALF-MARATHON on Saturday (07.12.2019). His club colleague and training partner Lee Van Haeften (1.11.21) came 9^th. The race was won by Ethiopian born Yared Derese of Carrick Aces AC in a course record 1.04.12, with former national cross-country champion and Olympic marathon runner Mick Clohissey (1.05.23) in 2^nd place. There were 2,234 finishers.

In the FONT VELLA LANZEROTE MARATHON on Saturday (07.12.2019) a fine effort by Grace Kennedy-Clarke brought her home in 25^th place overall and 3^rd woman finisher from a field of 600 starters. Her time of 3.11.08 was impressive considering the hilly terrain and hot, humid conditions.

At the same venue Luke Boland (1.15.34) came 2^nd in the (LANZEROTE) HALF-MARATHON behind winner Juan Miguel Moreno Rivert of Spain. Tracey Clarke (2.50.59) placed 1,043^rd of 1,106 finishers.

At the SPAR EUROPEAN CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Lisbon (08.12.2019) John Travers competed in the Mixed Relay 4 x 1,500m event. Nadia Power (5.07) of Dublin City Harriers opened for Ireland (1625m) and passed the baton to the Donore Harriers man in 5^th place. Travers (4.07) put in a good effort over a tough, hilly circuit (1500m), but was passed by top-class athletes from France and Belgium – and disappointingly handed on to Amy O’Donoghue (Emerald AC) in 7^th place. O’Donoghue (1500m) gained to 6^th with a 4.46 lap, with Eoin Pierce (Clonliffe Harriers) running a 4.40 lap (1500m) to bring the team home in 7^th place (of 12) with an overall time of 18.40. Team GB (17.55) were 1^st and Belarus (18.01) 2^nd.

In the first NIA LIVE MEETING at the National Indoor Arena on Tuesday evening (03.12.2019) there was a large contingent of young Donore Harriers juvenile athletes. Best performances came from Luuk Jacson, who won the Under 12 Boys 200m (30.21) and 600m (1.48.8); Dylan O’Connor 2^nd in both the Under 10 Boys 60m (9.47) and 200m (33.72); and Paddy Nolan who was 1^st in the U14 Boys 200m (28.93) and 3^rd in the 60m (8.91). Other notable performances came from Honor Lynch (1.47.8) 4^th in a competitive U14 Girls race over 600m; Jack Reilly 2^nd in the U12 Boys 200m (31.10) and 4^th in the Mixed Relay (2.27.9); Alex Leonard 3^rd in both the U14 Boys 60m (8.61) and 200m (29.41); and Tara Hoare 2^nd in the U12 Girls 200m (33.83) and 3^rd in the Mixed Relay (2.19.6). More results below.

In the first of two Senior One-Mile races Emmet O’Briain M35 (4.48.5) came 1^st with Aidan O’Rourke (5.12.4) in 6^th place.

In the PARKRUN SERIES (07.12.2019) Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (18.27 was first home at Waterstown with Dylan McKenna U14 (21.23) in 3^rd. Matei Ursachi U13 was first home at Fr. Collins Park in 18.45 with his younger brother Sebastian (U11) in 11^th place. Sinead Lambe (17.49) impressed at Malahide being 4^th overall and first woman finisher. Other results below.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

NIA LIVE INDOOR MEETING at NATIONAL INDOOR ARENA, ABBOTSTOWN (03.12.2019)

SENIOR RESULTS

One Mile: 1^st Emmet O’Briain (4.48.5), 6^th Aidan O’Rourke (5.12.4)

JUVENILE RESULTS

U10 Boys 60m Heat 1: 2^nd Dylan O’Connor (9.47), 3^rd Conor Garvey (9.81), 7^th Bobby Colgan (10.59) – Heat 2: 5^th Kareem Dempsey (10.73) – Heat 3: 3^rd Tom Nolan (10.25)

U12 Boys 60m Heat 1: 4^th Liam Blair (9.61)

U14 Boys 60m Heat 1: 3^rd Alex Leonard (8.61) – Heat 2: 3^rd Paddy Nolan (8.91), 4^th James Dunne (9.08)

U10 Boys 200m Heat 1: no results available – Heat 2: 2^nd Dylan O’Connor (33.72), 5^th Mark Nunan (36.04)

U12 Boys 200m Heat 1: 1^st Luuk Jackson (30.21), 2^nd Jack Reilly (31.10), 3^rd Cillian McCooey (31.48), 5^th Danny Colgan (32.59) – Heat 2: 2^nd Liam Blair (31.84), 3^rd Jamie Kavanagh (33.17) – Heat 3: Liam O’Donoghue (33.91)

U14 Boys 200m Heat 1: 3^rd Alex Leonard (29.41) – Heat 2: 1^st Paddy Nolan (28.93), 3^rd James Dunne (30.71)

U10 Boys 400m: 3^rd Olyver Whelan (1.13.3), 5^th Conor Garvey (1.25.8)

U12 Boys 600m: 1^st Luuk Jackson (1.48.8), 4^th Jamie Kavanagh (1.58.9), 6^th Liam Blair (1.59.8), 7^th Eoin Mooney (2.01.8), 8^th Danny Colgan (2.06.2), 10^th Liam O’Donoghue (2.21.3)

Mixed Relay 1: 1^st Conor Garvey (2.32.9), 3^rd Olyvey Whelan (2.48.1)

Mixed Relay 2: 1^st Cillian McCooey (2.12.0), 3^rd Tara Hoare (2.19.6), 4^th Jack Reilly (2.27.9), 5^th Liam Blair (2.28.8)

U10 Girls 60m Heat 1: no results available – Heat 2: 5^th Thea O’Donoghue (10.96)

U12 Girls 60m Heat 1: 3^rd Ava Hoare (9.53), Juliana Broderick (10.12) – Heat 3: 3^rd Leah Nunan (9.58), 4^th Rachel Barnes (9.93), 5^th Zoey Conroy (11.05), 6^th Salma Dempsey (11.10)

U14 Girls 60m Heat 2: 6^th Isabella Jackson (9.53)

U10 Girls 200m Heat 1: 6^th Thea O’Donoghue (39.8)

U12 Girls 200m Heat 2: 3^rd Leah Nunan (33.73), 4^th Juliana Broderick (35.62) – Heat 3: 2^nd Tara Hoare (33.83), 3^rd Rachel Barnes (34.99), 4^th Salma Dempsey (39.86), 5^th Zoey Conroy (40.01)

U14 Girls 200m Heat 2: 5^th Isabella Jackson (31.99)

U12 Girls 600m: 7^th Amber Lynch (2.02.5)

U14 Girls 600m: 4^th Honor Lynch (1.47.8)

JINGLE BELLS 5KM ROAD RACE at PHOENIX PARK (07.12.2019)

MEN: 1^st Hiko Tonoso (DSD AC) 14.16; 2^nd Emmet Jennings (DSD AC) 14.18; 3^rd Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) 14.24.

WOMEN: 1^st Cliona Murphy (Dublin City Harriers) 16.29; 2^nd Kate O’Neill (MSB AC) 17.10; 3^rd Maisy O’Sullivan (St. Abbans AC) 17.23.

13^th Daragh Fitzgibbon (15.07)

41^st & 3^rd MJ James Bolton U16 (16.10 PB)

50^th Matthieu Proffit (16.25)

65^th & 5^th MJ Gavin Curtin U18 (16.47 PB)

72^nd Rory Burke (16.52)

121^st Oliver Hopkins U15 (17.47 PB)

147^th Sean Kinsella U16 (18.26 PB)

158^th Barney Kelly U18 (18.33)

160^th Maura Kearns W35 (18.39)

178^th Aidan Kelly U19 (18.47 PB)

195^th & 1^st W45 Barbara Murray (19.15)

352^nd Aisling Kirby (21.45)

356^th Jamie Kavanagh U12 (21.25)

364^th James Dunne U14 (22.15)

389^th Colm Dunne M45 (22.23)

NPA Phillipe Gaudin U (23.23)

NPA Hugh David Kelly U11 (23.51)

482^nd Helaine Kelly W45 (24.35)

NPA Joe Kinsella U14 (24.20)

NPA Roisin Kirby U13 (24.10)

NPA Eleanor Hopkins U13 (24.15)

NPA Conor Garvey U10 (24.20)

NPA Katie Delaney U14 (24.26)

621^st Niamh Gaudin W40 (28.00)

671^st Daniel Nemeth M35 (28.59)

672^nd Ray Holmes M60 (28.59)

721^st John Grenne M45 (30.22)

741^st Patrick Farrell M35 (30.44)

771^st Anthony Ferns M55 (31.54)

897^th Amandine Devine W40 (34.43)

926^th Gerry Murphy M65 (37.03)

990^th Dathi Cooney MJ (41.21)

Time not available for Rory Gaudin. Times for NPA athletes based on the net times of runners who crossed the finish line nearest to them. Some results may be missing.

1,083 adult finishers. 300 approx finishers aged Under 16.

MEN’S TEAM: 1^st Dundrum South Dublin AC (14), 4^th Donore Harriers <Fitzgibbon, Bolton, Proffit> (104)

WOMEN’S TEAM: 1^st Crusaders AC (42), 4^th Donore Harriers <Kearns, Murray, Kirby> (96)

WATERFORD HALF-MARATHON (07.12.2019)

3^rd Eric Keogh (1.07.48),

9^th Lee Van Haeften (1.11.21)

2,234 finishers

FONT VELLA LANZEROTE MARATHON (07.12.2019)

25^th overall & 3^rd woman: Grace Kennedy-Clarke (3.11.08)

587 finishers

FONT VELLA LANZEROTE HALF-MARATHON (07.12.2019)

2^nd Luke Boland (1.15.34)

1,043^rd Tracey Clarke (2.50.59)

1,106 finishers

PARKRUNS (07.12.2019)

Fr. Collins: 1^st Matei Ursachi U13 (18.45), 11^th Sebastian Ursachi U11 (21.34), 34^th Natalia Lungu W35 (25.44)

Griffeen: 94^th Terry Mee M75 (29.14)

Malahide: 4^th & 1^st woman Sinead Lambe (17.49)

Poppintree: 12^th & 1^st woman Kate Cleary W45 (22.03), 65^th Eilish Joyce W35 (29.39)

Tolka Valley: 5^th Owen Robinson M35 (21.26)

HIGHLIGHTS: Matthieu Proffit won the Dublin Intermediate Cross-Country title and led the Donore Harriers team to gold. Our Women’s team gained bronze. Individual winners Annabella Omozee, Luuk Jackson, Emily Bolton, Eva Crowe and Oliver Hopkins were ‘High Five’ in Dublin Juvenile League Match 3. Magnificent Anne Curley won the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon.

Donore Harriers had plenty to cheer about at a mud-laden Tymon Park on Sunday (01.12.2019). Matthieu Proffit won the DUBLIN INTERMEDIATE CROSS-COUNTRY MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIPS over 8km. After 2 of 4 laps Proffit and Kevin Donagher of Rathfarnham AC were side by side having built a lead on their pursuers. The Donore man was strongest over the second part of the race to run out a convincing winner. His coach and a previous winner of the title Iain Morrison said of the improving Proffit “Matthieu is getting better and better. He always throws himself into races even when he has other goals. He has a positive attitude about racing and never complains about being tired of stress. Incredible guy and a great club man”.

Proffit led the men’s team to victory. The cause was greatly helped by the 6^th place finish of debutant Rory Burke. Luke Boland worked his way through the field to place 14^th with Alasdair Brown closing the scoring in 15^th. The team competition proved to be a tense battle. At the 6km mark Crusaders AC were just 6 points behind Donore and a strong rally by the Irishtown club narrowed the gap to just 4 points as Donore Harriers held out to win by 36 points to 40. Raheny Shamrocks AC were 3^rd on 56. The non-scoring Donore Harriers athletes were Paul Cummins in 21^st and Des Tremble in 38^th.

The women’s team rallied magnificently to win a surprise bronze in the WOMEN’S 5km INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP. Aoife Ni Thuthail (21.47) led the team home in 8^th place, followed closely by Audrey Gahan (21.58) in 10^th. A determined run by Claire Mulligan (22.26) got her home in 17^th spot, with Ariana Ball (23.20) putting in a huge effort to close the team as the 28^th finisher. Club Captain Florence Curley described Ball’s performance as being “heroic” due to the athlete being sick in the week leading up to the race. Clonliffe Harriers (34) won the team competition by one point, with Rathfarnham AC (35) in 2^nd and Donore Harriers (63) in 3^rd. Sportsworld AC were 16 points adrift of Donore Harriers in 4^th place.

In the 3^rd and final round of the DUBLIN JUVENILE CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE at Tymon Park (01.12.2019) there were five winners for Donore Harriers on the day. Annabella Omozee got the day off to a ‘flyer’ with a gun to tape win in the Under 9 Girls race over 600m. Sophie Farrell came 30^th. An impressive Luuk Jackson won the Under 11 Boys over 1 kilometre, with Eoin Mooney in 8^th and Caolan Costello in 24^th. The new Under 12 national champion Emily Bolton convincingly won her age-group race over 1km, with Ava Hoare in 27^th and Tara Hoare in 39^th. In the Under 13 Girls race over 1.5km Eva Crowe showed good form ahead of the National Juvenile Uneven-Ages championships in two weeks time. Her victory augurs well for the upcoming ‘national’, as did the fine running of Julie Cleary in 3^rd place and Eleanor Hopkins in 8^th. Donore’s fifth winner on the day was Oliver Hopkins who had to hold off the late challenge from a Dundrum South Dublin AC athlete to win the Under 15 Boys race over 2 kilometres.

Thomas Bolton came 2^nd in the Under 14 Boys race over 1.5km, with Dylan McKenna in 11^th spot. A determined Chloe Andrews came 4^th in the Under 18 Girls 2km race.

The other Donore Harriers athletes were: – Mark Nunan 9^th in the Under 9 Boys (600m), Emily Farrell, Ruby Blake and Petra Cunningham who placed 8^th, 12^th and 22^nd in the Under 10 Girls (800m), Phillipe Gaudin 32^nd in the Under 10 Boys (800m), Melody Omozee 40^th in the Under 11 Girls (1km), Rory Gaudin 28^th in the Under 12 Boys (1km), Conan Mackey 24^th in the Under 13 Boys (1.5km), and Honor Lynch and Laura Nunan 6^th and 11^th in the Under 14 Girls (1.5km).

<A report on overall individual awards for the league will follow>.

Two Donore Harriers athletes were on the start-line of the 10^th version of the CLONAKILTY WATERFRONT MARATHON on Saturday morning (30.11.2019). This marathon takes in the spectacular view of Inchydoney Island, Galley Head, the causeways, postcard pretty Rathbarry village, Red Strand, Ardfield, the dramatic coastline of Duneed Strand, Dunmore Headland and the coastline around Clonakilty Bay. There is a total elevation gain of 475 metres. It’s a toughie!

Anne Curley (3.18.32) placed 25^th from a field of 432 finishers and in the process won both the women’s and W40 categories. This was a tremendous effort coming just one-month after completing the Dublin Marathon in 3.09.20. Curley described her experience “… despite the never relenting wind, rain and never-ending lung busting hills, my God so many hills, I enjoyed it. The scenery was so magnificent in places. A slow time but a strong race. From 15 miles I got into the leading woman position but then the pressure was on to hold it, a head to head battle in places, made it to the line relieved…”. Jacqui Dunphy (3.21.39) of Portmarnock AC was 2^nd woman home. The race was won by Freddy Sitturk of Raheny Shamrocks AC in 2.47.23. Donore Harriers other competitor was Ian Redican (4.29.31) in 295^th position.

In the CLONTARF HALF-MARATHON (30.11.2019) M50 athlete Des Gill (1.40.12) placed 245^th and Amy Moriarty (1.44.38) 365^th.

In the latest PARKRUN SERIES (01.12.2019) Sinead Lambe (18.46) was first home at Carlanstown in Co. Meath. Mary McDermott (23.58) and Kate Cleary (22.03) were first women finishers at Naas and Poppintree. Juvenile athlete Dylan McKenna (21.28) put in a sprint finish to place 2^nd at Waterstown, with another juvenile Katie Delaney (24.21) 16^th overall and 4^th woman home. Other results below.

At the IRISH LIFE HEALTH NATIONAL ATHLETICS AWARDS at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown on Thursday 28.11.2019 Sean Egan was recognised with the ‘Services to Coaching’ award. He coaches the Hammer through Athletics Ireland and Schools programmes.

Egan competed in the Hammer event at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow when aged 23. With 12 going through to the final round Egan threw 63.94m in the qualifying round and placed 16^th overall. The three podium places were taken by Soviet Union athletes, with Yuriy Sedykh throwing a world record 81.80m to win the gold medal. With the 4^th and 5^th places going to East German athletes and 3 other athletes from the Eastern Europe bloc in the top 12 the validity of the event will always remain ‘suspicious’.

Egan had a distinguished career in athletics and represented Ireland 30 times. He won seven Irish hammer titles, in 1978 (65.56m, whilst a member of Kildare AC), 1980 (66.80m), 1981 (67.86m), 1982 (69.04m), 1984 (69.12m), 1986 (65.60m) and 1987 (53.86m). Indeed, at that Irish Track & Field championships on the 23^rd July 1978 the big red-haired Army Private broke John Lawlor’s Irish record. He made several improvements on the mark and remains 6^th on the Irish all-time list. He was also Irish champion in the 56lb Weight for Distance event in 1992 (7.04m).

Sean Egan was born on the 18^th October 1956 and attended national school at Templetouhy in Co. Tipperary. His father served in the Army and was a peacekeeper with the United Nations in Cyprus. Sean attended secondary school at the Curragh, before his family moved to Ballyragget in Co. Kilkenny. He attended the Kilkenny Technical School in Kilkenny City. He spent six years in the Army and quickly showed potential and determination to become the best hammer thrower in Ireland.

After his first national title in 1978 the Army arranged specialized training for him at Darmstadt in Germany, where he came under the wing of West German hammer coach Everhard Gaede. He improved his personal best mark to 68.76m at an event in Darmstadt on the 5^th May 1978 and less than 2 weeks later threw 68.82m at the same venue. On the 12^th April 1980 at Darmstadt he threw 70.24m in what was his first competitive event in that year, a distance that qualified him to the Moscow Olympics with 24cm to spare. He achieved his last Irish record at an event in Frankfurt on the 1^st of May 1980 with a best throw of 71.10m.

Here is an extract from an article by Tom O’Riordan in the Sunday Independent dated 7^th February 1982

‘In 1978 Egan was awarded one of the ten Cement Roadstone Olympic grants which would give him a minimum of 1,000 PUNTS each year leading up to the ’80 Olympics. However, the Army stepped in and said they would provide the necessary finance for such training. That was fine for the first year but then after certain Ministerial changes in the Government that supply was cut off. In fact, he was due to go back to Germany in January 1980 on paid leave and ended up having to take leave of absence from the Army and never did get his salary. It was no surprise he left the Army the following October. NATURAL STRENGTH. A slightly trimmed 16st. 6lb Egan has great natural strength, much of it built up when he worked as a young man on the building sites near his home in Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny. He left school at 14 and this has influenced him in not accepting the scholarships which he has been offered over the past year by the University of Texas, Washington State and Boston University. “I’m prepared to do the work and I’m delighted to be going back to train under Mr. Gaede” said Sean as he disappeared into the evening dusk to warm up for another lonely session in the weights room. He surely needs greater support in an era where there is so much sponsorship. Perhaps in a couple of years we will appreciate the sacrifices this man is prepared to make to reach the top. Athletics can sometimes be a very lonely sport’.

Egan left the Army to take up employment as a gymnasium supervisor at UCD. He later became a landscape contractor and part-time wood turner in Kilmacud, Dublin.

Footnotes: In Sean’s schooldays in the Curragh he played guitar in a band whose drummer was Niall Power. Power later played for one Bob Geldof. The current Irish record for the Hammer is 77.80m set by Declan Hegarty at Walnut, United States on the 28^th April 1985.

Several members of the club were present to support Sean Egan as he was officially recognised for his contribution to the sport of athletics, including our excellent sprints coach John Geoghegan and his wife Una. John is recovering from cancer and the generosity of leading names in Irish athletics was greatly appreciated as Sonia O’Sullivan, Ciara Mageean, Brid Golden and Thomas Barr were among those who gave their well wishes to John on the day.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

CLONAKILTY WATERFRONT MARATHON (30.11.2019)

26^th & 2^nd woman & 1^st W40 Anne Curley (3.18.32).

295^th Ian Redican M40 (4.29.31)

432 finishers.

CLONTARF HALF-MARATHON (30.11.2019)

245^th Des Gill M50 (1.40.12)

365^th Amy Moriarty SNR (1.44.38)

1,453 finishers

DUBLIN INTERMEDIATE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at TYMON PARK (01.12.2019)

WOMEN’S 5KM RACE

8^th Aoife Ni Thuathail, 10^th Audrey Gahan, 17^th Claire Mulligan, 28^th Ariana Ball.

56 finishers

TEAM: 1^st Clonliffe Harriers (34)m 2^nd Rathfarnham AC (35), 3^rd Donore Harriers <Ni Thuathail, Gahan, Mulligan & Ball> (63).

9 teams.

MEN’S 8KM RACE

1^st Matthieu Proffit, 6^th Rory Burke, 14^th Luke Boland, 15^th Alasdair Brown, 21^st Paul Cummins, 38^th Des Tremble.

84 finishers

TEAM: 1^st Donore Harriers <Proffit, Burke, Brown & Boland> (36), Crusaders AC (40), 3^rd Raheny Shamrocks (56).

11 teams.

DUBLIN JUVENILE CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE (MATCH 3) at TYMON PARK (01.12.2019)

U9 GIRLS (600m): 1^st Annabella Omozee, 30^th Sophie Farrell

U9 BOYS (600m): 9^th Mark Nunan

U10 GIRLS (800m): 8^th Emily Farrell, 12^th Ruby Blake, 22^nd Petra Cunningham

U10 BOYS (800m): 32^nd Phillipe Gaudin

U11 GIRLS (1km): 40^th Melody Omozee

U11 BOYS (1km): 1^st Luuk Jackson, 8^th Eoin Mooney, 24^th Caolan Costello

U12 GIRLS (1.5km): 1^st Emily Bolton, 27^th Ava Hoare, 39^th Tara Hoare

U12 BOYS (1.5km): 28^th Rory Gaudin

U13 GIRLS (1.5km): 1^st Eva Crowe, 3^rd Julie Cleary, 8^th Eleanor Hopkins

U13 BOYS (1.5km): 24^th Conan Mackey

U14 GIRLS (1.5m): 6^th Honor Lynch, 11^th Laura Nunan

U14 BOYS (1.5km): 2^nd Thomas Bolton, 13^th Dylan McKenna

U15 BOYS (2km): 1^st Oliver Hopkins

U18 GIRLS (2km): 4^th Chloe Andrews

PARKRUNS (30.11.2019)

Carlanstown: 1^st & 1^st woman Sinead Lambe SNR (18.46)

Corkagh: 119^th Nicola Dowdall W45 (37.40)

Griffeen: 100^th Terry Mee M75 (28.42)

Naas: 32^nd & 1^st woman Mary McDermott W50 (23.58)

Poppintree: 9^th & 1^st woman Kate Clearly W45 (22.03)

Waterstown: 2^nd Dylan McKenna U14 (21.28), 16^th & 4^th woman Katie Delaney U14 (24.21)

HIGHLIGHTS: Emily Bolton romped to individual glory in the National Under 12s cross-country championship. Her brother Thomas took a battling bronze in the U14 Boys. The Under 14 Girls team finished a very creditable 7^th.

After one of two 1-kilometre laps there was no doubting who would win the Under 12 Girls NATIONAL JUVENILE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP at Abbotstown on Sunday (24.11.2019). The soft ground and steady climbs proved no obstacle to Emily Bolton as she powered her way to victory. A spectator from the Swinford Athletics Club proclaimed “that winner is something else” as Bolton stretched a 40 metres lead at the half-way stage to finish about 80 metres clear of runner-up Isa McCarron of Lagan Valley AC at the finish line. Sholah Lawrence of Ace AC (Co. Louth) came 3^rd. Bolton led the Dublin County team (199) to 3^rd place behind Clare (115) and Cork (155).

Emily’s brother Thomas (Bolton) had a more intense battle in the Under 14 Boys race over 3-kilometres. With 600 metres to go a group of 5 athletes led the field. At that stage Sean Cronin of Clonliffe Harriers kicked on for victory with Conor Murphy of St. Coca’s AC giving chase. In the gradual incline to the finish line Bolton withheld the challenge of Shane Buckley of DSD AC and Mathys Bocqet of Craughwell AC to claim the bronze medal. Dylan McKenna, a relative newcomer to the sport, came 138^th and Joe Kinsella placed 164^th. Bolton was 2^nd scorer on the Dublin County team (160) that took silver behind Tipperary (137) and ahead of Mayo (201).

Donore Harriers were well represented in the Under 14 Girls race, also over 3-kilometres. The team was led home by fast-finishing Lorraine O’Connor in 22^nd place, with Eva Crowe in 25^th. Laura Nunan in 64^th and Honor Lynch in 82^nd completed the scoring team. Donore Harriers finished 7^th team (193) behind winners Leevale AC (130). The non-scoring athletes were Katie Delaney (150^th) and Sarah Tolan (159^th). O’Connor and Crowe, who were both stepping-up an age group, were the 4^th and 6^th scorers on the Dublin County team (104) that came 2^nd behind Cork (74).

In the Under 16 Boys race over 4-kilometres an improving James Bolton came 31^st. He was the 5^th scorer on the Dublin team (108) that won gold just 6 points ahead of County Antrim (114).

One of the most respected young athletes in the club is Gavin Curtin. The 17 years-old Moyle Park College student is fearless and totally committed both in training and competition. But sometimes sport can be cruel! In the Under 18 Boys race over 6-kilometres Curtin was well-placed in the top 20 after 3 laps. At a point when he looked to gain places he suddenly ‘stitched’ and was forced to reduce his pace to a mere jog, eventually crossing the line in 79^th place. A devasted Curtin said afterwards “I just couldn’t shake if off. There was nothing I could do”. He will now focus to the Under 19s championship on the 15^th of December.

In the NATIONAL SENIOR WOMEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP over 8-kilometres Barbara Cleary (32.06) put in another tenacious effort to place 20^th. Putting 46 years-old Cleary’s performance into context it should be noted that only one athlete from the incorporated Under 23s competition finished in a higher place. Maura Kearns (35.26) came 59^th with 78 finishers. Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill withdrew from the race at the halfway point. Fionnuala McCormack comprehensively won the individual title with Leevale AC the team winners.

In the 10km SENIOR MEN’S RACE there were strong performances from Daragh Fitzgibbon (35.26) and Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (35.29) who crossed the line in 36^th and 37^th positions. Master athlete Niall Lynch (38.59) placed 108^th of the 166 finishers. Liam Brady of Tullamore Harriers was the individual winner, with Clonliffe Harriers regaining the team title. One of the non-finishers was John Travers. Having recently recovered from a back injury he was unable to stay with the pace at the front of the race and retired after 2 of 7 laps. Travers said afterwards “I just felt flat out there today – and the conditions didn’t suit me”.

Elsewhere, Alasdair Brown (35.18) won the 10km MORUN in the Phoenix Park on Saturday.

In the PARKRUN SERIES (26.11.2019) Matthieu Proffit (18.09) was first home at Brickfields. W80 athlete Ann Woodlock (34.27) came 40^th. Jonathon Daly (18.41) and Fred Kiernan (19.45) were 2^nd and 3^rd home at Poppintree. Other results below.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

NATIONAL SENIOR WOMEN’S 8KM CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at ABBOTSTOWN (24.11.2019)

20^th Barbara Cleary (32.06)

59^th Maura Kearns (35.26)

DNF Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill

78 finishers.

NATIONAL SENIOR MEN’S 10KM CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS at ABBOTSTOWN (24.11.2019)

36^th Daragh Fitzgibbon (35.26)

37^th Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (37.29)

108^th Niall Lynch (38.59)

DNF John Travers

166 finishers.

NATIONA JUVENILE EVEN-AGES CROSS-COUNTRY at ABBOTSTOWN (24.11.2019)

U12 Girls 2km: 1^st Emily Bolton

U14 Girls 3km: 22^nd Lorraine O’Connor (step-up), 25^th Eva Crowe (step-up), 64^th Laura Nunan, 82^nd Honor Lynch, 150^th Katie Delaney, 159^th Sarah Tolan

TEAM: 7^th Donore Harriers (193)

U14 Boys 3km: 3^rd Thomas Bolton, 138^th Dylan McKenna, 164^th Joe Kinsella

U16 Boys 4km: 31^st James Bolton

U18 Boys 6km: 79^th Gavin Curtin

MORUN 10KM at PHOENIX PARK (23.11.2019)

1^st Alasdair Brown (35.18)

634 finishers

PARKRUNS (23.11.2019)

Brickfields: 1^st Matthieu Proffit (18.09), 40^th Ann Woodlock W80 (34.26)

Bushy: 73^rd Tommy Halton M60 (29.18)

Castletown: 57^th Joan McTernan W60 (27.22)

Corkagh: 5^th Aidan Kelly U19 (19.41)

Griffeen: 93^rd Terry Mee M75 (29.14)

Naas: 47^th Mary McDermott W50 (24.33)

Poppintree: 2^nd Jonathan Daly M35 (18.41), 3^rd Fred Kiernan M45 (19.45), 64^th Eilish Joyce W35 (30.05)

HIGHLIGHTS: Sinead Lambe and Aedin Corr impress at the STOOK road races in Co. Kilkenny. Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan wins the Armed Forces XC championships. The Women’s Meet & Train cross-country league opens at Dunboyne, whilst Donore Harriers are well represented at the Irish Universities road relays at Maynooth and at the Business Houses cross-country meet at Santry.

Aedin Corr (19.49) made an impressive return after a long injury lay-off by placing 2^nd overall and being the first female finisher in the STOOK 5KM ROAD RACE at Dungarvan Village in Co. Kilkenny on Sunday. At the same venue Sinead Lambe (1.04.17) placed 20^th overall in a field of 270 finishers in the STOOK 10 MILE ROAD RACE. She was the 3^rd female finisher and won the senior women’s category. The race organized by the Gowran Athletics Club was held over a course that the hosts described as being “testing”.

In the first round of the WOMEN’S MEET & TRAIN LEAGUE (17.11.2019) at Cow Park in Dunboyne there were impressive performances by Cliodhna Carthy (14.42) and Caroline McCarthy (14.43) who placed 4^th and 10^th respectively. They were supported by Sarah Ni Ruairc (17.53) in 80^th, Meadhbh Campbell (17.54) in 81^st, Treasa Boylan (18.08) in 89^th, Catherine McKeon (18.52) in 107^th, Dana Mackey (18.55) in 109^th, Sue Lynch (19.40) in 120^th, Mary Murphy (19.41) in 121^st and Michelle Dawson (19.51) in 122^nd. The Donore Harriers ‘B’ team (286) came 15^th and ‘A’ team (316) 18^th of 28 teams. The race was won by Lorna Quinn (14.15) of Sportsworld AC, whilst Crusaders AC (48) were top in the team table.

Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (25.38) won the IRISH ARMED FORCES CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, held over 8 kilometres, with 20 seconds to spare and will now lead a 6-strong Irish team at the European CSIM championships to take place in Belgium on the 4^th of December.

In the BUSINESS HOUSES AA CROSS-COUNTRY MEET at SANTRY DEMESNE (16.11.2019) on Saturday the Donore Harriers contingent was led home by Eoin Durkan (21.26) who crossed the finish line in 8^th place after 4 tough 1.5km laps. Tristan Druet (22.03) placed 15^th, ahead of Emmet O’Briain (23.00) in 27^th. Des Tremble (23.45) followed in 38^th place, with Patrick Byrne just one second and one place behind. Audrey Gahan (27.17) placed 104^th and was the 9^th woman finisher, with Claire Mulligan (27.39) the 12^th woman home in 112^th position overall. The other Donore Harriers competitors among the 216 finishers were Tom Fagan (27.23) in 107^th, Tommy Halton (36.17) in 201^st and Terry Mee (40.26) in 211^th.

At the IRISH UNIVERSITIES AA ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS on the ground of NUI Maynooth on Saturday (16.11.2019) Niamh O’Neill (12.14) ran a fine 3^rd leg over 2 miles in the colours of the UCD ‘B’ team, but her team narrowly lost out on the bronze to the UCD ‘A’ team. Aoife Ni Thuathail (6.18) ran the 4^th leg over One Mile for the Trinity College ‘B’ team that placed 20^th.

In the Men’s relay over 1, 2, 3, 2 and 1 miles Matthieu Proffit (16.20) ran leg 3 for the Trinity College ‘B’ team, with Jack Byrne (4.56) running the fifth and last leg. The team came 10^th. Michael Ryan (5.32) ran the 1^st leg for the Trinity ‘C’ team that placed 14^th of 29 teams.

In the mid-week RUN IN THE DARK 10KM road race (13.11.2019) Aoife Ni Thuathail (43.42) came 205^th overall and was the 17^th woman to complete the flat Docklands area course.

PARKRUN SERIES (16.11.2019): Fred Kiernan (19.43) was 3^rd home in the Tymon Parkrun. Club President and M65 athlete Charlie O’Neill (24.22) came 41^st at Griffeen and juvenile member Dylan McKenna (21.23) was 5^th at Waterstown. Other results below.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

RUN IN THE DARK 10KM at DOCKLANDS (13.11.2019)

205^th & 17^th woman Aoife Ni Thuathail (43.42)

2,983 entries

IRISH DEFENCE FORCES CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

MEN’S 8KM RACE

1^st Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (25.38)

BHAA IRISH LIFE 6KM CROSS-COUNTRY RACE at SANTRY DEMESNE (16.11.2019)

8^th Eoin Durkan MS (21.26)

15^th Tristan Druet MS (22.03)

27^th Emmet O’Briain M40 (23.00)

38^th Des Tremble M45 (23.45)

39^th Patrick Byrne MS (23.46)

104^th & 9^th woman Audrey Gahan W40 (27.17)

107^th Tom Fagan M50 (27.23)

112^th & 12^th woman Claire Mulligan W40 (27.39)

201^st Tommy Halton M60 (36.17)

211^th Terry Mee M75 (40.26)

216 finishers

IRISH UNIVERSITIES AA ROAD RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS at MAYNOOTH (16.11.2019)

WOMEN’S RELAY 1,2,2,1 MILES

Leg 3 for UCD ‘B’ Niamh O’Neill (12.14), team placed 4^th.

Leg 4 for TCD ‘B’ Aoife Ni Thuathail (6.18), team placed 20^th.

24 teams

MEN’S RELAY 1,2,3,2,1 MILES

Leg 3 for TCD ‘B’ Matthieu Proffit (16.20), Leg 5 for TCD ‘B’ Jack Byrne (4.56), team placed 10^th

Leg 1 for TCD ‘C’ Michael Ryan (5.32), team placed 14^th.

29 teams

MEET & TRAIN WOMEN’S XC LEAGUE at COW PARK, DUNBOYNE (17.11.2019)

RACE ONE – 2 MILES

4^th Cliodhna Carthy (14.42)

10^th Caroline McCarthy (14.53)

80^th Sarah Ni Ruairc (17.53)

81^st Meadhbh Campbell (17.54)

89^th Treasa Boylan (18.08)

107^th Catherine McKeon (18.52)

109^th Dana Mackey (18.55)

120^th Sue Lynch (19.40)

121^st Mary Murphy (19.41)

122^nd Michelle Dawson (19.51)

138 finishers

TEAM: 1^st Crusaders AC (48), 15^th Donore Harriers B (286), 18^th Donore Harriers A (316).

28 teams

STOOK 10 MILE & 5 KM ROAD RACES at DUNGARVAN VILLAGE, CO. KILKENNY (17.11.2019)

10 Mile: 20^th & 3^rd woman (1^st WS) Sinead Lambe (1.04.17)

270 finishers

5 KM: 2^nd & 1^st woman Aedin Corr (19.49)

94 finishers

PARKRUNS (16.11.2019)

Brickfields: 37^th Ray Holmes M60 (30.40)

Castletown: 84^th Joan McTernan W60 (27.02), 86^th David Hudson M60 (27.040)

Griffeen: 41^st Charlie O’Neill M65 (24.22)

Tymon: 3^rd Fred Kiernan M45 (19.43)

Tyrellstown: 11^th & 5^th woman Nicola Dowdall W45 (27.40)

Waterstown: 5^th Dylan McKenna U14 (21.23), 64^th Anthony Ferns M55 (36.57)