Matt Rudden R.I.P.

Club News

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of our longstanding member, Matt Rudden.

Matt’s sudden death has shocked everyone associated with Donore Harriers. Matt was ever-present in the club, a complete gentleman with a word for everyone.

As a young man he was an outstanding distance athlete and all-Ireland champion.

His contribution to Donore Harriers has been phenomenal and generous. He and his brothers Mick and Charlie with the help of his son Kieran and nephew Matthew built our wonderful clubhouse. He has been one of the truly inspirational and most respected members in the history of this great club and a trusted friend to us all. The wider athletics community here and abroad also share our respect for Matt. To know Matt was a privilege. He was a doer and an achiever, dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in all his endeavours.

To his wife Mary, and family Judy, Kieran and Valerie, to grandchild and champion athlete Jack, and all the extended family, the club offers its heartfelt condolences. Matt, the gentle man was a treasure and beloved by all in Donore Harriers. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

~Maurice Ahern

Funeral arrangements are as follows: https://rip.ie/showdn.php?dn=310575/MattRUDDEN/Castleknock/Dublin

The clubhouse will be closed between 12 and 1pm on Saturday as a mark of respect during the funeral mass.

Christmas & New Year Results Round-Up

Club News, Results

Christmas Races

Donore athletes were busy racing in various locations across Ireland over the Christmas period.

On St Stephen’s Day, Eric Keogh – who has got a call up for the Irish team in the Antrim International Cross Country – had a decisive win in Wicklow Town at the Inbhear Dee Streets of Wicklow 5k in a time of 15.11. In Kerry, Farranfore Maine Valley AC hold an annual 5k race on St Stephens Day and Des Tremble was 14th in this in a time of 16.57 while Ide Nic Dhomhnaill is coming back well after being injured recently to finish 4th lady in 18.32.

The day after, at the Robbie Byrne 5k in Navan, Andy Kinane came third in 16.50, while over in Kilbeggan, Westmeath, at the 6k race, Kevin Nolan was 4th in 20.37. Laura Murray ran the Ardagh 10 mile race in Longford on the 27th in 87.51 (having completed the Clonakilty marathon in 4.23 at the start of December).

Suttonians Rugby Club held their annual Fat Turkey Run 10k on a tough course on December 28th which takes in the hill of Howth and Anthony Flannery ran 35.38 there with Des Gill running 45.22 and Jill Dempsey 47.47.

George Brady ran his umpteenth marathon of the year on the 28th in the East of Ireland marathon series in Howth where he ran 3.01 on the hillly course and Grace Kennedy ran the half marathon event in 92 minutes.

New Year Races

Sinead Lambe was in Seville with a group of Leevale runners at New Years and she had a great win to be the first woman in a 5k race in the Andalucian city beating the Spanish opposition (the actual length of the race apparently was 5.4k really). Sinead went through 5k in 18.38 and finished the race in 20 minutes.

There was another win for Barbara Murray in her native Monaghan in the Jolly Joggers 10k in 40.06 where she finished first woman.

It was a great start to 2017 for Barbara Cleary who had a decisive win in the popular Tom Brennan 5k in the Phoenix Park organised by Liffey Valley AC. A 2 lap course which attracted nearly 600 runners on a very cold morning and a headwind in parts, Barbara was ahead of the 2nd woman by over a minute finishing in a time of 17.19.

First over the line for Donore in the race was Fergal Swaine in 16.56 with Des Tremble finishing in 17:00 on the button. One of our newer members Robert Clougher finished with Barbara in 17.19 and he did an identical time in the Clonliffe Christmas Cracker days earlier on December 27th.

The full list of our finishers was a good mix of the new and established members over various age-groups (including Tony Griffin winner of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird shield on St Stephens day) and some of these will be in action again next week at the Dublin Masters XC – well done all!

Fergal Swaine 21st 16.56
Des Tremble 17.00
Robert Clougher 17.19
Barbara Cleary 17.19
Declan Lynch 18.29
Stephen Dawson 19.47
Craig Scott 19.54
Ciaran Ryan 20.12
Tony Griffin 20.51
Barry Potts 21.01
Frank McNally 23.14
Charlie O’Neill 23.44
Michelle Dawson 25.20
Tom Halton 27.03

~Florence Curley

Griffin Victorious in 120th Running of the Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield

Club News, Events, Results

The 100th consecutive running of this historic open handicap race (the race was started in 1896 but not held in 1916) had a field of over 35 pre-entered and saw 30 competitors on the day slog it out over the 5 x 2 mile lap cross-country course in the Phoenix Park.

Early starter Dana Mackay off her handicap of 35 mins led the field into the penultimate lap only to be passed by Tony Griffin and Cliodhna McCarthy just before the bell. Ian Redican, a winner from 2 years ago, was confounding the handicappers with an impressive performance and was chasing hard. With 5 mins gap to the fastest man on the course Niall Lynch, Tony had to work really hard to maintain his lead. Cliodhna just faded and Ian and Niall closed to within 45 seconds but couldn’t overhaul Tony, whose marathon work this year clearly stood him in good stead.

Alan Farrell defended his ownership of the shield well with a fourth place. Florrie Curley, Ladies Captain, showed her return to form with the fastest lady’s time on the day and Niall Lynch won the inaugural Tommy Hayward Trophy for the fastest 10 mile time in the Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield presented by Tommy’s son Eric Hayward.

~Iain Morrison

photo credit: Frank McNally

WATERHOUSE BYRNE BAIRD SHIELD RESULTS
POSITION NAME FINISH TIME RACE TIME HANDICAP START TIME
1 Tony Griffin 12:26:53 1:14:23 22’30” 11:12:30
2 Ian Redican 12:27:15 1:12:15 20’ 11:15:00
3 Niall Lynch 12:27:34 59:34 7’ 11:28:00
4 Alan Farrell 12:28:18 1:05:18 12’ 11:23:00
5 Declan Lynch 12:28:30 1:07:30 14’ 11:21:00
6 Fergal Whitty 12:28:30 1:02:00 8’30” 11:26:30
7 Cliodhna Carthy 12:28:58 1:18:58 25’ 11:10:00
8 Tom Fagan 12:29:35 1:11:35 17’ 11:18:00
9 Karen Behan 12:29:41 1:16:41 22’ 11:13:00
10 Florrie Curley 12:29:46 1:12:16 17’30” 11:17:30
11 Neil Hand 12:29:56 1:07:56 13’ 11:22:00
12 Noel Conway 12:30:12 1:11:12 16’ 11:19:00
13 Donal Iremonger 12:30:42 1:10:42 15’ 11:20:00
14 Barbara Murray 12:31:13 1:16:13 20’ 11:15:00
15 Philip Hennessy 12:31:18 1:06:18 10’ 11:25:00
16 Elaine Verdon 12:31:29 1:24:29 28’ 11:07:00
17 Angela Eustace 12:31:45 1:20:45 24’ 11:11:00
18 Peter Bonnar 12:31:58 1:25:58 29’ 11:06:00
19 Dana Mackay 12:32:40 1:32:40 35’ 11:00:00
20 Colin Moore 12:34:31 1:22:31 23’ 11:12:00
21 Neil McGettigan 12:36:56 1:13:56 12’ 11:23:00
FASTEST 10 MILE TIME
Niall Lynch 59’34”
FASTEST WOMAN TIME
Florrie Curley 72’16”
DNFs LAPS
Barry Potts 4/5 - 8 miles
Charlie O’Neill 3/5 - 6 miles
Stephen Dawson 3/5 - 6 miles
Eilish Funston 3/5 - 6 miles
Anne Curley 2/5 - 4 miles
Patrick Byrne 2/5 - 4 miles

Handicaps for the 2016 Waterhouse Byrne Baird Shield

Club News, Events

WATERHOUSE BYRNE BAIRD SHIELD HANDICAPS
NAME HANDICAP START TIME RACE NUMBER
Tony Jenkins 35’ 11:00 70
Michael Brophy 35’ 11:00 69
Dana Mackay 35’ 11:00 68
Charlie O’Neill 34’ 11:01 67
Michelle Dawson 32’ 11:03 66
Peter Bonnar 29’ 11:06 65
Elaine Verdon 28’ 11:07 64
Cliodhna Carthy 25’ 11:10 63
Angela Eustace 24’ 11:11 62
Colin Moore 23’ 11:12 61
Tony Griffin 22’30” 11:12:30 60
Barry Potts 22’ 11:13 59
Karen Behan 22’ 11:13 58
Colm Mullen 21’ 11:14 57
Barbara Murray 20’ 11:15 56
Joe Murphy 20’ 11:15 55
Ian Redican 20’ 11:15 54
Anne Curley 19’ 11:16 53
Peter Nugent 18’30” 11:16:30 52
Florrie Curley 17’30” 11:17:30 51
Tom Fagan 17’ 11:18 50
Stephen Dawson 17’ 11:18 49
Noel Conway 16’ 11:19 48
Donal Iremonger 15’ 11:20 47
Declan Lynch 14’ 11:21 46
Neil Hand 13’ 11:22 45
Alan Farrell 12’ 11:23 44
Neil McGettigan 12’ 11:23 43
Patrick Byrne 12’ 11:23 42
George Brady 11’ 11:24 41
Philip Hennessy 10’ 11:25 40
Niall Lynch 7’ 11:28 39
Ken Nugent 6’30” 11:28:30 38
Rossa Hurley 4’30” 11:30:30 37
Eric Keogh 30” 11:34:30 36
John Travers scratch 11:35 35

Jumbo Senior Results Round-Up: from National Novice XC to a World Record Attempt via Waterford & the Captain’s Race…

Club News, Meet & Train, Results, Senior

National Novice XC Dundalk Report

It was another incredibly competitive day at this year’s National Novice championships in Dundalk IT – this race attracts one of the biggest fields in the cross country calendar and has grown over the years.

The women’s race consisted of 2 x 2k laps and had 136 finishers- a fair course with some steep hills nonetheless and underfoot conditions were quite good. Alma Hanevy made her customary steady start working her way up through the field to finish in 39th which was an excellent placing in a field of 136 – she finished around runners who were top 10 in last year’s national masters giving an idea of the standard here. Barbara Murray was next in 67th though only 38 seconds separated her and Alma such was the volume of runners coming over the line. Bronagh Elliott was next 8 seconds later in 70th, Amy Dodd is growing in stature with every race and finished in 84th position. Julia Hackett is delighted to be running championship cross country again and finished in 107th and Medbh Peavoy also made a comeback in 120th. The team finished 10th out of 18th and will build on this for the races coming up in 2017.

The men’s teams were missing a few key people on the day unfortunately but we still had 10 runners out. Niall Lynch was delighted with his 31st placing in a 176 strong field in the 6k race – and he had been on site from early on supporting at the juvenile races. Rossa Hurley 2nd in the Dublin Intermediate last week was feeling the effects of a cold so took a while to find his feet but he still battled well and had a very fast finish in 33rd, in next were Eoin Hannon 75th and Des Tremble 87th (Fergal Swaine was forced to retire). The Donore A team finished 9th out of 19 teams. Donore B team featured a mix of experience and some new runners in their first cross country season for Donore: Andrew Wilson 116th, Alan Farrell 121st, Fergal Roche 132nd, Rob Clougher 169th and Des Gill 176th were 17th. The full complement of the team will be back for the Masters and Intermediate races in January and February.

Thanks to the supporters who travelled down (and tent builders who now have it down to a fine art!)

Road Round-Up

It’s not just all cross country racing at this time of the year…Donore runners have recorded some fine runs on the road in the past few weeks.

At the Waterford Half marathon, Eric Keogh followed up his impressive showing at the National Senior cross country by breaking the 70 minute barrier at this sold-out fixture in Waterford town. He finished in 5th place in a time of 69.30. Four other Donore runners were there – suffering the effects of a cold Breda Mahony still finished in 98.40, Nicola Dowdall ran 1.40.25, not far off her lifetime best, Marianne Dunlevy had to stop mid-race but finished in 1.41.57 and Elaine Verdon was delighted with a PB of 1.42.30 – reaping the benefits of her Dublin marathon at the end of October. Later that day the ladies even got to meet Waterford’s own athletic legend Thomas Barr so a great finish to the weekend.
Rhona McHugh is coming back into good form with two 10 mile races lately – she finished in 73.04 at the Stook 10 mile in Kilkenny a testing race with a notorious hill in the middle. She followed this up with a PB in the Ballyroan Abbeyleix 10 mile in 69.30.
Meanwhile back in Dublin, Shane McAuley recorded an impressive 36.38 at the Aware 10k and Peter Nugent 39.56 in the same race.

Captain’s Race

This “cake race” club tradition usually happens on the last Saturday before Christmas after all the championship fixtures have finished for the year. A chance for various endurance groups to come together and race including the youngest runner 16year old Zak Ahmed – it is held over a three lap course which starts close to the army training grounds, up the horse gallop and back down at the stone bridge, 5k in all (and slightly more) Willie Smith marked the course, President Iain Morrison started the runners and captains Florence Curley and Rossa Hurley were there – injury prevented Rossa from running. First home was Eoin Hannon and first lady home was Barbara Cleary – Zak our youngest runner was 2nd overall. Afterwards, the runners gathered for mince pies and tea/coffee back at the clubhouse. Each runner brings a prize so everyone got to take home a festive gift. Results as follows:

1 Eoin Hannon 18.42
2 Zakariya Ahmed 19.08
3 Barbara Cleary 19.35
4 Neil McGettigan 19.41
5 George Brady 19.50
6 Andrew Wilson 19.52
7 Neil Hand 20.22
8 Donal Iremonger 21.44
9 Stephen Dawson 21.45
10 Des Tremble 22.39
11 Karen Behan 22.42
12 Rhona Duane 23.04
13 Bronagh Elliot 23.05
14 Craig Scott 23.28
15 Florence Curley 23.39
16 Des Gill 24.02
17 Angela Eustace 24.11
18 Sinead Graham 24.29
19 Aine Mahony 24.44
20 Ariana Ball 26.25
21 Sian o’Connor 27.03
22 Dana Mackey 27.33
23 Jennifer O’Keeffe 31.37
24 Eilish Funston 31.37

4 x 1 Mile World Record Attempt

Congratulations to our own John Travers who was part of the 4 x 1 mile relay indoor world record attempt at the Believe & Achieve meet in the Athlone Indoor arena – the culminating event of a development meet organised by Dermott McDermott of Corran AC and the Believe and Achieve team. The record has stood for 23 years 1993 at 16.16. John along with Kieran Kelly, Eoin Everard and Joe Warne (a late replacement for Paul Robinson) all made a great crack at it and John had the fastest split of the four at 4.04. Unfortunately, the team didn’t break the mark on this occasion, just missing it by 6 seconds but by all accounts it was a super event and thanks to the Donore supporters who also travelled down for an exciting evening of athletics. Earlier in the day at the same event, Sam Allen finished 5th in 9:06.9 in a high-class 3000m won by Alberto Sanchez in a 8:00.72 – well within the 8:05 qualifying standard for the 2017 European Indoor Championships in Belgrade.

Meet & Train Cross Country Report

The first two rounds of the long running Meet and Train Women’s Cross Country league took place on November 27th in Dunboyne and on 18th December in Tymon Park.

Always run in a competitive but friendly atmosphere, Donore Harriers own Sue Lynch has long been the mainstay of the league. It has always been a springboard for those new to cross country running and a great team event. Each race is 2 miles in length over various cross country courses around Dublin/Meath

Round 1 in Cowpark Dunboyne – a tough enough course on bumpy terrain had 11 Donore runners competing in a field of 112 runners

20th Audrey Gahan 14.31
28th Mairead Kirby 14.56
52nd Mary Murphy 15.45
60th Linda Curtin 16.21
62nd Mary Murphy 16.24
65th Ruth Chambers 16.31
68th Michelle Dawson 16.40
76th Teresa Brophy 17.03
80th Jennifer O’Keeffe 17.13
90th Sue Lynch 18.35
92nd Ann Woodlock 19.06

Round 2 took place on a sunny morning on Tymon Park on a new course the far end of Tymon which was also used for the Dublin Intermediate, this time 134 finished the race – results as follows:

12th Audrey Gahan 13.06
45th Michelle O’Hagan 14.02
60th Lee Chambers 14.31
68th Mary Murphy 14.48
83rd Linda Curtin 15.27
85th Lauren Brady 15.29
92nd teresa Brophy 15.47
93rd Sarah Ni Ruairc 15.52
103rd Jennifer O’Keeffe 16.23
106th Michelle Dawson 16.46
110th Sue Lynch 17.19
117th Ann Woodlock 18.01

Great running and good to see some making a return to cross country and others like Audrey in their first season. Thanks Sue Lynch and to Mary Murphy for her sterling work in organising teams!

~ Florence Curley

Travers and Mageean win Jingle Bells 5k 2016

Club News

What a difference a year makes.  Last year we were fighting the elements delivered by Storm Desmond but yesterday saw ideal racing conditions for the 26th Jingle Bells 5k.  It proved to be a great success all round with just under 800 chipped competitors and over 200 kids taking part.  At 11am, on the Acres road, official race starter Cyril Symthe set them on their way over the fast course which provided many with new PBs.  First to reach the finish line on St. Mary’s road, for the third year in a row, was our own John Travers in a quick time of 14.08 (14.07 chip) which needs to be confirmed as a possible course record.  He was followed in by Conor Dooney (Raheny Shamrock) in 14:30 (14:29 chip) and Thomas Moran (Dunshaughlin AC) third in 14:37 (14:36 chip).  Winning the Women’s title in a very competitive field was Rio Olympian, Ciara Mageean (UCDAC) in 15:58 (15:57 chip) taking the title for the second consecutive year.  In second place was Sinead O’Connor (Leevale AC) in 16:25 (16:23 chip) followed by Sarah MacMahon (DSDAC) in third place in 16:45 (16:43 chip).

The Women’s team competition was a tight affair with Leevale AC prevailing as narrow winners over UCDAC with Carol Finn their third place athlete splitting the difference. First; Leevale (23); Sinead O’Connor (2), Lizzie Lee (10) and Carol Finn (11).  Second; UCDAC (23); Ciara Mageean (1), Ellie Hartnett (4) and Ciara Rooney (18).  In the Men’s team placings Raheny Shamrock AC came out on top from St. Abban’s second.  Scores were as follows; Raheny with (23); Conor Dooney (2), Eoin Strutt (9), Brian Fay (12) and St. Abban’s (39); Stephen Lawlor (7), John Fenlon (13), Stephen Hunter (19).

Thank you to our main sponsor; Bill Griffin Motors and our sponsors; The Runhub and Dunnes Stores.  A big thank you to the OPW and the park rangers from the Phoenix Park; the Civil Defence; An Garda Siochana; Blanchardstown Brass Band; BHAA, Championchip Ireland and Timing Ireland; Last lap cafe and official starter Cyril Smythe.

A special big thank you to all who took part; Olympic athletes; future Olympic athletes; fellow clubs and club athletes; runners; joggers; walkers, festive fancy dressers and spectators.  Also a massive thank you to all Donore helpers and friends of Donore who made the Jingle Bells 2016 a great success.

Weekend report: Schools Combined Indoors, Masters International, Leinster Senior & Remembrance Run

Club News, Results, Senior

National Schools Combined Indoors

Well done to Lara O’Byrne and Roisin Rynn Cahill who competed in Athlone arena at the weekend for their school St Joseph’s in Lucan. Roisin finished in 4th place in the senior girls, just off the medals. Lara finished in 5th place in a very competitive inter competition just 14 points off 4th which would have seen her compete on the Irish team. She also got 3 personal bests today in long jump shot put and 800m . Both girls still have the national combined events to look forward to in the New Year.

British and Irish Masters Cross Country
The British and Irish Masters cross country was held in Tollcross Park Glasgow this year. Donore Harriers had just two competitors. Terry Mee, who competed on the Irish M70 team – a 5k race which is always ran with the masters women and was the 2nd home on the team but sadly Ireland were outside the medals coming 4th. 78 year old Ann Woodlock has competed in this race many times and she was on the W70 team finishing 4th on her team and they won a bronze medal.

Leinster Senior XC

Following her bronze medal at the Dublin Senior last week, Barbara Cleary continued her impressive form ahead of the National Senior inter-clubs in 2 weeks time, winning the Leinster Senior women’s cross country championship on Sunday in Tyrrellspass, on what was a pretty tough course. Lying 9th in the early stages, Barbara gradually worked her way up into the top 3. And despite a fall on a sharp bend, Barbara retained her lead and finished 10 seconds clear of Wexford runner and former 800m National champion Fiona Kehoe, and MSB’s Caitriona Mullen. A great run for Barbara and thanks to coach Willie smith who was there to see her victory and was able to give us a race report straight after the finish!

The presentation photo above is by Emily Wallace of Mullingar Harriers, as featured on the Athletics Leinster site, more here: http://www.athleticsleinster.org/

Remembrance Run Phoenix Park

Many Donore runners ran in remembrance of the late Jim McNamara and others who have passed. Race organiser Frank Greally was on hand after the run to present a special candle to Jim’s brother Mick and to Tommy Hayward’s son Eric. A very emotional day for “Jim’s girls” who all jogged around The Remembrance Run 5k on Sunday. The race honoured a number of great names of the Irish athletics scene who passed away this year and two of them were Jim McNamara and Tommy Hayward. Great to see all the Donore Harriers gang there: Sian O’ Connor, Rhona McHugh, Jennifer O’Keeffe, Catherine McKeon, Mary McDermott, Eilish Funston, Liagh Miller, Angela Eustace, Karen Behan, Niamh Murphy, Audrey Gahan, Pauline Dennigan and Charlie O Neill. Audrey Gahan joined us soon after Jim’s passing but she’s so one of the gang now that we forget she never had the pleasure of knowing Jim and that he never had the pleasure of knowing her! It was so good to see Pauline Dennigan who travelled up from Kerry to be with us here today, she was one of the old gang who raced many a championship race with us as we travelled the length and breadth of the country in the cross country season. Good to see Joan McTernan and Dave Hudson there too. Jim’s nephew and Ian Redican also ran today and he, Jim’s brother Mick and Tommy Hayward’s son Eric were all invited back to the VIP tent after to get a special memorial candle to both Jim and Tommy. Frank Greally who organises the race every year with AAI presented them with the candles. Mick will give this special candle to Jim’s daughter Andrea Draper. Well done to all Donore Harriers athletes that turned out today sorry if we missed you at the finish line…..

– Florence Curley

Donore Seniors & Juveniles Impress at Dublin XC Championships

Club News, Juvenile, Results, Senior

It was a memorable and poignant day in Santry Demesne last Sunday at the Dublin XC championships, which started with success in the juvenile and junior races, including team medals in the U17 girls and U17 boys (both bronze). Individual juvneile highlights included another title for Louis O’Loughlin (stepping up an age group in u17), once again demonstrating his class on the country, as well as excellent 4th places for Fathi Aden (also stepping up in u17) and Barney Kelly in the u15 boys and a top 10 for Eliza Ni Thighearnaigh, who finished 8th in the u19 girls. Both medal-winning teams had several members stepping up an age group, which makes the achievement even more impressive. Full results below…

The successes continued at senior level; an individual bronze by Barbara Cleary was backed up by team medals in both men’s (silver) and women’s (bronze) races to make it a great day for the club.

This was a wonderful result for Donore Harriers’ women on a very emotional day in the first Dublin Seniors championships without Jim McNamara. But his girls are keeping his legacy going: a great third place for Barbara Cleary who is back on the scene with a bang, followed by super runs by Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill, Karla Doran, Sinéad Lambe, Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill, Aisling Swaine and Florence Curley secured team bronze and, in the final results, the women were just 7 points off silver.

The winning DSD team were presented with the Jim McNamara Perpetual cup and Pat Hooper of Raheny Shamrocks, club president Iain Morrison and Jim’s brother Mick McNamara gave a great tribute speech at the presentation in the Clonliffe Bar afterwards, where Jim’s daughter Andrea Draper presented our women with their bronze medals, his son Shane presented the Crusaders girls with silver and his son James presented the gold medals to the winning DSD girls.

While it would have been great for the women to have won this Cup, it was always going to be tough in one of the most competitive races of the cross country season. Barbara’s individual bronze was an additional sweetener to the day and it is great to see her back where she belongs after a long battle with injury. It’s 2009 since the women won a silver in the Nationals and this new look squad is the best senior team in years, with great medal potential in the future, with younger and faster women coming through.

Jim would have been very very pleased with his team: Sorcha, Karla, and Sinéad packed well and are running at a new level. Sinéad hasn’t competed in this race in 3 years and it’s great to see her running so well on the cross country after a bad injury stricken few years. And a super run from Aislinn NicDhomhnaill with her first race back after having her second baby in March days after Jim’s passing. Here’s wishing Íde Nic Dhomhnaill and Maura Kearns a speedy recovery from injury. and team captain Florence Curley did great to tough it out as she’s on the comeback trail after missing months of training with injury too.

The men’s squad was missing a few key runners through injury but, despite this, put in a brilliant performance to get a well deserved team silver medal behind Raheny Shamrock who were awarded the Padraig Keane memorial cup. First home for Donore was Eric Keogh in a fantastic 4th place, followed by John Travers in 5th, Mael Lambert (8th), Rossa Hurley (23rd), Niall Lynch (34th), Ken Nugent (36th).

All attention now turns to the National Inter Clubs Championships in Abbotstown on the 27th of this month where both senior men and women will be in the hunt for medals.

RESULTS FROM THE DUBLIN UNEVEN AGES JUVENILE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS held at SANTRY DEMESNE on 6th NOVEMBER 2016 (provisional)
U.9 GIRLS (800m) = 19th Amber Lynch (step-up)
U.9 BOYS (800m) = 33rd David Mulcahy
U.11 GIRLS (1.5km) = 19th Honor Lynch; 34th Laura Nunan; 37th Eve Conroy; 40th Emily Windsor; 41st Aobhinn McCooey
TEAM: no team result available
U.11 BOYS (1.5km) = 10th Matei Ursachi (step-up); 33rd Joe Kinsella; 42nd James Dunne (step-up)
U.13 BOYS (2.5km) = 30th Cillian Gleason; 31st Sean Kinsella; 32nd Oliver Hopkins; 41st Michael Barry
TEAM: no team result available
U.15 BOYS (3.5km) = 4th Barney Kelly; 32nd Alan Reid
U.17 GIRLS (4.0km) = 11th Roisin Brady (step-up); 22nd Emer Rynn-Cahill; 23rd Shona Smith (step-up); 26th Elena Gaina; 27th Lauryn Dunne; 28th Kate Lynch; 29th Abby Byrne (step-up).
TEAM: 1st Dundrum South Dublin AC; 2nd Clonliffe Harriers; 3rd Donore Harriers
U.17 BOYS (5.0km) = 1st Louis O’Loughlin (step-up); 4th Fathi Aden (step-up); 22nd Liam Brophy; 25th Jack Raftery (step-up); 26th Keenan McDonnell (step-up); DNF = James Murphy (illness)
TEAM: 1st Clonliffe Harriers; 2nd Dundrum South Dublin AC; 3rd Donore Harriers
U.19 GIRLS (4.0km) = 8th Eliza Ni Thighearnaigh
JUNIOR MEN (6.0km) = 23rd Sam Gallagher; 33rd Michael Gibbs

Donore Success at Dublin Marathon & Leinster Novice XC Report

Club News, Results

Dublin Marathon report

The headline successes of Sunday’s Dublin marathon were the women’s Senior A team of Anne Curley, Grace Kennedy and Sinéad Graham winning team silver out of 123 teams and Anne Curley’s gold in the W45 age-group in the National Marathon Championships, incorporated into the Dublin marathon.

Conditions were excellent with no wind or rain but the Dublin marathon course is not one to be trifled with – a lot of long drags in the first half can be deceptive and take their toll.

First man home was the now seasoned marathon man Fergal Whitty and he was not that far off his best time in 2.34.45 despite foot problems in the lead up to the race and he left in all on the line here. He was unlucky too to just miss out on an M40 top 3 placing, finishing 4th in his category. Sean Fox was only seconds off the PB he set in Rotterdam earlier this year in 2.47.07. Next in was Tony Barry 2.53.24 and Niall O’Reilly who did an ironman triathlon this year and smashed his PB in 2.55.31. Chris Muldoon ran 2.56.25 and Fergal Roche got a PB of 2.57.11.  Just outside the 3 hours was Declan Lynch in 3.00.45.

It’s great to see Anne Curley back doing what she does best – severely hampered by injury the past 2 years and a virus last week she still pulled out a 3.02.05 here in her 12th marathon, picking up pace in the second half and breezing past dozens in the last few miles.  Paul Cummins and Neil Hand finished in the 3.06 bracket.  Grace Kennedy got a big PB here of 3.08.02 showing the distance running flair and grit she has always had.

Stephen Dawson was next in 3.22.41.  Niall O’Reilly’s fiance Sinead Graham got it tough in the last few miles but still did a PB of 3.24.38 so a double PB going to the O’Reilly/Graham house!  Tony Griffin was well pleased with 3.26.31 and training partner Ken Cronin did really well in his debut in 3.30.33.  Kevin Odgers was next in 3.30.43.

Angela Eustace lowered her PB yet again in 3.31.42 after a great season on the roads.  Paul Graham was next in 3.32.11.  In her first marathon for Donore, Audrey Gahan was delighted with a 3.38.06.  Michael Barry has ran a few marathons this year and did 3.40.33 today and played the good samaritan in the last stages when he and another competitor helped an exhausted fellow runner to the line.  Ariana Ball came up trumps here after a disappointing roads season and aced a PB of 3.43.05.  Giovanni Borza ran 3.48.41.  Elaine Verdon had a nightmare leadup to the marathon needing surgery a few weeks ago so getting to the start line was touch and go but she was delighted with her 3.53

One of the happiest finishers of the day was Michelle Dawson who finally broke the 4 hour mark in 3.57.26.  Peter Bonnar had one of the feats of the day when he also got a PB of 3.58.52.  2 weeks ago he ran the Amsterdam marathon in just seconds over 4 hours so he came back to fix that on the streets of Dublin.  Another marathon debutante was Linda Curtin in 4.12.13.  Laura Murray hoped to break 4 hours today but still got a big PB of 4.12.59. Arthur Connick was next in 4.14.51.  Michele Murphy was well pleased with her 4.39.54 debut.

The Fit 4 life group had a good contingent here today with Andrew Maguire 4.14.28, Anna McMahon 4.35.23, Mark Cullivan 4.45.46 and Orlaith McMahon 5.07.17

Provisional team results show the enormous number of club entries:
123 senior women’s teams with our teams 2nd and 46th.  The women’s masters had 233 teams and we were 31st and 167th. In the men’s senior competition our teams were 49th and 80th out of  215. There was an incredible 433 teams in the master event with our men 9th and 25th.

There were more than 40 Donore people – members, parents, juniors and friends of members working very hard at the Chapelizod water station, another team distributing medals at the finish line and Joan McTernan and Dave Hudson of course who have been working hard for months on the event. Support around the course by members was magnificent – missing this year was of course the late Jim McNamara who always crisscrossed the course and was ever present at the finish.  He inspired a lot of the runners out there today and was remembered in the post-marathon celebrations in O’Donoghues afterwards.

Meanwhile in Frankfurt, George Brady was first home with another sub-3 in 2:58:32, followed by Fred Kiernan in 3:19:14 and John Gleeson in 3:30.54.

Full list of DCM Finishers.

Fergal Whitty 2.34.45
Sean Fox 2.47.07
Tony Barry 2.53.24
Niall O’Reilly 2.55.31 (PB)
Chris Muldoon 2.56.25
Feargal Roche 2.57.11 (PB)
Declan Lynch 3.00.45
Anne Curley 3.02.05
Paul Cummins 3.06.06
Neil Hand 3.06.53
Grace Kennedy 3.08.02 (PB)
Stephen Dawson 3.22.41
Sinead Graham 3.24.38 (PB)
Tony Griffin 3.26.21
Kevin Odgers 3.30.43
Ken Cronin 3.30.33 (debut)
Angela Eustace 3.31.42 (PB)
Paul Graham 3.32.11
Audrey Gahan 3.38.06 (PB)
Ariana Ball 3.43.05 (PB)
Giovanni Borza 3.48.41
Michelle Dawson 3.57.26 (PB)
Peter Bonnar 3.58.52 (PB)
Linda Curtin 4.12.13
Laura Murray 4.12.59 (PB)
Andrew Maguire 4.14.28
Arthur Connick 4.14.51
Declan Raftery 4.17.46
Joe McDonnell 4.24.35
Dana Mackey 4.26.45 (PB)
Anna McMahon 4.35.23
Michele Murphy 4.39.54 (debut)
Mark Cullivan 4.45.46
Ian Redican 5.03.06
Orlaith McMahon 5.07.17

Leinster Novice XC Report

The weekend wasn’t just about the Dublin marathon – we had a large number of competitors in the Leinster Novice cross country championship today at Tyrrellspass Co Westmeath.

The course was at New Forest Golf Club – good underfoot conditions, nice weather but a lot of short sharp hills and big numbers from all corners of the province in both races.

The ladies 4k race (1 small lap, 2 big laps) had 100 finishers.  Alma Hanevy had a super run, working her way through the field with a very strong last lap and she was passing runners right to the end to finish in 9th place – this also earned her county gold on the Dublin team.  Aine Mahony ran her first cross country race and finished in 50th place with Amy Dodd in a solid run in 57th.  Jona Kalemi improved on her run in the Dublin novice to finish in 72nd with Marianne Dunlevy in a good finish in 82nd.  The ladies finished in 8th place out of 12 teams – this was one of the most competitive Leinsters in a long time.

There were 9 Donore runners in the men’s 6k race – 151 finishers.  There was a powerful run from Rossa Hurley in 5th place – just 2 places off the medals and he won a gold on the Dublin team.  Next was Phil Hennessy 40th, Des Tremble 52nd, Fergal Swaine 61st, Patrick Byrne 72nd, Alan Farrell 84th, Andrew wilson 116th, Joe Murphy 143rd, Des Gill 146th, Ken McKeown  148th (he fell ill mid-race but bravely finished).  The team was 8th in a field of 22 teams -like the women’s race, a very competitive day.