Well done to Alex Clarkin who got his season off to a fantastic start in the Under 16 All Ireland indoor Pentathlon in Athlone on Saturday. A strong performance saw Alex earn a silver medal & achieving 3 personal bests in the hurdle sprint, shot putt & 800m.

Our Masters men performed brilliantly in the Dublin Masters Cross Country championship in a record and very competitive field in Raheny on Sunday. All of our men were up to the challenge in tough conditions and continued the great stream of success emanating from our men this winter. Lead brilliantly by John Dunne, the spirit of the team was unquenchable with each man working his socks off for the team. Up front John Dunne bided his time in the top 6 until eventually there were only two vying for the gold medal. With only 600 yards to go John was still 30 yards down on the leader. But John unleashed a killer sprint on Paul Fleming to reel him in and recorded a magnificent victory-his first Dublin title. Not far behind, the team were packing like wolves. Niall Lynch lead the charge finishing in 5th place, closely followed by the brilliant Dave Heffernan in 9th place. Another great run from the fast improving Fergal Swaine in 19th place completed the 4 scoring athletes. Dark horse Willie Morris put in a big run in 28th place, closely followed by the flying Philip Hennessy and Fergal Whitty in 30th and 34th places. Next came vice-captain Henry English in 41st position, Des Trimble 49th, Gerry Mc Donald 82nd, Barry Potts 101st, Ian Redican 106th , Des Gill109th and the indefatigable Terry Mee kept it all together in 143rd place.

The team position was very impressive, what an effort!.
1st Donore 1, 5, 9,19 Total 34 points
2nd Clonliffe 4,11,15, 25 Total 55 points
3rd Rathfarnham 2, 8, 16, 32, Total 58 points

Category medalists were;
John Dunne 1st M35
Niall Lynch 2nd M.40
Barry Potts 2nd M60
Terry Mee ist M70

Donore had a record 10 competitors in the ladies 3k masters race over 2 laps in St Anne’s Park. There was a very fast start with the Donore ladies taking out the pace with the rest of the 82 strong field. Anne Curley twice a silver medallist in this race didn’t run to her usual form and a misjudgement on the second lap gave her competitors the advantage in the closing stages so she finished 8th but still 2nd W40. Our next finishers packed very well throughout and in a storming race first time master Alma Hanevy finished 11th with some seconds to spare on Breda Mahony in 13th. The ever improving Janette Strickland was a super 15th and Karen Behan a few seconds behind in 16th. Bronagh Elliott had a strong finish in 19th and Sam Conroy worked through the field to 22nd. Florence Curley had a bad start but managed to finish 28th. Next was Eva Campion in 38th and Ann Woodlock now in the W75 category finished 89th. The team won bronze and just missed the silver by 2 points, this was a great result from a new look Masters Team and well done Alma and Janette on first time cross country medals.

With the ladies in third place, it was a great day of cross-country for the club. A huge thank you goes out to the fab supporters who turned up in great numbers. It was appreciated by all our athletes. It was a day for the tent. Many thanks to those who put it up. It’s all about team effort.

Members are reminded that the awards night takes place on January 24th in the Lucan Spa Hotel. Details on the night can be found http://www.donoreharriers.com/2014/01/donore-harriers-awards-night/