Plenty of action again this week!

by Gerry Naughton

The highlight being the outstanding team results in the 2nd qualifying round of the National Track & Field League at Santry on Sunday.

We also had Louis O’Loughlin and Jack Raftery consolidating their claims for selection to the
European Under 20 Championships and news of Aoife Lynch being selected to the Irish 4 x
100m relay team to compete in the European Under 23 Championships.

Other highlights include the women’s team 2nd placing in the St. Coca’s 5km road race and
Matei Ursachi winning our first medal in the 2019 national juvenile championships.

NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD LEAGUE ROUND 2 at SANTRY (30.06.2019)

Men’s captain David Campbell described it as being an “Awesome day” for Donore Harriers
as both the women’s and men’s team progressed to the finals of the premier track and field
league. “We’ve got a special group of athletes” proclaimed Campbell as he offered
congratulations to women’s track and field captain Leonie Newman and to the coaches at
the club.

The women’s team (104 points) were 1st on the day with Louth County on 103.5 and
Tipperary County on 101. Maximum 9 points were gained in 6 events, including Aoife Lynch
in the 100m and 200m, Barbara Clearly (10.18.1) in the 3,000m, Caoimhe Mackey (1.12.250
in the 400m Hurdles, Lauren O’Keeffe in the Hammer and Lara O’Byrne (1.60m) in the High
Jump.

Other strong performances came from Rebecca Power 2nd in the Javelin, Anne Gormley
(9.15.70) 3rd in the 1,500m Walk, Ruby Kelly (13.17.8) 3rd in the 3,000m steeplechase and
Lara O’Byrne (1.60m) 3rd in the High Jump. The versatile O’Byrne had earlier picked herself of
the track after a fall in the 100m Hurdles to place 4th in that event.

Grace Kennedy-Clarke (5.18.8) answered a late call-up to place 4th in the 1,500m. it was a
very creditable performance as she feels more at home running the marathon and ran 10
miles in training on the previous day. Roisin Rynn-Cahill (8.56m) 4th in the Triple Jump, Emily
Geoghegan (7.87m) 4th in the Shot Putt, Florence Curley (1.19.0) 5th in the 400m and Maura
Kearns (2.24.7) 5th in the 800m all gained valuable points for the team.

The 4 x 100m team (52.34) of Lauren Flaherty, Sarah Latiff, Emily Geoghegan and Lara
O’Byrne and the 4 x 400m team (4.26.0) of Lauren Flaherty, Sarah Higgins, Caoimhe Mackey
and Maura Kearns both placed in 4th position.

The women’s team (194) qualify to the final on the 20th July 2019 at Tullamore in 6th place
from the 2 qualifying sections, behind the county teams of Galway (211), Louth (209.5),
Kildare (201.5), Tipperary (200) and Monaghan (195) and ahead of DSD AC (186.5) and St.
Abbans AC (181).

The men’s team (107) came 2nd behind Clonliffe Harriers (123). Nenagh Olympic (100) came
3rd , with Crusaders AC (97) 4th of the 7 competing teams.

David Slupko (15.61) got the team off to a great start by winning the 110m Hurdles. The
foundation for an impressive team showing came in the mid-distance events with John
Travers (1.56.4) in the 800m, Daragh Fitzgibbon (4.04.5) in the 1,500m and Rossa Hurley
(15.43.0) in the 5,000m all gaining 9 points – and the ever gutsy Gavin Curtin (10.36.9)
collecting 7 points for runner-up spot in the 3,000m steeplechase.

In the final field event on the day Edgar Rutins won 9 points in the Javelin, whilst more 7
pointers were accrued by Paul McDermott (11.07) in the 100m and Elliot Slade (49.06) in the
400m.

McDermott (22.50) had earlier placed 4th in the 200m. Daragh McAuley (59.06) ran a fine
race to place 3rd in the 400m Hurdles. The other individual results included: – Kolade Abiodun
(12.26m) 5th in the Triple Jump, Jaco Oosthuysen 5th in the Shot Putt and 6th in the 56lb
Hammer, Zak Higgins (1.60m) 6th in the High Jump, Alex Conway 6th in the Hammer, and Sean
Chann 7th in the Long Jump.

The 4 x 400m relay team (3.24.7) were involved in a very exciting race, but had to settle for
2nd place behind Finn Valley AC. The team consisted of Zak Higgins, Conor Fox, Daragh
McAuley and Elliot Slade. The 4 x 100m team (44.79), consisting of Sean Chann, David
Slupko, Adam Halpin and Zak Higgins, came 4th.

Donore Harriers qualify to the final on 206 points from the 2 rounds. Clonliffe Harriers (251)
are the leading qualifiers with Raheny Shamrocks AC and Crusaders AC 0(both 208) next.
The other teams to make the final include St. Abbans AC (198), DSD AC (196) and Galway
City Harriers (193)

BAUHAUS JUNIOR GALA INVITATION at MANNHEIM (29 & 30.06.2019)

At the Bauhaus Junior Gala at Mannheim on Sunday (29.06.2019) Louis O’Loughlin placed 2 nd
in the Under 20 men’s 800m in a time of 1.50.28. The six-athlete A race proved to be a
bumpy affair with a lot of barging throughout the first 500 metres. O’Loughlin stayed in the
mix and moved from 6th to 1st along the back strait, with Mark Milner (1.50.72) of Tullamroe
Harriers giving chase. In the run to the line a fast finishing Maximiliam Sluka of Germany
(1.50.03) used his superior speed to take first place. O’Loughlin gained his 2nd ‘B’ standard
time and is now eligible for selection to the European Under 20 championships.

On Saturday (29.06.2019) Jack Raftery won the 1st heat in the Under 20 Men’s 400m in a
time of 48.81, just one-tenth of a second short of his personal best time. On Sunday ‘Big
Jack’ was back in action, this time running Leg 3 on the Irish Under 20 relay team. The
Ireland team placed 3rd behind two strong German outfits in a time of 3.15.59. Raftery
certainly consolidated his claim for inclusion to the team in the forthcoming Euro U.20s.

BRITISH MILERS CLUB GRAND PRIX at WATFORD (29.06.2019)

On a balmy, humid evening in Hertfordshire Daragh Fitzgibbon and John Travers lined up in
the British Milers Club Grand Prix meeting at Watford. Fitzgibbon (8.32.82) placed 15th in the
Men’s 3,000m A race, whilst John Travers stepped off the track after 2 laps in the Men’s
1,500m A race. “I just didn’t feel right, like I had no energy” explained Travers later. Both
Fitzgibbon and Travers were back in action on the following day gaining maximum points in
the National League over 1,500m and 800m respectively.

DUBLIN OPEN GRADED MEET NO. 5 at TALLAGHT (26.06.2019)

The fifth Dublin Open Graded meeting at Tallaght Track on Wednesday (26.06.2019)
incorporated some 800m championship races.

In the Dublin Open Championship Elliot Slade (1.52.45) ran out a convincing winner in the
A1 race to claim the gold medal. Abdel Laadjel (2.04.56) came 4th overall in the A2 race,
which was good enough to win the bronze medal in the Dublin Under 17 juvenile
championship. Simon Murphy (2.08.97) faded after a strong first lap to place 4th in the Under
19 age-group.

The other competing Donore athletes were: – Ailbhe Healy (2.40m) 3rd in the Pole Vault;
Colm Dunne (24.87) 2nd in the C1 grade 200m; Barbara Clearly (2.27.83) 4th in the B1 grade
800m; Dominic Boyle (2.15.72) 4th in the C1 grade 800m; and Paul Cummins (9.45.68) 3rd in
the B grade 3,000m.

ALL IRELAND JUVENILE GAMES at TULLAMORE (29.06.2019)

There championships are specific for athletes in the Under 9 to 13 age groups. Matei
Ursachi (4.65m) won the club’s first medal at this year’s national juvenile championships
with 3rd place in the Under 13 Boys Long Jump. Ursachi (7.93m) also placed 12th in the Shot
Putt.

Another versatile athlete Mario Omozee was busy in the Under 12 Boys group, placing 3rd in
his heat of the 60m (8.70 – he did not qualify to the final), 5th in the High Jump (1.25m) and
13th in the Shot Putt (7.53m).

In the Pairs competitions the Under 11 Girls Turbo Javelin team came 5th with Zoe Conroy
throwing 15.51m and Amber Lynch 16.52m for a combined effort of 32.03m.

The Under 11 Boys 600m pairing of Luuk Jackson (1.57.20) and Cillian McCooey (1.54.33)
placed 7th .

Sebastian Ursachi (9.99) and Dylan O’Connor (9.86) came 12th in the 60m pairs, the same
position gained by Amber Lynch (3.16m) and Talitha Hynes (3.19m) in the Under 11 Girls
Long Jump.

The Under 13 Boys 4 x 100m quartet of James Dunne, Alex Leonard, Paddy Nolan and Ciaran
O’Farrell were disappointed when they could only manage 6th place in Heat 2 and failed to
make the final.

ST. COCA’S 5km ROAD RACE at KILCOCK (28.06.2019)

It was a night of PBs for Donore athetes last Friday (28.06.2019) in the annual St. Coca’s 5km
road race at Kilcock. On a warm calm evening the conditions were ideal for good times on a
fast-flat course. Fergal Whitty (16.23) was the first Donore athlete home in 26th place overall
and 4th in the M40 category. Next in was Des Tremble (16.53) in 50th and 5th M45. Alan Farrell
(16.54) 52nd and 6th M45 broke the 17 minutes barriers for the first time – with an improving
Alan Keogh (17:40) also getting a PB when placing 77th .

Aislinn NicDhomhnaill (18.01 & 94th overall) made an excellent return to competition after a
long lay-off due to injury by winning the Women’s Over 40 category. NicDhomhnaill led the
Donore Harriers women’s team to 2nd place. The other scoring team members were Maura
Kearns (18.35) in 123rd overall and 5th senior woman, Pamela White (21.5) in 291st and 20 th
senior, and Sinead Graham 322nd and 25th senior. St. Coca’s AC (58) were 1st women’s team,
with Donore Harriers (129) in 2nd and Na Fianna AC (166) in 3rd .

The other competing Donore athletes were: – Niall O’Reilly (17.52) 85th and 17th M40; Chris
Muldoon (18.29) 117th and 24th M40; Peter Nugent (19.14) 145th and 13th M50; Oliver O’Hara
(20.09 PB) 209th and 40th M40; Frank McNally (21.39) 277th and 11th M55; Charlie O’Neill
(24.02) 384th and 8th M60; and Terry Mee 441st and 14th M60.

The Donore Harriers men’s team placed 6th . There were 556 finishers.

CLONEE 10km ROAD RACE (27.06.2019)

In the Clonee 10km road race on Thursday evening Ian Redican (44.16) placed 106th of 398
finishers, with Ann Ryan (57.18) in 291st .

PARKRUNS

Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (16.03) was the runaway winner of the 5th anniversary Waterstown
5km Parkrun on Saturday (29.06.2019) morning. Under 16 athlete Alan Farrell (24.06)
gained a personal best when finished in 22nd place. Under 19 Aidan Kelly (18.59) won the Corkagh Parkrun.

RESULTS IN BRIEF:

DUBLIN OPEN GRADED MEET 5 at TALLAGHT TRACK (26.06.2019) incorporating the Dublin
Juvenile 800m championships for U17, U18 & U19
Men’s 200m CI Grade: 2nd Colm Dunne (24.87)
Women’s 800m B1 Grade: 4th Barbara Cleary (2.27.83)
Men’s 800m A1 Grade: 1st Elliot Slade (1.52.45) 1st in Dublin Open 800m Championship
Men’s 800m A2 Grade: 4th Abdel Laadjel (2.04.56) 3rd in Dublin U.17 championship; 7th Simon
Murphy (2.08.97) 4th in Dublin U.19 championship
Men’s 800m C1 Grade: 4th Dominic Boyle (2.15.72)
Men’s 3,000m B Grade: 3rd Paul Cummins (9.45.68)
Women’s Pole Vault: 3rd Ailbhe Healy (2.40m)

CLONEE 10km (27.06.2019)
106th & 18th M45: Ian Redican (44.16)
291st & 17th W45: Ann Ryan (57.18)
398 finishers

ST. COCA’S 5km ROAD RACE at KILCOCK (28.06.2019)
26th & 4th M40: Fergal Whitty (16.23)
50th & 5th M45: Des Tremble (16.53)
52nd & 6th M45: Alan Farrell (16.54 PB)
77th & 46th MS: Alan Keogh (17.40 PB)
85th & 17th M40: Niall O’Reilly (17.52)
94th & 1st W40: Aislinn Nic Dhomhnaill (18.01)
117th & 24th M40: Chris Muldoon (18.29)
123rd & 5th WS: Maura Kearns (18.35)
145th & 13th M50: Peter Nugent (19.14)
209th & 40th M40: Oliver O’Hara (20.09 PB)
277th & 11th M55: Frank McNally (21.39)
291st & 20th WS: Pamela White (21.50)
322nd & 25th WS: Sinead Graham (22.24)
384th & 8th M60: Charlie O’Neill (24.02)
441st & 14th M60: Terry Mee (27.15)
556 finishers
WOMEN’s TEAM: 1st St. Coca’s AC 58; 2nd Donore Harriers (Nic Dhomhnaill, Kearns, White,
Graham) 129; 3rd Na Fianna AC 166. 11 teams
MEN’s TEAM: 1st Raheny Shamrocks AC 90, 6th Donore Harriers 202. 19 teams.

BRITISH MILERS CLUB GRAND PRIX at WATFORD (29.06.2019)
Men’s 3,000m A: 15th Daragh Fitzgibbon (8.32.82)
Men’s 1,500m A: DNF John Travers

ALL IRELAND JUVENILE GAMES at TULLAMORE (29.06.2019)
U.13 Boys Long Jump: 3rd Matei Ursachi (4.65m) bronze medal

U.12 Boys 60m Heat 2: 3rd Mario Omozee (8.70)
U.12 Boys High Jump: 5th Mario Omozee (1.25m)
U.12 Boys Shot Putt: 13th Mario Omozee (7.53m)
U.13 Boys Shot Putt: 12th Matei Ursachi (7.93m)
U.10 Boys Pairs 60m: 12th Donore Harriers (Sebastian Ursachi 9.99 & Dylan O’Connor 9.86)
(19.85)
U.11 Girls Pairs Turbo Javelin: 5th Donore Harriers (Zoe Conroy 15.51m & Amber Lynch
16.52) 32.03m
U.11 Girls Pairs Long Jump: 12th Donore Harriers (Amber Lynch 3.16m & Talitha Hynes
3.19m) 6.35m
U.11 Boys Pairs 600m: 7th Donore Harriers (Luuk Jackson 1.57.20 & Cillian McCooey
1.54.33) (3.53.53)
U.13 Boys 4 x 100m Heat 2: 6th Donore Harriers ( James Dunne, Alex Leonard, Paddy Nolan,
Ciaran O’Farrell) (55.66)

BAUHAUS JUNIOR GALA INVITATION at MANNHEIM (29&30. 06.2019)
U.20 Men’s 400m Heat 1 of 3: 1st Jack Raftery (48.81) placed 10th overall on time
U.20 Men’s 800m Heat 1 of 2: 2nd Louis O’Loughlin (1.50.28)
U.20 Men’s 4 x 400m: 3rd Ireland U.20 with Jack Raftery on Leg 3 (3.15.59)

NATIONAL TRACK & FIELD LEAGUE 2nd QUALIFYING ROUND at SANTRY (30.06.2019)
WOMEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
100m: 2nd Aoife Lynch
200m: 1st Aoife Lynch (23.70)
400m: 5th Florence Curley (1.19.0)
800m: 5th Maura Kearns (2.24.7)
1,500m: 4th Grace Kennedy-Clarke (5.13.8)
3,000m: 1st Barbara Cleary (10.18.1)
100mH: 4th Lara O’Byrne (26.60)
400mH: 3rd Caoimhe Mackey (1.12.25)
1,500m Walk: 3rd Anne Gormley (9.15.70)
3,000m SC: 3rd Ruby Kelly (13.17.8)
Long Jump: 3rd Lara O’Byrne
High Jump: 1st Lara O’Byrne (1.60m)
Triple Jump: 4th Roisin Rynn-Cahill (8.56m)
Pole Vault: no competitor
Shot Putt: 4th Emily Geoghegan (7.87m)
Discus: 5th Rebecca Power
Hammer: 1st Lauren O’Keeffe
Javelin: 2nd Rebecca Power
4 x 100m relay: 4th Donore Harriers (Lauren Flaherty, Sarah Latiff, Emily Geoghegan, Lara
O’Byrne) (52.34)
4 x 400m relay: 4th Donore Harriers (Lauren Flaherty; Sarah Higgins, Caoimhe Mackey,
Maura Kearns) (4.26.0)

TEAM SCORE: 1st Donore Harriers (104), 2nd Louth County (103.5), 3rd Tipperary County (101),
4th Monaghan County (97), 5th Clonliffe Harriers (88), 6th Wexford County (61.5)

MEN’S PREMIER DIVISION
100m: 2nd Paul McDermott (11.07)
200m: 4th Paul McDermott (22.50)
400m: 2nd Elliot Slade (49.06)
800m: 1st John Travers (1.56.4)
1,500m: 1st Daragh Fitzgibbon (4.04.5)
5,000m: 1st Rossa Hurley (15.43.0)
110mH: 1st David Slupko (15.61)
400mH: 3rd Daragh McAuley (59.06)
3,000m Walk: no competitor
3,000m SC: 2nd Gavin Curtin (10.36.9)
Long Jump: 7th Sean Chann
High Jump: Zak Higgins (1.60m)
Triple Jump: 5th Kolade Abiodun (12.26m)
Pole Vault: no competitor
Shot Putt: 5th Jaco Oosthuysen
Discus: 5th Edgar Rutins
Hammer: 6th Alex Conway
Javelin: 1st Edgar Rutins
56lb Hammer: 6th Jaco Oosthuysen
4 x 100m: 4th Donore Harriers (Sean Chann, David Slupko, Adam Halpin, Zak Higgins) (44.79)
4 x 400m: 2nd Donore Harriers (Zak Higgins, Conor Fox, Daragh McAuley, Elliot Slade)
(3.24.7)

TEAM SCORE: 1st Clonliffe Harriers (123), 2nd Donore Harriers (107), 3rd Nenagh Olympic
(100), 4th Crusaders (97), 5th Finn Valley AC (89), 6th Tipperary County (77), 7th Leevale AC (67)

PARKRUNS
Corkagh: 1st Aidan Kelly U.19 (18.59)
Waterstown: 1st Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan (16.03); 3rd Gavin Byrne (18.40); 22nd Alan Farrell
U.16 (24.06 PB); 69th Oliver Hopkins U.15 (30.40) went off course
Griffeen: 134th Anna McMahon W35 (31.20)