Jul 30, 2010 [Stephen Byrne]

Round 9 of the 2010 Clonliffe Harriers Grand Prix Series the Bonass/Club 10,000m Championship took place yesterday evening. In perfect conditions a large field toed the line for the race which was the 25th running of the Bonass 10K and incorporated the club 10k championships.

The defending champion Declan Power going for a third consecutive win in the event did not have things his own way this year. Sharing turns at the front Declan and Lorcan Cronin soon started to lap the field with Lorcan going on to edge Declan at the line by all of 4 seconds. Declan’s time of 33.22 was slightly down on his 33.19 in the same event last year.

There were huge improvements in 10K times throughout the field with numerous personal bests being achieved. Ernie Ramsey’s 35.00 took 2.22 off last year's time, Conor Delaney – 1.43 mins, Eoin Murray – 3.25mins, Jeremy Chapman – 36 secs, Fergus Keenan – 30 secs, and Colm Breen – 1.39 mins.

Jul 30, 2010 [Stephen Byrne]

A notice to all our Grand Prix athletes taking a well deserved break after yesterday's 10,000m event. The August Track Series is a great way to keep sharp before the next round which is the Walker Cup, the race is run over 4 miles on the track in Morton Stadium on Thursday 9th of September.

The Maurice Ahern run series will be run over consecutive Thursday's during the month of August.

Jul 28, 2010 [Stephen Byrne]
The next round in the Clonliffe Grand Prix Series takes place tomorrow Thursday 29th July at 8.00PM in Morton Stadium. The race incorporates the Bonass 10,000m and the Clonliffe Club Championship 10,000m.

Declan Power having won the event for the last two years will go into the race as a hot favorite.

In the race for the Grand Prix Series the following candidates are in the running. - MORE....

Jul 28, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Congratulation to both Patrick O`Connor and Stuart Roche who have been selected by Athletics Ireland on the U/18 International team for the Celtic Games. Patrick, who has been exceptional this season , is selected to run both the 100m and 200m. Patrick has also been selected in the 4 X 100m relay squad where he will be joined by an equally talented club mate Stuart Roche. The Celtic Games take place at Athlone IT on August 7th.

Jul 28, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Clonliffe`s Brian Gregan was knocked out in yesterday`s 400m heats of the European Championships in Barcelona. Brian, clearly having been affected by his ijury hit season, finished 5th in his heat in 46.90, with the first 4 only progressing to today`s semi finals. Brian still has the 4 x 400 relay to look forward to later in the week. - MORE....

Jul 25, 2010 [Noel Guiden] - (Updated Jul 26, 2010)
Clonliffe`s extraordinary marathonman Sergiu Ciobanu took part in and won the most unusal marathon he has ran to date: The Bogtrotters Marathon. Yesterday (Saturday) Sergiu lined up in Strokestown, County Roscommon for the annual Bogtrotter, a half, full and relay marathon held through the bog lands of East Roscommon.Sergiu never being a man to take it easy went in the full marathon. The pre event publicity advertised that the athletes could look forward to running on tarmac roads, bog roads and grassed roads over an undulating route featuring three "challenging hills". A measure of just how challenging things were can be found in Sergiu`s winning time of 3:04.20. Another Clonliffe bog man Mick Harkin was 13th in the half marathon in 1:36.54, and unbelieveably knocked four minutes off his PB! News also in of Anthony Malone running 81:26 in yesterdays (Sunday) half marathon in Cookstown, on what spys say was a "beast of a course".

Jul 25, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
The Irish Milers Club season came to a conclusion at the BMC Nike Grand Prix at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast last night with a number of Clonliffe athletes in action. In the 800 E" race Mark McDonald was 6th in 1.57.45, Conor Healy was 9th in the 1500 "B" race in 3.55.78. Dave Fitzmaurice placed 9th in the 3,000 in 8.36.51. In the women`s 1500m "B" Becky Woods was 5th in 4.35.55 with Louise Reilly 8th (4.50.19). Also noteworthy were the performances of three of our overseas visitors to the Morton Stadium on Wednesday: Andrew Bumbalough (USA) who was 5th in the Morton Mile won last night`s "A" 1500 in 3.42.64 , while our Aussie guests Lisa Corrigan won the 1500 "A" in 4.10.38 with Bridey Delaney 10th in 4.33.01. (Full results on www.britishmilersclub.com)

Jul 25, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Patrick O`Connor signed off on a magnificent season in Tullamore yesterday in magnificent style winning the National U/18 200m title in 22.08. Patrick has simply been outstanding this Summer : winning schools titles, Dublin titles, two Nationals titles 100 (on July 3rd) and 200, sprint double at the Tailtann Games on June 26th, including breaking the 33 year old 200m record at those games, and winning the 200m at last weekend`s Schools International in Glasgow....and he`s only 16 years old! - MORE....

Jul 23, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Dave Flynn took to the streets of Dublin`s Liberties last night for the St. James`s Hospital Liberties Run. Flynner won in a time of 19:25 a new course record over the somewhat unusal 6.5km distance and continues his fine Summer form on the road after last weekend`s Irish Runner 5 Mile 5th place finish. The St. James`s Liberties Run is run around the historic Liberties area of inner Dublin and gives an increasingly rare opportunity to race on the streets of Dublin. Club members of a certain vintage will fondly recall the annual Liberties Festival Fun Run and recall with even more fondness the creamy pints of guinness served in The Clock post race!

Jul 22, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
The milers in last night’s Morton Mile came pretty close to the 2008 record of nine sub-4 miles as Will Leer led seven athletes across the finish line in the magical Sub-4 with another two athletes recording times of 4 minutes dead. - MORE....

Jul 20, 2010 [Killian Lonergan]
Below please find confirmed entries for tomorrow night`s Morton Mile - MORE....

Jul 20, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
There were two new National records set by Clonliffe athletes on Sunday at opposite ends of the spectrum. Pole Vaulter Ian Rogers set a new National U/23 record with a superb 4.80m at the Scottish Senior Nationals on Sunday in finishing third, and went close on his attempts at 5.00m. Ian has been chasing that U/23 record since the early Summer and Sunday was his day. Meanwhile at the European Masters track and field in Nyiregyhaza, Hungary, a slightly older Clonliffe athlete, Pat Bonass, broke the National M65 2,000m steeple chase record, in finishing 4th in 9.00.20.

Jul 19, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
The junior mile at Wednesday`s Dublin Athletics/Morton Meet takes place at 7.45pm. The start list for this prestigious race is: - MORE....

Jul 18, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Round 2 of the National league took place in the Morton Stadium today, while the rain generally held off except for the 1500s the blustery wind was there for the day blowing hard into the athletes faces on the home straight making things difficult all round. Despite the team missing a fair few expierenced men Joe Cooper had the squad well fired up and at the close of the day the men topped the standings qualifing for the league final on August 14th. - MORE....

Jul 2, 2010 [Noel Guiden ]
The inaugural Hireco Clonilffe/IMC Grand Prix proved to be a major success in the Morton Stadium, Santry last night. There was a great night’s athletics provided by the athletes who supported this Meet in their droves with full fields in the sprint events, ten javelin throwers in the javelin pairs competition, a quality packed 1500 metres and then right at the eleventh hour Emmett Jennings of DSD producing a magnificent performance delighting the crowd with a time that qualifies him for selection for the world Junior championships. - MORE....

Jul 18, 2010 [Pamela Cooper Ladies _Captain]
On a windy yet warm day on home truff the Clonliffe Harrier Ladies showed yet again there depth and strenght to take 1st place in round two of the National T&F Championships with 107pts second was County Kildare with 106pts and third County Wexford 100pts. - MORE....

Jul 17, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Action all round today for Clonliffe athletes: from Dublin`s Phoenix Park for the Irish Runner 5 to Scotstoun , Glasgow for the Celtic International Schools track and field. Top performer today on a day of some really excellent performances was provided by young star sprinter Patrick O`Connor winning the schools international 200 and finishing 2nd in the 100m. - MORE....

Jul 16, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
The men`s team are fully prepared for Sunday`s 2nd round of the National League at Morton stadium. After the superb performances of our athletes at the Nationals the team heads into the fray full of confidence. The club`s top athletes are expected to be out in force, as Joe Cooper confirms a clean bill of health for the squad. With competition for places on Sunday keen someone is going to be disappointed as Joe chooses from: - MORE....

Jul 16, 2010 [Noel Guiden ]
Round 8 of the Clonliffe Harriers Grand Prix Series 2010 took place in the Morton Stadium last night with the 1500 metres race sponsored by Richard Connolly. In addition to the usual Grand Prix stalwarts a number of the younger generation took to the track with a substantial contingent of Joe Cooper’s junior squad and Gerry Carr’s panzer division and as a result the field was split into three separate races. - MORE....

Jul 14, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Alistair Cragg continued his build up to the Europeans last night placing 5th in a 3,000 in Liege in 7.44.25. This was Alistair`s third race in four days, and in three different countries: England, Ireland and Belgium.

Jul 13, 2010 [Noel Guiden ]
A top class field has been signed up to take part in the Morton Memorial Mile (sponsored by Behan & Associates and Commercial Hygiene Services) which takes place in the Morton Stadium Santry on Wednesday the 21st of July in conjunction with the Dublin County Board Athletic Meet that night. It is expected that there will be up to 20 milers taking part in the race with to date 13 confirmed, 7 of whom are sub 4 minute milers. - MORE....

Jul 13, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Athletics Ireland named the Irish squad for the European Track and Field Championships in Barcelona last night. Clonliffe athletes Alistair Cragg and Brian Gregan have been selected for two events each: Cragg in both the 1500m and 5,000m and Gregan in the 400m and 4 x 400 relay. Unfortunately Clonliffe`s other European qualifier Mark Kenneally had to make the heartbreaking decision over the weekend to pull out of the squad. The championships run from July 27th to August 1st with Athletics Ireland due to confirm the final team on July 27th. See www.athleticsireland,ie for full Irish team.

Jul 12, 2010 [Juvenile_Captain]
Tomorrow night is the final session for the club`s Juvenile athletes. Training will resume after the holidays on Thursday August 26th. Thanks to all for your help during the year. Have a great Summer.

Jul 12, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
A few Clonliffe performances to report on over the half marathon distance from the weekend before last. First off Fergie Keenan made the long journey out West to take in the Achill Island Half Marathon on Saturday July 3rd running an impressive 1:30.49 over what one would imagine might have been a hilly course! The following day, July 4th, the Clontarf Muli Half Marathon took place at Bull Island, on road, sand and other surfaces, an out and back course, which would include the gentle Dollymount sea breeze. Good runs from the Clonliffe trio in that race, Conor Delaney finishing an excellent 3rd place in 1:28.27, "The Real Thing" Murray was 6th (1:30.26) and Jeremy Chapman was 12th in 1:34.54. Well done lads.

Jul 11, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
After the truely awful conditions of yesterday a new bright sunny day dawned for day 2 of the National track and field. The club`s athletes after enjoying an excellent first day with 5 medals gathered were again in inspired form and at the conclusion of proceedings the medal count had risen to a dozen: 5 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze. - MORE....

Jul 10, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
After the unbelieveably good Summer to date we reverted to type today for day 1 of the National Track and Field Championships at rain swept Morton Stadium. The club`s field eventers were at the business end of proceedings throughout the day with the throwers in particular shining in the wet conditions. Luke Mangan took gold in the U/23 35lbs. for height with a best of 5.50m and then took bronze in the senior shot putt with 14.22m. Silver in that event went to Tomas Rauktys (15.35m) who continues his excellent form this season. Silver also in the high jump for Marcin Klinkzow who was joint 2nd with 1.95m. Clonliffe`s first ladies medal of the 2010 championships came courtesy of javelin thrower Denise Byrne taking bronze with a throw of 36.56m. So a good start 5 medals: 1 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze. - MORE....

Jul 8, 2010 [Noel Guiden ]
The penultimate Graded Meet of the season took place in the Morton Stadium last night. With the Nationals due to take place this weekend the Meet was pretty poorly supported and the stadium was a sparse place in the evening swirling wind. Despite that, however, there were a number of good performances from the few Clonliffe athletes in action.Pride of place on the night went to Tomas Rauktys who in winning the discus set a new club record of 52.34m. Martin Hunt recorded a PB in the Hammer with a best of 57.06 metres. Good performance also in the discus from Simon Galligan 10th with a best of 32.79. Elaine Begley made her debut in a Senior race running a strong 400 recording a time of 60.5 for 5th overall and 1st in Grade B. A good Senior debut also by Ronan Doyle finishing 3rd in his 400 in a time of 58.8 whilst Brett Paine warmed up for the Nationals by finishing 2nd in the A/B combined 400 in a time of 52.7. Three of the Club’s Junior Squad ran in the 1500 B Race. A very good run in this race from Andrew Jenkinson recording a new PB of 4:14.51, carving some 15 seconds off his existing PB. Ian Guiden also carved a huge chunk, 20 seconds, off his PB in running a time of 4:24.2 whilst Mark McKenzie still struggles to find form after a season blighted by injury and illness looked a very tired athlete in recording a time of 4:41.2. Phillip Doherty had a good run in the C Race finishing 2nd in 4:33.59.

Jul 8, 2010 [Stephen Byrne]

The Grand Prix leader-board after 7 rounds sees Colm Doran retain his place on the top with Philip O’Doherty jumping from 4th to 2th place and Richard Barr moving from 5th place to 3rd place.

Jul 8, 2010 [Noel Guiden ]
The European Mountain Running Championships took place last Sunday, July 4th, in Bulgaria. Irish team captain Gary O’Hanlon by all accounts ran very strongly over the early part of the race and was comfortably with the leaders, however, on the climbs he slipped back ultimately finishing 44th place which compares quite favourably with recent Irish performances. The team ultimately finished 15th. Also belated (very belated in fact) congratulations to Aisling Coppinger who represented Ireland in the Celtic Plate International 100k race in Boddington in England on the 19th of June last. Aisling ran very strongly finishing in 4th place in a time of 9:27:54 taking some three minutes off her PB from the previous years event in Galway.

Jul 3, 2010 [Noel Guiden] - (Updated Jul 4, 2010)
After qualifying through the Dublin Juveniles a number of Clonliffe athletes have been in action at the National Juvenile track and field in Tullamore. Noteable performances from Day 1, Saturday the 3rd, include U/18 gold win by Patrick O`Connor in the 100m in a time of 10.96 into -0.3 wind, a new PB. Gold also for Ryan Whelan in the U/17 javelin, continuing his excellent form. Megan Coomber jumped well in the U/15 long jump, making the cut and qualifing for the final where her best jump of the day 4.81m placed her 5th, a pretty good performance in her first Nationals. - MORE....

Jul 3, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
News just in from the Cork City Sports today confirms that David Donegan has become the first Clonliffe athlete to vault 5 meters. Donegan won the pole vault at the 59th Cork City Sports with a 5 meter vault and in the process broke Anthony MCCreery`s three year old club record by 10 centimetres. This also ties Alan Burke's 1989 Irish record vault. Ian Rogers was 5th with a best today of 4.60m. A difficult day by the looks of things for Mark Kenneally as he trys to get himself back into the groove finishing well below par in the 3,000m 9th place in 8.22.7. Brian Gregan may also be a liitle disappointed with his run finishing 5th in the 400m in a time of 47.20. - MORE....

Jul 2, 2010 [Stephen Byrne]

Round 7 of the Clonliffe Grand Prix took place in Morton Stadium last Tuesday 29th June. In a race that would be voted the least favourite in the Grand Prix due to its eye bulging effort some 33 athletes toed the line for the event. Maurice Ahern co-ordinated the attending field into 4 different races depending on the athletes predicted times.

Jul 1, 2010 [Noel Guiden]
Last night Brian Gregan made his return to racing after the injury he sustained in the National league in Antrim a few weeks back. Brian placed 3rd in the 400m at the IAAF International in Namour, Belgium in a time of 46.83. Next up for Brian is the Cork City Sports on Saturday followed by the Nationals in Santry the following week.