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The weather gods served up a real mixed bag for today’s 9^th Brother Schools Cross Country at Santry Demesne.  The course builders endured rain all morning, however, by the time the event started the conditions had picked up considerably leading to a very pleasant, sunny, autumnal day.  An hour or so later, however, the rain came down again turning wintery but by the time the senior boys race took place the park was once again bathed in beautiful autumnal sunshine.

The turnout for this fixture was once again extraordinary some 1,800 or so young athletes with bumper fields in the primary school races and the younger age groups of the secondary schools in particular.

Proceedings got underway at 12 noon sharp with a field of some 200 fifth class girls in the primary schools race. It was a tremendous spectacle to see so many young athletes compete in what has become one of the essential races on the schools cross country calendar.  The winner of the 5^th class primary school race was Grace Prenter and in the team race a dominant St. Fiachra’s finished top of the pile on 58 points from Mary Help of Christians 63 and Mount Anville on 65.

Next race up was the 5^th class boys race again a huge field, there was over 250 starters in this race led home much to the delight of his teammates by Keane O’Neill of Star of the Sea. At the presentation the chants of Keano, Keano reverberated around the park.  Michael Riordan of St. Fiachra’s was 2^nd leading Fiachra’s to another win on 28 points ahead of Star of the Sea on 36 and Howth Primary School on 55.

The primary school 6^th class girls also raced over 1000 metres, again a huge field of some 200 starters. The winner was Mount Anville’s Anna Kearney as she led her school to victory on 32 points.

The 6^th class primary school boys again St. Fiachra’s were the dominant force as they produced a one two from Harry Page and Alex Sheridan, it was no surprise to see Fiachra’s again top the charts in the team race on 32 points from John Bosco on 63 and St. Michael’s on 66. The teachers at St. Fiachra`s are clearly doing fantastic work on the athletics front, with the school winning 3 of the 4 primary races.

With the primary school programme completed the action moved on to the secondary schools with the minor girls. This was again a huge field of some 200 athletes again running the 1000m loop. The huge field was led home by Sophie Quinn (Mount Sackville) as she led her team to victory on 36 points ahead of Our Lady’s College 48 and Dominicans College 61.

Next up it was the minor boys where the stampede was led home by T. McClone (Willow Park). The team champions were our Newry visitors, Colman’s College on 36 points from Ard Scoil Ris 56 and Willow Park on 64.

The junior girls were next up running over the bigger loop which took in the dreaded garden wall. The winner of this race was Sadbh Mohan from Eimear Maher and Saoirse Ni Bhriain.  The team race was won by St. Dominic’s of Cabra on 40 points from Mount Sackville 71 and Muckross Park on 73 points.

Next up racing over 2000m, two of the smaller laps, was the junior boys. Local club St. Aidan’s were top of the pile on 39 points from St. Malachy’s of Belfast on 42 points and Colman’s College Newry on 51.  Race winner was Morgan Clarkeson (Col. Eoin).

The inter girls also raced over 2000m. Clocking up their second team win of the day were St. Dominic’s Cabra on 32 points.  The race was led home by Roisin Tracey (St. Gerard’s).

On then to the inter boys race where once again it was a keenly fought affair won by Sean Donoghue (St. Declan’s) from John Fanning of Belvedere and Michael McCaul (Colman’s). Colaiste Eoin won the team title on 42 points from St. Malachy’s on 51.

Then to the senior girls race which was led home in emphatic style by Abbey Taylor (Westley College) from Ailish Murtagh (Holy Faith) and Lucy Barret in 3^rd place.  St. Dominic’s took their 3^rd team race of the day.

The final race was the 4500m senior boys race, three laps of the demesne. A breakaway group of seven or eight was soon whittled down to three and on the sprint for the line St. Malachy’s Conall McClean proved fastest just clipping Efran Gidey in 2^nd place and Eoin O’Dwyer (Belvedere) 3^rd.  Malachy’s won the team race on 40 points from St. Aidan’s on 80 and Belvedere on 87.

Brother Schools X.C. Results

Primary Schools

Girls 5^th Class

1 Grace Prenter

2 Caoimhe Keegan (San Carlo)

3 Saoirse O’Connor

Teams

1 St. Fiachra’s – 58 points

2 Mary Help of Christians – 63 points

3 Mount Anville – 65 points

6^th Class Primary Girls

1 Anna Kearney (Mount Anville)

2 Hannah O’Brien (Carysfort)

3 Clodagh Ryan (Mary Help of Christians)

Teams:

1 Mount Anville – 32 points

2 Carysfort – 51 points

2 Vincent de Paul – 61 points

Boys Primary

5^th Class Primary Boys

1 Cian O’Neill (Star of the Sea)

2 Michael Redmond (St. Fiachra’s)

3 Geordy Lavin (Willow Park)

Teams

1 St. Fiachra’s – 28 points

2 Star of the Sea – 36 points

3 Howth Primary School – 55 points

6^th Class Boys

1 Harry Page (St. Fiachra’s)

2 Alex Sheridan (St. Fiachra’s)

3 Jack Joyce (St. Brigid’s BNS)

Teams

1 St. Fiachra’s – 32 points

2 John Bosco – 63 points

3 St. Michael’s – 66 points

Secondary School Boys

Minor

1 J. McClone (Willow Park)

2 Michael O’Rave (Ard Scoil Ris)

3 James Dalton (Belvedere)

Teams

1 Colman’s College – 36 points

2 Ard Scoil Ris – 56 points

3 St. Aidans – 64 points

Junior Boys

1 Morgan Clarkeson (Col. Eoin)

2 Matthew Lavery (St. Malachy’s)

3 Adam Condon (Ard Scoil Ris)

Teams

1 St. Aidan’s – 39 points

2 St. Malachy’s – 42 points

3 Colman’s College – 51 points

Inter Boys

1 Sean Donoghue (St. Declan’s)

2 John Fanning (Belvedere)

3 Michael McCaul (Colman’s)

Teams

1 Col. Eoin – 42 points

2 St. Malachy’s – 51 points

3 Colman’s College – 66 points

Senior

1 Conall McClean (St. Malachy’s)

2 Efren Gidey

3 Eoin O’Dwyer (Belvedere)

Teams

1 St. Malachy’s – 40 points

2 St. Aidan’s – 80 points

3 Belvedere – 87 points

Best boys secondary: St. Malachys

Secondary School Girls:

Minor Girls

1 Sophie Quinn (Mount Sackville)

2 Louise O’Riordan (St. Gerard’s)

3 Kate O’Connor (Mount Sackville)

Teams

1 Mount Sackville – 36 points

2 Our Lady’s College – 48 points

3 Dominican College – 61 points

Junior Girls

1 Sadbh Mohan

2 Eimear Maher

3 Saoirse Ni Bhriain

Teams

1 St. Dominic’s – 40 points

2 Mount Sackville – 71 points

3 Muckross Park – 73 points

Inter Girls

1 Roisin Tracey (St. Gerard’s)

2 Dora Meadgy (St. Dominic’s)

3 Jana Cid (Sutton Park)

Teams

1 St. Dominic’s – 32 points

2 Loreto on the Green – 47 points

3 Dominican College – 78 points

Seniors

1 Abbey Taylor (Wesley College)

2 Ailish Murtagh (Holy Faith)

3 Lucy Barrett

Teams

1 St. Dominic’s – 52 points

Best Girl’s Secondary School – St. Dominic’s.

Best overall secondary school and winners of Lar Byrne Shield – St. Dominic’s Cabra.

Clonliffe Harriers would like to thank sincerely our sponsor Brother for their support of this wonderful event. St. John’s Ambulance for their assistance on the day and all the member of Clonliffe Harriers who volunteered and spent a long day in Santry Demesne. We would also like to thank the schools for their continued support.

To view photographs click here

Schools please note that no further schools entries can be accepted. The event is full. The Brother Schools XC continues to be one of the most popular events on the school`s athletics calendar with some 2000 athletes expected to arrive in Santry Demise on Wednesday for the 9th annual Brother Race. Entry has now closed, the only exceptions are individuals who can enter on the day at the Clonliffe clubhouse.

Regarding ages for the races, please note that ages do not arise for the Primary School`s races which are simply 5th class and 6th class. For the Secondary schools it is the Irish Schools Athletics Association/Athletics Ireland rules that apply. Please see below, Minor, Junior, Inter and senior are determined by date of birth.

Please see instructions below, and please follow these.

Date: Wednesday, 11^th of October 2017 – HAIL, RAIN OR SHINE!!

Venue:  Santry Demesne Parkland at rear of Morton Stadium Santry.

Timetable:

• 12.00 – 5^th class girls 1000M (1 small lap)
• 12.15 – 5^th class boys 1000M (1 small lap)
• 12.30 – 6^th class girls 1000M (1 small lap)
• 12.45 – 6^th class boys 1000M (1 small lap)
• 1.00 – Minor girls 1000M (1 small lap)
• 1.15 – Minor boys 1500M (1 big lap)
• 1.30 – Junior girls 1500M (1 big lap)
• 1.45 – Junior Boys 2000M (2 small laps)
• 2.00 – Inter girls 2000M (2 small laps)
• 2.15 – Inter boys 3000M (2 big laps
• 2.35 – Senior girls 2000M (2 small laps)
• 2.50 – Senior boys 4500M (3 big laps)

Sponsor: Brother, Boeing Road, Airways Industrial Estate, Santry, Dublin 17.

Parking:   Morton Stadium Santry.   Buses/coaches must park at the Clonliffe Harriers end of the stadium – gate number 3.   For health and safety reasons it is not permissible for buses to allow passengers to alight until such time as the bus has actually parked.   Please obey the directions of the parking attendant.

Number collection:     Your School’s race numbers can be collected in the Clonliffe Harriers Clubhouse – in the hall. There will be an envelope with your School name on it and the envelope will contain your School identification numbers which must be fixed to the FRONT of the athlete’s running vest/t-shirt. Please note that athletes must wear race numbers.  Any athlete arriving to the start without a race number will not be permitted to take part.

Individuals:    Individuals may enter, with the permission of their School, and run as individuals. There are no pre-entries for individuals.  Individuals must arrive at check-in at the Clonliffe Harriers Clubhouse and pay an individual entry fee of €3.00.  Individual entries will then be given a race number which must be fixed to the front of the racing vest. Registration for Individuals closes at 12.00.

Age Groups:  There are no age groups in the Primary School races. The Primary School races are for 5^th class and a second race for 6^th class.

Age groups for boys and girls shall be as follows:

• Minor:  Under 14 on 1st July in the year of competition
• Junior:Under 15 on 1st July in the year of competition
• Intermediate: Under 17 on 1st July in the year of competition
• Senior: Under 19 on 1st January in the year of competition

(As per Athletics Ireland/Irish Schools Athletes Association rules)

Toilet facilities: Are located under the stand at the Clonliffe side of the stadium. Toilets are also located at the main reception area at the stadium.  Access to the main reception area is through the outside doors.   Please note that the indoor section of the stadium is closed.        

THE TRACK MUST NOT BE ENCROACHED UPON BY ANYONE.    THIS IS TO PROTECT THE TRACK WHICH WILL SUFFER SEVERE AND PERMANENT DAMAGE IF SOMEONE WAS WEARING CROSS COUNTRY SPIKES.   THEREFORE, THE TRACK IS CLOSED.    IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ADVISE YOUR ATHLETES THAT THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE TRACK.

 Entry to Venue:  Via Morton Stadium. Please use the gate at the 100m start line at the phoenix monument.

School Colours:  If available must be worn. We would also encourage you to bring flags or suchlike to be placed around the course.  Supporters are most welcome.

Awards:  First three individuals in each race – presentation will be made to the individuals immediately after each race.

Team awards: First three in each race.   A team is a minimum of four athletes with a maximum of 20.  The team result will be calculated by the addition of the place finishings of the first four athletes from that school and the school with the lowest score will be declared the winner.   In the event of a tie the winner will be decided on the basis of the highest finish of the 4^th scoring athlete from the tying schools.    Please note that there is only one team permitted per school per event.   As up to 20 athletes can run, however, please note that there are only ten team medals available per set.

Souvenir T-shirt: There will be a souvenir T-shirt for all athletes which will be presented at the finish of each race.  In the event that there are insufficient t-shirts on the day a reprint of t-shirts will be made and sent separately.

Best Schools:Our sponsor Brother will make arrangements to make a presentation of a piece of Brother office equipment to the best boys primary school, best girls primary school, best boys secondary school and best girls secondary school. In addition the Lar Byrne Memorial Perpetual Trophy will be presented to the best overall secondary school.    

Litter:  As we have use of Santry Demesne Parkland thanks to the generosity and co-operation of Fingal County Council we would implore you to appoint an individual/individuals to be responsible for the removal of all litter generated by your athletes. Please bring a sack for litter. Your co-operation in this connection is vital.

Results:  A race report together with photographs (by taking part in this event you are consenting to photographs being published – photographs will not identify any individuals) and the team results and top three individual results will appear on www.clonliffeharriersac.com on Thursday the 12^th of October.

Health and Safety:      Please obey the instructions of all marshals at the venue. Marshals will be clearly identifiable as they will be wearing high vis vests.  Please note that on health and safety grounds all athletes must avail of footwear.  No athlete is permitted to race barefoot.

Medical Emergencies:  St. John’s Ambulance will be in attendance.

Officials: Course builders meet at 8.00am. Check in team please arrive for 10.00am. Other officials please report at 11.00am. All to be in position by 11.45am.

 On behalf of Clonliffe Harriers A.C. and our sponsor Brother we would like to thank you sincerely for taking part in the Brother at your side Clonliffe Schools X.C. and we sincerely hope that you and your athletes thoroughly enjoy the day.

Course Map: