All posts in Morton Games

For those who may have missed the highlights broadcast of this year`s Morton Games on Eurosports there`s another opportunity. Eir Sports and Premier Sports will be showing the same package on Thursday the 17th at 1.00pm.

Morton Games last night proved to be another superb night of athletics in Santry. Throughout the course of the day the weather was exceptionally kind, a bright sunny day, at times cloudy but overall an excellent night for athletics.  Although the wind did pick up a little on occasions this on the whole did not deter the athletes with tremendously exciting races all round.

There were three outstanding highlights.

In the Loki Sports 400 local hero Brian Gregan (Clonliffe Harriers) lined up as pre race favourite, with the World Championship qualifying time already bagged it meant that Brian could simply focus on racing and running fast without the burden of having to run fast. The result – Grehan ran his fastest ever time! At the top bend Gregan was sitting in maybe 3^rd place, however, he simply stepped on the gas to power down the home straight and by the finish was yards in front of his pursuers.  Gregan was naturally enough ecstatic with his time of 45.26 which was a new Meet record, a personal best and a Clonliffe Harriers club record.  2^nd place was Anderson Henriques (BRA) 45.51 with the multi decorated head band wearing Conrad Williams (GBR) 3^rd in 46.78.

The decision of the organisers to change the Albie Thomas Memorial from a 3000 to 5000 paid off in spades. This race really attracted the attention of the international athletes who came to Dublin chasing the world qualifying mark of 13.22.5.  The pace making in the 5000 was superb with the two pacers hitting the mark within a single second of the pre-arranged pace.  With the field strung out behind as the second pacer pulled out at 3000 big Collis Birmingham (AUS) led the train with his Aussie teammate Stewart McSweyn latching onto his tail.  These two dropped the rest of the field although Great Britain’s Ben Conor, the English national cross country champion, seemed to get stronger as the race progressed and he looked to be the only athlete from the chasing pack who might have got up with the Aussie pair.  With 350 to go McSwyn struck and then powered down the back straight at the finish line the clock showed a time of 13.19.98.  This was not only a Meet record, it also consigned to history the 30 plus year old stadium record of Eamon Coghlan (interesting to see that the first pacer was Eamon’s son John Coghlan!), from McSweyn’s point of view more importantly it was a PB by a massive 15 seconds and was a world qualifying time.  11 athletes broke 14 minutes.

The other outstanding highlight of the Meet came right at the very end, the iconic Morton Mile, sponsored by Behan & Associates and Commercial Hygiene Services. The 16 athletes in this field were well and truly stubbed?? up and it proved to be an outstanding race.  In addition to it being an outstanding race it was also a fast race, although the pack were a little tentative in taking up the early pace, at 800 they were well and truly on it. Once again, as has become a feature of this Morton Mile, with 200 to go it could have been anyone’s race, at the line and making it an Irish double was Robert Domanic (USA) in 3.55.71 followed by up and coming Aussie in a new PB of 3.55.79 Morgan McDonald and also running a PB the USA’s Sam Prakel, 3.56.55.

If we thought last year’s feat of 11 sub 4 minute miles was one never to be beaten it lasted precisely 12 months as Peter Callanan (BEL) was the final sub 4 minute on the night – 3.58.86 – in 12^th place.  An unbelievable dozen sub 4 minute miles in the Morton Mile!

In addition to Sam Prakel running his first outdoor sub 4 likewise Tom Marshall (GBR) did the same – 3.58.31 and Ireland’s Sean Tobin joined the Irish sub 4 team with an outstanding 3.58.70. Letterkenny A.C.’s Danny Mooney was tantalisingly close, once again 4.00.12 with Kieran Kelly likewise within touching distance 4.00.70.

In between all of this there was the small matter of the Marathon Mission Women’s 800 again a race which was extremely competitive, there were several athletes chasing that elusive sub 2 including Ireland’s Ciara Mageean, at the finish in a time of 2.01.53 Adelle Tracey (GBR) crossed the line first closely followed by Angie Petty (NZL) and Mageean in 3^rd.

It was clear from the starters gun in the Muscle Clinic Men’s 800 that the athletes were more concerned with racing than with chasing the pacemaker. Again it was a stunning race, coming down the home straight it could have been anyone’s and at the line the win was taken by Kyle Langford (GBR) successfully defending the title he won in 2016 in a time of 1.46.98, Jesse Garn (USA) was 2^nd 1.47.26 with Anthonio Mascoll 3^rd 1.47.33.

The other change made by the organisers was changing the Women’s Mile to a Women’s 1500 particularly with world qualifying mark of 4.07.5 in mind. The result was win for Alexa Efraimson (USA) 4.06.73, Melissa Courtney (GBR) was 2^nd 4.07.02 with Sweden’s Linn Nilsson 3^rd 4.08.47.

The two short sprint events were pretty sensational, Great Britain visitor Margaret Adeoye just got past Ireland’s Phil Healy with maybe ten metres to go Adeoye winning in 23.78 with Healy 2^nd 23.95 and Amy Foster (IRL) 3^rd in 23.96.

Former American footballer Jeff Demps (USA) led a US 1, 2 in the 100 in a time of 10.38, Sean McClean was 2^nd in an identical time with former stadium record holder Warren Fraser (BAH) 3^rd in 10.54.

The Men’s 400 hurdles had got the international section of the Meet off to a great start. It was a really tightly matched affair which was won by Alfredo Sepulveda, the first athlete from Chile to take part in this Meet, in a time of 49.98.  United States multi-eventer Curtis Beach was 2^nd in 50.20 with Cameron French (NZL) 3^rd in 50.55.

In the field events Jade Lally (GBR) was a comfortable winner of the discus some 5 and a half metres ahead of the field winning with a best throw of 58.19m, Claire Fitzgerald (IRL) was 2^nd 52.32 with Phoebe Dawson 3^rd 49.23.

The Pole Vault competition was won by Latvian visitor Mareks Arents with a best of 5.50, 2^nd was Jack Phipps (GBR) 5.10 and 3^rd was Luke Cutts 5.00.

And so the curtain comes down on the 2017 Morton Games, it was an extremely exciting night and one that will long live in the memory – the roar of the crowd as Gregan came off that top bend, the sheer effort of the 5000 metre runners and the speed over those final four laps was awesome and then of course the Morton Mile itself with 12 sub 4s – magical!

There will be a meeting in advance of Morton Games for all volunteers on Tuesday July 4^th in the hall of the clubhouse at 9 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is as follows:

1. To give an overview.

2. For a safety statement from the event health and safety team of Alan Worrall and George Maybury.

3. For team leaders to be assigned any additional volunteers needed.

4. For job assignment to any surplus volunteers.

5. For volunteers to collect their Morton Games t-shirt which is to be worn on July 12^th.

6. For volunteers to collect their accreditation.

It is vitally important, therefore, that all Clonliffe volunteers who are stewarding etc. on the night attend the meeting.

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin T.D. today launched Morton Games International Track and Field Meet at a reception which was held in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street.

The attendees at the launch included Ciara Mageean, European 1500m bronze medallist from 2016, the Deputy Mayor of Fingal Councillor Adrian Henchy, Mr. John Treacy CEO of Sport Ireland, Ms. Georgina Drumm, President of Athletics Ireland and Paddy Marley, President of Clonliffe Harriers.

Speaking at the launch Minister Griffin said: “I am delighted that the 2017 Morton Games, which is now one of the premier international track and field events in the country, will once again provide our top Irish athletes with the chance to challenge themselves against some of the best athletes in the world.  It will also be a wonderful opportunity for athletes to prepare for the World Championships which take place in London in August.

The range of athletes taking part this year from across the globe shows the true extent of the organisational work involved.  I want to compliment and thank the organising committee for their hard work and commitment in putting together a truly international athletics Meet.  I am sure it will be a successful and exciting event once again.”

Morton Games International Athletics takes place in the Morton Stadium Santry on Wednesday July 12^th.  This will be an exciting night of athletics packed into a compact international programme from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.  In addition to Ciara Mageean in the Women’s 800 Rio Olympian Angie Petty (NZD) will race along with the winner of last year’s race Alex Bell (GBR), also confirmed is Adelle Tracey (GBR).  One of the feature races on the night will be the Men’s 400 hurdles with the confirmed participation of Ireland’s Thomas Barr, who was a 4^th place finisher in the Olympic Games in Rio.  Barr will face 2016 European silver medallist Sergio Fernandez (ESP) and former world champion Jehue Gordon (TTO).  The most famous race in Irish athletics, the Morton Mile, will be the feature race at 9 p.m. with a field packed with sub 4 minute milers including Kyle Merber (USA), Sam McEntee (AUS) and Daniel Herrera (MEX).

For further details see www.mortongames.ie.

The countdown to the biggest date in the Clonliffe year is well and truly on! Wednesday 4 weeks is Morton Games International Athletics. Keep on visiting the event web site for all updates and news: www.mortongames.ie

So how can you do your bit for your club:

Financially this is a huge undertaking. The Meet runs to break even. No one receives any payment whatsoever. So if you are involved in a business please come on board as a sponsor, contact mortongames@hotmail.com or the meet director Noel Guiden on 0879599888. Please also as an individual becoming a Friend of Morton Games, a donation of €100 will see your name on the event programme and web site, and you will get 2 tickets to the meet. Contact friendsmortongames@hotmail.com

Sign up as a volunteer. You will get a special t shirt, plus become a member of the acknowledged “friendliest team in World athletics” . Contact Jeremy Chapman jerosixtyfour@gmail.com . Please do this today as needs to be planned NOW, not next week!

Please spread the word. Send the this flyer to your athletics contacts. Please ask for Flyers to hand out at events. See Noel Guiden.

If you can`t do any of the above, then please at the very least come along on July 12th and support the event. Admission is only €10, bring your kids for free.

The club’s annual International Athletics promotion, the Morton Games, takes place in the stadium on July 12^th which is coming along quicker than you may think.

We are now in the final push towards the Meet, a huge body of work has been carried out since September and things are now in place for what promises to be another superb night of athletics in Santry.

As always, however, we are looking for the assistance of our club members. We need assistance financially with the Meet, the cost of putting on this Meet is phenomenal, the club receives great assistance from Athletics Ireland/Sport Ireland, Fingal County Council, the Dublin Athletics Board and a loyal group of sponsors, mainly from within the club.

There are currently slots available for sponsors of three events on the international programme. If you or your company are interested in sponsoring one of these events please contact the Meet Director Noel Guiden asap – he is contactable on 087 9599 888 or noel.guiden@behans.ie.

The annual Friends of Morton Games is also an option where club members can assist. Donations of a minimum of €100.00 will entitle the donor to two tickets for the Meet and the donors name appearing on the event website www.mortongames.ie and in the event programme on race day.

Finally to our loyal volunteers please contact Jeremy Chapman as soon as possible and sign up to be available on the day. We have a volunteers Morton Games t-shirt available for anyone who helps out on the day – Jeremy’s contact details are jerosixtyfour@gmail.com.

Finally do keep an eye on the event website for regular updates, also follow the event twitter feed and facebook pages.

Morton Games today announced details of a great athletics club offer which opens on the 2^nd of May and will run throughout the month of May or until the first 1000 tickets under the offer have been sold. The May only offer to clubs is purchase 20 tickets and only pay for 10.

In announcing the offer Meet Director Noel Guiden said: “We would like to see as many of our clubs as possible in attendance at the Morton Games on July 12th and for these clubs to bring as many of their athletes, coaches, juvenile athletes and indeed parents of juveniles to the Morton Stadium to witness for themselves a night of world class athletics.”

He continued: “In recent years those who attended the Meet have witnessed some fantastic athletes in action in Santry and have witnessed outstanding athletics.  The stadium record books have been rewritten in Santry as a result of recent Morton Games – who will ever forget 2014 when there were 9 new stadium records set on the night or indeed last year’s Meet when there were a record number of sub 4 minute miles in an event on Irish soil – 11 out of the 12 finishers broke 4 minutes.”

Morton Games would love to see the Athletics Clubs of Ireland come along to the Meet in great numbers – indeed bring your club colours and in addition to supporting international athletes support Ireland`s athletes and your club mates who will be competing on the night.

As part of the necessary fund raising required to promote and host the 2017 Morton Games, the “Friends of Morton Games 2017” has been launched.

Morton Games appeals to friends of Irish athletics to become a friend of Morton Games. All friends of Morton Games in consideration of a donation of €100. will have their names appear on the event website and will also receive in advance of the Meet two complimentary tickets for the Morton Games. Of course being never shy in refusing generosity donations exceeding €100 will also be accepted! We will be delighted to hear from individuals, clubs and corporate entities willing to become a “Friend of Morton Games”

All funds raised go directly into the Meet and in particular will assist the Meet with the provision of live streaming around the world and will also assist with other expenses which arise.  Please note that all the officials and people involved in Morton Games carry out their work on an entirely voluntary basis.

If you are interested in becoming a Friend of Morton Games please email friendsmortongames@hotmail.com with your name, details and the amount of your donation and you will then receive details of the bank account into which your donation can be lodged.  Needless to say cheques and cash will also be gratefully accepted!

The Morton Games web site has been fully updated for this year`s meet on July 12th. Pay a visit to: www.mortongames.ie

With the Olympic Games now finished it is interesting to review the Track & Field athletics and to count the number of athletes who have competed in Morton Games over the past 6 years. An extraordinary 48 athletes who have competed in Morton Games competed in the Rio Olympic Games.

Pride of place in that list goes to Olympic 1500 champion Matt Centrowitz. Centrowitz won the Morton Games 800 in 2012, four years later he wins in Rio. 3000 Steeple Chase Bronze Medalist Emma Coburn (USA) was a 5^th place finisher in the Women’s International Mile at that same 2012 Meet in Santry.

Rio Olympics Game finalist Yohan Blake (JAM) was 4^th in the Olympic 100 final in a time of 9.93.  Blake set the Morton Games Meet and indeed Stadium record and Irish All Comers record of 10.12 at the 2015 Morton Games.  Melissa Bishop (CAN) also finished in 4th place in the Rio, the 800 finals, Melisa won the 800 at the 2012 Morton Games. Another 4th place finish by a Morton Gamer in Rio came from Ireland`s Thomas Barr in the 400H settling an Irish national record of 47.97.

Other Rio Olympic finalists include Aisha Praught (JAM), Sara Treacy, Shelby Houlihan (USA), Gen LaCaze (AUS), Eloise Wellings (AUS) , Ryan Gregson (AUS), Hassan Meade (USA) and David Torrence

The full list of Morton Gamers who competed in the Rio Olympics is;

Yohan Blake (JAM) – 100

Henricho Bruintijies (RSA) – 100

Carina Horn (RSA) – 100

Rolande Palacios (HON) – 200

Winston George (GUI) – 400

Thomas Barr (IRL) – 400 Hurdles

Jehue Gordon (TTO) – 400 Hurdles

Mahu Suguimati (BRA) – 400 Hurdles

Sebastian Rodgers (GBR) – 400 Hurdles

Mark English (IRL) – 800

Jeff Riseley (AUS) – 800

Anthony Ramano (CAN) – 800

Luke Matthews (AUS) – 800 & 1500

Melissa Bishop (CAN) – 800

Lovisa Lindh (SWD) – 800

Angie Petty (NZD) – 800

Selma Kaijan (AUS) – 800

Ciara Everard (IRL) – 800

Charlie Grice (GBR) – 1500

Ryan Gregson (AUS) – 1500

Matt Centrowitz (USA) – 1500 Olympic Champion

Julian Matthews (AUS) – 1500

Robby Andrews (USA) – 1500

Hamish Carson (NZD) – 1500

Zoe Buckman (AUS) – 1500

Ciara Mageean (IRL) – 1500

Nikki Hamblin (NZD) – 1500 & 5000

Hilary Steillingwerff (CAN) – 1500

Eloise Wellings (AUS) – 5000

Shelby Houlihan (USA) – 5000

Gen LaCaze (AUS) – 5000 & 3000 SC

Emma Coburn (USA) – 3000 SC – Bronze

Aisha Praught (JAM) – 3000 SC

Sara Treacy (IRL) – 3000 SC

Kerry O’Flaherty (IRL) – 3000 SC

Lennie Waite (GBR) – 3000 SC

David Torrence (PRU) – 5000

Hassan Meade (USA) – 5000

Sam McEntee (AUS) – 5000

Rob Mullett (GBR) – 3000 SC

Andy Vernon (GBR) – 10,000

Zane Robertson (NZD) – 10,000

Ross Millington (GBR) – 10,000

Molly Huddle (USA) – 10,000

Luke Cutts (GBR) – Pole Vault

Chris Baker (GBR) – High Jump

Jarrin Solomon (TTO) – 4 x 400 relay

Renny Quow (TTO) – 4 x 400 relay

Currently available broadcast times for the 2016 Morton Games –

Irish TV
Fri 29 July – 9:00pm

eir Sport
Sun 31 July – 12:25pm – eir Sport 2
Mon 1 Aug – 8:00am – eir Sport 2
Mon 1 Aug – 11:00am – eir Sport 1
Tue 2 Aug – 11:30pm – eir Sport 2
Wed 3 Aug – 8:00am – eir Sport 1
Fri 5 Aug – 11:00am – eir Sport 1
Sun 7 Aug – 3:00am – eir Sport 1 (Sat night)
Sun 7 Aug – 10:30am – eir Sport 1
Sun 7 Aug – 7:00pm – eir Sport 1

Premier Sports UK
Sun 31 July – 12:25pm
Mon 1 Aug – 8:00am
Tue 2 Aug – 11:30pm

Fox Sports 2 Africa
Sun 28 Aug – 1000CAT/0800GMT
Mon 29 Aug – 1330CAT/1130GMT
Fri 2 Sept – 1515CAT/1315GMT
Mon 5 Sept – 0815CAT/0615GMT