The weekend athletics activities kicked off in the Morton Stadium tonight with Day 1 of the Dublin Juvenile Track and Field Championships. There were some very impressive performances by Clonliffe athletes tonight where the events were confined to the 500 to 800m races and the hammer. At the end of the evening Clonliffe athletes had won 7 medals.
In the younger ages groups there was a very good turn out of young Harriers, many of whom were having their first taste of championship competion. Clonliffe`s first medal of these championships was won by David Tuite in the U/10 500m running an excellent race, particularily down the home straight, to win bronze. Next came another bronze this time from Ruth Bergin who finished like a train in her U/11 600m. There were very good efforts also on the track from Keith, Timothae, Joseph, Amy, Tara, Lauren and the Cooley girls, to name but a few.
In the U/14s Adam in his very first race was just caught on the line in the boys 800 to finish 4th, just out of the medals. Good runs also from Sally and Stephanie.The club`s first win of the championships came in the hammer circle with Simon Galligan winning the U/15 hammer.
On then to the older ages. Another good race from Liam Ashton running an 800m PB of 2.11.8 in taking second in the U/16s. Denise Callaghan also took silver in the U/19 girls 800. In the U/17 boys good runs from Ronan Doyle (2.17) and David Treacy (2.18). Finally the U/19 boys where Graham Mahon was strongest, leading all the way, to win in 2.01.5 with Andrew Jenkinson, coming out of retirement, 3rd in 2.04.7.
The championships continue tomorrow with sprint hurdles, sprints, 3000m on the track and jumps, shot and discus.