Juvenile Spring Series off to super start

Mar 7, 2011 [Noel Guiden ] The Juvenile Invitational Race Series commenced in the Morton Stadium yesterday morning with athletes from of course Clonliffe and our guests Raheny Shamrocks, Skerries A.C. and Lusk A.C. There was a great turnout of young athletes taking part in the event which provides a much needed break from training for a lot of these young athletes, many of whom have not raced since before Christmas and all seemed to enjoy the relaxed laid back atmosphere of the event. Standout race of the day was undoubtedly the U/12 Girls 800 metres. With 40 starters on the line it was almost like the start of an Olympic marathon, all of the girls taking part must be complimented on how they handled themselves at a mass start and by the first corner the girls had sorted themselves out and the race got underway in earnest. There was a great performance in this race by the Clonliffe girls who produced a notable 1, 2, 3 led home by young starlet Ruth Bergin who took over the lead with 250 to go and extended all the way chased home by Lauren Carr and Lola O’Edaha.

The first race of the day was the U/10 Girls race which was run over 500 metres, again there was a very big turnout of young athletes in this race which was won by Ella Browne of Clonliffe. There was a slightly smaller field in the U/10 Boys race which was won by N. Gilsonan from Skerries A.C.

The Girls U/12 race was really the highlight from a participation point of view and provided great excitement and some excellent performances by all the athletes particularly the three Clonliffe girls at the front. The U/12 Boys 800 was run by Calam McDonnell.

The U/14s ran over 1000 metres and again there were two great races in both the girls and boys races. The girls race was won by Skerries A.C.’s Rhona Pierse from Hannah Byrne of Raheny Shamrock and Aoimhe Downey also of Skerries A.C. 3rd. The boys race featured a very classy performance by Clonliffe’s Patrick O’Hanlon who took over the lead at 200 metres and ran a relaxed controlled race to extend his lead throughout and finish ahead of Raheny’s Fiachra O’Flynn with Joseph Hession stepping up to the mark well in the U/14s to take 3rd place.

The U/16s ran over 1500 metres. The girls race featured a great battle up front from Aimee Carron of Skerries A.C. and Rachel Murray of Clonliffe, both of these girls in fact train together regularly in Santry but on the day Aimee proved the stronger to hold off the Clonliffe girl with Laura Costello in 3rd place. The U/16 Boys race was won in fine style by Raheny Shamrock’s Paddy O’Donnell who was always in control at the front of the race from Darren Ryan of Lusk.

The day finished off with mixed relay races, the first for the younger age groups – these relays were very much fun events and featured all girls teams, all boys teams and mixed teams. Skerries A.C. were the cream of the crop, in fact double cream as they took first and second in the first relay with Clonliffe in 3rd place and in the second 4 x 100 metre relay for the older age groups Raheny Shamrocks took the win from Skerries A.C. second and also third.

A great days athletics for all the young athletes who all thoroughly enjoyed the event and particularly enjoyed the goodies post race. Clonliffe would like to thank everyone who assisted on the day and would also in particular like to thank our guests from Skerries A.C., Lusk A.C. and Raheny Shamrocks for participating. We look forward to round 2 of the Spring series next Sunday, which is hosted by Raheny Shamrocks in St. Anne’s Park. The event gets underway at 11 a.m. so meet there at 10.30 a.m. Next weeks event will be in two year age groups for the uneven ages. Two weeks later, the 27th of March, we head to Skerries for the final round in the Spring series on the beach.

Results of round 1 of Spring Series

U/10 Girls 500m

1. Ella Browne – Clonliffe

2. Kate Halpin – Lusk.

3. Hannah Ryan – Lusk

U/10 Boys 500m

1. Noaise Gilsonan – Skerries

2. Conor Gleeson – Lusk

3. Kyle McNally – Lusk A.C.

U/12 Girls 800m

1. Ruth Bergin – Clonliffe

2. Lauren Carr – Clonliffe

3. Lola O’Edaha – Clonliffe

U/12 Boys 800m

1. Calam McDonnell

2. Stephen

3. David Tuite – Clonliffe

U/14 Girls – 1000m

1. Rhona Pierse – Skerries A.C.

2. Hannah Byrne – Raheny

3. Aoimhe Downey – Skerries A.C.

U/14 Boys – 1000m

1. Patrick O’Hanlon – Clonliffe

2. Fiachra O’Flynn – Raheny Shamrock

3. Joseph Hession – Clonliffe

U/16 Girls – 1500m

1. Amiee Carron – Skerries A.C.

2. Rachel Murray – Clonliffe

3. Laura Costello

U/16 Boys – 1500m

1. Paddy O’Donnell – Raheny Shamrock

2. Darren Ryan – Lusk A.C.

3. David Kelly – Skerries A.C.

4 x 100m Relay 1

1. Skerries A.C.

2. Skerries A.C.

3. Clonliffe

4 x 100m Relay 2

1. Raheny Shamrock

2. Skerries A.C.

3. Skerries A.C.