Clonliffe Harriers defending champions, and 3rd place in the European Clubs B Group this year, got the defence of the national title off to a tip top start in topping the standings at the end of the first round.
Clonliffe were drawn for the round in the Tallaght stadium along with DSD, Raheny, St. Abbans, Kildare County, Donore Harriers and Finn Valley.
With wins clocked up by Rory Gunning in the javelin (56.25m), Andri Mahin in the triple jump (13.41m), in the Hammer Simon Galligan (55.80m), Pole Vault David Donegan (4.20m) and Leo Morgan in the 100 (10.98) things got off to a very solid start. 2nd place positions and good points contribution were also chipped in by Eoin McCullough in the Steeplechase (10.14.71), Rouls Olusa, 2nd in the 110 hurdles in 16.39 and 2nd also in the Discus (37.41m) and also double 2nd by Keith Marks – High Jump 1.90m, Long Jump 7.06m, there was also 2nd place by Luke Mangan in the shot (14.24m). In the relay the 4 x 100 team also placed 2nd 43.50 and indeed the 4 x 400 squad were also 2nd 3.27.47. Other Clonliffe performances in Tallaght included Mark McDonald running a 400 PB in 3rd place of 50.58, young Greg Hosenay finishing 3rd in the 3000 walk, Adam O’Brien 4th in the 1500 and Dara Kervick 4th in the 200 (22.33). In the 800 Shaun Connaghan was 7th in the 800 in 2.02.20 and Liam Roarty was a fine 3rd in the 5000 in 15.55.15.
At the end of the day Clonliffe had 125 points and topped the standings between the two venues.
The Women’s team were also in action in Tallaght but not being in a position to cover all of the events found the going fairly tough and ended the day in 6th place. There was a win on the day in the javelin from Denise Byrne (35.93) and maximum points also contributed by Caoimhe Morris in the Hammer (42.20). Some of the club’s younger athletes put in fine performances, notably Hannah Browne 3rd in the 1500, Rebecca Fitzsimons 5th in the 100, Raffa Diamond Ebbs 6th in the Long Jump and then both girls competing on the 4 x 100 relay team that placed 4th. Other performances from the ladies on the day: Emma Kelly 4th in the 400 hurdles (71.70), Leah Bergin 4th in the 400, Louise Carragher 5th in the 3000, Emma Kelly 4th in the 200, Eimear Treacy 3rd in the 800 (2.23.52), in the 4 x 400 relay the team placed 3rd (4.06.86), Denise Byrne also placed 6th in the Shot Putt (7.51) and 3rd in the Discus whilst Diana Markina was 5th in the High Jump.
The second round of the league takes place on July 30th.