Jul 26, 2008 [Noel Guiden] One of the most apt of the many post meet comments made at last night`s Brother Morton Memorial Meet was: ” Tonight the sparkle was put back into Irish Athletics “. The occasion was indeed sparkling. A wonderful night`s fare was served for the 3,000 plus spectators in the Morton Stadium, the highlight of which was the Morton Mile itself where nine athletes, yes nine, broke the still magical four minute barrier.
That Mile race was a truely spectacular race. The field included a dozen sub four milers. The athletes where called to the start by the official starter Cyril White at 9.00pm, Cyril 50 years ago was to be the starter of The Herb Elliot Mile only to find that a family holiday kept him away from Santry, but not tonight. The pacemakers Eugene O`Neill and Conor Healy did a superb job bringing the leaders to the bell in three minutes dead. Down the back straight it was anyone`s race until at the top bend the fastest man in the field Rob Myers (USA) upped the gears hitting the front with perfect timing and holding off a gaggle of athletes spread out from lanes one to four…3.56.23, second Will Leer (USA) 3.56.75, third Stephen Pifer (USA) 3.57.27, right down to ninth John Jetterson (USA) 3.59.55. The crowd had witnessed the greatest number of athletes on home soil running sub four in a single race. 50 years ago five athletes managed that feat tonight we were previleged to see nine.
Other highlights of the meet included the women`s Hammer where, despite the unfortunate absence of Eileen O`Keeffe, a great competition was provided by the World`s best with the first four athletes all throwing in excess of seventy meters. World champion Betty Heildler (Ger) was the winner with a best of 72.43, second was Ivana Brkljiacic (CRO) 72.38 with the 2000 Olympic Champion Kamila Skolimowska (POL) third 71.56.
The Women`s 3,000m was another meet highlight with an excellent race provided by the athletes. Ireland`s Maria McCambridge ran a real gutsy race battling all the way with Melissa Cook (USA) and was roared all the way down the home straight by the crowd as she got onto Melissa`s shoulders but the American responded holding on for the win in 9.03.38, with the Irishwoman 9.03.9. These two well clear of Mary Jane Reeves (USA) third in 9.17.14.
The men`s 100m was a scorcher. The final was packed with 10 second athletes and indeed it looked very much like the stadium record was under threat. In a matter of ten seconds it was over, first Olympic 200m silver medalist Bernard Williams (USA) 10.29, a fraction (.06) outside of the record, second Mario Forsythe (JAM) 10.30, third Andrew Hinds (USA) 10.32.
The womens 100 was won by Canadian Olympic hopeful Toyin Olupona 11.64 with Ferrybank`s Kelly Proper an excellent second in 11.80 and Lashawndra Ratcliff (USA) third 11.84.
Gregg Nixon of the USA the victor in a high class men`s 400, powering home in a fast 45.61, from Andrae Williams (BAH) 45.75 and Michael Mathieu (BAH) 45.95.
In the women`s 400, again there was an extreamly classy field , the winner in impressive form was Rosemary Whyte (JAM) 51.53 with Debbie Dunn (USA) second 51.85 and Clora Williams (JAM) third in 52.59.
To celebrate the 50th anniversery of Albie Thomas` 3 mile World Record the seldom run men`s 3 mile was also on the card. Stephen Haas of the USA ran positively from the gun but was tracked all the way by Josphat Boit (KEN) who bolted past in the closing stages winning in 13.37.62 (as a matter of interest 50 years ago Albie ran 13.10 on cinders !)
The IMC/BMC Mile race which opened the International program at 8.00pm was also an excellent race, really getting the crowd warmed up for what followed, young BMC man Ricky Stephenson only 19 years old really went for the sub four, running solo over the final two laps, the crowd willing him on and he was within a whisker…4.00.34 leading the BMC trio to victory over their Irish counterparts.
In the other field events Clonliffe`s Anthony McCreery nearly back to his old self won the Pole Vault and also had a very good attempt at the Irish Record winning with a best of 4.65m, second Adam Walker 4.65 with young Ian Rogers third 4.05.
The women`s high jump was an all Irish affair won by Deirdre Ryan 1.83m, second Rosemary Daniels and Grainne Moggan tied at 1.70.
The Junior men`s mile was won in fine style by Clonliffe`s Eoin Pearce 4.17.12 with Chris Jones (Raheny) second in 4.18.13 and Joe Breen (Sliabh Bhuide) third 4.19.88.
The whole night was superb, the proceeding where commenced at 6.30 with Juvenile races for boys and girls with thrilling performance from all these young athletes. There was also a special presentation made by Clonliffe club President Paddy Marley to the five Irish 1958 Milers including the 1956 Olympic 1500m champion Ronnie Delany. The weather held nicely and the athletes in action provided an excellent night`s entertainment…The spark is well and truely back.
Clonliffe Harriers would like to extend our thanks to our sponsors Brother Ireland, Fingal County Council, Behan and Associates, Commercial Hygene Services, Mr. Sean Callan,and he IMC, the Irish Sports Council and Athletics Ireland for their support, the Meet Director Gar Coughlan, the organising Committee: Paddy Marley, Joe Cooper, Killian Lonergan, Noel Daly, Noel Guiden and Liam Hennessy, Paddy Tuite and ALL his team, Jeremy Walsh and his team,the commentary team of Liam Moggan and Brian Maguire, The Morton family and each and every individual who contributed to this wonderful occasion.
FULL RESULTS
Men`s Junior Mile:
E. Pearce (Clonliffe) 4.17.12
C. Jones (Raheny) 4.18.13
J. Breen (Sliabh Bhuide) 4.19.88
D. Flynn (Raheny ) 4.21.89
T. Cotter (Dunleer) 4.23.27
E. McDonnell (Clonliffe) 4.26.12
K. Maher (Thurles) 4.26.86
D. Keogh (Lucan ) 4.27.08
D. Fitzmaurice (Clonliffe) 4.28.1
C. Phelan (Aghaviller) 4.30.07
S. Kelly (Fingallians) 4.31.69
K. Jennings (Dundrum) 4.34.60
A. Flynn (Tramore) 4.47.12
T. Hayes (KCH) 4.47.91
IMC MILE
R. Stephenson (GB) 4.00.34
A. Bowden (GB) 4.03.01
R. Cesser (IRE) 4.04.38
J. Mays (GB) 4.05.77
K. Moriarty (IRE) 4.08.13
P. McCarten (IRE) 4.09.33
A. O`Brien (IRE) 4.09.62
E. Dunleavy (IRE) 4.09.79
M. Conry (IRE) 4.10.04
G. O`Hanlon (IRE) 4.10.05
R. Corcoran (IRE) 4.12.96
A. Bailey (IRE) 4.17.74
D. Greene (IRE) 4.20.19
MENS 100m
B. WILLIAMS (USA) 10.29
M. Forsythe (JAM) 10.30
A. Hinds (USA) 10.32
E. Wiggins (USA) 10.33
N. Smyth (GB) 10.50
D. Kavanagh (IRE) 11.05
D. O`Shea (IRE) 11.12
MENS 400m
G. Nixon (USA) 45.61
A. Williams (BAH) 45.75
M. Mathieu (BAH0 45.95
O. Mogawane (RSA) 46.46
P. McKee (IRE) 46.58
G. Kennedy (IRE) 46.79
C. Zeller (AUT) 47.62
K. Hichs (USA) 48.15
Mens 3 MILE
J. Boit (KEN) 13.37.62
S. Haas (USA) 13.39.11
P. Nohill (Aus) 13.58.33
B. Farrell (IRE) 14.11.45
M. Flaherty (USA) 14.14.34
A. McCormack (IRE) 14.27.93
MORTON MILE
R. Myers (USA) 3.56.23
W. Leer (USA) 3.56.75
S. Pifer (USA) 3.57.27
C. Bermingham (AUS) 3.57.62
Y. Abdi (AUS) 3.57.71
J. Thie (WAL) 3.58.05
G. Wells (CAN) 3.58.22
D. Brown (USA) 3.58.35
J. Jefferson (USA)3.59.55
D. Campbell (IRE) 4.00.14
B. Olinger (USA) 4.00.19
M. Hanrahan (IRE) 4.00.73
M. Christie (IRE) 4.09.11
Mens Pole Vault
A. McCreery (IRE) 4.65m
A. Walker (IRE) 4.65
I. Rogers (IRE) 4.05
S. Greene (IRE) 4.05
R. Whyte (IRE) 3.65
K. Grant (Letterkenny) 3.45
WOMENS 100M
T. Olupons (CAN) 11.64
K. Proper (IRE) 11.80
L. Ratcliff (USA) 11.84
C. Brady (IRE) 11.94
N. Whelan (IRE) 12.00
A. McSweeney (IRE) 12.02
A. Boyle (IRE) 12.11
M. Murphy (IRE) 12.48
WOMENS 400m
R. Whyte (JAM) 51.53
D. Dunn (USA) 51.85
C. Williams (JAM) 52.59
M. Robinson (USA) 52.62
F. Ekpo-Umoh (GER) 52.79
J. Grossarth (USA) 53.70
E. McCafferey (IRE) 55.96
WOMENS 3000m
M. Cook (USA) 9.03.38
M. McCambridge (IRE) 9.03.90
M. J. Reeves (USA) 9.17.14
J. Sparke (GB) 9.22.88
Jane Potter (GB) 9.24.83
Juliet Potter (GB) 9.26.66
A. Harty (IRE) 9.32.01
S. L. Treacy (IRE) 9.43.34
WOMENS HIGH JUMP
D. Ryan (IRE) 1.83m
R. Daniels (IRE)/ G. Moggan (IRE) 1.7
C. Wilkinson (IRE) 1.65
WOMENS HAMMER
B. Heildler (GER) 72.43
I. BRKLJACIC (CRO) 72.38
K. Skolimowska (POL) 71.56
K. Klaas (GER) 70.21
Z. Dernham (GB) 65.37
K. Samframkova (CZE) 63.63
A. Bunjes (GER) 61.66
E. Gilreath (USA) 60.96