All posts by noelguiden

It was one of those days to savour. The enthusiasm of youth hit Santry today like a tidal wave. A tidal wave of joy, endeavour and yes that three letter word fun. The Brother schools XC brought young athletes in their droves to Santry Demesne on a beautiful autumnal day. As the event continues to expand 2019 saw the introduction of an additional two races both for fourth class primary schools, the schools and athletes responded with huge numbers taking part in the primary schools section. It was also particularly pleasing to see not only our old friends but also new schools coming to Santry and giving their youngsters a fantastic introduction to the sport of cross-country running. Once again Santry Park was in excellent condition, the fact that buckets of rain had fallen on the venue most of last week was a well-kept secret as perfect underfoot conditions greeted the athletes.

The first event of the day was the fourth class girls primary school race with almost 100 starters. These young girls many of whom had never raced, yet alone raced on the country, previously and all tackled the 1000m course like veterans with the pack led home by Rosie Stafford of Mount Anville.Second-placed Megan O’Leary led her Mary help of Christians team to a fine win. Mary help of Christians also took the team win in the fifth class girls race, this race was won by Evie Hayes of Lios Na NOg. Mary help of Christians made it a primary school girls clean sweep winning the sixth class race led home by race winner Niamh Bergin.

In the primary school boys races the team competition was much more evenly spread, there were huge numbers in these races, in particular the six class race which had over 250 starters. The fourth class race was won by Darragh Murphy of Scoil Mhuire as he led his school to victory. Victor in the fifth class race was Bill Donovan of St Mary’s BNS, Bill leading his team to a fine win. The six class race was won by William Breathnach with St Malachy’s from Belfast taking the team win from St Patrick’s of Armagh, first time visitors to the Brother schools XC taking second place.

On then to the secondary school programme which was led off by the minor girls also running over 1000, there was a one two in this race for Lucan community college with Saoirse Fitzgerald taking the win from Maggie Jez, Ella  Carey of Loretto Foxrock was third. Needless to say Lucan took the team win. In the junior girls race Castleknock’s Madeline Buckley was first home with Loretto Dalkey taking the team when. The inter-girls race was another fine race with the girls running over 2000m led home by Eimer Maher as Dominic’s Cabra took the team win. The final girls race of the day was the senior race and it was a classy affair led home by Holly Brennan, second was Faye Dervan with Roisin Treacy taking third. Dominic’s Cabra were again the victors in the team competition.

Moving on then to the boys races where there were huge fields in both the minor and junior races. Sean Cronin was a most convincing winner of the minor race winning by a cross country mile. St Colman’s of Newry won the team competition. Oliver Hopkins of St Declan’s won the junior boys race as brother schools newcomers Wesley College took the team win. The inter-boys race was won by Matthew Lavery of St Malachy’s leaving the Malachy’s team home to a fine win. Malachy is also recorded the win in the team event in the senior boys race by a substantial margin with Oisin Kelly a winner in a close finish as the top three could almost be covered by the proverbial blanket.

Results:
Primary school girls:
fourth class: 1  Rosie Stafford, 2 Megan O’Leary, 3 Sonia Vilkyu. Teams: 1 Mary help of Christians 21, 2 Mount Anville 40, 3 Scoil San Carlo 70.
Fifth class: 1 Evie Hayes, 2 Erin Byrne, 3 Sofia Corbett. Teams: 1 Mary help of Christians 30, 2 Mount Anville 35, 3 Vincent de Paul 60.
Sixth class: 1 Niamh Bergin, 2 Ella Moynahan, 3 Charlotte Croke. Teams: 1 Mary help of Christians 29, 2 Vincent de Paul 41, 3 Mount Anville 42.
Best girls primary school: Mary help of Christians.

Primary school boys:
Fourth class: 1 Darragh Murphy, 2 Myles McMahon, 3 Connor Tynan. Teams: 1 Scoil Mhuire Marino 39, 2 St Brigids 50, 3 St Michaels 58.
Fifth class: 1 Bill Donovan, 2 Lucas Ryan, 3 Charlie Mooney. Teams: 1 St Mary’s BNS 19, 2 John Bosco 60, 3 St Joseph BNS 91.
Sixth class: 1 William Breathnach, 2 Billy Cosgrove, 3 Eoin McConnell. Teams: 1 St Malachy’s 43, 2 St Patrick’s Armagh 52, 3 St Bridget’s BNS 70.
Best boys primary school: St. Brigids BNS

Secondary schools girls:
minor: 1 Saoirse Fitzgerald, 2 Maggie Jez, 3 Ella Carey. Teams: 1 Lucan community college 48, 2 Loreto Foxrock 62, 3 Dominic’s Cabra 64.
Junior: 1 Madeline Buckley, 2 Isabella Tdmkina Beddy, 3 Zoie Richie. Teams 1 Loreto Dalkey 31, 2 Holy Child 80, 3 Muckross Park 84.
Inter: 1 Eimer Maher, 2 Saoirse Ni Bhriain, 3 Roisin Kennedy. Teams: 1 Dominic’s Cabra 67, 2 Dominicins Griffith Ave 77, 3 Muckross Park 87.
Senior: 1 Holly Brennan, 2 Faye Dervan, 3 Roisin Treacy. Teams: 1 Dominic’s Cabra 38, 2. Santa Sabina 77, 3 Muckross Park 96.
Best girls secondary school Dominic’s Cabra.

Secondary school boys:
minor: 1 Sean Cronin, 2 Dirmuid McCoy, 3 Don Ring. Teams: 1 St Colman’s 39, 2 St Aidan’s 57, 3 St Declan’s 72.
Junior: 1 Oliver Hopkins, 2 Jamie Byrne, 3 Liam Fitzgerald. Teams: 1 Wesley 46, 2 Belvedere 62, 3 St Malachy’s 64.
Inter-: 1 Matthew Lavery, 2 Alex VBW, 3 Dara Donoghue. Teams: 1 St Malachy’s 23, 2 Belvedere 61, St Aidan’s 64.
Senior: 1 Oisin Kelly, 2 Adam Ferris, 3 Michael McCaul. Teams: 1 St Malachy’s 40, 2. St Aidan’s 61, 3 BlackRock 78.
Best boys secondary school St Malachy’s.

Best overall Secondary School and winners of the Lar O’Byrne Shield: St. Malachy’s.

Clonliffe Harriers would like to thank sincerely our wonderful sponsor Brother for their outstanding generosity and support. Clonliffe also like to thank Fingal County Council for the use of Santry Demesne Park, Morton Stadium, St John’s ambulance and the Gardai. We would also like to thank all the schools and the athletes for participating in today’s event we hope you enjoyed your time in Santry. We look forward to seeing you all back here again in 2020.

To view photos from today’s event click: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHAiUEm

This Wednesday (October 9th) will see Clonliffe once again host and promote The Brother Schools XC . This continues to be one of the most popular events on the school`s athletics calendar with another bumper entry for Wednesday’s event. Entry has now closed, the only exceptions are individuals who can enter on the day at the Clonliffe clubhouse. Clonliffe are once again indebted to Brother for their continued sponsorship of this wonderful day.

Primary School`s races get the programme underway with the 4th class girls at high noon. The Secondary schools continue proceedings from 1.00pm with the senior boys winding up the day at 2.50pm.

Please see instructions below, and please follow these.

Date: Wednesday, 9^th of October – HAIL, RAIN OR SHINE!!

Venue:  Santry Demesne Parkland at rear of Morton Stadium Santry.

Timetable:

• 12.00 – 4^th class girls 1000M (1 small lap)
• 12.10 – 4^th class boys 1000M (1 small lap)
• 12.20 – 5^th class girls 1000M (1 small lap)
• 12.30 – 5^th class boys 1000M (1 small lap)
• 12.40 – 6th class girls 1000M (1 small lap)
• 12.50 – 6th class boys 1000M (1 small lap)
• 1.00 – Minor girls 1000M (1 small lap)
• 1.15 – Minor boys 1500M (1 big lap)
• 1.30 – Junior girls 1500M (1 big lap)
• 1.45 – Junior Boys 2000M (2 small laps)
• 2.00 – Inter girls 2000M (2 small laps)
• 2.15 – Inter boys 3000M (2 big laps
• 2.35 – Senior girls 2000M (2 small laps)
• 2.50 – Senior boys 4500M (3 big laps)

Sponsor: Brother, Boeing Road, Airways Industrial Estate, Santry, Dublin 17.

Parking:   Morton Stadium Santry.   Buses/coaches must park at the Clonliffe Harriers end of the stadium – gate number 3.   For health and safety reasons it is not permissible for buses to allow passengers to alight until such time as the bus has actually parked.   Please obey the directions of the parking attendant.

Number collection:     Your School’s race numbers can be collected in the Clonliffe Harriers Clubhouse – in the hall. There will be an envelope with your School name on it and the envelope will contain your School identification numbers which must be fixed to the FRONT of the athlete’s running vest/t-shirt. Please note that athletes must wear race numbers.  Any athlete arriving to the start without a race number will not be permitted to take part.

Individuals:    Individuals may enter, with the permission of their School, and run as individuals. There are no pre-entries for individuals.  Individuals must arrive at check-in at the Clonliffe Harriers Clubhouse and pay an individual entry fee of €3.00.  Individual entries will then be given a race number which must be fixed to the front of the racing vest. Registration for Individuals closes at 11.00 for Primary schools and 11.30 for Secondary.

Age Groups:  There are no age groups in the Primary School races. The Primary School races are for 4th, 5^th class and 6^th classes (separated races!)

Age groups for secondary school`s races:

Minor born on or after 01/07/06.

Junior born on or after 01/07/05.

Intermediate born on or after 01/07/03.

Senior born on or after 01/01/01.

Toilet facilities: Are located under the stand at the Clonliffe side of the stadium. Toilets are also located at the play ground in the Park.  Please note that the indoor section of the stadium is closed.        

THE TRACK MUST NOT BE ENCROACHED UPON BY ANYONE.    THIS IS TO PROTECT THE TRACK WHICH WILL SUFFER SEVERE AND PERMANENT DAMAGE IF SOMEONE WAS WEARING CROSS COUNTRY SPIKES.   THEREFORE, THE TRACK IS CLOSED.    IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ADVISE YOUR ATHLETES THAT THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE TRACK.

 Entry to Venue:  Via Morton Stadium. Please use the gate at the 100m start line at the phoenix monument.

School Colours:  If available must be worn. We would also encourage you to bring flags or suchlike to be placed around the course.  Supporters are most welcome.

Awards:  First three individuals in each race – presentation will be made to the individuals immediately after each race.

Team awards: First three in each race.   A team is a minimum of four athletes with a maximum of 15.  The team result will be calculated by the addition of the place finishings of the first four athletes from that school and the school with the lowest score will be declared the winner.   In the event of a tie the winner will be decided on the basis of the highest finish of the 4^th scoring athlete from the tying schools.    Please note that there is only one team permitted per school per event.   Although up to 15 athletes can run, however, please note that there are only 10 team medals available per set.

Souvenir T-shirt: There will be a souvenir T-shirt for all athletes which will be presented at the finish of each race.  In the event that there are insufficient t-shirts on the day a reprint of t-shirts will be made and sent separately.

Best Schools:Our sponsor Brother will make arrangements to make a presentation of a piece of Brother office equipment to the best boys primary school, best girls primary school, best boys secondary school and best girls secondary school. In addition the Lar Byrne Memorial Perpetual Trophy will be presented to the best overall secondary school.    

Litter:  As we have use of Santry Demesne Parkland thanks to the generosity and co-operation of Fingal County Council we would implore you to appoint an individual/individuals to be responsible for the removal of all litter generated by your athletes. Please bring a sack for litter. Your co-operation in this connection is vital.

Results:  A race report together with photographs (by taking part in this event you are consenting to photographs being published – photographs will not identify any individuals) and the team results and top three individual results will appear on www.clonliffeharriersac.com on Wednesday evening.

Health and Safety:      Please obey the instructions of all marshals at the venue. Marshals will be clearly identifiable as they will be wearing high vis vests.  Please note that on health and safety grounds all athletes must avail of footwear.  No athlete is permitted to race barefoot.

Medical Emergencies:  St. John’s Ambulance will be in attendance.

Officials: Course builders meet at 8.00am. Check in team please arrive for 10.00am. Other officials please report at 11.00am. All to be in position by 11.45am.

 On behalf of Clonliffe Harriers A.C. and our sponsor Brother we would like to thank you sincerely for taking part in the Brother Schools X.C. and we sincerely hope that you and your athletes thoroughly enjoy the day.

Course Map: