Back in the 1970s Clonliffe Harriers held an invitational schools cross country event, won that year by St. Malachy’s College, Belfast. The event continued right through to the 1990s but in 1994, when coincidently St. Malachy’s again prevailed, with ongoing development work at Santry Woods the absence of a venue meant that the event was largely consigned to history.
Enter, however, Brother ten years ago when in 2008 Brother sponsored the Morton Memorial Meet which was an international Track and Field Meet held in the Morton Stadium to mark the 50th anniversary of Herb Elliot’s world record set in 1958 in Santry. By an extraordinary coincidence 1958 was also the year Brother came to Ireland so both the 1958 Herb Elliot mile and Brother in Ireland were marking 50 years.
Brother most generously commenced sponsoring the revived Clonliffe Schools Cross Country from 2009 and the Brother Schools XC was born.
In two week`s time, October 10th for the 10th successive time Brother will sponsor this fantastic event. This will also mark Brother’s 60th year in Ireland.
Santry Demesne Park, rear of Morton Stadium, Swords Road, Dublin 9 is the venue. Invitations have issued to schools. If you did not receive an Invitation but would like one please contact us now clonliffeschoolsxc@gmail.com
Since 2009 the event has grown from 800 competing to last year when almost 2000 young athletes from schools all over Ireland competed in the Brother Schools Cross Country.
In these last ten years the event has seen many of Ireland’s up and coming young athletes compete in that event many of whom have gone on to represent Ireland at the highest level including Siofra Cleirigh-Buttner who has competed for Ireland in both the European and World Championships.
This is an invitation only event and only schools who have been invited and who have confirmed their participation may compete, schools please note that entries must be with us by October 3rd (this day next week). Please note, however, that individuals, who are not part of a schools team, may enter on the day.
The Brother Schools XC is the first big schools invitational of the year and always provides top class entertainment within the beautiful surroundings of Santry Demesne Park which was the venue for the 2009 European Cross Country Championships. The course features the iconic finish through the avenue of trees, all of which remain standing having stood up to the best that storm Ali could muster.
Action will get underway at 12 noon with the 5th class primary schools girls race. There will be four primary schools races to be followed by the secondary school programme commencing at 1 p.m. with minor girls and in the schools programme there will be a total of eight races in all age groupings for both boys and girls. The iconic “Brother at Your Side” t shirt awaits all finishers.
Finally any club member or parent of a club member we need you! Please if you can come on the day text Noel 0879599888.