All posts in Indoor Athletics

At last night’s NIA Live indoor meet in Abbottstown Ariel Liegho for the third successive competition set a new Clonliffe Harriers club indoor women’s pole vault record. Her win last night was a massive 4.0o m all of 20 cm better than her clearance only two weeks previously. Ariel must now be favourite to take a first national title at the national indoors next month.

Other top-class performances at the meet included Stephen Cashin winning the 3000 in a time of 9.02.04. In the sprints Keith Pike ran a fast 6.97 for 2nd in the 60 and was first in the 200 in 22.87. Keith Burke in his 60 race was second (7.85) and fourth in his 200 (25.42). Sally Somula was sixth in her 60 (8.21) whilst Alex Twomey took a win in her 60 in 8.42. Natalia Gill was fourth in her 200 (33.31) and also jumped 4.06 in the long jump. Emma McDonnell was third in her 400 in a time of 63.76. Nicole Lapey was sixth in the pole vault with a best of 2.20. Finally after his outstanding PB run in Sundays National League over 1500 Eoghan Murphy put in another excellent run to finish second over 800 (2.03.30). Finally in the U/14 Ava Usanova scored a sprints double winning the 60 in 8.60 and 200 in 28.40.

The next NIA Live meet is on February 11 entry now open.

Friday in the US Hope Saunders finished 4th in the indoor mile (5.34.58) at the Jayhawk Classic in Lawrence. Today at the National Junior and U/23 indoors at Athlone IT Lauren Carr has a very good day qualifying for the U/23 final courtesy of 26.06 heat and than a fine 25.97 in the final for 4th. Sarah Bateson was 8th in the junior 1500 in 4.57.63. Missed last weekend was Jeremy Phillip’s first outing of the season in Boston over 60m 6.97 and then 6.90 for 1st in the final. Finally in Boston on the 25th Steve Flanagan recorded 8.49.28 over 3000.

Rolus Olusa is Clonliffe Harriers first national champion of the new decade as he took the indoor combined events title at Athlone IT today.

With 4 firsts and a second Rolus finished in 3584 points some 250 clear of defending champion Shane Aston (Tara): 60h 8.48 , Long Jump 6.69, High Jump 1.93, shot 11.29 and 2nd in the 1000 (3.00.50).

Ariel Lieghio’s club indoor pole vault record set on Saturday lasted all of three days as she went 10cm higher at last night’s NIA Live meet in Abbotstown. The new record now stands at 3.80m.

On the track Leah Bergin has two wins: 60m 8.20 and 200 26.48. Lauren Carr went even faster winning her 200 in 25.68. Emma McDonnell 1st 400 (63 57) with Kristin Hogan (68.04)

Other results: 60m Keith Burke 3rd (7.88) and 4th 200 (26.57), Sally Sumola 4th 60m (8.27), Natalia Gill 7th 60m (9.60) and 200 (33.83), Eoghan Murphy 3rd 800 (2.02.70).

In the juvenile races Ava Usanova had a fine win in the 200 in 29.47 and a 2nd place in the 60 (8.87).

At a reception held in the Clonliffe club bar today club historian Dominic Branigan unveiled a magnificent portrait of Billy Morton commissioned by Dominic himself marking the 50th anniversary of Billy’s passing in December 1969.

The attendance included Billy’s daughters Yvonne and Billie and their families including Billy’s grandchildren. Clonliffe president Paddy Marley gave a great speech of his introduction to Clonliffe Harriers and Billy Morton in 1967, Paddy asking if he and his Donegal pals could join the club and Billy saying “sure isn’t that why we build the bloody place!” Also in attendance were past presidents Colm Brennan and Maurice Ahern, Clonliffe legends Ann O’Brien, Francis Mansfield, Larry O’Reilly and current officers and committee members, Joe and Gladys Cooper, Paddy and Caroline Tuite, John O’Leary, Noel Daly and Noel Guiden to name but a few.

Yvonne on behalf of the Morton family thanked the club for their continued honouring of the memory of her father.

After round one of the national indoor league the drive for five is well underway as the Clonliffe men lead the standings on 50.5 points from Galway City Harriers 42 points and Nenagh Olympic 38. The men are the defending champions indeed they have won the last four in succession. Playing a starring role today was Rolus Olusa who contributed two maximum scores as he won the 60H in 8.40 and then follow that up with a win in the pole vault with a best of 4.10. Maximum points were also contributed by Eamon Fahey winning the long jump with a best of 6.63. Rory Gunning was second in the shot with a best of 11.36, Keith Pike was joint second in the 60 (7.05) and Fionn Carroll fifth in the 800 (2.00.0).

The women’s team also enjoyed an excellent day and finished round one in a very healthy third position on 41 points. The lead is held by DCH on 65 points with Raheny on 53. Ariel Leghio in her first official competition for Clonliffe set a new club indoor pole vault record in winning that competition with a best of 3.70. Excellent performances also today by young Sally Sumola competing in her first senior competition as she finished a superb fourth in the long jump with a best of 4.92. Leah Bergin was fifth in her 60 and contributing six points (8.14), five points were also chipped in by Sarah Bateson who ran an 800 PB of 2.22.94 and by another of the young Clonliffe athletes Natalia Gill who ran 10.90 in the 60 H. Lauren Carr showing what club spirit is all about competed in her first ever shot gathering in three points with a best of 6.02.

(Pictured, club record setter Ariel Leghio)

An excellent start therefore to the league by both squads as they look forward to the final round in Athlone on January 26.

There are also some guest races today: Val Strogonus ran a 60 PB of 7.08, having earlier ran 7.13. Keith Pike also ran in one of the additional rounds recording 7.15 (we can confirm that despite the official results Keith does not run for Clonakility Road Runners!) Pascal Touche feeling a bit of a twinge eased up recording 7.75.

On the country today Sean Doran was 2nd in the first BHAA Cross Country race of the season, the Bank of Ireland 6k.

The National Indoor league round 1 takes place at NIA, Abbotstown tomorrow. The womens team is: 60H Natalia Gill, Long Jump Sally Sumola, Pole Vault Ariel Leghio, 60 Leah Bergin, Shot Lauren Carr, 800 Sarah Bateson.

The men: Rolus Oulsa 60H/PV, Eamonn Fahey Long Jump, 60 Keith Pike, Rory Gunning Shot, Fionn Carroll 800.

Round 2 takes place Sunday 26th of January at Athlone IT.

Clonliffe’s National 1500 indoor champion Eoin Pierce has gotten his 2020 indoor season off to a superb start. At yesterday’s BMC Sheffield Grand Prix Eoin clocked an excellent 3.49.39 to place 7th in the A race a new indoor PB.. Eoin’s fellow 2019 Morton Miler Archie Davis of Brighton Phoenix was 3rd (3.45.43).