All posts in Internal Club News

1/4 of a century ago, September 2, 1995 the new Clonliffe Harriers clubhouse was officially opened by Mr Bertie Ahern TD. The opening was attended by the Clonliffe Harriers club president Maurice Ahern, the club captain Peter McDermott, club secretary Caroline Keane, treasurer Noreen Keane, committee members, club members and invited guests.

The club’s previous dressing rooms and club bar had been situated under the old Clonliffe ‘stand’. This had fallen into a state of disrepair, and although very fondly remembered by club members of a certain age possibly through rose tinted and beer stained glasses the new facility opened 25 years ago was a state-of-the-art clubhouse. Dressing rooms, showers and a hall downstairs and on the first floor a brand spanking new club bar. This club bar over the past 25 years has been the hub of the clubs social life hosting after event prize-giving, athletes of the year presentations, many an infamous cake race night, club AGM s and of course the famed Morton Games get together.

It’s only a pity that with the current Covid 19 restrictions that we cannot mark this occasion in a more fitting manner at this time but these darker days will be behind us soon and once again the best pints of Guinness in Dublin will be shared along with stories of past and present Harriers. We look forward to those days and long nights! Nil desperandum.

Below you will find posted the advise just issued by Athletics Ireland and Sport Ireland. Essentially from a club perspective we believe that our Phase 2 protocols will be coming back from Thursday. This will be updated and posted here tonight. In the meantime from Athletics Ireland:

“To All Stakeholders,

Please find the update issued by Sport Ireland last night in regard to the latest Covid advice.

Further specific details will be issued in the coming days from Sport Ireland but the good news is that we have had sign off from Sport Ireland that our Irish Life Health National Track & Field Championships can proceed as planned and training groups can continue to operate in multiple groups of 15.

Covid is still very much with us and we advise all stakeholders to maintain the highest standards of Covid protocols at all times.

“Dear Sport Ireland Stakeholder

Following the announcement by An Taoiseach tonight the following public health measures are now in place. The previous restrictions announced for Kildare, Laois and Offaly continue to remain in place.

The key measures announced in relation to sport and physical activity are outlined below.

Sport Ireland will provide additional information on a number of the measures tomorrow. In the meantime please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.

Updated Public Health Measures – Sport & Physical Activity

• Sport facilities can remain open.
• Sporting events and matches can continue to take place behind closed doors.
• Gatherings, including social gatherings, before or after events must be avoided. Participants should practice 2 metre physical distancing before and after events, during breaks in play, on the sidelines and team huddles should be avoided.
• Gyms/leisure centres/swimming pools/exercise and dance studios can remain open with strict distancing and other appropriate protective measures in place.
• Exercise and dance classes should be limited to 6 people and observe physical distancing rules.
• Groups exercising outdoors should be limited to 15 people, including training sessions. There should be no mixing between groups.
• It is recommended that those responsible for managing these facilities should have completed a risk assessment before reopening to manage the public health risk for their customers, attendees, participants, and staff.
• The assessment should consider the risk factors for getting COVID-19, that is Distance, Activity, Time and Environment, and include controls such as managed entry, improved hygiene facilities, and regular cleaning to limit these.
• Facilities should observe physical distancing guidelines and apply the public health checklist to their operation. Guidance on mass gatherings should also be followed.
• Facilities reopening with a return of staff should apply the Return to Work Safely Protocol. This has been designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.”

Important Notice: Due to coaches being unavailable training for graham’s group tomorrow (Thurs 13th) is cancelled. enjoy the night off!

Club members please note that due to a problem Athletics Ireland are currently experiencing with the events entry system all entries for these competitions can only come through clubs at this time.

Therefore if you want to enter:

Le Cheile Meet (Aug 7th)

National Field Events Festival (Aug 8th)

National Senior & U/23 Track & Field (Aug 22nd/23rd)

(Hopefully the issue will have been resolved before entry opens for Juvenile, junior and Masters championships!)

Please e mail Pamela Cooper pamelabcooper78@gmail.com with full details: The competition, your event, your name, Reg. no., pb etc Entry fees will have to be paid by you to Pamela. Please also note that you must be a fully paid up club member. Do not delay as we cannot cater for a last minute rush.

Parents please note that training continues for Gladys’ group on Sundays at the slightly later time of 10.00am until 11.00/11.15am. Parents are reminded of the current Covid-19 health regulations and are requested to read the Covid 10 page of this web sire (See menu above)

The club treasurer is asking the last remaining members of the club who are in arrears with their 2020 subscriptions to bring them up-to-date now. Anyone who has not renewed their 2020 subscription cannot avail of the clubs facilities. Under the current Covid -19 guidelines from Athletics Ireland authorising the return to normal club activity it is specifically directed that only paid-up members of a club ought to be permitted to use the club’s facilities. Therefore regrettably if your subscriptions are in arrears you are not permitted to come to Morton Stadium to train with Clonliffe Harriers during Clonliffe’s time in the stadium.

To renew your 2020 membership please go to the membership section of this website and avail of the on line facility. The committee thanks you for your cooperation.

Coaches and athletes please note that there is now increased demand for track time on Sunday mornings. To cater for this we’ve had to adopt a similar approach to Sundays as we have in place for Tuesdays/Thursdays (see below). It is appreciated that this may not be ideal for all but we all are doing the best we can. The need for bookings remains for control on numbers and most importantly for contact tracing purposes if ever needed by the Health authorities. Again all please be fully familiar with the Covid-19 protocols in place (see Covid-19 page on menu bar).

Sundays (9.30 to 11.30):

9.30 – 10.00 Open

9.30 – 11.30 Throws (outside cage)

9.30 – 10.00 Javelin (infield) athletes/coaches extreme caution must be exercised

10.00 – 11.00 Senior sprints groups (lanes 1 to 4)

10.00 – 11.00 Gerry Carr’s sprints group (lanes 5,6)

10.00 to 11.00 Gladys Coopers’ Juvenile group (lanes 7, 8)

11.00 – 11.30 Middles distance groups (lanes 1 – 3)

11.00 – 11.30 Graham Mahon group (lanes 4 -8)

11.00 – 11.30 Javelin (infield) extreme caution at all times.

Clonliffe athletes and coaches are reminded to be mindful of other park users, particularly older people, whilst training in Santry Park. Please remember in addition to social distancing from your fellow athletes you must also social distance from all others. It is important therefor when passing others to allow plenty of space during these covid-19 days. If possible train either early in the morning or later in the evening. The cooperation of all would be much appreciated.

In view of the continuing rain and, of course, the absence of any indoor training facilities during these Covid-19 days Gladys has cancelled training for her group tonight.

Notice from Gladys Cooper: I’m delighted to bring you the good news of a return to training for our younger athletes after these unprecedented last 4 months (almost). It is however vitally important that all parents read the attached, discuss them with your children and that you are sure your children understand what they must do, can do and cannot do! Please also note that this is a phased return in a structured way that must be respected by all. Thank you for your cooperation.