All posts in Internal Club News

Members please note that on Saturday there is a double booking in the stadium with the stadium hosting a rugby league international on Saturday afternoon. Please note, therefore, that the Athletics Ireland general booking in the stadium this Saturday is from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.  As a consequence, therefore, any Clonliffe athletes/coaches who wish to avail of the Athletics Ireland’s general booking that day please note that training for these groups has been moved forward this Saturday only to 10 a.m.

Juvenile athletes: No training on Sunday for Gladys` or Gerry`s groups.

On Tuesday next Gladys/Gerry’s groups will be training at the National indoor arena in Abbottstown. Parents are reminded that athletes should be at the reception area of the National indoor arena for 6.45 p.m. Collection 9.00pm.  The cost is €5.00 per athlete. (Any issues contact Gladys on 0879852836)

The attention of all club members and coaches is drawn to the fact that the Clonliffe hours for the winter months going through until the spring for official track (outdoor & indoor) usage are as follows:

Tuesday and Thursday:               7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Wednesdays (if no other bookings):       4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday:                                           9.30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Please note that Clonliffe Harriers do not have any other use of the track beyond these hours and if club members or coaches wish to make alternative arrangements they must do so with the stadium direct.

Club members and coaches, therefore, are specifically requested not to be on the track outside of these times.

With regard to Saturdays in the event of Athletics Ireland having an open booking for athletics clubs Clonliffe members can of course avail of the track during those particular booking times.

Stephen Harkness: Over the last few weeks Irish water have restricted the pressure on the water system. Which has had an effect on the water in the showers. Some members may be experiencing little or no water after a large group has used the showers the club have no powers to fix this. Let’s hope it starts raining soon.
In regards to the hot water the club have installed a new system and we are trying to sort some issues which appeared, we are working on these. If people are having any issues please bring them to the attention of a committee member and we try to solve any problems as quick as we can.

Of course if athletes prefer to use the more luxurious surrounding of the indoor this will releave pressure on the Club showers.

Gladys`group please be ready. To combat the sizzling heat tonight is WATER FIGHT NIGHT. Usual time and place. Get ready to get wet!

The Irish Special Olympics takes place in Morton Stadium this coming weekend. In order to assist Special Olympics Ireland with the event Clonliffe have agreed to the following:

There cannot be any infield training this Thursday evening (whilst it is appreciated that this may cause inconvenience to the field eventers there is a ‘build’ going on that day and our understanding is that there will be tents and other infrastructure on the infield. Obviously a javelin going through one of the gazebos may cause a difficulty!)

Saturday: There cannot be any Clonliffe use of the stadium, including our own dressing rooms, as they are going to be used by Special Olympics Ireland on the day.  Thus coaches and athletes are requested to make alternative arrangements for their Saturday training session.

Sunday: All Clonliffe training and stadium usage for Sunday is cancelled.

Special Olympics Ireland have thanked the club and our members, they very much appreciate that it is an inconvenience to cancel our training but they are very appreciative of the co-operation of the club’s members, coaches and committee.

Shane Rooney: Saturday May 12th saw Pam’s group returning to Ballymum for the second time in a week, but this time it was for celebrations of a different nature.  A group of over 25 finely toned Club athletes got together to surprise Laura McAffee-Baitson’s and congratulate her on her recent nuptials.

Club members will know Laura, and her twin sister Karen, as stalwarts of Pam & Ben’s group, permanently smiling and always going that extra mile to make new members feel welcome. So, it was with immense pleasure and honour for the group to get together to run 5k, eat cake (not at the same time) and celebrate Laura’s marriage to her beloved Paul.

The surprise celebrations kicked off at the local Poppintree Parkrun where the athletes turned up looking extra gorgeous wearing vails, bowties and dressed in black or white, but unfortunately there was no champagne reception. However, despite the lack of bubbles, there were plenty of cheers as the organisers gave the glamorous wedding party a big welcome.  The organisers gave a special mention to Clonliffe Harriers for participating and supporting in the inaugural Ballymun Running Festival.

As the announcements and welcomes came to an end, attention quickly turned to the race and despite pleas of desperation from the bride, the gents refused to carry her around the course. Instead, focus shifted to putting P&Bs training to the test and as people ran to the finish line it was evident that the sessions are paying off.  Team Clonliffe put up and excellent display athleticism taking 6 out of the top 10 places. The first man home, and race winner, was Anto “Danto” Doran, closely followed by Mick Birmingham and in 4^th place was Fergal O’Shea.  The ladies, not to be outdone, finished strong and were the first ladies home, led by Elaine McLoughlin, followed by Laura “PB” Kernan and Siobhan Deveney who crossed the line in 6^th, 7^th and 8^th place respectively.

Post-race celebrations moved to a wedding breakfast where all agreed that it was the cheers from Pam, Caroline and Alan and prospect of cake which incentivised many to achieve PBs, including PB’s from the bride and her bridesmaid.  Unfortunately, due to a lack of equipment Evelyn was unable to sing her YoYo song as the first dance, but there is always the post Clonlymics event to look forward to!!

Kudos to all group members for managing to keep the organisation a secret and for not telling the bride, which proved very difficult for some as Laura strikes a remarkable resemblance to another member of the group!!

Until next time, keep digging in folks. Shane.

Due to Thursday`s Clonliffe 2 Mile, there is no training for Gladys`group on Thursday night. All other groups are reminded that there will be a training break to allow competitors start and finish the Clonliffe 2 on the track. Coaches are requested to have their groups vacate the track for the finish in particular. The race starts at 8.00pm, first finishers will be in before 8.10pm with final finishers expected by 8.30pm. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

Now that Winter is over and Summer is just around the corner members please note the Clonliffe times in Morton Stadium until September:

Tuesday 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Thursday 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Sunday 9.30am to 11.30am

These are the only times Clonliffe have exclusive use. Saturdays when Athletics Ireland have a general clubs booking member may of course use the facility. If members/coaches wish to use the facility outside of these hours arrangements should be made with Morton Stadium direct.

Enjoy those Easter Eggs! No Juvenile training on Easter Sunday. Happy Easter!