All posts in Schools athletics

At another sun drenched day in Morton Stadium the Tailteann Games took place today. It was a hot day making it tough for the distance runners. The athletes competing today were in the U/17 ages were representing their schools in this inter provincial Meet. For the four Clonliffe athletes it was a proud day for them, their families and schools. All four truly gave of their bests and that in truth is the essence of a competitor.

Alex Murray was the first of the four to race in the 1500 SC and a great effort he put in saw him take superb silver. Next in was Sarah Bateson, who has come such a long way in a year, from 2017 not making it out of North Leinster to now representing the Leinster Schools, give it her best shot in a difficult race to battle all the way to 8th. Next up in the 1500 where Aaron Cullen recorded a new pb (4.06 TBC) in taking an excellent bronze medal for Leinster and finally Daniel Stone who was with the lead group in the 3000 until the final tour of Morton Stadium to place 4th.

Fantastic achievements by the four of them.

The Schools season came to a conclusion today in Tullamore for the Irish Life All Ireland Track & Field Championships on a warm humid day.

From the Clonliffe group first into action and taking an excellent silver was Jonas Norvaisas in the minor boys shot with a best of 14.28m. Next up our two inter girls 3000 athletes, both putting in great efforts with Jena Cid turning the tables on Sarah Bateson today as Jena took 5th place in a pb of 10.50.80 with Sarah 6th (11.05.75). This is also where Clonliffe unfortunately says “Adios” to Jana who after a great 10 months with us heads home to Barcelona tomorrow.

In the inter boys 3000 there was bronze for Daniel Stone (9.11.80) with Alex Murray also bagging bronze in the inter 1500 SC (4.40.15).

Super Sally Somula went one better taking a great silver in the minor girls 100 (12.57) and later in the long jump was just out of the medals in 4th after a 4.93m best.. Jack Woods will have gained great experience from his All Ireland venture as he placed 9th in the minor 800 (2.22.57).

In a hot inter boys 1500 Aaron Cullen put in another great performance to 6th place in a tactical race in 4.20.53 .

Finally then the senior 5000 where Efrem Gidey joined a distinguished list of Clonliffe winners to add the title to his All Ireland Schools Cross Country title. Efrem winning in 15.22.03 to complete an excellent campaign.

So schools out! Fantastic stuff from all our athletes throughout the school year and now we have Dublin Clubs and Nationals coming quickly down the tracks. So onwards and upwards.

Efrem Gidey was the star of the day at another sun drenched Leinster Schools Track & Field at Morton Stadium today. In the senior boys 5000 from the gun Efrem hit the front and with the pack well aware of the folly of trying to keep pace with the Clonliffe man by lap 4 he lead by half a lap eventually lapping the entire field to win in 15.24.43. Stephen Cashin had a fine run to a 4th place finish in 17.06.65 and had there been another 100 might well have snatch 3rd.

Other notable Clonliffe runs today came in the inter girls 3000 which featured a Clonliffe trio of Sarah Bateson, Abbie Sheehy and Jana Cida . After a number of slow opening laps the pace picked up with the Clonliffe girls well in contention, with 400 to go Jana held 3rd but Sarah let loose with a superb final 250 to go from 4th to 2nd (11.03.67) with Jana holding 3rd (11.05.07) and Abbie putting in a fine run to 6th place.

In the boys inter 3000 there was another Clonliffe 2nd and 3rd, with the bell ringing a lap too soon the entire field raced to the line only to get the word that there was another lap to go, Daniel Stone suffered the most as his effort to strike for gold basically put paid to his winning chances and he finished 2nd (9.11.58) with Aaron Cullen 3rd . Aaron`s day was not done as he made a last minute surprise decision to line up in the inter 1500 where he claimed his 2nd bronze of the afternoon (4.32.47) with Thomas Baltzar 6th.

In the 800s Ella Brown found the going pretty hard in the inter race and finished 8th. Likewise in a hot senior boys 800 both Craig Giles and Cian Bolger found it tough going placing 6th (1.59.71) and 8th. Craig made another attempted at qualifying for the All Ireland Schools by lining up in the 1500 but with 400 to go his legs had had enough and he finished in 6th place (4.22.96).

Rebecca Fitzsimons had a very good run indeed to 3rd place in the inter girls 300 (42.26), with a strong finish down the home straight.

At a sun drenched Morton Stadium today the Leinster Schools track and field finals took place. All of the athletes who had qualified for the Leinsters had battled through the Leinster regions and can be justifiably proud of their achievements in making these finals.  For those who successfully negotiated the Leinsters they now look forward to Tullamore and the All Ireland Schools track and field championships at the start of June.

There were two exceptional performances from Clonliffe athletes today, firstly Sally Somola who won the minor girls 100 and was 2^nd in the long jump and secondly Jonas Norvaisas who broke the minor shot putt 40 year old record in taking the Leinster Schools Junior title with a throw of in of 14.45 metres.

Also in the sprints Alex Twomey took silver in the U/16 200 whilst Emma McDonnell was just out of the medals finishing 4^th in the Junior 200.

In the 800s Jack Woods battled hard to hold 3^rd place in the Junior race.  Naoise Cullen was really up against it in the Junior girls race but battled bravely to finish 8^th.  Orla O’Sullivan was 6^th in the minor girls 800.

In the girls U/16 mile there were good runs from the two Clonliffe girls with Aoife Hession placing 6^th and Alana Fitzsimons 9^th.

Over the barriers in the steeplechase Alex Murray was 3^rd in the inter boys 2000 and Jordan Byrne 8^th in a loaded field in the Senior boys steeplechase.

Nicola Lapiy was 6^th in the junior javelin.

Finally in the U/16 girls 4 x 300 relay the Dominican team which was packed with Clonliffe athletes finished just out of the medals finishing 4^th.

The championships continue on Saturday morning in Morton Stadium.

The School`s track & field season continued in Morton stadium yesterday where Naoise Cullen won the junior girls 800 title.

Next week is a big week with the Leinster finals. The meet is split over two days with the minor, junior and U/16s on Wednesday and the inters and seniors then on Saturday. It`ll be a great week for these young athletes with many of Clonliffe`s future stars in action. The would very much appreciate the club members support so if possible, and what better way to spend a Saturday, get yourself to Morton Stadium for some top athletics. You will be most impressed by what you see!

After a week`s break the Leinster regions resumed at a sunny Morton Stadium on Monday with the East Leinster`s day 1. There was a small smattering of Clonliffe athletes in action. A good battle took place in the inter boys 1500 where Thomas Baltzar took 2nd in 4.35 with Ian McAlweeney 4th (4.39). In the junior 1500 young Ronan Donohoe had a solid run in a very big field.

Wednesday the 2nd May saw Day 1 of the North Leinsters at a windy cold Santry. Starting off with the sprinters Sally Somula was 2nd in the minor girls 80m. In the junior girls 100 Paula was 3rd and Alex Twomey was 3rd in the inter girls 100m with Rapha Diamond Ebbs 5th. Kristian Bosnjak was 3rd in his 100 heat and then 7th in the inter final.

The U/16 girls mile saw a very positive run by Aoife Hession getting out into the lead trio from the off and being rewarded with bronze (5.36), Alana Fitzsimons found the conditions testing and placed 5th (5.59). In the boys mile again good Clonliffe representation with Daragh Carter placing just out of the medals in 4th (4.50), Dermot Buckley was 6th and Calum Simpson 8th. The 1500s again had good representation Jenna Cida was 3rd in the inter girls race (5.10) after a good battling run, Sarah Bateson was 5th (5.21) and will look to go better in her preferred 3000 on Friday, Vicky McDonnell was 10th and Aimee Warren 12th. In the inter boys 1500 Aaron Cullen battled like mad to come back from the dead with 200 to go and thundered from 4th to 2nd on the line. Craig Giles was a comfortable qualifier in 2nd place in the senior 1500 with an excellent run in this from Stephen Cashin in 4th place and Seamus Farrell 6th.

Cian Bolger, warming up for his 800 on Friday was 3rd in the senior 400. Aaron Nnadi was 5th in the inter 400. Rebecca Fitzsimons took gold in the inter 300 with Kristin Mc Grady Hogan 4th in a tight finish. In the U/16 4 x 300 relay the DCGA team including Emma McDonnell, Alana Fitzsimons and Aoife Hession took gold.

Finally gold and silver over the barriers: senior boys 2000 SC Jordan Byrne was 1st and Alex Murray 2nd in the inter 1500 SC. Jonas won the junior shot and was 4th in the javelin.

Thursday, May 3rd and a showery cold day in this ever lasting winter for the East Leinsters Day 2 where in an early start Abbie Sheehy ran a superb 3000, in her first over the distance, to take inter gold (11.12). Ella Brown had a satisfying run in the inter 800 grabbing 3rd place and qualifying for Leinster finals. In the inter boys 3000 Thomas Baltzar was 2nd with Ian McAlweeney a good 6th.

Friday the 4th North Leinsters Day 2 in warm and pleasant conditions with out breaks of  sunshine. Early starters included a fantastic one two in the inter girls 3000 from Sarah Bateson and Jenna Cida. In The 800s Orla O’Sullivan took minor girls bronze Jack Woods silver in the minor boys race. In the junior girls Naoise Cullen also claimed silver. The senior boys 800 saw Cian Bolger take 2nd with Craig Giles 3rd. Cliona Cooley was 6th in the senior girls. Great run by Stephen Cashin to win the senior 5000. In the sprints Emma Mcdonnell took junior 200 gold and was 4th in the high jump where Natalia Burtenshaw took a fine silver with a 1.48m jump. Gold also for Alex Twomey in the girls U/16 200 Rebecca Fitzsimons was 3rd in the inter 200 closely followed by Jessica Dedeku in 4th and in the inter boys 200 Eoin O’Donnell was 5th with Aaron Nnadi 6th.

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Fantastic stuff by all our athletes. Many congratulations to all who have qualified for the Leinster finals in a couple of weeks time.

The West Leinster schools got the qualifiers for the Leinster finals under way at an extremely blustery Morton Stadium on Tuesday. Efrem Gidey was a comfortable enough winner of the senior 1500 with Ben Guiden just missing out in 4th place. In the inter 1500 Daniel Stone was 2nd. Lauren Carr also missed out on Leinster qualification by a fraction placing 3rd in the senior 400.

Thursday day 2 of the Wests and a much better day all round, indeed it seems like Spring! An early start for the senior 5000 guys (9.30am) where Efrem made it a double as he lapped the field in an impressive solo 15.20. Ben Guiden had a solid run placing 3rd (17.45). Daniel Stone also qualified for Leinster finals finishing 2nd in the inter 3400, race officials getting the lap count wrong for the 3000. (Daniel ran a 3400 pb of 11.07!)

Press release from Fingal County Council (Monday 9th, April) : The remarkable achievements of a Tyrrelstown student have been recognised by the members of Fingal County Council in a special ceremony in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Swords.

Efrem Gidey, a fifth year student at Le Chéile Secondary School, Tyrellstown, won the All-Ireland Senior Schools Cross-County title last month in Waterford, just

months after arriving in Ireland from Eritrea having spent several years in a refugee camp in Calais.

Councillors agreed at the March meeting of the County Council to recognise his achievement and, after the April meeting, there was a special ceremony where the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Mary McCamley, made a special presentation and paid tribute to Efrem along with Cllr Eugene Coppinger, Cllr Matthew Waine, Cllr Paul Donnelly, Cllr Anne Devitt and Cllr Mags Murray. The councillors recalled Efrem’s journey from Eritrea to Ireland and praised his courage and dedication before describing him as a great role model for young people within the community. They added that his achievement highlighted the role that sport can play in integrating communities.

Other councillors in attendance at the presentation were Sandra Kavanagh, Tania Doyle, Roderic O’Gorman, Lorna Nolan, Darragh Butler, Paul Mulville and Philip Lynam.

The Principal of Le Cheile Secondary School, Tyrellstown, Dr Áine Moran, said they were proud of Efrem and his friends who had come to Ireland last year and enrolled in the school. “We are tremendously proud of his sporting achievements but also his courage and tenacity. His friends also deserve to be part of this because they are his family now.”

The Chief Executive of Fingal County Council, Paul Reid, also added his congratulations saying it was a fantastic achievement and that it was important to recognise and celebrate Efrem’s achievement.

Clonliffe Sean O’ Leary was a majestic winner of the senior boys 6,000m race at today’s Leinster Schools xc hosted by Clonliffe in Santry Demesne. On a beautiful Spring day Santry looked just brilliant with a great course laid out by the crew. Recent good weather had the desired effect turning what was looking, a week ago,  like a grim prospect into a superb looking Santry Demesne. The going was soft to firm, with lovely sunshine and little or no wind. It simply doesn’t get any better for cross country.

The course builders reported for duty at 8.00 am sharp and just like the well oiled machine they are swung into action. Two hours later, job done and ready for action.

First of the Clonliffe athletes in action was Orla O’Sullivan who put in a very good run in the minor race over 1,500m with a top 30 finish. Next in were Jack Woods and Ronan Donohue both of whom ran very well in the minor boys 2,000m race. The junior girls race saw Naoise Cullen put in a brave run after a few weeks sidelined through injury.

The inter girls ran over 3,500m 2 small loops and then the dredded walled garden 1500 lap. In this race Sarah Bateson was just outstanding with a stunning last lap propelling herself from 22nd to 12th and booking a precious place in the All Ireland final, and as a first year inter. Great runs also in this race by Alana Fitzsimons in 23rd, Aoife Hession 32nd, Ella Brown 39th and Vicky McDonnell in 51st. Likewise there was good Clonliffe representations in the inter boys 4,500m race and great runs from the lads. Daniel Stone was 5th, Aaron Cullen 7th and Daragh Carter 8th all now heading to the hills of Waterford IT in a couple of weeks time. A good run also in this race by Ian McAlweney placing 31st.

Then at the end of the day the senior boys race saved the best to last. Sean O’ Leary took the race by the scruff of the neck from the gun and opened a lead of 10m however was chased hard and caught with a lap to go. Playing it cool he sat in and held his sprint until the turn into the final straight to take a very fine win and the Leinster title. Efron Gidey never really recovered from a bad start that left him 30m behind the lead pair but was still a comfortable 3rd place. Ben Guiden, a first year senior, put in a great effort and battled gamely to hold onto 15th place and the final All Ireland qualify place. Stephen Cashin was a solid 21st, Jordan Byrne was 27th, Alex Murray 31st and Cian Bolger 40th.

It was a great days cross country with all of our athletes running really well. Congratulations to those who have qualified for the All Ireland finals it is indeed a great achievement.

Also the event was another superb Clonliffe production so thanks and well done to all team who as always give freely and generously of their time. Nil desperandum.