All posts in Schools athletics

The schools athletics season came to a close, and indeed for some their school years also came to a close today in Tullamore. There was great success for the Clonliffe athletes doing themselves proud. Star performer was Efrem Gidey in 5000 who successfully retained his senior boys 5000 title to make it two All Ireland senior schools doubles: cross country and 5000 track 2018 and 2019.

Efrem as usual lead from the front and lapped all but 3 of the field to win in 14.45.35. Ben Guiden battled gamely in 7th 16.16.93.

Also in the seniors Aaron Cullen was a fine 3rd in the 1500 going sub 4 for the first time (3.59.09). Daniel Stone also put in a fine run in the 2000 sc to take silver (6.08.09), Daniel also later lined up in the 1500 placing 6th (4.02.63). Young Orla O’Sullivan also ran very well in her first All Ireland schools 10th in the junior girls 800 in 2.35.27.

The field events also yielded great success with Sally Sumola jumping 5.24m to take junior girls long jump silver. Silver also for Jonas Norvaisas in the junior boys shot (13.56). Michael Coleman also put in a superb days work taking bronze in the junior boys high jump in an impressive 1.70m.

Fantastic stuff by all.

Efrem Gidey signed off on his Leinster schools career with a record-breaking senior boys 5000 win in the Morton Stadium for Day 2 of the Leinster Schools Championships today. Efrem ran the legs off the field and in the process consigned to history a 39 year old championship record going all the way back to 1980, winning in a fantastic time of 14.34.22.

That 5000 m race was the highlight of a great day’s action in the stadium. Efrem took the race by the scruff of the neck, as he always does, from the off. Ben Guiden bravely followed in his tracks for the first 3/4 laps but paid the price over the latter half of the race as finished 4th, but was rewarded with a new PB of 15.56.84, PB also for 5th-place Stephen Cashin 15.59.92 and indeed PB for Ian McAweeney 16.54.90 and for Thomas Baltazar 16.59.8.

The other success of the day came in the senior boys 1500 where Aaron Cullen was second in 4.01.12 with Daniel Stone third (4.05.12). Another club medallist on the day was Val Stroganoves who was awarded bronze in the inter-boys 200 (22.92).

Other Clonliffe athletes on the day in the sprints: inter-girls 100 6th Alex Twomey 12.89, inter-300 5th Emma MacDonnell 43.63, senior boys 400 6th Cian Bolger 54.47. In the middle distance races inter-girls 1500 5th Sarah Bateson 4.59.95, fourth in the inter-boys 1500 Niall Carberry 4.25.12 with Dermot Buckley 9th 4.35.58.

Efrem, Aaron and Daniel now go forward to the all Ireland schools which is on Saturday, June 1 in Tullamore.

The Leinster schools track and field championships got underway at a sun-drenched Morton Stadium today. The prize at stake for the athletes a coveted starting place in the All Ireland schools track and field in Tullamore on June 2nd.

Day one of the Leinsters is for the younger athletes in the minor and Junior categories. Demonstrating how tough it is to medal at a Leinster schools championships is the fact that the clonliffe athlete in today’s event although all performing to the best of their abilities managed to gather in a total of four medals and nearly  all in field events. Jonas Norvaisas took junior boys shot gold, Michael Coleman was second in the junior boys high jump competition whilst Sally Sumola was third in the junior long jump with a best of 5.13m, a PB, and only 1 cm of silver and indeed gold. Such are the margins in this competition. Sally also placed 4th in the 100, fractions away from a medal.

In the middle distance races Orla O’Sullivan was a fourth place finisher in the junior Girls 800 in a new PB of 2.28. Jack Woods was 7th in the junior boys 800. Naoise Cullen battled away in the U/16 girls mile to finish in seventh place, likewise a battling performance from Cian Hill in the boys U/16 race saw him place 9th. Sean Boyne was 8th in the junior 1500.

The senior boys 2000sc, the only senior race of the day, saw Daniel Stone out sprinted to finish 2nd with Jordan Byrne 6th.

The Cullen siblings had a good outing at yesterday’s Leinster Community Schools Championships in Navan with Naoise, in her first 800 of the season winning the U/16 girls race. Older brother Aaron was second in the U/19 boys 800.

Missed from last week’s regional qualifiers for the Leinster finals rond up was Niall Carberry’s second-place finish in the inter-boys 1500 at the East Leinsters day 2.

Apologies for the omission again athletes and coaches please note that it is impossible to keep up with the amount of activity so if you notice an omission do not be shy text 0879599888.

Here we go again ! Friday, North Leinster Schools track and field Day 2 on a breezy and fresher day in Morton Stadium. First into action from the club bright and early were the 3000 inter girls, where Sarah Bateson successfully came through to May 18th’s Leinster finals after a 3rd place finish (11.02), Aoife Hession was 5th (11.23).

In the inter boys 3000 Daragh Carter, after an injury blighted pre season battle gamely and was just outside of qualifying placing 4th, Evan Foster was 6th and Callum Simpson, also nursing an injury 7th. Aaron Cullen ran a big track pb in the senior 5000, 2nd in 15.41 with Stephen Cashin also through in 3rd (16.24).

In the sprints Alex Twomey made it a North Leinster double capturing inter girls 200 gold with Milcah Anevho 3rd and Kristan Hogan 4th. Val Strogonovas took inter boys 200 silver. While Rebecca Fitzsimons did likewise in the senior girls 200, to take double silver.

Jack Woods took a fine North Leinster junior 800 title. Orla O`Sullivan was 2nd in the junior girls 800. Katie Halpin was 8th in the inter 800 and then took 4 x 300 gold putting in a lightening leg. Both Naoise Cullen and Kristan Hogan likewise took relay medals. In the senior boys 4 x 400 an all Clonliffe St. Aidans team of Aaron Nnadi, Cian Bolger , Val Strongonovous and Manny took gold.

In the field events, Emma McDonnell won the inter girls high jump with a 1.50m jump,  Sandra Egwin was 3rd (1.45). Also an excellent win by Michael Coleman in the inter high jump with a very impressive 1.75m. Gold also from Sally Sumola in rhe junior long jump 4.89m. Jonas Norvaisas won inter shot.

(Omissions please text 0879599888)

Today at Morton Stadium saw the North Leinster  schools track and field championship with day one of the two day event, at stake coveted places in the Leinster schools finals also to be held in Santry in two weeks time. It was a glorious spring sunny day on May 1 in the Morton Stadium and the Clonliffe athletes responded with some magnificent performances.

We start the roundup with the sprints where in the inter-girls 100 Alex Twomey had great success winning the girls 100. Rebecca Fitzsimons took silver in the senior girls 100. Michael Coleman, who recently returned to Clonliffe, took bronze in the inter-boys 100. Bronze also in the senior boys  100 M for Val Strogonovs.

The action then moved on to the days middle distance events with first the you/16 mile. In the girls mile Naoise Cullen took a fine bronze in a time of 5.51 whilst in the boys mile Cian Hill took an excellent silver in a time of 5.04 with Eoin Housby in sixth place. The inter-girls 1500 race featured no less than four of the club’s athletes, in this particular race Sarah Bateson ran very well indeed to secure silver in a time of 5.03, Katie Halpin was 6th (5.22) her first track race in two years, Alana Fitzsimons 7th (5.27) and Ella Cooley 10th (5.47). Cara Curran Begs battle all the way in the senior girls 1500 to finish in 9th place. In the junior boys 1500 Sean Boyne took 3rd and secured North Leinster bronze. A super run by Dermot Buckley in the inter-boys 1500 saw him in battle and kick not once but twice down the home straight to battle all the way to the line to take out a well deserved and popular bronze medal, Alex Newroth was 7th. Aaron Cullen was a class apart in the senior boys 1500 taking up the lead all of 1000m from home and driving on including a phenomenal 60 second final lap to take gold in 4.04, Ryan Sheridan in his first track rate for some time was seventh in 4.25. mention also of a fine run by young Hazel Kenny was fifth in the minor girls 1100.

Later in the day the 400 athletes took to the track where Cian Bolger very successfully made the transition from middle distance to one lap speed merchant with ease as he took North Leinster gold, Aaron Nnadi was 4th in the inter-400. Emma McDonnell was first in the inter-girls 300. In the steeplechase Evan Foster was second in the inter-boys and Jordan Byrne third in the senior boys. day two of the North Leinster’s is at the same venue on Friday.

Errors or omissions or updates please text 0879599888.

The schools track and field qualifiers resumed today after the Easter break at Morton Stadium Santry. There was only a handful of Clonliffe athletes competing today with pride of place going to Ella Brown who won her first E. Leinster schools title as she won the senior girls 800. This was a fine performance by Ella especially considering that she is only back a couple of days from a hard week’s charity work in Romania.

In the senior boys 4000 (yes we are back to 4000!) Thomas Balthazar was second with Ian Mc Aweeney third, both successfully qualifying for the Leinster finals in three weeks time.

The North Leinster’s take place tomorrow, then it is back to the East on Thursday and concluding on Friday once again with the North Leinster’s. Further updates as they come to hand (please text 0879599888 with results)

Well here we are already! The schools track and field qualifiers are underway in Morton Stadium. Bright and early this morning Efrem Gidey and Ben Guiden took to the track for the senior 4000, yes 4000! With Efrem clicking out 72/73s and Ben at 75s both comfortably qualified in 1st and 2nd for the Leinster 5000. Both also ran PBs: 11.58 and 12.36….for 4000!

Also on Tuesday Daniel Stone won the West senior 3000 sc and was 2nd in the 1500.

Clonliffe Harriers Efrem Gidey today did what only a couple of athletes have done in the past retaining the All-Ireland schools senior cross-country title. At Clongowes Wood in Clane, County Kildare Efrem was a runaway winner of the senior boys race over 6000m taking the title in joyous fashion as he was so far clear of the field over the final lap that he basically spent the final 800m high fiving the excited young crowd cheering him on.

Efrem had won the title last year over an exceptionally hilly and difficult course in the mud at Waterford IT.  Today could not have been more different in the majestic surroundings of Clongowes Wood College over a flat grassy surface. After taking the field around the first small lap in a fairly pedestrian pace Efrem stretch his legs and literary run away from the field full to come home the most comfortable winner of the schools in years. In retaining his title today he joins a select group of athletes that includes Mark Carroll one of Ireland’s best ever international athletes.

On the team front Ben Guiden in 20th place and Daniel Stone in 22nd anchored the Belvedere senior boys team to an historic senior silver the  highest ever  finish  at the All Ireland schools for the school . There are fine runs also in that senior boys race from Aaron Cullen in particular an excellent 11th position as he steadily makes progress and today represented a huge step forward after an injury blighted early season. A fine run also from Stephen Cashin in 25th position.

In the inter girls race Sarah Bateson had a good outing over the 3500 course improving her position from the 2018 All-Ireland finishing 32nd and gaining vital experience. Tess Loftus was the Clonliffe representative in the senior girls race over 2500m and again put in a commendable performance to place 61st.

There was a quality run indeed from Evans Foster in the boys inter race to a most impressive 14thh position closely by Callum Simpson in 22nd  Callum  unfortunately picked up an injury two weeks ago which has restricted his training over the last fortnight, Callum however has had a stellar season and battled on gamely today. With Dermott Buckley 25th, John Lawrence 46th, Alex Nuroth 66th scoring well the St Aidans`boys picked up a set of precious All Ireland bronze metals.

Finally the junior boys where Sean Boyne was the top club member in 22nd with Cillian Keegan 44th.

Well done to each and every one of the club’s athletes today. Great efforts all round after a long season.

Next up for the crew is the schools track and field season which for those in the West Leinster section starts in about 4 weeks time!

In the meantime Clonliffe will host the SIAB International Cross Country in Santry Demesne on March 23rd and yes help is needed! (Contact Noel Guiden 087959988 if available)

After battling through regional qualifiers and then provincial qualifiers the country’s top middle and long distance athletes will make their way to Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Co. Kildare this Saturday, March 9^th, for the Irish Life Health All Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships.

There is very strong Clonliffe interest with the Senior boys race in particular going to provide considerable intrigue. Efrem Gidey chases a second senior title following on his outstanding win at Waterford IT last year.  The Belvedere College senior team go into this race full of confidence having won the Leinster title for the first time in some 20 years in Santry last month and will have two Clonliffe athletes amongst their ranks, Daniel Stone and Ben Guiden.  Individual entries from the club also include Aaron Cullen and Stephen Cashin.

The senior girls race includes Tess Loftus on the Loreto on the Green team that qualified as Leinster bronze medallists. Whilst in the inter girls race Sarah Bateson will look to continue her fine form, which has included recent indoor PBs over both 1500 and 3000.

The St. Aidan’s team in the inter boys race go into Saturday’s All Irelands’ as Leinster champions fielding an almost all Clonliffe team of Callum Simpson, Evan Foster, Dermot Buckley, Alex Neuroth, John Lawrence, Cian Hill, Milan Binoy and Bryan Nnadi.

The St. Aidan’s junior boy’s team also include a number of Clonliffe athletes, Sean Boyne who has impressed enormously this season having placed 8^th in the Leinster Schools, Cian O’Hare and Cillian Keegan.

On the subject of St. Aidan’s Alan O’Neill has organised a coach to leave from the Clonliffe clubhouse on Saturday morning at 9.45 sharp. Alan has very kindly invited not just St. Aidan’s athletes and parents to travel but also other club members who are competing and indeed their parents and coaches. The bus is on a first come first served basis so the strong advice is to be in the stadium from 9.30 a.m. on Saturday.

The very best of luck to all of our athletes on Saturday morning.

Timetable for Saturday click: Time_Table_All_Ireland_XC_2019