Clonliffe man Cathal Doyle delivered the Aviva Leinster U/16 Mile title to St. Aidans CBS in a Mile thriller at wind swept Morton Stadium this afternoon. It was without a doubt the race of the day. A pedestrian opening 70 second lap had the runners falling over one another, thankfully on the back stright of the second lap the pace increase to spread the tightly bunched field somewhat, only for the top half dozen to bunch again at 800. At the bell it was Mustafa Nasir who held the inside lane as Cathal tried to make his move, Nasir held him off right down the back straight, Cathal went again and again and each time Nasir held him off, going the long way around Cathal kicked hard off the final bend to finally hit the front and it was only with 40m to go that victory was assured and Cathal allowed himself the luxury of a victory wave and a satisfied smile. A job well done! Cathal`s last lap was a most impressive 64 seconds as he won in 4.36. There was a fine run also in this race from another Clonliffe/St. Aidan`s man David O`Hanlon, David working his was from 10th at 800 to place 5th at the finish (4.57)
The other Clonliffe athletes today did not enjoy the best of fortune. Eoin McCullogh was 6th in senior 2,000sc. Alanah Cooley 8th in the 200m, although a PB today of 29 seconds is pacey running for a middle distance athlete. Amy Connolly was 4th in the minor long jump (4.48m), with Ruth Bergin 7th (4.23), Ruth was also 6th in the minor 500m. Fintan McManus battled away and placed 11th in the junior 800.
Day 2 of the Leinster Schools is on Saturday.