It was a great start to the indoor league campaign today at the NIA Abbottstown by both the men and women’s track and field teams. Both teams were freshened up considerably with several new Clonliffe members making their debut for the club. It must also be said that the split of the league competition between morning and afternoon sessions with the league in the morning and the guest races in the afternoon made for a much improved competition. At the end of the day both teams are in excellent positions heading into round 2, the men topped the standings on 72 points, well clear of Ratoath AC on 60 with Nenagh Olympic 3rd on 53 points. The women are also in an excellent position in 2nd place on 89 points only 2 behind Ratoath on 91 with Craughwell 3rd on 87.
The Clonliffe men certainly hit the day running, Marcus Lawler won the 200 in 21.62, Ian Guiden, running his 1st indoor race in maybe 12 years, took a solo victory in the 3000 in 8.17.92. The 4 x 400 team, and a very new looking team it was indeed, of Marcus Lawler, Aaron Smith, Conor Wilson and Jarlaith Jordan also took maximum points winning in 3.26.70 as did Rolus Olusa in the pole vault (4.20). Leo Morgan was 2nd in the 60 (7.03) and Adrian Iordan was 2nd in the 800 (1.57.73). Simon Galligan was 7th in the shot (7.34) and another debutant Craig Duffy was 5th in the long jump (6.01).
The women’s team also featured several debutants all of whom contributed greatly to the morning’s work. Clodagh Dunbar was 5th in her heat of the 60 (8.27), Clodagh also ran a fine leg in the 4 x 400, the team of Anna Heavey, Clodagh, Leah Bergin and Snezana Bechtina won their heat and were 2nd overall in a time of 3.58.49. Emma Mitchell in winning the 3000 also shattered the club indoor record by a massive 15 seconds winning in 9.45.34. Leah Bergin was 3rd overall in the 200 (25.65). Another of the debutants Cliodhna Nolan was 5th in the 800 in 2.30.96. In the field events Snezana was 4th in the pole vault (2.10), Captain Jenny Johnston took 6th place in the shot (8.36) before jumping into her car and heading to St Anne’s to take 10th in the W35 Dublin cross country championship. Club Master athlete of the year Edel Maguire once again turned out for the league placing 13th in the long jump (3.97).
Round 2 of the league takes place on January 22 in Athlone.
In the guest races Chris Sibanda impressed enormously in the 60 running a new PB of 6.80, in series 2 he ran 6.86. Leo Morgan clocked 7.04 in the guest race, Keith Pike 7.08 and in series 2 unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury. Pascal Touche ran 7.36, Craig Duffy 7.20 and later 7.53. Conor Wilson 7.25 and 7.22. Michael Deady 7.57 and 7.52. In the guest 400 Aaron Smith clocked 52.32 for 3rd place with JD Kelly 4th in 52.60. Clodagh Dunbar was 4th in her 400 guest race in 61.41. Finally Emma Mitchell once again took in rwo races winning also the 1500 guest race in a time of 4.36.78.
In all a pretty impressive start to the season by the clubs athletes.
