Mick Kearney reports: On Thursday evening 20 July 2023, despite the unseasonable weather, 39 athletes assembled for the eagerly awaited 3000m Pat O’Hara Memorial Cup in Morton Stadium . Given the large entry two races were held. The Pat O’Hara Memorial Cup is in honour of a great servant of Clonliffe Harriers who was also Club Captain in 1949.
3000m race 1
In the first race Anto Doran showing impressive form led from start to finish posting a respectable time of 9.52. Peter Bissett was second in 10.12 closely followed by Robbie Dowling in 10.16.
3000m Race 2
In the second race Alan Worrall set the early pace. At the same time Gerard Walsh was making steady progress and eventually took first place in 12.23. Alan Worrall was second in 12.33 and with a strong finish Carl Fleming was third 12.39.
Ladies fastest times
Julie Larkin had the fastest time of the evening posting 11.18 followed by Laura Kernan with 13.06 and Yvonne McDonagh with 13.32.
Winner Pat O Hara Memorial Cup – Dave Comiskey
In the Grand Prix the winner on the night was Dave Comiskey who was presented with the Pat O’Hara Memorial Cup by Declan Hetherington’s daughter Ciara. In second place was Eamonn O’Neill and in third was Robbie Dowling. Anto Doyle had the fastest time. Ciara who spoke on behalf of the Heatherington family said she was delighted with the turnout and thanked all those who participated on the night.
Clonliffe Harriers are very grateful to Declan Hetherington and family for their continued sponsorship and support for this memorial race. The Club were delighted to see many members of the Hetherington family in attendance for the race and the post-race reception. This year is particularly poignant for Declan and the Hetherington family as Declan’s beloved wife Janis passed away in January after bravely battling a long illness. Janis, a daughter Pat O’Hara, was a great supporter of the race and the wonderful occasion on Thursday evening was a great tribute to her memory.
Next Grand Prix Races
| Date | Race |
| 03/08/2023 | 1500m |
| 17/08/2023 | Mile |
| 07/09/2023 | 5000m |
| 28/09/2023 | 10000m |
Pat O’Hara Memorial 3000m Race Results
| Pat O Hara | 3000m | Race 1 | ||
| Place | Bib | First Name | Surname | Time |
| 1 | 355 | Anto | Doran | 00:09:52 |
| 2 | 19 | Peter | Bissett | 00:10:12 |
| 3 | 693 | Robbie | Dowling | 00:10:16 |
| 4 | 696 | James | Dunne | 00:10:22 |
| 5 | 47 | Mick | McMahon | 00:10:27 |
| 6 | 692 | Ryan | Sheridan | 00:10:28 |
| 7 | 45 | Eamonn | O’Neill | 00:10:58 |
| 8 | 58 | Tim | Laurent | 00:11:00 |
| 9 | 8 | Dave | Comiskey | 00:11:13 |
| 10 | 30 | Julie | Larkin | 00:11:18 |
| 11 | 666 | Fergal | O’Shea | 00:11:19 |
| 12 | 4 | Mick | Bermingham | 00:11:22 |
| 13 | 72 | Rachel | McFadden | 00:11:24 |
| 14 | 660 | Tom | Moran | 00:11:27 |
| 15 | 41 | Shane | Rooney | 00:11:30 |
| 16 | 587 | Declan | Grant | 00:11:32 |
| 17 | 12 | Aisling | Andrews | 00:11:53 |
| 18 | 25 | Joe | Fowler | 00:12:09 |
| 19 | 62 | Tom | Monks | 00:12:14 |
| 20 | 40 | Philip | Richards | 00:12:26 |
| Pat O Hara | 3000m | Race 2 | ||
| Place | Bib | First Name | Surname | Time |
| 1 | 604 | Gerrad | Walsh | 00:12:23 |
| 2 | 69 | Alan | Worrall | 00:12:33 |
| 3 | 65 | Carl | Fleming | 00:12:39 |
| 4 | 50 | Laura | Kernan | 00:13:06 |
| 5 | 28 | David | Hanley | 00:13:09 |
| 6 | 662 | Declan | Murray | 00:13:10 |
| 7 | 310 | Noel | Daly | 00:13:20 |
| 8 | 21 | Jean | Dunne | 00:13:28 |
| 9 | 66 | Dermot | Breslin | 00:13:31 |
| 10 | 34 | Yvonne | McDonagh | 00:13:32 |
| 11 | 46 | Deridre | Fitzsimons | 00:13:40 |
| 12 | 640 | Karen | McAffee | 00:14:02 |
| 13 | 322 | Ciara | Daly | 00:14:04 |
| 14 | 74 | Ciara | O’Regan | 00:14:06 |
| 15 | 51 | Jason | Kernan | 00:15:03 |
| 16 | 198 | Caroline | Daly | 00:15:07 |
| 17 | 342 | Pat | Devitt | 00:15:09 |
| 18 | 354 | Colm | Doran | 00:16:21 |
| 19 | 695 | Pat | Bonass | 00:20:03 |