One of the club`s oldest race, The Horan Cup, presented to Clonliffe by then Vice President Michael Horan in 1908 was competed for yesterday, November 9th. The 2013 edition was the penultimate round of the Grand Prix Series and was once again sponsored by John Bourke. The race drew a good field to Santry Demesne of close to 30 for the six mile sealed handicap.
It was a perfect day for cross country nice early winter sunshine, and the underfoot conditions were excellent despite the battering the ground had taken with recent rain. The Grand Prix race course was laid out in such a way as to avoid as much of the course being used for next Sunday`s National Inter Counties as possible, so the venue looks like it will be perfect.
First home in the Horan Cup after 6 tough miles was Sean Doran, an athlete who has really struck a rich vein of form this year, and shows great promise. Sean`s time was 37.23 bettering the 1908 winning time of H. Mullally by 40 odd seconds (38.07). In the Grand Prix handicap the winner was Kevin Dowling, 2nd Jeremy Chapman, in his first race in several long months, with Richie Barr 3rd. First woman was Rachel Wisdom. Thanks to officials, race sponsor Dominic Branigan and Club President Paddy Marley for his attendance.
The final race in the 2013 Grand Prix Series is the Irwin Cup, another race with a long and unique history on November 30th. The Irwin Cup is sponsored by The Irwin Cup is sponsored by club historian Dominic Branigan, who`s book “Clonliffe Harriers 1886 to 2013” will be launched on December 2nd. The Grand Prix Presentation Night in the club will take place on December 5th.