In recent weeks it has been brilliant to see the safe return to club racing by Clonliffe Harriers, with the focus very much on closed club events and championships. After some fantastic senior club championships, then “The Clonliffe Night of Miles” and this week’s “No Prizes” Club Meet the focus this morning was on our juvenile athletes. Eugenia Bateson Reports: Sunday 16th August saw the closing of the Club Championships with the U8 to U16 competing in Track and Field events.
Middle Distance 300m The opening of the events was the U9 – U11 300m middle distance event. Some fine performances from Glady’s group showing guts and determination as they came around the final bend into the last 100m with great runs in particular from Lucy McFetridge, 1st girls and 1st boy Joel Thomas in the U/8 & 9’s.
500m The U12 and U13 took on the 500m event. Some very strong determined runs from both the boys and girls. The U13’s were particularly determined to prove that they are ready to move up to the next group in September. Harriet Kenny was fastest of the girls with Conor Tynan fastest of the boys.
Mile The U14 and U15 completed their middle-distance event at the very successful Clonliffe Night of Miles held on the 6th August with the Junior and Senior Athletes. They did not look out of place at this level having put in some excellent training over the past year. All U15 athletes were keen to prove that they are ready to progress to Mick and Noel’s group in September and they did not disappoint. The outstanding performance on the night from this young group was from our National Cross Country Champion, Sean Cronin who recorded a sub 5 min winning by 150m. Lorcan Benjacar, U15 was a strong finishing 2nd place followed by U14 Noah Rossi. The girl’s race was closely fought with Sorcha O’Connor U15 managing to pull away from U14 Rebecca Walsh who thundered down the track with U15 Hazel Kenny finishing a very impressive 3rd.
In the sprints U/8s & 9s 80m Lucy McFetridge was again top of the pile, indeed a most successful day for Lucy as she took gold in not only the 80m and 300m but she also took turbo javelin and long jump gold, to make it 4 out of 4! Joel Thomas also made it a track golden double adding the 80 to his 300 golds. In the U/12s Sienna Kelly took both the 100 and 200 titles whilst in the U/13s Harriet Kenny and Niamh Cooper shared the spoils, Harriet 100 and 500 gold and Niamh 200, long jump and shot gold.
Results U/8s & 9’s – U/12s & 13s:
Sprints 200m: U14 Girls opened the sprint sessions showing fine form. Ava Usanova managed to hold off a fine run from Sarah McDonnell with Kate Campbell taking the bronze.U14 Boys was won by Jaydon Carroll showing his fine sprinting form followed closely by Noah Rossi in 2nd and Charlie Duffy, just back from injury taking the bronze.U15 and U16 girls were run together. Rachael Power, U16 was first over the line in an impressive win putting her consistent training to good use. Hazel Kenny U15 came in close behind her with Kate Faherty unlucky not to catch her on the line for 3rd.U15 Boys was won by Sean Cronin – is there any distance this guy can’t win?? Christian Finn returning from injury took the silver with Devan Morrissey on his heels for bronze.
100m: Girls U14 and U15 ran a combined race to close out their events of the day. Ava Usanova took the Gold in this event also with Kate Campbell taking silver and Sarah McDonnell taking bronze.Boys U14 and U15 were also run together with Jaydon Carroll managing to take the gold from the favourite in this event, Kharl Balero who took silver and Christian Finn well and truly putting his injury behind him to take bronze.
Field Events
Long Jump:U14 Boys1st Noah Rossi2nd Jaydon Carroll3rd Cathal Hickey
U15 Boys1st Sean Cronin2nd Kharl Balero3rd Devan Morrissey
U14 Girls1st Ava Usanova2nd Kate Campbell3rd Ali Connolly
U15 and U16 GirlsJoint 1st Kate Faherty and Rachael Power
U13 Girls 1st Niamh Cooper 2nd Sandy Rose3rd Aisling Faherty
U13 Boys1st Conor2nd Cian
U12 Girls1st Lucy2nd Laura3rd Violet.
Well done to all who took part in these Championships. It was fantastic to hold this event in these strange times. Many thanks to all parents who attended and for following Government guidelines in terms of social distancing. With your co-operation, we strive to continue to keep each other safe and ensure that our club can remain open.
The U14 to U16 group will take a well-deserved break from training. Return to training will be posted on the club website. Glady’s group will continue to enjoy their training over the coming weeks.
Photos click: https://www.flickr.com/photos/146364500@N04/albums/72157715507731736/with/50231775118/