On Thursday the 11th the McDonald Cup will take place on the track. This is a four mile track club race, whilst it does not form part of the Grand Prix Series the race will be followed by the presentation of prizes in the 2012 Grand Prix Series including the presentation of the Grand Prix Series Cup, sponsored by Behan & Associates, Legal Costs Accountants, to the winner of the series. Finger food will be available on the night, however, it is important that numbers who will be attending are known at this stage and anyone who wishes to attend should contact Eoin Murray on 087 2927 862 as soon as possible. The McDonald Cup itself was originally presented way back in 1907. The Cup had been presented to the club by Mr. J.J. McDonald and was presented to the winner of what was described as a ‘four mile flat race at Clonee, Co. Dublin’. It would appear to be the position that this was a one off race and it was won by a Mr. J. Ironmonger. The McDonald Cup resurfaced in the early 1980s when it was found in a house clearance and was given to Noel Guiden Senior by the man who found it with the comment ‘isn’t your young fella in Clonliffe Harriers’. The cup was cleaned up and the McDonald Cup then commenced as an annual club race from the mid 1980s onwards as a four mile track race, generally held in the spring. The race will take place at 8 p.m. and is open not only to members of Clonliffe Harriers but also to guests.
Post race the Grand Prix Presentation night will be held in the club bar with presentations being made to the winner of the 2012 Grand Prix Series, the fastest athlete in the Series, together with some outstanding presentations for other races held during the course of the Series and in all it should be an excellent night which is particularly worthy of support.
In the meantime of course the final round of the 2012 Series takes place in Malahide Castle grounds this Saturday, October 6th at noon: The Clonliffe club 10 mile championships for the Ahern Cup, sponsored by Maurice Ahern. The race in the grounds of the castle starts close to the cricket club/ near the public car park and is a four lap race. The race being club championship is open to all members of the club, not just Grand Prixers, and indeed guest are also welcome.