It was a beautiful day indeed in Tullamore, Co Offaly as the Clonliffe men’s team were crowned national track and field league champions, regained the title which had been lost last year. The team were simply outstanding with brilliant performances by every man, in particular special mention must be made of the two youngsters on the team Christopher Lynch who yesterday competed in the national 200 and today made a major contribution in both the 400 and 4 x 400 and Lorcan Benjacar, yesterday at the same venue he won the national U/19 1500 and today rolled up the sleeves to compete for the club in the gruelling 3000 steeplechase. Brilliant contributions also made by David Donegan who rolled back the years to win the pole vault, Niall Allen winning the shot and taking 2nd in the WFD and Marcus Lawler, taking a sprint double, propelling the 4 x 100 team into 2nd, in the 100 Marcus clocked 10.28, this was a PB, Clonliffe club record and a Tullamore Stadium record.
The day got off to an excellent start as Rolus Olusa, who has endured an injury interrupted season, took 2nd place in the 110 hurdles, Greg Hossenny was 3rd in the race walk and in the throws cage Simon Galligan, despite nursing an injury, contributed maximum points as he won with a 54.01 best.
Whilst this was going on David Donegan was quietly getting on with the business in the pole vault, coming into the competition at the right time and gradually moving up the leaderboard until he was ‘last man standing’ to takes maximum points with a 4.10m best.
Niall Allen also took maximum points around this time in the shot put (10.78).
Back on the track Aaron Tierney Smith took on the 400 hurdles, although not a result he wanted he ‘looked after himself’ knowing that the 4 x 400 relay was coming later on. Then it was the 4 x 100 relay team of Eamon Fahy, Kenji Miyauchi, Anthony Dillon and Marcus Lawler with Marcus running a cracking anchor leg to move the team up from 4th to 2nd.
Second place and 7 points was delivered after battling run by Fintan Kerins in the 1500 (4.05.44). Christopher Lynch ran a most mature race in the 400 relay accelerating over the 2nd half of the race to smoothly pick up place after place placing 3rd (50.96) and 6 points bagged. Sean Carrigg ran a most mature race in the 800 to take an excellent 2nd place (1.56.89).
Meanwhile back in the field events it was great to welcome back to the team Keith Marks, Keith contributed greatly to the cause finishing 3rd in the long jump (6.23) and 6th in the high jump (1.65). Rolus Olusa was also back at it at this stage finishing 2nd in the discus (34.32). Another back in action at this stage was Niall Allen make another major contribution, 2nd place and 7 points in the WFD (6.40).
On the track Marcus Lawler had a superb run in the 200, lightning quick 20.71, to take 1st place and 9 points, this was the 2nd fastest time recorded by an Irish athlete this season. In the 5000 Sean Heaslip Owens was making his debut on the senior team and he put in a fine performance to run a track PB of 15.56.03 to take 4th place. Eamonn Fahey was in action in the triple jump finishing 7th (11.52) and in the javelin Stephen Bailey was 4th (36.19).
It was then time for Marcus Lawler to put in yet another world-class performance, a magnificent new club record, PB and Tullamore Harriers Stadium record in the 100 of 10.28 (also the second fastest Irish 100 of the year). Absolutely outstanding!
With the 4 x 400 relay to come, the maths was done, and the title was regained – the team however still went out and put in an excellent performance with the quartet of Christopher Lynch, Aaron Tierney Smith, Jonny Fitzsimons and Fintan Kerins taking 3rd place in 3.28.73.
And so it was a win for the black and amber, with DSD 2nd and defending champions Leevale 3rd. Clonliffe men are for the 13th time national league champions, bearing in mind that the 1st time Clonliffe won the national track and field league was in 2008, that really is one impressive series. Congratulations to the team and thanks as always to our coaches for the work and time that they put in with our athletes. Today was a real team effort and yet another proud day for Clonliffe Harriers.
A note on the Clonliffe women from the Club women’s captain:
Basking in long awaited summer sunshine, Clonliffe ladies competed with courage and enthusiasm in today’s league final and were rewarded with a solid 6th place.
This was a day for upcoming talent to shine. Today’s team included 8 athletes under the age of 20!
In total 23 Clonliffe women have contributed during the 2 rounds of the outdoor league and every contribution is so appreciated.
The sole maximum 9 pointer of the day went to Grace Casey with a fantastic final throw of 38.32m.
The experienced Snezana Bechtina racked up early points in the High Jump, 400m Hurdles and Pole Vault adding a combined 13 points.
The young 4×100 team of Lily Scanlon, Ifeoma Enyoazu, Rachael Ogundimu, Maddie Njock battled gamely for 5th place.
Niamh Whyte continues to develop her walk and scored 3 points in the process.
Jenny Johnston added a combined 12 points with a 4th place finish in the 400m, 4 points in the discus and 3 points in the hammer.
Caoimhe de Bello just back from holidays, added 4 points to the tally in the Long Jump.
Also called in at short notice, a middle-distance trio of Rebecca Walsh, Aoife O’Reilly and Clodagh Galvin got stuck into the 800, 1500 and 3000 and added valuable points of 3, 5 and 2 respectively.
In her Clonliffe debut, Vivien Okafor added a combined 7 points in shot put and WFD.
Ava Usanova contributed 6 points through performances in the 200 and Triple jump.
Stepping in at the very last minute, Lily Scanlon ran a PB in the 100m for 3 points.
Bravest of them all, Aisling Kehoe was excellent in the steeplechase – her first time competing in the event and earned 3 points.
Finally, the last 4 women standing – Snezana Bechtina, Rebecca Walsh, Lily Scanlon, and Ava Usanova held onto a fine 4th place in the 4x400m relay and earned 5 further points.