Liam Hennessy Reports: Round 1 of our Grand Prix Series 2018 kicked off last night. Race report and Results provided by Liam Hennessy as follows;
60 starters toed the line for The Frank White Cup – Ireland’s most accurate 5 mile race – Thursday, March 29th – 8pm – Morton Stadium. The weather proved quite challenging, as runners battled a freezing cold night along with heavy rain. Runners gathered to receive pre-race instructions and it became clear we had an elite runner in Stephen Scullion, ready to run. Every few years the Grand Prix Committee offer Clonliffe Harriers athletes an opportunity to break the Irish Best 5 mile track time, so Stephen decided to give the race a go and he didn’t disappoint. At the 2.5 mile mark Stephen was 17 seconds inside the old time. He went on to finish in 24.03 well inside the time set in 2016 (24.14) by Sergiu Ciobanu. In 2016 Sergiu had broken the Irish best time set by Martin Egan from 1946. We were delighted for Stephen, fittingly fully kitted out in his Clonliffe attire, that he achieved this Best time and he picked up the winners prize and Irish Best bonus for his efforts.
(Pictured: Stephen and President Paddy Marley)
Third Place – George Brady
Third Place – Aimee Ahern
Third Place – Ann Lyons
Full Result of the race as follows;
1. Stephen Scullion – 24.03.59
2. Sean Doran – 27.29
3. George Brady – 29.42
4. Dermot Faughnan – 29.53
5. Kevin Dowling – 30.06
6. Conor Keane – 30.19
7. Paul Keenan – 30.38
8. Shane Casey – 30.41
9. Wayne Walker – 30.45
10. Stephen Bateson – 31.13
11. Paul O’Loughlin – 32.29
12. Alan Worrall – 32.33
13. Philip Matthews – 32.48
14. Mick Bermingham – 32.52
15. Tom Griffin – 33.06
16. Murray Ahern – 33.10
17. Alex Eustace – 33.14
18. Richie Barr – 33.40
19. Fergal Keenan – 33.47
20. Declan Grant – 33.48
21. Brian Connor – 33.49
22. Mick Gleeson – 33.53
23. Colm Leonard – 34.04
24. Aisling Andrews – 34.20
25. Shane Rooney – 34.35
26. Ollie Power – 34.36
27. Paul White – 34.39
28. Kieran Lawless – 34.46
29. Laura Kernan – 34.47
30. Aimee Ahern – 34.49
31. Sean Grimes – 35.19
32. Declan Murray – 35.54
33. Seamus Devitt – 36.15
34. Simon Smith – 36.16
35. Clodagh Moriarty – 36.25
36. Tommy Dunne – 36.29
37. Kevin Sheehy – 36.30
38. Tom Cassidy – 36.46
39. Deirdre Fitzsimons – 36.50
40. Orla Deighan – DQ
41. Colm Doran – 37.19
42.Joe Cole – 37.21
43. Ann Lyons – 37.22
44. Conor Jennings – 37.23
45. Jenny Sharkey – 37.24
46. Gary – 38.10
47. Jason Blake – 38.36
48. Jenny Bowers – 38.45
49. Philip Richards – 39.28
50. John O’Mahony – 39.28
51. Shay Byrne – 39.38
52. Mary Purdue Smith – 39.55
53. Evelyn Brennan – 39.55
54. Sinead Smith – 40.24
55. Gerard Fay – 41.35
56. Dave Lyons – 42.06
57. Greg O’Beirne – 43.50
58. Dave Brady – 44.51
59. Sinead Morrissey – 51.05
Apologies for any misspelt names above.
Well, this was a super start to the Grand Prix Series for 2018. The series just gets better and despite the weather there were many fine performances, so well done to everyone who took part in this Round 1 of 16. The winner of the handicap was another surprise with Declan Grant coming out on top. Is there any stopping Declan; Runner-up 2016, Runner-up 2017 and now leader after Round 1 in 2018; however we’ve only just begun !!!
Many thanks to our Club President; Paddy Marley and Club Captain; Joe Cooper for their presence and to the many volunteers, who despite the weather conditions managed to do a fine job in making this race happen. Thanks must also go to Caroline and Paddy Tuite for the after race refreshments.
Well what’s next ?: Our next race Round 2/16 takes place on Thursday, April 12th – The Mc Donald Cup – 4 Mile Track Race – 8pm – Morton Stadium.
And there’s more !!!!!
Important date for your diary;