Last night Thursday, 16 August 2024 a record entry assembled for the eagerly awaited Pat 0’Hara Memorial Cup in Morton Stadium over a distance of 3000 meters. The weather was kind on the night. Given the large entry two races were held. The Pat O’Hara Memorial Cup is in honour of a great servant of Clonliffe Harriers who was also the Club Captain in 1949.
3000m race 1: The first race provided plenty of excitement with the lead exchanged throughout the race.Eamonn Dunne in a welcome return to the Grand Prix set the early pace. Niall Sherlock also showed early promise. However it eventually came down to a battle between Lee Duddy and Cian Murray. Lee’s warm weather training paid dividends as he sprinted to the line to come home first in 9.40 with Cian second in 9.42 . Eamonn Dunne was third in 9.57. Catherine Harvey had the fastest ladies time of the night, 11.50.
3000m Race 2: The second race was equally exciting. Philip Matthews set the early pace. Jerry O Sullivan, Joyce O’Hare, Eimear Griffin and Diarmiud Doyle also put in strong performances. In one of the closet finishes in this year’s Series Jerry O’Sullivan was battling it out with Joyce O’Hare coming up the straight to the finish. In the end it was Jerry who shaded it on the line. Both Jerry and Joyce were credited with the same time namely, 12.06. Eimear Griffin was third in 12.12.
Winner Pat O Hara Memorial Cup: In the Grand Prix the winner on the night was Sean Grimes who was presented with the Pat O’Hara Memorial Cup. In second place was Ger Redmond and in third was Lee Duddy.
Declan Hetherington and his daughter Ciara presented the race prizes. Clonliffe Harriers are grateful for the continued sponsorship of this event by the Declan and the Hetherington family. Many thanks to all who competed, spectated and officiated on what was a wonderful night’s racing in Morton Stadium.
Results:
Upcoming races
| Aug 29th | Thursday | Guiden Trophy | Mile | 7.45p.m. | Morton |
| Sept 5th | Thursday | Middlesex Cup | 5000m | 8.00 p.m. | Morton |
| Sept 19th | Thursday | Bonass Trophy | 10000m | 8.00 p.m. | Morton |
| Oct 3rd | Thursday | The Walker Cup | 4 miles | 8:00 p.m. | Morton |
| Oct 12th | Saturday | Ahern Cup | 10 miles | 11:00 a.m. | Malahide |
| Oct 20th | Sunday | The Clonliffe 2 | 2 miles | 11:00 a.m. | Glasnevin |
| Nov 9th | Saturday | Irwin Cup XC | 6 km | 10.30 a.m. | Trinity |
| Nov 23nd | Saturday | Horan Cup XC | 6 miles | 10.30 a.m. | Trinity |