St. Aidan’s come out on top at Brother Clonliffe Schools XC

Congratulations to the boys of St. Aidan’s CBS in Whitehall who won the Lar Byrne Memorial Shield as best overall school at yesterdays Brother at your side Clonliffe Schools Invitational Cross Country held in Santry Demesne. The St. Aidan’s win came courtesy of an emphatic win in the inter boys race, 2^nd in the junior boys and third in the senior boys. St. Aidan’s of course were also best boys secondary school. In the girls secondary school Colaiste Iosagain were once again on top courtesy of winning the senior girls race and finishing 3^rd in both the inter girls race and minor girls races.

It was a superb days cross country at Santry Demesne with record numbers in all races as this event continues, thanks in particular to the involvement of Brother, to go from strength to strength. In a matter of four short years the numbers participating have increased by over 100% as the event’s reputation grows attracting more and more schools on an annual basis. This year it was particularly pleasing to see the return to the Clonliffe Schools Invitational of St. Malachy’s College Belfast. When this race originally commenced back in the late 1970s, as instigated by Laro Byrne St. Malachy’s were the dominant force winning the best overall school for the first three successive years. The boys and girls who participated yesterday must be commended for their sporting endeavours and their sportsmanship throughout. There were huge numbers in most of the events, in particular the minor boys 1500m race which had a field of nearly 250 starters with 19 schools fielding full teams.

It was also very pleasing to see the sheer numbers participating in the secondary school girls races, the minor girls race attracting nearly 200 athletes and the junior girls attracting nearly 140 athletes, again with huge representation from the schools taking part, there were 18 teams participating in the minor girls 1000 metre race.

The event commenced with the primary schools races, firstly the girls 1000m race, again a big field in this of nearly 140, a race which produced a clear winner Corrine Kenny (Bun Scoil Loreto) from Emily Murphy (Mary Help of Christians) and Claire Doyle (Mount Anville). Emily Murphy in 2^nd place led Mary Help of Christians to an excellent win on 22 points from St. Vincent de Paul Girls School on 48 points and Dublin 7 Educate Together 3^rd at 54 points.

A field of almost 150 lined up for the primary schools boys 1000m race with Belfast visitor Lewis McGarvey (St. Malachy’s) a fine winner ahead of Jordan Hynes (St. Brigid’s) and Billy Brennan (Dublin Educate Together). In the team competition St. Brigid’s prevailed on 21 points from St. Joseph’s BNS on 68 points and St. Malachy’s Belfast 103.

The eagerly awaited secondary school competition commenced at 1 p.m. sharp with nearly 200 athletes lining up for the minor girls race representing some 18 different schools. The race winner was Sarah Healy (Holy Child School Kiliney) from Petra Reilly (Dunshaughlin Community College) and Sarah Whelan (Skerries Community College) 3^rd. In the team competition Mount Sackville packed extremely well with three athletes in the first 10 to take a comprehensive win on 40 points from Dunshaughlin Community College 2^nd and Colaiste Iosagain 3^rd.

The biggest field of the day then lined up for the minor boys 1500 metre race and what a sight it was to see nearly 250 athletes thunder down the starting straight before funnelling in around the trees at the rear of the stadium and heading off into the country as they faced the big lap of Santry Demesne including the dreaded hill at the walled garden. Jack Moran (Colaiste Mhuire) led the field home to take a win from Blackrock’s Mark Fitzgibbon and from Presentation College Carlow David Ward 3^rd. Some super packing from the St. Patrick’s Classical Navan Squad saw them trounce the opposition, Pat’s placing 4^th, 6^th, 8^th and 12^th to win on 30 points from Willow Park 63 and Presentation College Carlow on 67.

Next up were the junior girls facing 2000 metres – 2 of the 1000 metre laps, another fine performance in this race from a Presentation College Carlow athlete as Laura Ward took the win from Jodie McCann (Rathdown) and Martha Ni Riada (Dunshaughlin Community College) 3^rd. In the team competition it was tight enough, however, Rathdown courtesy of 2^nd, 15^th, 16^th and 19^th won on 42 points from Holy Child Kiliney on 46 and Holy Faith Clontarf on 52.

The Junior boys faced a race distance of 2500 metres – a 1000 metre lap followed by a 1500 metre lap. All Ireland Schools Cross Country Champion Paddy Maher justified his pre race favourite tag with a fine win for Dunshaughlin Community College, the James Maguire (St. Benildus) a Niall Harvey of Presentation College Carlow. Colaiste Mhuire made the journey from Mullingar well worth while to take a comfortable win with four scorers in the top ten, for a total of 28 points from Whitehall outfit St. Aidan’s on 88 points and Dunshaughlin Community College 92.

In the secondary school girls intermediate race over 2500 metres Skerries pairing Isabel Carron and Rhona Pierce dominated as expected with the All Ireland Schools Cross Country Champion Isabel Karin taking a fine win from her school and clubmate Rhona Pierce 2^nd with Helen Honnes 3^rd. Skerries took the team win with 54 points from St. Dominics College Cabra 57 and Colaiste Iosagain 3^rd on 67 points.

The intermediate boys race was a cracker featuring a fine battle between St. Aidan’s and Clonliffe pairing Cathal Doyle and Adam O’Brien along with Mustafe Nasir (Holy Family Community School), coming towards the end of the 3000 metre race as they headed back into the main arena Cathal Doyle was a clear winner to take a fine win from the hard chasing Adam O’Brien with Mustafe 3^rd. The St. Aidan’s team were extremely powerful and with a low score of 17 points courtesy of Cathal Doyle 1^st, Adam O’Brien 2^nd, Joseph Hession 6^th and Sean Carrick 8^th for a final score of 17 points were well clear of St. Malachy’s College Belfast 45 and Blackrock College on 108.

The senior girls competed over 2500 metres, Isabelle Odlum (Rathdown) was well clear in 1^st, however, an intriguing three way battle for the final two places ensued heading into the finishing straight, the proverbial blanket could have been thrown over 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th, however, in the dash for the line Cliona Murphy (St. Dominics) was 2^nd with Doireanni Mhaoileannaigh (Colaiste Iosagain) 3^rd with Laura Tuite (Our Lady of Mercy College Beaumont) just missing out on the line in 4^th place. Colaiste Iosagain were the dominant school in the senior race winning from St. Dominics and Muckross.

The final race of the day was the senior boys 5000 metre race. This was a fantastic race featuring half a dozen international athletes at the sharp end of the field. The top half dozen athletes were together until about half way, the tack was then broke down to four and with Killian Kirwin (St. Fintan’s) applying the pressure he broke away to take a fine win from Perre Murchan (St. Declan’s College) 2^nd and Jack MacGabhann (St. Mary’s) 3^rd. St. Fintan’s High School Sutton were the dominant force in the team competition with 1^st, 4^th, 8^th and 28^th to take a final win from Blackrock 2^nd and St. Aidan’s 3^rd.

Full results 2013 Brother at your side Clonliffe Schools XC.

 Primary School Girls – 1000m

 Individual

1^st Corrine Kenny (Bun Scoil Loreto)

2^nd Emily Murphy (Mary Help of Christians)

3^rd Claire Doyle (Mount Anville)

 Teams

 1^st Mary Help of Christians 22 points

2^nd St. Vincent de Paul 48 points

3^rd Dublin 7 Educate Together 54 points

4^th Scoil Aine 68 points

5^th Mount Anville 73 points

6^th Scoil San Carlo 165 points

7^th St. Catherine’s 166 points

8^th Holy Child Whitehall 184 points

9^th St. Francis Xavier 227 points

10^th St. Gerard’s Junior School 228 points

11^th Sutton Park School 231 points

 Primary School Boys – 1000m

 Individual

 1^st Lewis McGarvey (St. Malachy’s Belfast)

2^nd Jordan Hynes (St. Brigid’s)

3^rd Billy Brennan (Dublin 7 Educate Together)

 Teams

 1^st St. Brigid’s 21 points

2^nd St. Joseph’s BNS 68 points

3^rd St. Malachy’s College Belfast 103 points

4^th Dublin 7 Educate Together 106 points

5^th St. John Bosco 108 points

6^th Star of the Sea BNS 116 points

7^th St. Francis Xavier 139 points

8^th Willow Park Junior School 146 points

9^th Holy Child Larkhill 178 points

10^th Scoil San Carlo 284 points

11^th St. Gerard’s Junior School 328 points

12^th Sutton Park School 437 points

 Secondary Schools

 Minor Girls – 1000m

 Individual

 1^st Sarah Healy (High School Kiliney)

2^nd Petra Reilly (Dunshaughlin Community College)

3^rd Sarah Whelan (Skerries Community College)

 Teams

 1^st Mount Sackville 40 points

2^nd Dunshaughlin Community College 90 points

3^rd Colaiste Iosagain 95 points

4^th Holy Child Kiliney 112 points

5^th St. Gerard’s Bray 117 points

6^th Loreto Dalkey 120 points

7^th Rathdown School 141 points

8^th St. Dominics College 170 points

9^th Skerries Community College 174 points

10^th Muckross 194 points

11^th Holy Faith Clontarf 202 points

12^th High School Rathgar 210 points

13^th St. Colmcille’s Community School 249 points

14^th Presentation College Carlow 291 points

15^th Our Lady’s College Greenhills 354 points

16^th Our Lady of Mercy College Beaumont 483 points

17^th Sancta Maria 506 points

 Junior Girls 2000 metres

 Individual:

 1^st Laura Ward (Presentation College Carlow)

2^nd Jodie McCann (Rathdown)

3^rd Martha Ni Riada (Dunshaughlin Community College)

 Teams

 1^st Rathdown School 42 points

2^nd Holy Child Kiliney 46 points

3^rd Holy Faith Clontarf 52 points

4^th Loreto Dalkey 59 points

5^th St. Gerard’s Bray 65 points

6^th Loreto Balbriggan 107 points

7^th Colaiste Iosagain 116 points

8^th Muckross 151 points

9^th Our Lady’s College Greenhills 243 points

10^th Mount Sackville 278 points

11^th Sancta Maria 344 points

 Intermediate Girls – 2500 metres

 Individual

 1^st Isabel Carron (Skerries Community College)

2^nd Rhona Pierce (Skerries Community College)

3^rd Helen Honnes (St. Mary’s)

 Teams

 1^st Skerries Community College 54 points

2^nd St. Dominics 57 points

3^rd Colaiste Iosagain 67 points

4^th Muckross 84 points

5^th High School Rathgar 139 points

6^th Our Lady’s College Greenhills 195 points

7^th Holy Faith Clontarf 231 points

8^th Sancta Maria 235 points

 Senior Girls – 2500 metres

 Individual

 1^st Isabelle Odlum (Rathdown)

2^nd Cliona Murphy (St. Dominics)

3^rd Deireanni Mhaoileannaigh (Colaiste Iosagain)

 Teams

 1^st Colaiste Iosagain 39 points

2^nd St. Dominics Cabra 54 points

3^rd Muckross 70 points

 Best overall girls secondary school: Colaiste Iosagain

 Secondary School Boys

 Minor Boys – 1500 metres

 1^st Jack Moran (Colaiste Eoin)

2^nd Mark Fitzgibbon (Blackrock)

3^rd David Ward (Presentation College Carlow)

 Teams

 1^st St. Patrick’s Classical Navan 30 points

2^nd Willow Park Junior School 63 points

3^rd Presentation College Carlow 67 points

4^th Colaiste Mhuire 68 points

5^th St. Malachy’s College 84 points

6^th Colaiste Eoin 86 points

7^th Dunshaughlin Community College 90 points

8^th St. Aidan’s CBS 100 points

9^th St. David’s 198 points

10^th Belvedere College 227 points

11^th St. Gerard’s Bray 281 points

12^th Holy Family Community School 293 points

13^th Templeogue College 319 points

14^th St. Fintan’s High School 320 points

15^th St. Declan’s 371 points

16^th Drimnagh Castle Secondary School 395 points

17^th St. Benildus 396 points

18^th Knockbeg 441 points

19^th St. Colmcille’s 516 points

 Junior Boys 2500 metres

 Individual

 1^st Paddy Maher (Dunshaughlin Community College)

2^nd James Maguire (St. Benildus)

3^rd Niall Harvey (Presentation College Carlow)

 Teams

 1^st Colaiste Mhuire 28 points

2^nd St. Aidan’s 88 points

3^rd Dunshaughlin Community College 92 points

4^th Knockbeg 98 points

5^th St. Declan’s 113 points

6^th Templeogue 114 points

7^th St. Benildus 116 points

8^th St. Patrick’s Classical Navan 116 points

9^th Presentation College Carlow 119 points

10^th Blackrock College 171 points

11^th St. Fintan’s High School 201 points

12^th Colaiste Eoin 226 points

13^th St. Colmcille 227 points

14^th Drimnagh Castle Secondary School 256 points

15^th Belvedere College 289 points

16^th St. David’s 421 points

 Intermediate Boys 3000 metres

 Individuals

 1^st Cathal Doyle (St. Aidan’s)

2^nd Adam O’Brien (St. Aidan’s)

3^rd Mustafe Nasir (Holy Family Community School)

 Teams

 1^st St. Aidan’s 17 points

2^nd St. Malachy’s Belfast 45 points

3^rd Blackrock College 108 points

4^th Holy Family Community College 113 points

5^th St. Fintan’s High School 133 points

6^th St. Patrick’s Classical Navan 135 points

7^th Belvedere College 141 points

8^th Colaiste Eoin 150 points

9^th Colaiste Mhuire 193 points

10^th Templeogue College 194 points

11^th St. Michael’s 241 points

12^th High School Rathgar 253 points

13^th St. Benildus 254 points

14^th St. David’s 316 points

 Senior Boys 5000 metres

 Individuals

 1^st Killian Kirwin (St. Fintan’s High School)

2^nd Perre Murchan (St. Declan’s)

3^rd Jack MacGabhann (St. Mary’s)

 Teams

 1^st St. Fintan’s High School 41 points

2^nd Blackrock College 73 points

3^rd St. Aidan’s 87 points

4^th St. Colmcille 109 points

5^th Belvedere College 115 points

6^th St. Declan’s 127 points

 Best Overall Boys Secondary School – St. Aidan CBS

Winners of Lar Byrne Memorial Shield for best overall school: St. Aidan CBS, Whitehall

Clonliffe Harriers would like to thank sincerely our wonderful sponsor of this fantastic event Brother Ireland, Fingal County Council for their co-operation with the running of the event and for the use of Santry Demesne Parkland, Morton Stadium, An Garda Siochana and all the young athletes for their sporting behaviour and endeavours.

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