Weekend round up including Adam O`Brien wins St. Aidans 50

The weekend round up beings on home soil The Morton Stadium where yesterday a very special 2 mile race to celebrate the 50th anniversary of St. Aidans CBS athletics took place. The race featured St. Aidans current and past pupils who had raced in the St. Aidans red and white. Athletes running on the day included past St. Aidans men Martin Treacy, Noel Daly, Liam Ashton and members of the most recent St. Aidans All Ireland senior winning team Larry Brady, Colie Moran, Eoin McDonnell and Mark McDonald as well as the current crop Brian Flanagan, Ross Kearney, Sean Carrig, Alex Hogan, Joseph Hession, Alex Gibbons to name but a few.

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(pictured) M. McDonald, E. McDonnell, L. Brady, C. Moran

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(pictured) The field gathers

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(pictured) 2nd, 1st, 3rd: B. Flanagan, A. O`Brien, R. Kearney

The race starter was Bertie Ahern, who ran on the very first St. Aidans cross country team in 1964. After a few easy opening laps Adam O`Brien, feeling no after effects from the high noon training session on the country only hours earlier took up the running to lead the field home, in 2nd place was Brian Flanagan with Ross Kearney 3rd. Post race a great social took place in the clubhouse which featured excellent speeches from Alan O`Neill and Peter “the glue” McDermott and the presentation of the Lar Byrne Shield to Alan on the winning by St. Aidans of best overall school at Wednesday`s Brother Schools XC.

Also yesterday a big contingent of Harriers headed for St Annes park in absolutely beautiful autumn conditions for the  parkrun – many using this event as a pre marathon 5k time trial.  Two laps of this superb course and some great performances.  Declan Power was first Clonliffe in 15.57, followed by Richard Mannion in 17.43 (PB), Colm McDonnell 18.35 (PB), then Jacqui Dunphy (18.38), another PB and first female led a quartet of wasps across the line, Anthony O’Brien 18.59, Pat Byrne 19.02 and Paddy Tuite in 19.12.  Ashling Andrews 21.05 (PB) & Mark Dowling 21.05. A nice speed session for all in advance of Marathon Monday.

In England Liam Roarty, now in college in Sunderland, ran his first race for Sunderland Harriers AC a 6 mile race in Cramlington and a fine debut it was indeed. Liam was first home for Sunderland in 18th (594 starters!!) in 37.42.

Finally results of Saturday`s BHAA Cross Country Teachers Race in Castlekock College only now (Tuesday morning) to hand: Men 4 Mile, 15th Tom Sherlock (22.50), 69th Thomas Frayne (26.50). Women 2 Mile: 10th Bernie Byrne (14.11), 20th Kerri Page (15.16). Again can I appeal to any club members attending a race in particular a BHAA as your club is not identified please one of you gather in results and text me (0879599888). Without information it`s impossible to report!!!