Young Harriers making the grade in Irishtown

The third graded Meet of the season took place in the Irishtown stadium, Ringsend on a dull and chilly night. In the absence of any notable breeze the conditions were ideal for the middle distance athletes and the young crop of Clonliffe Harriers at the Meet performed admirably.

Pride of place has to go to Joseph Hessian, still a U/18 athlete who has been knocking on the sub 2 minute door now for the past two seasons. In the nights 800 A race he grabbed the opportunity by the scruff of the neck.  Another young Harrier Sean Carrig had set the tone for the race with a blistering opening lap of circa 55 seconds, young Hessian running the more measured race finished the stronger, hot on the heels of St. Abban’s Brian Kelly as he shattered the 2 minute barrier in recording a time of 1.57.11. Sean Carrig was rewarded for his sterling work by recording also his first sub 2, an impressive 1.58.87. A fine run also in this race by Greg Hosseny 2.01.17.

The 800 B race provided the finish of the night with Josh Stubbs and Craig Giles clear of the field and going at it neck and neck for the finish with Craig, an U/17 athlete, just getting his head in front to win in a time of 2.02.55 a fraction ahead of Josh 2.02.94.

In the Men’s 800 C race there were PBs recorded by another of the younger generation with Jack Horan recording a time of 2.07.55 and Daniel Lacey with a time of 2.11.01. Also in the 800 was the more experienced Thomas Sherlock ‘fresh’ from his win in the BHAA Sandymount beach race the night before running 2.05.80, Niall Norman 2.07.05 and Kevin McKenna 2.10.12

In the Women’s 800 there was an excellent win recorded in the C race by Hannah Browne after running an impressive race Hannah found herself some 10 plus metres off the lead at the top end but gritted her teeth to battle all the way and was rewarded as she hit the front just metres before the line in a time of 2.3022. Also in this race were Sophie Higgins 5th in 2.38.68 and Cliona Cooley 7th in 2.40.46. In the first of the C races there was also a fine run by Kate Howlett who recorded a time of 2.44.23. In the 800 B race Greta Streimikyte recorded another PB 2.23.83 placing 3rd with  Laura Tuite 5th in 2.28.48

Also competing at last night’s Meet in the Dublin 10,000 metre championship was Sean Doran a very solid 34.44.44 and in the 400s Snezana Bechtina ran in the A race 59.03, Emer Treacy 63.44 and Ronan Gately 59.03

The next Graded race night is in the Morton Stadium on the 8th of June and incorporates the Dublin Track and Field Championship events at 100 for men and women, 400 for men and women and 1500 for men and women.  The field events that night include high jump, pole vault, hammer and shot.