It was another fantastic day for Clonliffe Harriers at day 2 of the 123.ie national senior track and field championships at a packed Morton Stadium with 3 more national titles added to the 2 from yesterday making it 5 national titles for Clonliffe athletes.
The first came courtesy of Niall Carney in the 400 hurdles, making it even more impressive was the fact that this was Niall’s first race of the season after a period of injury these past 2 years. Niall hit the front down the back straight, and then held the lead down the home straight as the chasing pack closed but he held on to win in a time of 54.87 to take his 1st national title.
Next it was Eoin Sheridan who regained his national discus title which he last held in 2023, he was a clear winner by almost 2 m with a best throw of 51.72.
Then at the end of the day the eagerly anticipated men’s 1500 final with a stacked field, possibly the deepest 1500 field in many a year. The pace, by the standard of these athletes, was pedestrian until the bell and then fireworks! Cathal Doyle bided his time only hitting the front with 200 to go, getting the jump on his pursuers and holding the lead until he acrossed the line to make it an extraordinary 4 national 1500 titles in a row. Cathal’s winning time, immaterial as it is, for the record was 3.53.60.
In between there were many other fantastic Clonliffe performances to celebrate, Simon Galligan once again medalling at the national championships as he took silver in the men’s hammer with a fine 60.79.
Also in the field events Niall Allen was 6th in the WFD, with a best of 6.30. Alessandro Santoro was 6th in the pole vault with a best of 3.50.
Hannah Segrave in her first national final for Clonliffe finished 5th in a tactical race clocking a time of 2.05.39.
In the 5000, and it must be said it was a magnificent race won in superb style by Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea) from Brian Fay (Raheny), Efrem Gidey finished in 5th position (13.48.50), Sean Doran unfortunately had one of those races. In the B 5000 Ben Guiden ran a fine race to take 3rd place (15.00.80) with Malcom Kiplagat 13th (15.59.80).
The club’s sprinters also had a good day. In the heats 7 Clonliffe athletes lined up, Chris Sibanda (10.76) and Luca Logue-Fonseca (10.84) and Bilal Kanimodo (11.01) qualified for the semifinals. Other Clonliffe in the heats: Michael Deady 11.42, Pearce Friel 11.53, Eamon Fahy 11.60 and Adam Festus 11.88. In the semifinals Bilal finished 7th having clocked 10.96, and did not progress any further, however both Chris and Luca, with 10.69 and 10.71 respectively qualified for the final. It was great to see to see two Clonliffe singlets in a national 100 final. Luca finished in 8th place clocking 10.77, unfortunately Chris suffered a hamstring injury and ended his evening lying on his back on the infield!
So a most successful national championships for the club – 5 golds, 1 silver and heartening performances everywhere. Many congratulations to our athletes. Nil desperandum.
(Photo by Sam Barnes/Sports File)