The magnificent performances of the Clonliffe intermediate women and men’s teams warmed the soul in sub zero temperatures in St Anne’s Park this morning, as both squads took team gold in the Dublin intermediate cross country championships.
The win by the women’s intermediate team was particularly gratifying as the title won at the same venue in 2025 was successfully retained, no mean feat by any means as of course it was an entirely different scoring 4 out in the black and amber today. The women raced over 3000m, 2 laps of the frosted course, with the Clonliffe team led home in fine style by Jess Gallagher who had another eye-catching performance as she continued her superb 2025/26 cross country season taking 2nd place and individual silver. Next in and finishing like the proverbial train was Ailbhe Morgan in 6th place with Lauren McKiernan in 7th, these 2 separated by a mere 3 seconds. The 4th scorer was Sarah Hawkshaw who put in a great effort over the final lap making up several places to take 15th. This led to a combined score of 30 points well clear of Liffey Valley 2nd on 43 and DCH 3rd on 48. There were fine supporting runs by the other Clonliffe squad members: Katie Halpin 25th, Emma Campbell 28th, Bronagh Greaney 36th and Caoimhe Curran 37th.
Next up it was the highly fancied Clonliffe men’s intermediate team racing over 6000m. Once again they did not disappoint with Mahad Mohamed Egaal leading the team home also taking individual silver. Malcom Kiplagat had another fine outing to take 4th, in 6th place after a superbly mature race was Damien Prendergast with Stephen Lyons having stormed through the field over the 2nd half of the race to get himself up into 8th position. Ian McAweeney was next in, taking 19th, Billy Stafford 28th and Colm O’Donaghue 44th. The Clonliffe team was well clear taking team gold on 20 points, Donore Harriers were 2nd on 49 points with Raheny also on 49 points but losing out in silver on count back.
Double team gold and double individual silver is a phenomenal start to 2026. Next up for the squads is the national intermediate cross country championships, hosted by Clonliffe Harriers, in Abbottstown on Saturday, February 15.