Clonliffe Harriers successfully defended both the Dublin Senior Men’s and Women’s team titles at a thoroughly drenched Rathfarnham 5k on Sunday morning, with incessant rain doing little to dampen the club’s dominance in recent years.
The conditions were some of the most challenging seen at the event in recent years, with persistent rain throughout the morning creating difficult racing conditions. Despite the weather, Clonliffe athletes produced an outstanding series of performances, underlining the depth and strength currently within the club.
In the senior men’s race, Clonliffe packed the field with athletes, led by Colm Rooney, who produced an excellent run to finish 2nd overall in 14:20. Rooney lead a strong Clonliffe team that included Fintan Kerins (3rd), Ben Guiden (8th), Ben Coughlan (18th) ensuring the club comfortably retained the Dublin Senior Men’s 5k team title, ahead of Raheny Shamrocks and Crusaders in both the Dublin and open competitions.
Likewise in the Senior Women’s competition where Helena Butterly was 4th overall women, followed by Niamh Kelly 9th, Hope Saunders 11th and Laura Tuite 20th. This gave the Clonliffe women the Dublin team title they, like the men, retaining the tile won last year and for good measure also winning the open team competition ahead of Dublin City Harriers and Dundrum South Dublin.
In the Dublin Senior Championship Fintan Kerins captured gold with Ben Guiden receiving silver, while Colm Rooney claimed M40 gold. Brian O’Reilly won M55 silver.
Helena Butterly was placed 2nd in the Dublin Championship and Eleanor Alexander was 2nd W40 in the Dublin Championship
The success extended beyond the senior men’s race. In a memorable family double, Charlie Rooney claimed 2nd place in the Under 10 race, matching the achievement of his father Colm later in the day.
List of Clonliffe Results
