Author: CelticDCH Athletic Club

We had a huge turnout at the annual Parkside schools cross country today in the Bogies. The weather could have been kinder but the children didnt seem to notice. A few hours off school is always good!First trophy winners of the day for Celtic were Shona Gogarty (MHOC) and Lily Farrell (D7ET) who battled it out for first and second in the under 10 girls race. In the under 11 girls race Aoife Corocran (Scoil Bhride Blanchardstown)came 4th with Niamh O Connor (MHOC) just behind in 5th place. Finn Mc Auley (D7ET) ran a great race finishing 6th in the boys under 11.  In the girls under 12 race Keelin Collins (D7ET) had a very impressive win with Emily Harrold (MHOC) in 6th place. James Mc Manus (St John Bosco) was a fine winner of the boys under 12 race. In the girls under 13 race Antonia Shodiya (MHOC)led her sister Antoinette for a fine 1, 2 with Kacey Tully (St Catherines) close behind in 4th place and Alex Corr (MHOC) in 6th place.
In the final girls race Aoibh Collins (D7ET) was as impressive as her sister Keelin with a runaway win in her race with Kate Harrold (MHOC) equally impressive in 2nd place. It was brilliant to see all our young athletes doing so well and it shows that regular, consistant training makes such a difference to their fitness. Well done to all who competed and a big thank you to all the parents and friends who helped make the day a success.

We had 5 athletes competing at the weekend in Athlone at the National seniors. In the womens 1500m final Clare, Niamh and Cliona were up against very hot competition. Cliona was running in a senior National for the first time and that can be a daunting experience but she took it all in her stride and with Niamh and Clare ran very close to their seasons best in what was their last indoor race for 2016. Pierre Murchan qualified on Saturday for his first National senior indoor final of the 1500m. On Sunday he was up against the big guns and after a very tactical first 2 laps where they were practically walking Pierre had nothing to lose by going out the front and shaking them up with a few fast laps. He was reigned in by the older more experienced athletes with 2 laps to go but fought back to finish in a very impressive 4th place. Great race to watch and great courage from a junior athlete.

In the womens hurdles Catherine McManus ran a steady race to get 3rd place and later on in the day she lined up for the 200m final. Catherine had qualifIed for the final on Saturday in a new personal best time and in the final came 3rd and improved her pb to 24.35. Well done to Catherine!

Next weekend Cliona and Pierre return to the muck and hills as they represent their colleges in the Inter-Varsity cross country in Sligo. Best of luck to both of them.

Highlights of National indoors on rte 2 at 8 o clock. Watch out for Pierre in 1500, Catherine in hdls and 200m, Cliona, Clare and Niamh in 1500.

Sat 27th Feb Santry at 12 noon & Brians group (Hole in the Wall 10.30 anyone who cant make Santry at 12noon)

Sun 28th Feb Hole in the Wall 11am -everyone

27/28th Feb National senior indoor championships in Athlone. Best of luck to Pierre, Claire, Cliona, Niamh and Catherine.

Tue 1st Mar Hole in the Wall 7pm -everyone

Wed 2nd Mar Parkside Schools cross country in the Bogies at 11.30. Any parents who can help on the day please let Mary know.

Thur 3rd Mar Gym group at 7pm
St John Bosco school hall 7pm -everyone else

Our sprinters had a successful day at the final day of the Dublin indoors in Santry. In the 60m sprints Chloe Corcoran finished a close 2nd, Alison Burke finished 2nd in her 60m and had a great win in the under 17 hurdles and to finish off a great day for the girls Caoimhe Lynam came 2nd in her 60m final. Well done to all the girls and to their coach Brian. In the younger age groups Antoinette and Antonia both finished 4th in their 60m heats.

Operation Transformation
A big thank you to all the helpers who came out on Saturday in the rain to help at the OT 5k in the Phoenix Park. Your help was very much appreciated.

Sat 20th Feb Operation transformation early crew over to race area and report to Dermot at 8am.Dont wait for a phone call , consider yourself invited. Will be finished by 10.30. Later crew meet at 8.30 at Hole in the Wall.

Sat 20th Feb No training for anyone under 15 today. Older gang meet at Hole in the Wall at 11 ( including Brians group) .

Best of luck to Antonia, Antoinette, Chloe, Alison and Caoimhe in the sprints in Santry.

Sun 21st Feb Hole in the Wall 11am -everyone

Tue 23rd Feb Bogies at 4pm for anyone whos free
Hole in the Wall 7pm for everyone else

Wed 24th Feb High jump in the Hall 6pm

Thur 25th Feb St John Boscos school Hall 7pm
Gym group 7pm

Reminder anyone who can, pleas make yourself available for Wed 2nd March for our annual Parkside schools cross country 2nd March in the Bogies.