Clonliffe Harriers defend National League title

NORTHSIDE club Clonliffe Harriers AC defended their title in spectacular fashion at the Woodie’s DIY National League Track and Field Final in Tullamore Harriers Stadium recently.

The competition itself proved to be an absorbing battle between the defending champions and Dublin rivals Crusaders AC.

Both clubs were closely matched throughout the day’s competition, with only a couple of points separating the two clubs. Irish International athletes Steven Colvert, Jason Harvey and Brian Murphy spear headed a strong challenge on the track for Crusaders.

However, Clonliffe were equal to the challenge, calling on the in form Brian Gregan to lead them to success.

It all came down to the last event of the day, which was the 4x400m relay. Clonliffe needed to be in at least the top three positions to be assured of victory.

The drama unfolded with Clonliffe lying in seventh position going into the final leg, with Crusaders way out in the lead. Gregan then took the baton for Clonliffe and launched an all out attack on the rest of the field. His effort catapulted him into second place which meant that Clonliffe secured overall victory by two points from Crusaders.

Another Northside Dublin club to impress was Raheny Shamrock AC in the women’s premier division where they finished in third place.

National 800m champion Siobhan Eviston captained the team that was mainly made up of junior athletes. In the end Raheny scored a total of 93 points, behind the winners DSD AC on 112 and Leevale AC on 108 points. In the division one contest Donore Harriers surprised a few by finishing in third place. Donore were led by hurdles specialist Simon Taggart and distance runner John Travers. Donore finished with a total of 95 points which secured third place behind Carlows St Laurence O’Toole who scored 104 points to take the victory.