Road
The road season truly got underway in recent weeks with the first events of the Peugeot race series taking place in
Portlaoise and Kilkenny. A team of 7 athletes travelled for the popular Streets of Portlaoise 5k on St. Patrick’s Day
with Pierre Murchan taking first place in a time of in 14.24, followed home by Liam Naughton in 16.00, Conor Murphy
in 16.24, and Ivan Briody in 17.57. On the women’s side Cliona Murphy put in a fantastic performance to claim third
across the line in a time of 16.47, followed by Cristin Scollard in 17.43 and Aislinn Moorhouse in 18.58. Two weeks
later our athletes took to the start line at the Streets of Kilkenny 5k where Pierre claimed a second win in the Peugeot
race series with a course record time of 14.04. Pierre was followed in by Conor Murphy (16.30) and Christopher
McGloughlin (17.19) who both put in fantastic performances on the day! On the women’s side we had Claire Rafter
who finished a fine 10th place in a time of 17.49, with Edle McNamara (20.29) and Clare O’Connor (20.40) also
putting in great performances on the day! Overall, the team placed 2nd in Portlaoise and 5th in Kilkenny, two great
performances that demonstrate the current depth of the club’s squads.
We had both men’s and women’s teams represented at the National 10km road championships that took place in
conjunction with the Dunboyne 10k. Pierre just missed out on the individual title by 3 secs, finishing in a time of 29.20
Pierre was followed home by Liam (33.07), Conor Murphy with (34.31), Mark Gilligan with (34.55), Michael Ryan
(35.24) and Tadhg Foley (38.38). While the men’s team narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing 4th overall, our
women’s team were rewarded for their performance with 2nd place on the day! The women’s team was led home by
Cliona Murphy (34.44), followed by Cristin Scollard (36.30) and Eavan McGloughlin (36.58).
A number of the club’s athletes ventured to Germany for the Berlin half marathon. Cliona Murphy had a fine run to
finish in a time of 80. Our men’s squad was well represented with Liam Naughton finishing in 72.41, Michael Ryan in
82.34, and Ivan Briody in 86.38.
Track
A number of the club’s athletes competed for their respective universities at the recent IUAA Track & Field
championships that were held at Mary Peters track in Belfast. Edel Monaghan put in a great performance leading the
women’s 3000m from the gun to claim the IUAA title in a time of 9.47. Pierre Murchan, sporting the singlet of Trinity
College Dublin, took inspiration from Edel’s run and also took an early lead in the men’s 5000m. Pierre was first
across the line in a time of 14.10, narrowly missing out on the 45-year-old IUAA record. Conor Murphy doubled up in
the 10000m and 5000m setting a TUD record over 10000m in a time of 36.20. Joe Fogarty put in a good performance
for TUD in a tactical 800m heat to finish in 2.03.8.
Jodie McCann continued to show her recent form setting a new club record over 3000m at the Sydney Track Classic.
Jodie’s time of 8.52.92 sees her take almost 2 seconds off the previous mark set by Una English at the Cork City
Sports in 2002! Jodie also clocked a new PB of 4.32.54 over the mile at the at the Australian National Championship,
just outside the club record currently held by Nadia Power. Jodie’s recent performances her climb to 14th and 9th over
the mile and 3000m distances respectively in the Irish all-time lists.
Training & Upcoming Racing
Many of our athletes will be continuing to take part in the Peugeot race series in the coming weeks with some
focusing on the National Road Relay championships that are due to take place at the end of April. The club’s annual
Great Ireland run will take place in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 14th April.
Dublin City Harriers 