from A.A.I Athletics fans are in for a treat this weekend when the Woodie’s DIY Inter Club Championships of Ireland take place in the Phoenix Park over a spectator friendly course near the Magazine Fort/Kyber Pass area.
Mark Kenneally of Clonliffe Harriers will start as favourite to win the men’s Senior title on Sunday. There promises to be a close contest for the club title between reigning champions Clonliffe Harriers, led by Kenneally and Raheny Shamrock A.C.
Mark Kenneally ran brilliantly to place eighth in the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Santry in December and athletics fans will have a chance to see the big Clonliffe man in full flight. Other athletes who will be contesting top places include Alan O’Brien, (Crusaders A.C), Mick Clohisey, (Raheny Shamrock A.C) Brendan O’Neill, (DSD), Mark Kirwan, (Raheny Shamrock A.C) and Gary Murray, (St Malachy’s).
Linda Byrne of DSD will be the favourite in the Senior women’s event but Fionnuala Britton, (Sli Cualainn) and Maria McCambridge (Letterkenny A.C) will also be strong contenders to take the title.
All eyes will be on local Donore Harriers favourite John Travers who competes in what should be a very closely contested Junior men’s race. Yong athletes like Liam Brady, (Tullamore Harriers), Shane Quinn, (Ferrybank), Liam Tremble, (Merto/St Brigid’s), Chris Jones, (Raheny Shamrock) and Emmet Jennings (DSD) will be all be chasing the national title. Mary Mulhare of North Laois A.C should start favourite to take the Junior women’s title.
Former National Inter Club Senior champion Peter Matthews of DSD, who is the current National Masters’ cross country champion over 40, will be in the field on Sunday and it will be no surprise if the DSD man features in the top 10 positions.
On the International scene Derval O’Rourke (Leevale AC) will be in action at the Meeting pas de Calais, France on the 5th of March in the 60m hurdles preparation for the World Indoor Championships.
Irish 400m Record Holder, Joanne Cuddihy, of Kilkenny City Harriers AC will make a welcome return to the track when she competes at the 400m at the Melbourne Classic on March 4th. Cuddihy is currently based full time in Australia working and training in the Institute of Sport.