Dundrum South Dublin A.C. women and Clonliffe Harriers A.C. men were crowned Premier Division champions as the AAI National Outdoor League Final delivered another highly competitive day of club and county athletics at Morton Stadium on Sunday (August 9).
There was also success for St Laurence O’Toole A.C. and Raheny Shamrock AC., who claimed the Division 1 women’s and men’s titles respectively, while Tipperary and Kerry secured the women’s and men’s county honours.
DSD Women Deliver Dominant Title Defence
Dundrum South Dublin A.C. successfully defended their Premier Division women’s crown with a commanding team performance, amassing 160.5 points to finish well clear of Ratoath A.C. on 105, with Clonliffe Harriers A.C. third on 102.
DSD’s strength across the programme proved decisive, with maximum points coming from several events.
Louise King delivered victory in the 100m hurdles in 15.65, while Ciara Wilson Bowen took maximum points in the 1500m walk in 7:07.32. Kate Doherty added another win in the 400m hurdles with 1:00.44.
On the flat, Evelyn Kwik impressed with a 55.70 victory over 400m, while Ella Fennelly took the 3000m in 10:00.43 and Emma Roche secured maximum points over 200m in 24.89.
DSD also demonstrated their depth in the relays, with Aobh Forde, Mollie O’Reilly, Molly Hourihan and Síofra Fitzmaurice combining for a 47.08 performance in the 4x100m.
Clonliffe Take Premier Men’s Crown
Clonliffe Harriers A.C. produced an excellent all-round performance to claim the Premier Division men’s title with 144 points, reversing the outcome of last year’s incredibly close contest with defending champions Dundrum South Dublin A.C.
DSD finished second on 124 points, with Crusaders A.C. completing the top three on 90.
Clonliffe accumulated maximum points across both track and field. Gregory Hossenny won the 1500m walk in 8:18.01, while Chris Sibanda, Bilal Kanimodo, Brandon Muchini and Findlay McGill combined to win the 4x100m relay in 41.77.
Matei Ursachi took maximum points in the 3000m steeplechase with 9:30.63, Ben Guiden won the 5000m in 15:18.01, and Sibanda added an individual victory in the 100m with 10.98.
The field events also proved crucial to Clonliffe’s title charge. Simon Galligan won the hammer with 56.79m, Eoin Sheridan secured maximum points in both the shot put (13.96m) and discus (50.15m), while Euan Canniffe took the javelin with 50.37m.
St Laurence O’Toole A.C. secured the Division 1 women’s title with 133 points, holding off Carraig na bhFear A.C. on 123 and Lagan Valley A.C. on 114.
Their title challenge was boosted by a number of strong individual performances, including Cassie O’Byrne’s 58.24 over 400m and Jennifer Sawyer’s 24.51 victory in the 200m. Chloe Ryan also made a significant contribution in the throws, including a 33.08m discus and 9.97m shot put performance.
The Division 1 men’s competition went right down to the wire, with Raheny Shamrock AC pipping Galway City Harriers A.C. to the title. Lagan Valley A.C. finished third.
Tipperary and Kerry Secure County Honours
Tipperary successfully backed up their strong preliminary-round showing to claim the women’s county title with 139 points.
Kerry Athletics pushed them throughout the competition before finishing second on 129, while Galway County completed the podium with 121 points.
Kerry had cause for celebration in the men’s competition, producing an impressive team display to take the county crown with 147 points.
Galway County finished second on 130.5, with Kildare County third on 121.5, as Kerry’s consistency across the track and field programme ultimately proved decisive.
More photos to follow
