Congratulations to Keith on his debut run for Ireland in British & Irish Masters Cross Country Race in Derry last Sunday. The Irish team had a great run taking home the silver medal.

For those of you who don’t know one of our athletes, Isabel Carron was awarded a full athletic scholarship to North Carolina State University. North Carolina has one of the best women collegiate XC teams in the US, currently ranked 5th. To be accepted into such a programme it is a testament to Isabel’s athletic achievements, which include:-

• Gold at the 2015 Irish National Championships, winning the 3K
• 2x Irish Junior National Champion in the 5,000m (2014, 15)
• 2x Irish Schools Champion in the 3,000m (2013, 14)
• Competed for Ireland at Schools International level both on the Track and XC
• Competed for the Irish National Junior XC team from 2014-15 (at European XC Championships)

However to obtain a scholarship a high academic level is also required, which Isabel more than achieved with her outstanding leaving cert results.

Isabel started at the college in August, and has settled in well to her new academic and training environment, and we look forward to catching up with her at Christmas.

NC State Athletic team are known as the Wolfpack. You can follow the Wolfpack with the following link NC State Athletics

The Dublin Juvenile Uneven Ages Cross Country Championships took place in Santry Demense on Sunday morning, with athletes competing from U/9 upwards. The Dublin Championships is always a big step up in standard compared to the Cross Country Leagues, with the Championships providing an opportunity for our athletes from U11 upwards to qualify for the National Cross Country Championships in Waterford on the 17th of December.

As always all our athletes did the Club very proud performing very well. Up first were our U9 boys Conor D, Conor C & Michael competing in their first Dublin Championships, all three boys finishing well within the top half of a very competitive field. Next up was Keren in the U9 girls finishing in an amazing 4th place. It should be mentioned that these athletes are currently members of our Indoor Group and wouldn’t be doing much distance training. Thanks to Michael for taking care of our athletes on the day, who is very proud of you as you all continue to make huge improvements with every race.

Next up we had our older athletes chasing National Championship Qualification places with the following securing their selection : U11 girls, Shauna 4th and Aoife 5th (backing up their performances of a fortnight ago); U15 Boys : Josh 12th and the U15 boys team (Josh, Lorcan, Hugh & Alton) coming in 3rd; U17 Girls Lottie 5th & Ruby 6th (again backing up their performances of a forthnight ago) and the U17 girls team (Lottie, Ruby, Anna & Kerrie) coming in 3rd.

Following the competion of the Juvenile races, it was the turn of the Senior Athletes. Huge congratulations to Ciara Durkan on winning the Jim McNamara Perpetual Cup, and securing the county title for the Senior Womens’ 6,000m in a time of 20min 27sec. Last but not least was Kevin running in the Senior Men’s 10,000m in a time of 35 min 14 sec.

Thanks as always to the coaches for preparing the athletes and to those who were there on the day to give last minute advice and support. To all the parents for their support and of course to all our athletes who work so hard at training and who represent the club so well at all times.

Congratulations to the coaches who competed in the Dublin Marathon today. Outstanding performances by David, Treabhor and Niamh. It’s great for our young athletes to have such role models.

To all our young athletes enjoy the rest of midterm. Have fun but stay safe over Halloween. 🎃🎃🎃

Congratulations to all our athletes on their great performances this morning in the first League Cross Country on our home ground of Argillan. A special mention to our younger athletes some of whom were competing in their very first race. How lucky were we with the weather, it certainly helped with the smooth running of the event.

Many thanks to all our volunteers and coaches this morning, without you we cannot run these events.

Just to remind you all that the first Cross Country Race of the season takes place in the grounds of Ardgillan Castle on 17th September. It’s always a great race to be involved with, especially as its our home turf. For our younger athletes (some of whom may not have raced before), it’s a good introduction to Cross Country. The distances are shorter at the start of the league, and there is the comfort of being on familiar territory. For our older athletes it’s always great to race in a place they are so familiar with through training. Plus the fact there is always a great turnout so plenty of support, and somewhere to go for a recovery hot chocolate.

As it is seen as our ‘home ground’, Skerries AC are responsible for organising this race on behalf of Dublin Athletic Board. We do therefore require plenty of help from parents for marshalling etc. Anyone who is available on the morning should report to the Skerries AC patch (look  for the flags – roughly the same place as usual) by 10am. Please bring a High Viz Jacket if you have one, and we will allocate jobs.

In order to plan for the race, can anyone who is available to help let either Liz, Ruth, Donna or Joanne know. Then we can check we have sufficient numbers to run the event safely and efficiently, ensuring a great morning for all.

Good luck to all.

Great to see some of our athletes (and coaches) made it to London to watch the World Championships. It was inspirational! Ten days of thrilling athletics in the Olympic Stadium and on the streets of London. It has to be said London put on a good show. Highlights have to be the Women’s Steeplechase, 50k Men’s walk, Men’s 5000m & 10000m, Men’s and Women’s 4 x 100m relays & Women’s 1500m to name but a few…We met Hero the mischievous Mascot. We said goodbye to a few Champions, Bolt, Mo Farah and Rob Heffernan. With the glamour and glory of the track over for another season, bring on the Cross Country.

Great result today for Orla B in Tullamore, who came 2nd in National u/23 T & F Championships 5000m with PB of 18.31.

The Dublin Championships concluded in Tallaght last Wednesday. It was a great evening of athletics with our athletes participating in the 1500m. All did well but a special mention for Ruby who came 3rd in the U16 girls and Eibhlin who came 2nd in the U19 girls. Both go through to represent the club in the Nationals. Also a special mention for Conall who celebrated his 15th birthday by running a very competitive 1500m in the U16 boys.

Thanks to all the parents who have given lifts and supported the athletes throughout the Competition. Thanks also to the coaches who give up so much of their time to prepare the athletes. Finally thanks to the athletes, for their commitment and hard work. Enjoy the Summer Holidays!