Athletics Club

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Winner 2020/2021 (Nadia Power)

Individual Contribution to Club Life
Winner 2020/2021 (Andrew Coscoran)

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Latest News 2

	Posted	Title	Author
	13th Oct	Russell & McElhinney win IUAA XC titles!	Rory Cassidy (Public Relations Officer)
The Irish Universities Athletics Association (IUAA) held their Cross-Country Championships on Sunday 26th September at DCU St. Clare’s Sports Grounds. Anticipation was high in the build-up to the races, which saw a return of inter-varsity action after an eighteen-month absence. For months in advance there was speculation as to whether or not the event would get the go ahead and following the cancellation of the Track and Field Championships that had been scheduled for August, athletes were probably right to feel somewhat pessimistic. Due to the easing of government guidelines and the strong support of DCU the event was allowed to go ahead with only a limited number of people allowed to attend. The Women’s race had been scheduled to start at 1.45pm but was pushed back to 3pm due to the closure of the M7 which delayed a number of athletes who were travelling. The sweet sound of thers gun was music to the ears of athletes and stewards alike as the approximately 5k race eventually got underway. From the off a small group of up to six athletes led the way, including DCU AC’s Christine Russell and Emma O’Brien, both of whom are in fine form at the moment. The group also contained Ciara O’Neill of UL and the Trinity duo of Eavan McLoughlin and Cliona Murphy. As the race progressed Murphy and Russell began to pull away from the field, with O’Brien and others still running strongly behind them. It was with lap to go that Russell made her decisive move, injecting a burst of pace that Murphy could not deal with. Murphy’s race was ran at this stage and Russell began to move further clear from the field, her effortless running style making it look easy. Ciara O’Neill moved into 2nd on the last lap with an enthralling battle for bronze being fought out behind. As she crossed the line Russell had a winning margin of over twenty seconds from O’Neill, with DCU’s Emma O’Brien just being pipped for bronze by Trinity’s Eavan McLoughlin. Trinity won the team title, followed by UL and DCU. The DCU team comprised of Russell, O’Brien, Ruth Kennedy, Aine Burke, Aisling McGuinness, Clare Barrett, Aoife O’Cuill and Avril Deegan. The Men’s race followed soon after and it was clear from the get-go that there was only going to be one winner. Darragh McElhinney of UCD, National U20 5000m record holder and European U20 medallist showed his class and was never in any significant danger of losing the race. When crossing the line, his winning margin on the 8k course was in excess of one minute. Keelan Kilrehill of DCU gave chase initially and was running strongly for much of the race. Unfortunately, with a lap to go Kilrehill ran out of gas and had to pull out, leaving Pierre Murchan and Thomas McStay of NUIG in a position to win silver and bronze respectively. Daniel Stone was DCU’s top finisher, crossing the line in 11th place. NUIG easily won the team title, with Matt Lockett having five athletes in the top ten. UL took silver, while DCU won bronze. The DCU was made up of Stone, Kilrehill, Jamie Battle, Ben Guiden, Patrick MacGabhann, Colin Smith, Euan Lagan, Eoghan Keaney, Neil Murphy and John Cleary. It was a great honour for DCU Athletics Club to host the IUAA Cross Country Championships for the first time since 2004 and credit must be given to Head of Athletics at DCU, Paul Byrne for all his work organising a successful event. Attention now turns to the intervarsity Road Relay Championships which will take place next month in Maynooth.
	24th Sep	Team Selections for IUAA XC This SUNDAY	Paul Byrne (Head of Athletics)
The following are the teams selected to represent DCU at the IUAA XC Championship this Sunday in the DCU Sports Grounds. Men's Team Jamie Battle Keelan Kilrehill Andrew McKenna Euan Lagan Colin Smith Neil Murphy Luke Murphy Ben Guiden Patrick MacGabhann John Cleary Daniel Stone Ryan Sheridan Eoghan Keaney Emile Esim-Enoh Men's Team Captain: Jamie Battle Women's Team Aoife O'Cuill Susan Glennon Lauren Tinkler (OYD) Christine Russell Clare Barrett Emma O'Brien Avril Deegan Ruth Kennedy Áine Burke Aisling McGuinness Women's Team Captain; Grace Casey TIMETABLE Women's Race - 5,000m @1:45pm Men's Race - 8,000m @ 4pm REMINDER - No spectators allowed at this event.

Russell & McElhinney win IUAA XC titles!

Posted	13th Oct
Author	Rory Cassidy (Public Relations Officer)

The Irish Universities Athletics Association (IUAA) held their Cross-Country Championships on Sunday 26th September at DCU St. Clare’s Sports Grounds. Anticipation was high in the build-up to the races, which saw a return of inter-varsity action after an eighteen-month absence.

For months in advance there was speculation as to whether or not the event would get the go ahead and following the cancellation of the Track and Field Championships that had been scheduled for August, athletes were probably right to feel somewhat pessimistic. Due to the easing of government guidelines and the strong support of DCU the event was allowed to go ahead with only a limited number of people allowed to attend.

The Women’s race had been scheduled to start at 1.45pm but was pushed back to 3pm due to the closure of the M7 which delayed a number of athletes who were travelling. The sweet sound of thers gun was music to the ears of athletes and stewards alike as the approximately 5k race eventually got underway.

From the off a small group of up to six athletes led the way, including DCU AC’s Christine Russell and Emma O’Brien, both of whom are in fine form at the moment. The group also contained Ciara O’Neill of UL and the Trinity duo of Eavan McLoughlin and Cliona Murphy.

As the race progressed Murphy and Russell began to pull away from the field, with O’Brien and others still running strongly behind them. It was with lap to go that Russell made her decisive move, injecting a burst of pace that Murphy could not deal with. Murphy’s race was ran at this stage and Russell began to move further clear from the field, her effortless running style making it look easy. Ciara O’Neill moved into 2nd on the last lap with an enthralling battle for bronze being fought out behind.

As she crossed the line Russell had a winning margin of over twenty seconds from O’Neill, with DCU’s Emma O’Brien just being pipped for bronze by Trinity’s Eavan McLoughlin. Trinity won the team title, followed by UL and DCU. The DCU team comprised of Russell, O’Brien, Ruth Kennedy, Aine Burke, Aisling McGuinness, Clare Barrett, Aoife O’Cuill and Avril Deegan.

The Men’s race followed soon after and it was clear from the get-go that there was only going to be one winner. Darragh McElhinney of UCD, National U20 5000m record holder and European U20 medallist showed his class and was never in any significant danger of losing the race. When crossing the line, his winning margin on the 8k course was in excess of one minute.

Keelan Kilrehill of DCU gave chase initially and was running strongly for much of the race. Unfortunately, with a lap to go Kilrehill ran out of gas and had to pull out, leaving Pierre Murchan and Thomas McStay of NUIG in a position to win silver and bronze respectively. Daniel Stone was DCU’s top finisher, crossing the line in 11th place. NUIG easily won the team title, with Matt Lockett having five athletes in the top ten. UL took silver, while DCU won bronze. The DCU was made up of Stone, Kilrehill, Jamie Battle, Ben Guiden, Patrick MacGabhann, Colin Smith, Euan Lagan, Eoghan Keaney, Neil Murphy and John Cleary.

It was a great honour for DCU Athletics Club to host the IUAA Cross Country Championships for the first time since 2004 and credit must be given to Head of Athletics at DCU, Paul Byrne for all his work organising a successful event. Attention now turns to the intervarsity Road Relay Championships which will take place next month in Maynooth.

Team Selections for IUAA XC This SUNDAY

Posted	24th Sep
Author	Paul Byrne (Head of Athletics)

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Year
2021	Sports Personality
2021	Individual Contribution to Club Life

About Athletics Club

DCU Athletics Club

DCU Athletics club compete in the IUAA Road Relays, Indoor and Outdoor Intervarsity, Cross Country, Combined events and International competitions. DCU Athletics Club is one of the most successful clubs in DCU with a strong record of IUAA individual and team titles across the last 10 years.

We promote the sport of Athletics to both students and staff and cater for Olympic pathway athletes right the way through participation level and everything in between. Athletics is a sport with many different elements, running, walking, sprinting, hurdling, throwing and jumping so if you'd like to get involved in the club and try something new make sure to get in touch. See below for the most up to date training times and make sure to follow our social media pages!!

Training Times Semester 1 2021/22

Sprints & Hurdles - Monday @ 5.30pm & Wednesday @ 2pm - DCU Sports Grounds Track

Distance - Tuesday & Thursday @ 6pm - DCU Sports Grounds Pitches (Grass Loop)

Throws (Discus, Shot, Javelin) - Contact Dave Sweeney (field@athleticsireland.ie)

Throws (Hammer) - Contact Sean Egan (seanegan1980@gmail.com)

Jumps - Wednesday @ 5pm - DCU Sports Grounds Track

Walks - Every 2nd Wednesday @ 5:45pm - Albert College Park

DCU Social Running Group

DCU Social Runners is a participation focused running group for DCU students and staff. Come walk, jog or run with us in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere around the many running routes on Glasnevin campus, Albert College Park and the surrounding areas. Be as competitive or casual as you like, improve your overall health, fitness and wellbeing. No experience required!

Meet at Pitches in Albert College Park @ 1pm every Tuesday & Thursday.

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Athletics Club COVID-19 Coordinators

Adam Mc Inerney (Treasurer)
Colin Smith (COVID-19 Officer)
Paul Byrne (Head of Athletics)

Current Committee 13

Head of Athletics	Paul Byrne
Chairperson	Shane Monagle
Secretary	Keelan Kilrehill
Treasurer	Adam Mc Inerney
Public Relations Officer	Kim O’Hare
Public Relations Officer	Rory Cassidy
Public Relations Officer	Mark Smyth
COVID-19 Officer	Colin Smith
Ladies Captain	Grace Casey
Mens Captain	James Battle
Sponsorship Officer	Jack Raftery
Sponsorship Officer	Euan Lagan
Vice Chairperson	Cian O’Connell