Dublin XC League

First round of the the Dublin Cross-Country League is this Sunday. For those competing, here is what you need to know.

Venue. Map below shows the location. Head to Lusk and follow the ring road to the right. There is ample parking and its €2 per car. Dublin Athletics have asked that entrants do not park in housing estates or on Rathmore Road.

When To Arrive. The times for each race are listed below. Dublin Athletics are advising to arrive 1 hour before your race time. The races do not take long, average time 5 minutes, so it’s a quick day. When you arrive, we will have our Clongriffin AC Flag up so you will be able to see us. We will have the athlete’s numbers for them.

Race Times & Distances

Gu9 (2015): 11:00 (400m) (eg arrive at 10:00)

Bu9 (2015): 11:05 (400m)

Gu10 (2014): 11:10 (600m)

Bu10 (2014): 11:15 (600m)

Gu11 (2013): 11:20 (800m)

Bu11 (2013): 11:25 (800m)

Gu12 (2012): 11:30 (1000m)

Bu12 (2012): 11:38 (1000m)

Gu13 (2011): 11:46 (1000m)

Bu13 (2011): 11:54 (1000m)

Gu14 (2010): 12:02 (1200m)

Bu14 (2010): 12:12 (1200m)

Gu15 (2009): 12:22 (1500m)

Bu15 (2009): 12:32 (1500m)

Weather & What To Wear: Looking like it may be raining so raincoats essential. If athletes have spikes, bring them but you can just use runners also or even football boots. You will need to bring your Clongriffin AC vest or tee. If you don’t have one we should have a tee available when you arrive.

Finally, nerves. If you are nervous about competing, that is ok. Means you care and it means something to you. The good news that everyone else is probably nervous too. By stepping to the line and being in the arena, remember, you are already winning….

“.......the credit belongs to the athlete who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends their time in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if they fail, at least fails while daring greatly......”

Athlete Performance Pathway Program

We are delighted to announce that this Autumn we will be launching the Clongriffin AC Athlete Performance Pathway Program. As the Club continues to grow and develop and the athletes get older, the Athlete Performance Pathway Program will be a key step in our Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) process.

The Performance Pathway will be geared towards older athletes who are tracking to be competitive at National level and also towards representing Ireland at International level in the coming years.

The Program will provide specialist training and competition support in an holistic manner, mindfull of the athlete’s age, and aligned to Coaching Best Practice. Importantly the Program will be in addition to and integrated to the existing training program in the Club.

Athletes who are born in 2011 or older will be eligible for the Program this year while athletes in the Pre-Performance Group (2012-2013) will also start to experience elements of the Program this year in preparation for transition to it in the coming years.

Athletes who have been identified for this Program for the 2023/24 season, will be contacted in the coming weeks.

Cross Country Grand Prix

Our cross-country program starts soon and this season we are adding some extra motivation for our athletes. The program will look to promote and encourage:

  • Commitment To Training
  • Giving Racing A Go
  • Achieving Goals

Athletes who complete the program will receive a Cross-Country Grand Prix Medal and be in the draw for a special Athletics Goody Bag.

For those born from 2013 and older, it starts this Sunday in Fr Collins Park at 11:30 while the 2014 to 2015 group will start theirs from 10th September.

Training Times Sept-Dec 2023

We will return to general training on Wednesday 6th of September. Please note it is a requirement that Parent(s)/Guardian(s) check their child(ren) in on the first night back as part of a new re-registration system (no payment will be required).

Below are the training times for September- December 2023.

Please note:

  1. On Wednesday in September and October all the club will train in Fr. Collins Park. When the clocks go back there will be three sessions split by ages in Donaghmede Astro Pitch.
  2. Little Athletics will train once a week on Wednesday.
  3. The Academy athletes (born 2016, 2015, 2014) will train twice a week. They will train every Wednesday and will have a second training session on Sunday in preparation for the cross country season in September and October. From November the second training will be on Friday in Trinity Sports Hall in preparation for the indoor season.
  4. The Pre-performance athletes (born 2013 & 2012) will train three times a week. On Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Friday will be in Morton Stadium, Santry and Sunday will be in Fr. Collins Park.
  5. The Performance athletes (Born 2011+) will train three times a week. On Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Friday will be in Morton Stadium, Santry and Sunday will be in Fr. Collins Park. There will be an optional strength session after Fr.Collins Park training in Trinity Sports Hall.

Week 42: Weekly Update

Week Beginning: 13/06/2023

Training

Wednesday:

Fr Collins Park

U7 to U11 only (2013 to 2017). 18:30.

No training for U12 and older in FCP this Wednesday as Dublin Relays are on in Lucan.

Note, Girls u13 Relay Coach will be in touch directly regarding details on a practice session.

Dublin Relays. Lucan. U12 & U14

Relay coaches will be in touch directly.

Friday:

ALSAA

Training for All-Ireland qualifiers for Childrens Games, coaches will be in touch directly.

Dublin Relays. Lucan. U13 & U15

Relay coaches will be in touch directly.

Saturday

Dublin Championships

Final Day of Dublin Championships, U12 to U15.

Tallaght

Coaches will be in touch directly.

There is no group training on Sunday.

Morton Games Relays

An exciting opportunity for athletes as our Club has been invited to compete at the prestigious Morton Games International Track and Field Meet on 14th July in Santry. The Morton Games is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour with athletes from all around the coming to Dublin to compete.

There will mixed juvenile relay races as part of the program. Clongriffin have been invited to enter teams in U10, U12, U14 & U16. The distance is 4 x 200m and each team will have two boys and two girls.

First step is to confirm an Expression of Interest (EOI) in selection and confirming you are available on that day. The second step then will be the coaching team to select teams from those who have confirmed availability. Please complete EOI by this Friday 9th July.

Expression of Interest Forms

U10 (born 2014 & 2015) here

U12 (born 2012 & 2013) here

U14 (born 2010 & 2011) here

U16 (born 2008 & 2009) here

Week 41: Weekly Update

Week Beginning: 06/06/2023

Training

Wednesday:

Fr Collins Park

U7 to U11 only (2013 to 2017)

18:30 to 19:30 (2016/7 finish at 19:15)

No training for U12 and older in FCP this Wednesday.

National Indoor Arena

Competition Preparation for U12 to U17.

19:00 to 20:00

Due to limited space in our booking (40 is the max), only those entered to compete in individual events in the coming two weeks (39 athletes) can attend. Link to that list is here. Events not covered in NIA are Turbo, Discus and Javelin, as it’s an indoor venue.

Friday:

ALSAA

18:00 to 19:00. Note the slightly earlier time.

2011 & Older.

Sprints, Hurdles & Middle Distance only, no throws this Friday with Bart but athlete may still practice.

There will also be baton practice for u12 to u15 relay team so relay squad members are encouraged to attend.

Saturday & Sunday

Dublin Championships

Days 2 & 3 of Dublin Championships are on in Dundrum for our U16 & U17 athletes. Coaches will be in touch with all details.

Training

There is no group training.