Douglas Community School athletes enjoyed a very enjoyable Warm Weather training camp in Monte Gordo over Easter. Under the watchful eye of coach Steven Macklin the group took in some easy running, some hill work, swimming, aqua jogging and core strength sessions. The weather was pretty good for the week with some cloudy periods. The athletes were in good form all week and really enjoyed the stay. Our exam students got in some solid hours of study daily. A special thanks to all the athletes on their fine behavior all week. I’m sure the entire group are looking forward already to next years camp.

Also best of luck to two Douglas CS athletes Craig Murphy and Patrick Coleman who are representing Ireland in competition this weekend. Patrick Coleman lines up in Perth in Scotland in the Schools International Cross-Country and races over 6,000m. This is Patrick’s first Irish international. Also at the weekend Craig Murphy competes for Ireland in the World Cross-Country championships being held in Edinburgh. Craig lines up in the junior mens 8,000m race taking on the best athletes in the world. The races are live on BBC television on Sunday at 12.45pm. All at the school would like to wish both athletes the very best of luck in Scotland.

by Steven Macklin

The National Senior & Junior
Cross-Country championships took place in Belfast recently, with
Craig Murphy from Douglas CS competing. The course proved to be
a testing one with mucky patches and a few short climbs. The junior
mens race was held over 8,000m, four 2km laps. From the start it was
the young Donore athlete John Travers who set the pace. Craig settled
back in the main group sheltering from the wind. As the race progressed
the main group was down to six athletes with Michael Mulhare North Laois
AC and Craig pushing the pace on. Eventually Craig and Michael broke
away from the rest of the field and a great battled ensued. Michael
opened a small gap over Craig at around the 5km point and although Craig
tried his best he could not catch the Laois man. Craig put in a massive
last 1km and got to within 10m of Michael at the finish, coming a superb
2^nd place and gaining selection for the World Cross-Country
championships in Edinburgh on March 30^th. Congratulations
to Craig on a fantastic result and all at the school wish him the best
of luck at the World championships.

Douglas CS 1^st &
2^nd year athletes took to the Mardyke track on Thursday for
the latest leg of their mile challenge series. All those not competing
in the All-Ireland Schools Cross-Country championships took part and
all but five athletes recorded personal best times. Twenty-seven athletes
towed the line with 2^nd year Conor Foley winning in a time
of 5.28. He was followed home by Mark O’ Sullivan 5.33 and Mark Seacy
5.43. The performances of the day came from 1^st year student
Gary McCarthy 8^th 6.01, Eoin Bourke 9^th 6.02,
Jamie Sullivan 10^th 6.02, Daniel Leahy 17^th 6.30,
Paul O’ Keeffe 22^nd 7.05, Paul Creagh 14^th 6.16
and Cillian Crowley 20^th 6.48. Jamie Sullivan ran his first
ever mile challenge back in November 2006 recording 8.10 and now he
is down to 6.02, a remarkable improvement. Daniel Leahy knocked 40 secs
off his previous best with his 6.30 run and Cillian Crowley knocked
a huge 57 secs off his previous best with his 6.48 run.

by Steven Macklin