Drogheda & District miler Christopher Keenan achieves podium finish on World stage in Greece
Organised by the International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation (CSIT), the WSG brought together approximately 6,000 amateur athletes from 36 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and America to compete in a wide range of athletic events.
Keenan is now officially one of the most talented middle distance runners in the country and this astonishing performance was all the more impressive given that he is so focused and dedicated on his full-time studies and got to Greece on the back of his usual training and a few races.
His time was not shabby either as he clocked 4:05.89 for the metric mile.
Closer to home, summer was in the air as several Drogheda & District AC athletes enjoyed the country lanes at the annual Patrick Bell & Nicky Philips 5K at Bohermeen on Saturday evening.
There was a good turnout, but down on previous yearswhich is odd considering the course is well suited to fast times.
The race was won by the in-form Sean Doran and fastest around the course for Drogheda was club favourite Paddy Murphy who ran a nice 19:16.
Brian Carrig was just 30 seconds behind, making a good return to racing after a short gap, and Katheryn Meade also broke the 20-minute milestone.
Colin Prone returned to racing and smartly took it easy, while Colin Cuffe found the course a little short after all the long miles he's been running so far this year, with both these athletes clocking just over the 20-minute mark.
Helga McDonnell and Linda Byrne Cruise took second and third place category prizes respectively in times of 23:34 and 24:05, and with plenty of food and drinks after it was a night to remember.
Elsewhere, there was much delight at the Dublin Graded Track and Field Meeting at Morton Stadium as talented track athlete Ernesto Saborio returned to the cauldron and made it count when he lit up the track two seconds quicker than his last outing in the 800m, running the distance in 2:04.46 which was good enough for third place.
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Saturday's Glenmore Challenge Running Festival on the Cooley Peninsula was enjoyed by several Drogheda & District athletes.
Conditions were favourable on the day and Olivia Reilly (22:50), Louise Irvin (26:16), Gerard Maher (27:53), Lorraine Reilly (28:56) and Amy Gregory (28:59) ran the 5K, while Maria Ward (1:24:26) completed the 10K distance.
Joe Carroll (1:21:14) and Mike Staunton (1:35:35) ran the 10-mile event.
Moving to the south, Yasmin Canning took a category prize in the 800m at the Leinster Masters Championships in Carlow - her time 2min 43sec.
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Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Drogheda & District miler Christopher Keenan achieves podium finish on World stage in Greece
Organised by the International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation (CSIT), the WSG brought together approximately 6,000 amateur athletes from 36 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and America to compete in a wide range of athletic events. Keenan is now officially one of the most talented middle distance runners in the country and this astonishing performance was all the more impressive given that he is so focused and dedicated on his full-time studies and got to Greece on the back of his usual training and a few races. His time was not shabby either as he clocked 4:05.89 for the metric mile. Closer to home, summer was in the air as several Drogheda & District AC athletes enjoyed the country lanes at the annual Patrick Bell & Nicky Philips 5K at Bohermeen on Saturday evening. There was a good turnout, but down on previous yearswhich is odd considering the course is well suited to fast times. The race was won by the in-form Sean Doran and fastest around the course for Drogheda was club favourite Paddy Murphy who ran a nice 19:16. Brian Carrig was just 30 seconds behind, making a good return to racing after a short gap, and Katheryn Meade also broke the 20-minute milestone. Colin Prone returned to racing and smartly took it easy, while Colin Cuffe found the course a little short after all the long miles he's been running so far this year, with both these athletes clocking just over the 20-minute mark. Helga McDonnell and Linda Byrne Cruise took second and third place category prizes respectively in times of 23:34 and 24:05, and with plenty of food and drinks after it was a night to remember. Elsewhere, there was much delight at the Dublin Graded Track and Field Meeting at Morton Stadium as talented track athlete Ernesto Saborio returned to the cauldron and made it count when he lit up the track two seconds quicker than his last outing in the 800m, running the distance in 2:04.46 which was good enough for third place. ADVERTISEMENT Saturday's Glenmore Challenge Running Festival on the Cooley Peninsula was enjoyed by several Drogheda & District athletes. Conditions were favourable on the day and Olivia Reilly (22:50), Louise Irvin (26:16), Gerard Maher (27:53), Lorraine Reilly (28:56) and Amy Gregory (28:59) ran the 5K, while Maria Ward (1:24:26) completed the 10K distance. Joe Carroll (1:21:14) and Mike Staunton (1:35:35) ran the 10-mile event. Moving to the south, Yasmin Canning took a category prize in the 800m at the Leinster Masters Championships in Carlow - her time 2min 43sec.
The 42
16-05-2025
- The 42
'When both of our names were called out, they barged in the front door'
THERE WAS double joy in Hugo Keenan's household last Thursday week as the British & Irish Lions squad for the forthcoming Tour of Australia was revealed at The O2 Arena in London. Along with his school friend Brian Horgan, Keenan currently lives in Clonskeagh with his provincial and international teammate Ronan Kelleher. After finishing a collective training session at Leinster's nearby headquarters in UCD, the pair returned home to watch the unveiling of the Lions selection for this summer's trip to the southern hemisphere together. Due to the forwards being announced before the backs in the English capital, Kelleher — who was drafted into the Lions squad as additional cover for their Tour of South Africa four years ago — didn't have to wait as long as Keenan to learn whether he was included or not. Yet when it came to naming the backs for the journey to Australia, head coach Andy Farrell ultimately gave the 28-year-old full-back the nod for his maiden venture with the Lions. 'Myself and Ronan sat down at the couch at 2pm. We figured we would be going through it together, whether it was good or bad for one or both of us. We have been through thick and thin, so it was cool to share that moment with him. For him to get his name called out, and then me to wait a little bit longer to get mine, was really special,' Keenan remarked at a Leinster media briefing on Monday. Advertisement 'I've been living with him for two-and-a-half years, and he would be one of my best mates in here, so that was a great moment. Will Connors is my neighbour, unfortunately! You don't get any peace and quiet, but he lives next door. 'Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley and Max Deegan had gone over to his house to watch the announcement. When both of our names were called out, they barged in the front door. It was cool that they did that. They were sort of hiding in there, in anticipation and in hope that we'd get the nod.' While the prospect of playing Test matches in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney is exciting, Keenan could potentially find himself in familiar territory for his first game with the British & Irish Lions. Before jumping on a plane to Australia, the Lions are set to face Argentina in a warm-up game at the Aviva Stadium on 20 June. Unsurprisingly, this is a game Keenan is eager to be selected for — though it isn't something he is thinking too deeply about just yet. 'I think that's cool. There was huge excitement when that fixture got announced. That family, friends, all at home, Irish supporters, Leinster supporters, all the provinces' supporters can get to see Irish lads in action, in a Lions jersey in the capital, is brilliant. 'I don't think we're going to be looking too far ahead to that stage. I can't say I am. I've hopefully another four games to be playing in the Aviva between now and then. The excitement of that is at the front of my mind. Hopefully, there will be as big of a crowd out for those games as there is for that Lions match.' The four games in the Aviva that Keenan refers to are Leinster's final regular round United Rugby Championship fixture against Glasgow Warriors tomorrow and three possible knockout encounters in the same competition. The eastern province will need to get through quarter-final and semi-final games if they are to play a URC decider at the Lansdowne Road venue on 14 June, but Leinster's guaranteed first-place finish in the league table ensures they will remain in Dublin until the end of the 2024/25 season. Last Saturday saw them securing top spot in the URC standings courtesy of a 76-5 demolition of Zebre in the Aviva, with 13 of those who featured in the previous weekend's surprise European Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton Saints seeing action against the Italians. Keenan wasn't involved for the Zebre game and the former Ireland 7s star — who was speaking to the media in advance of the IRFU's decision to cease their Men's Sevens programme — is looking forward to making a return to competitive fare tomorrow evening. 'I didn't get the opportunity to play last week. The lads who did obviously put in a great performance. We were keen to show what we had in us,' Keenan added. 'Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity this week, along with a few other lads, to come back in and bottle up that hurt and disappointment that we have in us in the right way and channel it for that Glasgow game. 'Because the best way to get over the hurt and disappointment is to get back on the train and to get back on the pitch. Get excited about the rugby and what's to come.'
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Lions selection a moment to remember for Hugo Keenan
When Leinster training was done and dusted last Thursday week, Hugo Keenan skedaddled for his gaff down the road in Clonskeagh. Ronan Kelleher is a housemate, a teammate and a friend, so the pair turned on Sky Sports at two o'clock and watched Ieuen Evans read out the names of the 38 players who would tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions. Kelleher's name came out 12th, Keenan's 28th, the latter prompting a fist bump and a hug. It was a memorable moment for two men who have 'been through thick and thin' but others wanted to share the moment. 'I've been living with him for two-and-a-half years and he would be one of my best mates in here, so that was a great moment,' said Keenan. 'Will Connors is my neighbour, unfortunately. You don't get any peace and quiet, he lives next door. 'Ross Byrne, Max Deegan and Ciaran Frawley had gone over to his house to watch it. So when both of our names were called out they barged in the front door. It was cool. They were sort of hiding in anticipation and hoping that we would get the nod.' Leinster had a dozen players named but even their dressing-room had its disappointments. Robbie Henshaw isn't pencilled in for a third tour, Sam Prendergast will have to wait for a first. As will the injured Caelan Doris. 'Caelan lived with us for about two years, up until about six months ago,' said Keenan. 'He would be one of our best mates as well so you couldn't help but think of him. We all knew that he was going to be on the plane. 'It was probably more a case of whether he was going to get captain or not so you couldn't help but feel for him. I'd only seen him an hour before the announcement. It's gutting for him, just the whole timing of it. He's such a good player and leader. Yeah, he'll be missed.' For Keenan, it will be a second huge ambition realised in the space of two summers having played with the Ireland sevens team in the Olympics last year: a team now disbanded, as the IRFU confirmed in midweek. Speaking before that news dropped, Keenan is one of only two 'full-time' full-backs in the Lions squad. Blair Kinghorn is the other and he likely won't be available to the squad until the back end of June due to commitments with Toulouse. Marcus Smith and Elliott Daly offer further cover but the priority here and now is Leinster's bid for a first URC title. 'Blair was always going to be named with the form he has been in. Now you're not so much thinking about that, you're thinking about the game this week and knockout rugby. Hopefully that will lead you into a bit of form going into a tour like that.'
