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‘Masterful' Drogheda & District athletes celebrate two golds on the National stage

‘Masterful' Drogheda & District athletes celebrate two golds on the National stage

After months of dedicated training, the team's hard work was rewarded with two gold, five silver and three bronze medals – a remarkable tally for the club.
Leading the way were Gerry O'Connor, who won the M60 400m in 1:01.82, and Mary Flanagan, who struck gold in the W65 100m, clocking 20.93sec.
The silver medal winners were as follows: Yasmin Canning W50 800m, 2:44.24; Mary Kinsella W60 200m, 32.91sec & 400m, 1:17.28; Deirdre McFerran W65 200m, 34.04sec; Mary Leech W50 1500m, 5:04.51.
Bronze medals went to M60 athlete Tony Corcoran (13.93sec in the 100m and 28.41sec for 200m) and Robbie Keane who completed the M45 1500m in 4:27.00.
There were also season's best performances. Paul Stuart (M40) ran 1:00.06 in the 400m, Niall Donnelly (M50) posted 2:16.15 in the 800m and Kerry O'Connor (W50) earned a new outdoor PB of 3:16.16 in the same event.
And at the National Outdoor League Final in Tullamore, Sophie Kinsella and Yasmin Canning collected National bronze medals as part of the Louth county ladies team. Sophie has had an incredible seaon in the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles and club stalwart Yasmin Canning had a great 1500m.
Closer to home, D&D members turned out in force for the Indaver Duleek 10K on Sunday, over a tough but rewarding course.
Organised by Duleek & District AC, the race had 208 finishers and took place in near-perfect running conditions.
Brian Martin and Colin Dyas led the charge for Drogheda & District, working together to secure the men's team prize. Martin crossed the line in a swift 33:46, taking first place in his category, closely followed by Dyas in 34:03. Shane Larkin added to the accolades with a strong O50 category win in 38:52. Stephen Duggan put in a solid run, clocking 39:15, while Joe Carroll had cause for celebration after earning a well-deserved PB of 45:20.
Ciara O'Reilly and Pamela Howard ran together to finish in 46:34, contributing to the second-place women's team. O'Reilly took second in her category, with Howard third. Linda Bowe completed the team effort in 59:14.
Other finishers included Kevin Durkin (49:06), Karl Cooney (49:39), Liam Farrell (51:28), Mike Staunton (54:34), and Robert Quaile (1:03:42), while Barney Flannery took second in his category with a time of 55:54.
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