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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Magnificent May as Drogheda & District AC youngsters show their mettle
The club had athletes competing in Leinster Schools and Louth county individual and relay championships, along with Leinster relays and combined events competitions. At the Louth Juvenile Track & Field Championships there were outstanding performances from individuals and relay teams, with more than 60 athletes competing in a range of track and field events. Drogheda & District AC's final haul was 33 individual medals along with five gold and two bronze medals in the relays. Junior athlete and Leaving Cert student Louis O'Shea is new to athletics as this is his first full year of training and competing, and at the North Leinster Schools Senior Boys 400m he finished second in 50.6sec (hand-timed). Louis gained automatic qualification for the Leinster finals in Tullamore where he finished seventh with a time of 51.44sec on a very blustery day, and that run suggests that there is plenty more to come from this young man. Outstanding individual performances at the Louth Championships came from the Cunningham sisters Beatrice and Hannah. In the Girls U14 1500m Hannah finished second, running a super time of 5:10.8, while Beatrice also finished second in the U15 1500m in another great time of 5:04.89 and picked up another silver medal in the 800m with a time of 2:22.6. These were remarkable performances from these very young girls, propelling them both into the top 10 in the current Louth senior ranking list. The outstanding performances in the relays came from the Girls U11 team of Laura Clarke, Lucy Cooney, Eabha Flynn and Aine McHugh. This team had two magnificent runs when becoming Louth champions and going on to finish seventh in the Leinster final. The U15 team - comprising Bonnie Breach, Eve Russell, Emily Cooney and Dani Nolan- finished a striking sixth in the Leinster final. In the field events Drogheda & District AC have a lot of new talent emerging and at the Pre Louths Euan Kirwan finished third in the Boys U14 shot put, while in the Girls U12 turbo javelin Lucy Russell came second and Nancy Clerkin third. At the Louth Championships Nancy Clerkin continued her fine early season form when finishing second in the U12 Girls shot putt. In the U14 javelin for boys Cillian Russell placed second, and in the U13 Girls event Isabella Ojo St Paul came third. In the U15 high jump for girls there was gold medal joy for Dani Nolan, while Cormac Russell scooped third in the U19 Boys category. Two long jumpers from the club picked up bronze medals, Sam McGinn (U15) and Cormac Russell (U19). Turning to the 1500m, Aine Carroll had a very good run to win the U17 Girls race in a new personal best, and over the same distance Niamh Carroll was third in the U19 race and Eleanor McMahon (U15) placed sixth. There was more medal success in the 600m races as Eve Cunningham (U11) came second and Dearbhla Johnston placed third in the U12 event, with two other U12s - Yasman Nuri and Cian Bolton - just missing out when placing fourth. There were second places for two of Drogheda & District's 100m sprinters, Michael Iloduba (Boys U16) and Ruby Berrill (Girls U17), with Bonnie Breach third in the Girls U15 race. Over 60m Aine McHugh came second and Eabha Flynn fourth in the U11 Girls final and Dearbhla Johnston third in the U12 race, while turning to the boys there was silver for Semi Johnston (U9) and two medals in the U10 race as Jack O'Connor stormed to victory and Rocco Kermode placed third. Last but not least, Drogheda & District;s Eve Russell, Emily Garvey and Emily Cooney placed second, third and fourt respectively in the Girls U14 200m.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Category wins all the rage for Drogheda & District athletes at Enfield 5k
Conditions on the night were favourable, with little or no wind, and the quality field of runners were chomping at the bit as the Starter called the athletes to the line. This race always attracts the middle ground of Irish distance running, the quality club athletes, and this year was no exception, with the race being won in an impressive 14:25 by Kevin Kelly from St. Coca's AC. First home in the red vest for Drogheda & District was the flying firefighter Paul Smith who finished well up the field when taking the runner-up spot in his M45 category in an eye opening 15:37. Next in and close behind was Colin Leonard in a lively 15:53, followed by Colin Dyas who perhaps had the run of the night with his 32-second PB time of 15:58. Dyas is one to watch out for over the coming season and his upper body strength from his previous sporting career as a boxer showed in spades on the run-in to the finish. Close behind were Brian Martin in 16:00, followed by Stephen Kelly in 16:34, while Rodney Thornton ran well to cross the line in 17:09. Also running well were Colm Reilly 17:22), John Reilly (17:48) and Derek Hackett (18:41). The M70 category saw Giancarlo Orlandi take the win in 23:30, while arch rival Conor Cooney finished runner-up in 25:20. Amongst the Drogheda & District ladies, first home was Mary Leech (inset) who's coming into good form and her run of 18:55 saw her win her W50 category. Leech's training partner Yasmin Canning finished fourth in the same category in a solid 20:10. Meanwhile, one of the club's newest members - Kathryn Meade - gave a glimpse of her emerging talent when running the course in 19:32 and she's a real find for Drogheda & District AC. Orange Group coach Andrea McArdle is reaping the rewards for her dedication in training after she recorded a new PB time of 21:11, and the sub-21 time is on the cards by the end of the season. The ever present Nuala Reilly, Ireland's answer to the Duracell Bunny, showed her opponents a clean pair of heels when winning her M65 category in 24:07, while daughter Olivia ran the course in 24:14. Others who ran included Fiona Murphy (24:04) and Carmel Keenan. Just 24 hours later it turned out to be a fantastic evening for Drogheda & District AC at the Louth Relays, held in beautiful sunshine and perfect conditions for racing at the Lourdes Stadium. The club entered a remarkable 14 teams across various age groups and delivered an outstanding performance, bringing home an even more remarkable six gold medals! The club's U11 and U12 girls teams are heading to the Leinster Relays this coming weekend.
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Smiles and sunshine light up Drogheda 10K
Spectators lined the steps of St Peter's Church and the length of West Street, cheering on athletes from across the region in what turned out to be a festival of sport, community, and heartfelt stories. At the front of the pack, it was Sean Doran of Clonliffe Harriers AC who claimed victory in an impressive time of 32 minutes and 13 seconds, with Drogheda & District AC's Paul Smith following closely behind in 33:32, earning him both the runner-up position and the Over-40s category win. Colin Dyas continued his strong form with a standout 34:45, while Rodney Thornton clocked a top-10 finish in 37:12. Just outside his personal best, Paul Kierans crossed the line in 38:02, contributing alongside Colin, Rodney and Paul Smith to claim the Louth County Team Prize. In the second wave, Jordi Romera was thrilled with his performance, finishing in 38:07. Aedan Prone pushed to the line with grit, clocking 38:11, while the returning Colm Reilly proved he's still got it with a time of 38:35. Newcomer Shaun Conroy had perhaps the debut of the year, completing the challenging course in 40:11, while veteran Paddy Murphy claimed the Over-50s title with a solid 40:41. But it wasn't just about times and trophies. The atmosphere was electric and joyful, with spectators soaking in the sun and applauding every effort. The course offered runners stunning views - from the climb up Rathmullen to the serene banks of the Boyne and the sweep of Mary McAleese Bridge over fields golden and green. Highlights included Nuala Reilly, running in aid of the Derek Winters family, and the inspiring duo Linda and Barney Flannery, who completed the race to raise awareness for sight loss in sport - running blind and side-by-side every step of the way. The 2025 Drogheda 10K wasn't just a race. It was a celebration of endurance, unity, and love - on every corner, bridge and finish line cheer.
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda & District AC's Aaron Hanlon on podium after stunning marathon debut in Belfast
The extraordinarily talented local primary school teacher said afterwards: 'The atmosphere was brilliant and the course just got tough between 25 to 30km where it was hilly and windy, but it was a fantastic experience.' Hanlon was modest about his efforts. There is no match for his ability and this race showed the discipline it takes to succeed. Hanlon was unlucky to have a stitch at the 30km mark but now holds the fastest marathon record in Drogheda & District AC and the expectation is that unless he breaks it himself, it will stand for a long time to come. Elsewhere, on Saturday, Colin Leonard was crowned Leinster road champion at the annual Athletics Leinster Championships. No one could catch Leonard in the 6K race which he completed in a very tidy 19:45. The Louth ladies team - comprising D&D duo Yasmin Canning and Mary Leech as well as Karen Costello of Dunleer AC placed third and Leech also won a category prize and felt good, finishing the tough 3K race in 11:28. Canning wasn't far behind, finishing in 12:09. Top of the pops at the Graded series round one at Morton Stadium, Ernesto Saborio won his 800m heat with a time of 2:06.03. Jimmy English performed very strongly at the 100m - running twice in a time of 12.60sec for both - as did Frank Cruise with an excellent 14.41sec. Kerry McHugh had a nice run too, completing the 800m in 3:22.24, and Sophie Kinsella brought her time down to 2:36.05 - very good running from both of them. Another Drogheda & District clubman, Chris Keenan, showed that he's race-fit with a solid run at the Irish Milers Mens' A 1500m, finishing with a good time of 4:04.41 for the metric mile.
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Drogheda & District trio celebrate ‘relay' impressive National bronze in Raheny race
It's a coming together of likeminded sporting people with the drive to be better and to encourage that in others. Those with the drive to succeed, the courage to make the difference and the wisdom to know what's not possible. Flanked on either side by a very appreciative crowd on Wade Avenue in Raheny on Sunday, Drogheda & District AC's athletes joined the very best in Ireland and again punched well above their weight with particularly excellent performances. Amid much jubilation, the club's Over-50s masters ladies team - comprising Yasmin Canning, Mary Leech and Eimear Marron - were delighted with National bronze medals for their fabulous efforts. The senior team of Helen Dillon, Fiona Kenna and Stephane Mainguard also impressed many with their terrific running. In the men's masters race, Robbie Keane set out the stall very well and Colin Leonard carried the charge before Paul Smith took home a terrific result - sixth overall from 40 teams. Niall Donnelly, who made a welcome return to road relays after 10 years, lit up the road for the B team, and there were solid performances from both Brian Martin and Mark O'Shea - who had a terrific turn as captain - just a minute behind. The crowd also cheered on the C team - Alan Wade, Shane Larkin and Derek Hackett - to a fabulous result, just one minute further back. Meanwhile at home in Drogheda on Easter Monday, Colin Dyas was the clear winner of the Murray & Son Coaches 5K on the new Port Access Northern Cross Route. The event is an annual fundraiser for the New Moneymore Townland Community Hub and was well supported by an enthusiastic crowd. Dyas made light work of the course, which started and finished near DIFE, and brought down his personal best time to 16:49. Paul Kierans also had a cracking race, finishing third with a new personal best time of 17:47. ADVERTISEMENT Rodney Thornton was first in the M40 category with a time of 18:01, Derek Hackett had a very strong run, finishing in 19:28, and Sophie Kinsella ran a nice race in a time of 21:26. Also on Easter Monday, Drogheda & District's terrific Over -50s ladies tam - comprising Nuala Reilly, Eimear McArdle and Annemarie Meehan - claimed bronze Leinster team medals at the Leinster 10-Mile Road Race, held at St Annes Park, Raheny. This was a superb result on a difficult course. Further up the M1, Kathryn Meade ran well at the Dundalk Gaels 5K, also on Easter Monday, when dipping under the 20-minute mark to finish in 19:53. The training is clearly paying off for Liam Farrell who ran the Moynalty 4-Mile Road Race in 31:18 and the Erins Isle 5K in a time of 23.35. Catherine O'Neill, Niamh Matthews and Terri Durnin all took on the London Marathon on a sunny Sunday morning and on Easter Monday Joe Hammel triumphed at the Boston Marathon on his course debut with a time of 3:26:21. The seasoned marathon runner started conservatively and held a strong pace to mile 15, just before the start of Newton Hills. As he powered up the first Newton hill misfortune struck and he suffered cramp without any warning, but he battled on gamely to the finish. Joe said: 'The hills are nothing new, compared to what we are used to in Drogheda, but the constant undulating nature of the course takes its toll on the legs, even though fitness and energy levels are relatively strong at this point. Downhills are steep. 'I learned a lot from tackling such a technical course and I'm eager to return as it was such an unbelievable experience.' Also in the US, young Matthew O'Shea had a sensational run at the Jamine Claggett Invitational meeting, improving his metric mile personal best by two and a half seconds as he finished second in a time of 4:00.52.
