After the exhilarating turnout of Drogheda & District athletes at Carlingford last week, attention turns to the world of track and field on home turf, where young DDAC athletes were in dazzling form at the Setanta Games in the Lourdes Stadium while reaching even farther to the National Masters Championships in Tullamore, where extraordinary performances unfolded.
Under the radiant sun, amidst scattered rain showers and challenging gusts of wind, Drogheda & District A.C.’s remarkable athletes converged in Tullamore for the National Masters Championships, an event our athletes have been focused on all year. A showcase of sprint events saw our runners rise to the occasion, delivering outstanding results that left a resounding mark on the competition.
The stadium buzzed with energy as several DDAC athletes took their place on the starting blocks, ready to showcase their prowess in an electrifying display of sprint events. Beginning the day with a strong start was Michael Lundon, who surged ahead in the 100m hurdles 50-69 category, seizing the gold with a remarkable time of 20.44 seconds. He continued to excel, taking the bronze in both the 200m and long jump events.
Mark O’Shea showcased his skills in the Master Men 1500m, where he seized the gold with an impressive time of 4:26.59. Shane Smyth displayed his mettle in the Master Men 400m Sprint, recording a striking time of 54.43 in heat 1. Patrick O’Grady exhibited phenomenal endurance in the Master Men 5000m, claiming the gold with an impressive time of 18:02.51.
Kieran McGrath proved his dominance across categories, securing victory in both the Master Men 400m Sprint (with a time of 55.56 in heat 3) and the Master Men 800m (finishing at 2:03.46 in heat 3). Mark O’Shea continued to shine, claiming victory in the Master Men 800m with an impressive time of 2:09.51 in heat 4.
As the day went on the DDAC athletes achieved even more notable results throughout the events. Frank Cruise secured second place in the M60 100m, while Tony Corcoran claimed the bronze in the same race. Tony Corcoran also showcased his talent in the 200m, achieving a third-place finish, while Frank Cruise secured fourth place.
Moving to the M35 400m event, Shane Smyth’s exceptional performance earned him the gold medal, while Gerry O’Connor’s impressive display secured him the silver in the M55 400m. Notably, Frank Cruise continued to excel, securing the third position in the M60 400m, further adding to his achievements during the competition.
In the 800m women’s event, DDAC’s accomplished women also left their mark with
Fiona Murphy displayed determination clocking in at 3:07.68. Kerry McHugh showcased her mettle in the same category, securing 4th place with a time of 3:19.06 and Andrea McCabe made her presence felt, finishing 5th with a time of 3:02.41.
The day was filled with remarkable displays of skill and determination from the DDAC athletes across a range of events, showcasing their commitment to this year’s track and field season.
Moving on to the younger DDAC athletes,last week a large group of boys and girls competed side by side with surrounding clubs in th Setanta Games. Starting off with the boys U8, Dara Jein, Jack O’Connor, and Cormac Ferriter delivered fantastic performances in the 60m race securing the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions respectively on the podium marking a wonderful achievement for these three boys. Further success unfolded in the Under 8s 300m event, where Dara Jein and Cormac Ferriter competed fiercely for the first and second spots. Additionally, the 300m race featured participants such as Jack O’Connor, Conall Crosbie, Sean Og Monaghan, and Nicolas Hogan.
In the U9’s, Lucy Cooney delivered exceptional runs in both the 60m sprint and the 300m race, finishing 4th in her final race while Keely Nolan secured an impressive 3rd place in the U10’s 60m sprint. Additionally, in other categories, Danielle Nolan took the 1st place in U13 Girls shot put, Cormac Russell secured the 1st position in U17 800m, Aoibheann Maree claimed 1st place in U14 800m Heat 1, and Bence Wallner emerged victorious in the U17 100m Final. Similarly, in the U10’s, Cian Bolton showcased his prowess in the 60m final and the 500m race, narrowly missing podium positions but displaying a remarkable effort.
Furthermore, a hearty round of congratulations goes to Lucy Russell for her victory in the U9 Turbo Javelin event as well as the numerous DDAC athletes who participated and in the Long Jump event, Jack O’Connor once again claimed a spot on the podium, this time securing a first-place medal for his exceptional efforts. Enormous congratulations to our many minis and teens that exhibited impressive performances and praise are in order for all these young and promising athletes for their remarkable participation on an incredibly enjoyable and exceptionally sunny day during a well-organised Setanta Games.
Lastly The Kells Heritage 5k unfolded with a display of exceptional athleticism and determination during the week with Conor Cooney leading the pack, securing 1st place in his category with a time of 23:51. Not far behind Aidrian Gogarty’s performance was outstanding with a time of 24:30. Nuala Reilly excelled as usual, clinching 1st place in her category with a time of 25:39. Meanwhile, Jillian Munnelly’s persistence paid off, with a finishing time of 34:29.
