By Julie Winters
Boyne AC’s annual sports day which took place on Saturday last, August 10th was held under a shadow of sadness as during the year the club lost their president, founder, and backbone, Austin Tiernan.
However, the spirit of the day was a true testament to the resilience and camaraderie of the Boyne athletes. Despite the dark shadow of their loss, the team’s unity and determination shone through.
As the sun broke through the clouds, it was as if Austin’s pride was shining down on them, a ray of light symbolizing his enduring legacy and the bright future of the club he loved so dearly.
And what a resounding success it was, attracting clubs from Dublin all the way to Armagh, with a massive turnout of athletes competing across various disciplines. Despite the sheer number of participants, the sea of green and gold Boyne AC colours dominated the scene, proudly representing the home club. The overwhelming presence of Boyne athletes added to the event’s electrifying atmosphere, making it a day to remember for all involved.
The day kicked off on a high note for Boyne AC, with Ruby Winters securing a gold medal in the long jump with an impressive leap of 2.75 meters. She was closely followed by her teammate Stella Gow, who claimed the silver medal in the same event. Stella didn’t stop there, she went on to win the 60m sprint and Later in the day, she added to her medal collection with a silver in the 300m.
In the under 10s Turbo Javelin, Boyne AC continued its medal streak with Rasmus Fangeru clinching gold the with a mighty throw that proved to be unbeatable. On the girls’ side, Maisie Fay delivered a strong performance, earning a silver medal and a place on the podium.
Caitlin Hughes, the sole representative for Boyne AC in the under 11s, delivered an exceptional performance in a challenging 500m race. Despite tough competition, she secured a well-deserved silver medal.
Isabelle Winters made a triumphant return to competition, showing no signs of her recent injury as she dominated the under-13 600m race. Leading from start to finish, Isabelle secured an easy win.
In the under-13 boys’ category, Sean Clarke put in a commendable performance to finish third in the 80m sprint. The under-14 age group saw a strong showing from Boyne AC, with four athletes making their mark across various events.
Molly Fay earned a well-deserved bronze medal in the 100m sprint. Hila Raji was a standout performer, claiming gold in the long jump with ease. She continued her impressive run by taking silver in both the shot put and the javelin.
In the boys’ under-14 category, Aaron McMahon delivered a solid performance, winning silver in the long jump. However, it was Riley Byrne who stole the limelight by winning gold in the long jump and also securing victory in the 100m sprint earlier in the day.
Eoin McEntee took Silver in the 800m and Silver in the Javelin. In the under-15 category, Boyne AC’s athletes continued to shine with impressive performances. Georgia Rice, the sole representative for the girls, delivered a strong showing in the javelin, earning a well-deserved bronze medal.
On the boys’ side, Louis Devitt claimed gold in the javelin. Conor Granaghan put in a smooth performance in the 100m sprint, securing a bronze medal. The shot Putt saw Cian Gamble and Sean Alhaddad battling it out, with Cian taking silver and Sean earning bronze.
But it was Ruadhan Fangeru who won the shot putt, displaying excellent technique and strength. Later in the day, Ruadhan also took bronze in the javelin. In the under-16 category, Boyne AC’s athletes continued their stellar performances.
Shauna Rice won the girls’ 800m race with determination and later added a bronze medal in the javelin to her achievements. Hannele Raji had an outstanding day, achieving a clean sweep in her events. She dominated the 100m sprint, the long jump, and the shot put, winning gold in all three with ease.
Ryan McMahon also had a busy and successful day. He secured gold in the 100m sprint, and went on to win bronze in the 800m. He also earned a silver medal in the long jump.
In the under-17 category, Boyne AC athletes continued to impress with a series of strong performances. Aimee Rice secured a bronze in the shot putt. On the track, Jack Garvey dominated the 800m race, claiming gold with apparent ease. In the sprints, Romeo Fomeky won the boys’ 100m, while teammate Harry Devitt had a superb day—earning bronze medals in both the 100m sprint and the 400m, as well as in the shot putt. Harry capped off his day by winning gold in the javelin, adding to Boyne AC’s impressive medal haul in this age group.
In the boys’ under-18 category, Evan Gamble delivered a strong performance in the 400m race, securing a well-deserved silver medal.
The successful day at Boyne AC was capped off with an exhilarating series of relay races that truly embodied the club’s spirit. In the true essence of sportsmanship, every competing athlete had the chance to participate, regardless of team numbers.
Athletes who lacked enough members for a full team were allowed to borrow competitors from other clubs, and girls joined boys’ teams to make up the numbers. The atmosphere was electric as the crowd rose to their feet, cheering on the athletes.
The relays were not just about winning but about camaraderie and fun, as everyone gave their all. The excitement was palpable, with athletes crossing the finish line amidst cheers and applause.
The day concluded with the distribution of medals, celebrating not just the winners but the effort, teamwork, and joy of all who participated. It was a fitting end to a day, just the way Austin would have wanted it – filled with memorable performances and a wonderful showcase of the Boyne AC community spirit.
