Boyne AC’s elite athletes headed to the All-Ireland Juvenile Track and Field Championships in Tullamore on Sunday, a day that was marked by unpredictable weather with frequent showery outbursts, but this did not deter the determined athletes.
Harry Devitt had a standout performance on the day, a mighty throw in the U17 Javelin saw him clear 40.60m which was not only a new PB, his performance also earned him a well-deserved bronze medal, making it a proud moment for his parents and the Boyne AC coaches.
Hannele Raji competed fiercely in the U16 long jump, finishing in an impressive 6th place with a new personal best of 5.22 meters. Not resting on her laurels, Hannele then moved on to the shot put, where she reached the final 8, with the best of the best in Ireland. Although she narrowly missed out on a medal, her performance highlighted her versatility and skill and Hannele is one to watch in the future.
Ryan McMahon, a talented Gaelic footballer who joined Boyne AC just last year, has already collected numerous medals on his journey to the All-Irelands. In the U16 100m race, Ryan delivered one of his best performances yet. Although he just missed out on a place in the final by a whisker, he gained invaluable experience and is determined to come back stronger next year.
Boyne Ac’s final competitor was Riley Byrne, who cruised through the Louth Championships and the Leinster Championships to earn his spot in the U14 100metres. Riley is best known as a middle-distance and cross-country runner. However, he showed his true versatility by taking up sprinting. Finishing third in his tough heat, Riley narrowly missed a spot in the final, but he is undoubtedly a rising star of Boyne AC.
