By Simon Gregory
As the ground begins to dry out for optimal off-road training, Drogheda & District A.C. finds itself amidst a bustling atmosphere. The streets teem with eager runners, their spirits buoyed by the promise of upcoming challenges, none more so than the eagerly awaited Odd Mollies Drogheda 10K, just a fortnight away.
But before we lace up our shoes for our local race, let’s take a moment to celebrate the remarkable performances of our athletes, both near and far, over the past week. From the awe-inspiring feats of our juveniles at the Louth Pre-Championships in Glenmore to the impressive displays of our masters in the international arenas of Boston and Vienna, there’s much to applaud and be inspired by.
Last week saw our young athletes unleash their prowess on the Bush track in Glenmore, where the Louth Pre-Championships awaited. Among the eager competitors, Drogheda & District A.C. emerged as a dominant force, with several of our athletes clinching top honours in their respective events.
In the sprints category for girls, Aine McHugh blazed to victory in the U10 60m Girls Final, while Dearbhla Johnston showcased her speed, claiming 1st place in Heat 1 of the U11 60m Girls event. Keeley Nolan demonstrated her prowess with a commendable 2nd place in Heat 2 of the U11 60m Girls event, and Ava Xu showcased her talent with a 2nd place finish in Heat 6 of the U12 60m Girls event.
Danielle Nolan left her mark, earning 1st place in the Semi-Final 1 of the U14 80m Girls category, and battled to a commendable 2nd place in the final. Meanwhile, Emily Hughes and Ruby Berrill displayed their speed, securing 2nd place in their respective semi-finals of the U15 and U16 100m Girls events, with Berrill storming to victory in the U16 final.
In the boys’ sprints, Jack O’Connor emerged triumphant, claiming 1st place in the U9 60m Boys Final, closely followed by Dara Jein in second. Michael Iloduba showcased his speed, earning 2nd place in the U15 100m Boys Final, while James Traynor battled to secure 3rd place in the U17 100m Boys Final. Bence Wallner demonstrated his skill, clinching 2nd place in the U19 100m Boys Final.
Turning to the distance events, Lucy Russell and Eve Cunningham put forth commendable performances, each securing 3rd place in their respective heats of the U10 500m Girls event. Dearbhla Johnston displayed her endurance, claiming 2nd place in the U11 600m Girls Heat 1. In the U19 800m Girls event, Niamh Carroll and Ciara Wall showcased their strength, earning 2nd and third place respectively.
In the shot put events, Danielle Nolan and Ciara Wall once again showed their prowess, claiming 2nd place in the U14 and U19 Shot Put Girls categories, respectively. Cian Byrne demonstrated his strength in the U17 Shot Put Boys event, securing 3rd place. Rian Mclaughlin impressed in the U8 Turbo Boys event, claiming 1st place with the best throw of 7.91.Adding to the excitement, in the U11 Turbo Boys event, Harrison Traynor delivered an outstanding performance, securing 3rd place with a remarkable best throw of 14.97. Darragh Callaghan displayed his talent in the U19 Long Jump Boys event, securing 2nd place with an impressive performance.
Meanwhile, last Wednesday evening, 14 determined DDACers tackled the renowned DKIT Dundalk 10K, proving their strength and endurance on the popular course. Known for its flat terrain, the course, presented an opportunity for our runners to push the pace and strive for personal bests. Among the standout performances, Shane Russell led the charge with an impressive time of 36:48, followed closely by Shane Larkin in 39:15 and Johnny O’Brien in 40:15.
Paddy Murphy demonstrated his resilience, crossing the line in 41:43, closely trailed by Yasmin Canning in 41:54. Martin Duffy showcased his endurance with a strong finish in 44:54, while Liam Farrell and Linda Cruise demonstrated their determination, finishing in 48:12 and 48:45 respectively. Nuala Reilly displayed her tenacity, completing the race in 49:20, followed by Seamus Roe in 50:33 and Brenda Collins Kirwan in 51:03. Alan Floyd and Aishling Reilly pushed through the challenge, finishing in 54:40 and 55:23 respectively, while Raymond Hoey rounded off the impressive line-up with a time of 57:36.
Photographed after running the Vienna Half Marathon are (from left): David Murray, Barbara Byrne, Eimear Knowles and Carmel Keenan.
Finally, a select group of DDAC athletes have been diligently training throughout the winter months in preparation for two prestigious events: the infamous Boston Marathon and the Vienna Half Marathon. Enduring the relentless rain that has characterized recent months is no small feat for any athlete, and we must commend these runners for their unwavering commitment and resilience in the face of challenging conditions. Their exceptional results this week serve as a testament to their dedication and determination.
In the Boston Marathon, Pat O’Grady conquered the course with an impressive time of 3:07:23, demonstrating his strength and endurance on one of the world’s most iconic marathon routes. Terri Durnin deserves a special mention for her remarkable achievement of completing this year’s Boston Marathon, marking her 20th marathon to date. Her dedication and perseverance are truly admirable, showcasing her unwavering passion for the sport and her relentless pursuit of excellence. Niamh Matthews also delivered a commendable performance, crossing the finish line in 4:17:22.
Meanwhile, in the Vienna Half Marathon, our athletes showcased their talent and determination on the scenic course. David Murray led the charge with a stellar time of 1:28:56, demonstrating his speed and endurance over the 21.1-kilometer distance. Eimear Knowles delivered a strong performance, finishing in 1:33:28, followed closely by Carmel Keenan in 1:42:29 and Barbara Byrne in 1:49:16. These impressive results reflect the hard work and dedication of our athletes, inspiring us all with their passion for running and their unwavering commitment to excellence.
