Held on the quiet roads around Dunshaughlin on a balmy Saturday evening, the sell-out annual Michael Manning Memorial 10K event drew just over 1,000 runners from across Leinster and beyond—some traveling from as far afield as Limerick.
Among them were elite-level competitors, including last year’s Dublin Marathon winner Anne Marie McGlynn, and top-tier club teams battling it out for podium places.
Against this high-calibre field, Drogheda & District AC rose to the occasion in stunning fashion, clinching the coveted first-place team prize in what many consider one of the most competitive road races on the provincial calendar.
Tadhg Donnelly started well and got into the lead group, holding off tough competition the put in a challenge for the win at the half way point, and in the end he was beaten by just seven seconds scorching around the course with a time of 29 minutes 37 seconds.
He was backed by strong performances from teammates Paul Smith who worked well with Colin Dyas, and Colin Leonard also demonstrated determination.
The atmosphere in Dunshaughlin was electric, with enthusiastic local support lining the course and good although hot summer running conditions contributing to fast times across the board. The event has a good flat route although there is a tough hill just past the halfway point which caught out those that did not pay enough respect to it,
Paul Smith, Paddy Murphy and Nuala Reilly all won best for age category prizes, and Paul Kierans had a stunning personal best (36 minutes 42 seconds), almost a minute and a half quicker than his last 10k in Drogheda seven weeks ago.
For Drogheda & District AC, taking the overall title adds to a growing list of achievements this season and underlines their strength and depth in team competition, and are looking forward to entering teams at road and track racing soon including the annual County Louth track championships which will be held at the Lourdes Stadium on Thursday 17th July.
Two of D&DAC’s standout local athletes delivered stellar performances at the UCD Track and Field Meet 2025, each recording a season best in the men’s 400 meters.
Gerry O’Connor clocked a time of 1:01.51, while Jimmy English surged to a strong finish in 56.45, both demonstrating form and determination as they competed among a talented field. Their efforts marked a significant step forward in their seasons, reflecting hard work and consistent improvement on the track.
For English, the performance was a return to form after a challenging early season, while O’Connor run marked his most competitive time yet, showing he’s hitting peak condition as summer races approach. Both Gerry and Jimmy ran smart, focused races and it’s a testament to the training they’ve put in.
Meanwhile veteran sprinter Tony Corcoran delivered a masterclass in speed and determination at the Northern Ireland Masters Track and Field Championships held on Saturday, June 21st, at the Mary Peters Track in Belfast.
Competing in the over-60 age category, Corcoran clinched double gold with commanding performances in both the 100m and 200m sprints. He stormed to victory in the 100m, crossing the line in a blistering 13.74 seconds, before following up with another dominant run in the 200m, clocking an impressive 28.5 seconds. His times not only secured first place finishes in both events but also highlighted his exceptional athleticism and dedication to the sport.
