ACE Athletic Club enjoyed an outstanding morning of competition at the 2026 Rás na hÉireann Cross Country in Dunleer, County Louth, securing four individual medals and a team bronze at one of the most demanding events on the winter calendar.
Rás na hÉireann is widely regarded as one of the toughest cross country races held in Louth each year. Unlike county championships, the event regularly attracts high quality athletes from outside the county, with clubs travelling from Kilkenny, Meath, Offaly and further afield, making medals particularly hard earned.
The day began strongly for Ace AC, with Finn Murphy producing an excellent run in the Under 9 boys race to claim a well deserved medal in a competitive field. In the same race, Moss O’Donnell also impressed with a strong performance, as both young athletes showed maturity beyond their years. The pair are already being highlighted as athletes to watch as they move towards the track season later in the year.
Ace AC’s second medal of the morning came in the Girls Under 11 race, where Cathryn Cumming ran a determined race to secure a podium finish. Strong runs from Millie Roche, Maeve Reynolds and Clara Plunkett ensured Ace AC also secured team bronze in the same race, underlining the club’s growing strength at juvenile level.
One of the most competitive races of the day was the Girls Under 13 event, where Ace AC again featured prominently. Ella Doyle delivered a superb performance to win the club’s third individual medal of the morning, finishing ahead of all but one Louth based athlete in a field that included a number of visiting clubs. Close behind, Sophie Black produced one of her strongest performances to date, while Muireann Chamass also recorded a solid run. All three are expected to be strong contenders when attention turns to track competition later in the spring.
The fourth individual medal came in the Boys Under 13 race, where Ruairi Cooney produced a powerful finish to secure a well deserved podium place. In the same race, Tadhg Kelly continued his steady progression with another strong performance in a highly competitive field.
