Boyne AC athletes decide to keep on running in honour of Austin Tiernan

In a week filled with sorrow following the loss of honorary club president Austin Tiernan, Boyne AC’s athletes decided the best way to honour him was by attending the yearly Cushinstown AC competition, to take part and have fun, it’s what Austin would have wanted.

In a sea of green and gold Boyne Colours, each and every athlete gave it their all, starting with the U8s. Little Ruby Winters ran her heart out to finish in fourth just outside the medals. The U9 girls saw team mates Stella Gow and Millie Belle battle it out with Stella claiming the Gold Medal. 

The next competitor for Boyne Ac was Conor Hughes in the U10s, who was unfortunate not to medal in the final after easily qualifying through the heats. Sister Caitlin Hughes had a huge field to contend with and also battled her way to the final where she was caught on the line and just missed out on a medal.

Saorlaith Fayne, a rookie competitor for Boyne Ac, was equally thrilling in the u11 division, placing a very respectable fifth. One to keep an eye on in the future. Tadhg Lalor, who was participating for the first time as well, had a difficult heat, but there is yet more in store for this athlete.   

Aoife McCabe, who put in an incredible race and pipped at the line in the u12, was unfortunate not to medal. Boyne AC was represented by Harry Kingston, Garvan Lundon, and Cillian Hickey in the boys U12 division. While all three made it through their heats, Cillian Hickey emerged victorious to take home the gold medal.

Fresh from last week’s medal winning Cross country performance saw Isabelle Winters qualify from her heat and through to the final in the U13 race and win a much deserved bronze medal. In the U14, Riley Byrne left nothing to chance as he raced ahead of his opponents from the starting blocks to triumph spectacularly and take home the gold medal. Hannelle dominated the U16s, winning Gold, and it wouldn’t be her only Gold of the afternoon.

Ryan McMahon, Evan Gamble, Sam Doyle, and Conor McGranahgan, who unfortunately retired due to an injury at the starting line, were the formidable quartet that competed for the boys u-16 . Ryan won Gold , Evan Gamble took Silver, Sam Doyle took Bronze, and Boyne Ac had a perfect sweep.

Boyne Ac was well-represented once more as the competitors waited eagerly for the long jump, high jump, and shot put to begin, despite the chilly conditions after the sprinting was finished. Stella continued her winning streak in the U9 long jump, earning a well-deserved bronze medal, while clubmates Ruby Winters and Millie Bell tied for fourth place.

While his sister set a new personal best of 2.54 in the Under 11s, Conor Hughes set a new best of 2.45m in the U10s. Saorlaith Fayne and Tadhg Lalor also made their first-ever jumps in the U11s. Both made a fantastic jump, and it seems like there will be more to come from this talented duo.

Despite being out of age, Aoife Mc Cabe and Ashley Byrne gave it their all in the long jump and shot putt, enjoying every moment of it. As 11-year-olds competing in the under-13 division, Harry Kingston, Garvan Lundon, and Cillian Hickey supported and competed against each other in a friendly rivalry. With their determination and strong dedication, the three gave it their all and made Boyne AC proud. 

The only Boyne Ac athlete to compete in the high jump in the u13 competition was Hila Raji. The gold medal was easily won by Hila, an All-Ireland medallist and a Leinster high jump record holder.Riley Byrne, an athlete who never stops improving, had an amazing afternoon. He won bronze in the U15 long jump and silver in the U15 high jump. He’s someone to keep an eye on in the future. 

Hanelle Raji won another gold medal in the u16 long jump, adding to her gold earlier in the day.Conor McGranahgan, Evan Gamble, Sam Doyle, and Ryan McMahon were the last four competitors for Boyne Ac. They competed fiercely in the long jump and won a clear sweep of the medals. Sam won bronze, Evan claimed silver, and Ryan won gold for the second time. Although Connor was unfortunate to not medal, he created an exciting rivalry.

Last Wednesday saw Boyne AC athletes represent their schools in the North Leinster Secondary Schools Cross Country in the Phoenix Park. Louis Devitt and Cillian Everitt placed 27th and 36th, respectively, in the minor boys league out of a massive field of over a 100 competitors.

For the junior girls, teammate Shauna Rice, fresh off an incredible run in Bellurgan where she won Silver, finished just behind Dara Ellie Winters, who just missed out on a top 10 finish. Seamus Keenan qualified for the Leinster final individually and was a member of the winning team that brought home the gold medal for the junior boys. He finished in 13th place out of a very strong field of runners. Teammate Ryan McMahon, a sprinter who placed an incredible 21st overall, was also part of the team. An incredible accomplishment for both of these athletes.

The inter girls saw the brave Aimee Rice compete throughout the difficult course, despite her been out of age age, she showed incredible tenacity and placed just behind the leaders.Sam Doyle and Evan Gamble, teammates, were unfortunate not to receive a team medal, but they both pushed really hard and have promising paths in athletics.

This week’s performances by Boyne Ac athletes made the club proud, as founder and main figure Austin Tiernan would have wanted.  Over the years, Austin extended an invitation to all children to join, and his amiable and compassionate demeanour helped to shape this club into what it is now. A legend has been lost, his memory will live on.