Well it wasn’t long before the weather took a turn again, after weeks of intense conditions we finally had a week of sunny spells much to the liking of track and field athletes only to finish it off for road athletes in a weekend of dreaded running conditions in the form of Storm Betty.
However, come rain or shine, in true Drogheda & District A.C. form, emerging and experienced athletes ran on and encapsulated the sheer essence of determination and passion from the electric performances of budding juniors at the Boyne A.C. Sports Day, to the awe-inspiring prowess displayed by seasoned seniors in the 123.ie League Finals and gruelling 10-milers.
The 123.ie League Final held in Tullamore last Sunday provided a platform for DDAC’s Andrew Kelly, Cormac Canning, and James English to showcase their skills on a wider scale.
Representing Co. Louth alongside other local athletes, they collectively achieved a commendable 5th place ranking nationwide. Notable results included Andrew Kelly securing a respectable 3rd place in the County Men’s 400m Sprint with a time of 51.57 seconds.
The County Men’s 4x400m Relay events also saw DDAC’s involvement, with Cormac Canning, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Andrew Kelly, and Seán Reilly combining efforts to achieve a 2nd-place finish at 3:31.58.
Additionally, the quartet of James English, Tiernan Lennon, Adam Russell, and Stevie Wong earned a 5th-place finish in the 4x400m Relay, completing it in 48.50 seconds, bringing the day to a close and a well deserved rest, it showcased the emblematic collaboration and dedication within DDAC’s track & field team.
Back on home turf last Sunday, DDAC’s junior athletes set the track ablaze at the Lourdes Stadium during the Boyne A.C. Sports Day, adding an extra dash of excitement to the sun-soaked day.
The U8 races roared to life with Cormac Ferriter clinching not one, but two gold medals in the lightning-fast 60m and 300m sprints. U9 competitors Lucy and Adam Russell kept the momentum going, with Lucy securing a brilliant gold in the 300m.
Dynamic duo Keeley Nolan and Derbhla Johnson dominated the U10 girls’ 80m sprint. Cillian Russell showcased his prowess in the U12 60m and 600m races. The U13 category saw Danielle Nolan’s impressive double, silver in the shot put and bronze in the 80m dash. Aoibheann Maree’s dynamic performance secured her a gold in the U14 800m, while Aine Carroll powered through to claim bronze in the U15 800m, showcasing a stellar sprint finish. Cormac Russell’s dominance reigned in the U17 100m silver and 400m gold.
Wrapping up the day was the relays, where Lucy Russell secured yet another victory with a silver medal for the U9 girls’ team. A warm congratulations to Boyne A.C. for orchestrating a well-organised event that brought joy to our athletes and their families.
A whirlwind of excitement enveloped the weekend as relentless DDAC athletes embarked on an exhilarating journey, taking on Storm Betty in both the Frank Duffy 10 Mile and the Rathkenny 5K. Amidst the tempestuous weather conditions, the fearless competitors tackled the Rathkenny 5K on a Friday evening, where heavy rain and gusty winds became their adversaries.
Unfazed by the elements, they powered through, showcasing unyielding determination and resilience with Barry Stevenson blazing through the 5K course in an impressive 18:32, followed by David Campbell with a time of 21:01. Frank Cruise displayed unwavering determination, finishing the race in 29:49. Liam Farrell and Adrian Gogarty powered through with times of 23:43 and 24:35, respectively. Yasmin Canning completed the race in 23:31 and Nuala Reilly with a time of 25:41, both claiming 2nd place in their categories.
The following morning, the scene shifted to the Phoenix Park for the Frank Duffy 10 Mile race. Battling the lingering winds of the storm and the park’s formidable undulating terrain, the athletes faced a true test of their endurance.
In the face of these challenges, the athletes delivered remarkable performances. Notably, Colm Reilly was the first DDAC to cross the finish line in a staggering 1:04:29. The joint training efforts of Colin and Linda bore fruit in their strong results, with Colin finishing in 1:17:50 and Linda completing the race in 1:25:29, a testament to their shared dedication and hard work in preparation for the upcoming Dublin City Marathon.
Other notable results came from Joe Carroll in a strong 1:18:22, Shane Fitzgerald in 1:33:05 and Michael McFadden in 1:19:13, a special mention for Michael who travelled from Scotland just to participate in this event.
Lastly, to close the weekend off DDAC athletes embarked on the Kilkock 10 from 10 race, an event that stands out as a magnet for elite runners across the region, beckoning with its reputation for a flat and lightning-paced course.
As Betty settled down and the weather gods smiled, conditions were absolutely prime for attaining exceptional results with only a slight head wind on the scenic and sheltered backroads of the Kildare countryside.
Efrem Gidey of Clonliffe Harriers and Irish international team fame graced us with his presence to win the event in an impressive 47:11 with a five minute lead on the runner up showing us why he’s an international star and one to watch in the future.
Brian Martin blazed through the finish line in a remarkable 54:31, securing 2nd place in the Men’s Team and an impressive 2nd place in his category. Paul Smith followed closely with a solid 55:16, achieving 3rd place in his category, while Robbie Keane’s strong performance of 55:55 and Simon Gregory’s time of 1:04:35 further bolstered the Men’s Team.
On the women’s front, Mary Leech showed her prowess with a time of 1:07:24, earning 3rd place in the Ladies Team and an impressive 5th place in her category. Ciara O’Reilly powered through in 1:13:04, contributing to the Ladies Team.
Other notable results came from Mike Staunton in a solid time of 1:23:27, Nuala Reilly showed no signs of fatigue after the Rathkenny 5K to finish the 10 mile in 1:25:55 gaining 2nd place in her category, Stephen McArdle ran a strong event in 1:28:24, Martina O’Connor-Dyas secured her place in the Ladies Team with a time of 1:32:17, and Elva Maree wrapped it up at 1:34:49 leaving DDAC with a resounding presence on the day and embodying the spirit of the race.
As the sun cast its radiant glow, the Kilkock 10 from 10 proved once again why it remains a coveted race on every elite runner’s calendar, our compliments to St. Cocas A.C. on yet another well organised day.
