By Simon Gregory
It seems like weeks since the exciting results of Drogheda & District A.C.s athletes at the Dublin Marathon although i’m sure they are still feeling the impact, with their road shoes thrown well and truly into the back of the wardrobe, but after a well-deserved rest they’ll emerge to join the rest of our cross country runners at the end of the month for the anticipated Louth Senior Cross Country Championships.
Until then our focus was on our young DDAC’ers in a thrilling display of talent and determination, took on the best of Leinsters up and coming runners in the Leinster Uneven XC Championships on Saturday morning in Cowpark, Dunboyne.
With over 800 athletes gathered from across Leinster, the relentless rain had turned Cowpark into a muddy battleground with challenging bends and difficult terrain. However, the course, despite weeks of downpours, stood firm, offering a tough yet fair challenge. Against this backdrop, DDAC’s rising stars showcased their mettle and skill and left their mark on this prestigious stage.
The youngest members of Drogheda & District A.C. set the tone for the day with Nessa Foley’s remarkable performance in the Girls U11 1500m event. With a sprint that left the crowd in awe, Nessa clocked in at an impressive 7:00, showcasing her immense potential.
The Girls U13 2500m race was a true spectacle, with Beatrice Cunningham leading the charge for DDAC, crossing the finish line in 11:55. Hannah Cunningham, Eleanor McMahon, and Bonnie Breach weren’t far behind, with Hannah crossing the line in 12:23 and Eleanor and Bonnie crossing together in 12:29, making it a remarkable display of teamwork and talent.
Dylan Foley displayed his determination and prowess, completing the 2500m race in an impressive 11:59, giving the competition a tough challenge.
The Girls U15 3500m event witnessed an intense battle of wills, with Aine Carroll and Maisy Kate Eustace leading the charge for DDAC. Aine’s fantastic time of 16:45 and Maisy’s close 16:58 finish was nothing short of breathtaking with both Aine and Maisy contributing to the Louth team’s result. Clodagh Fox showed immense determination, crossing the finish line with a time of 21:19.
Niamh Carroll faced the daunting 4500m course and emerged victorious with a remarkable time of 25:24, showcasing her unwavering dedication to the sport.
In the Boys U19 5000m event, Christopher Keenan and Matthew O’Shea demonstrated their prowess as they crossed the finish line with times of 18:28 and 19:22, respectively both displaying remarkable performances and adding another highlight to DDAC’s cross country season so far.
Buds in the mud – young D&DAC athletes after competing in the U13’s at the Leinster Uneven XC Championships –from left: Beatrice Cunningham, Bonnie Breach, Hannah Cunningham and Eleanor McMahon.
Meanwhile, checking in on Saturday’s weekly Parkrun at Oldbridge, our club runners delivered solid performances with 12 members taking part. Notable results include Martin Russell, who completed the run in an impressive 21:01 taking 3rd place, Johnny Corcoran showed his strength with a time of 24:20, closely followed by Paul McDonnell at 24:24 and John Reilly at 24:26 taking it easy after his recent sub 3 PB in the Dublin Marathon.
Mary Toner and Jillian Munnelly also demonstrated their dedication, finishing in 31:59 and 37:43, respectively. These dedicated athletes showcased their commitment to the sport and the club, contributing to another successful outing.
