Five teams from Boyne AC teams competed in the Leinster Relay Championships in Tullamore yesterday, Sunday and, despite the damp and overcast weather, the excitement in the Boyne camp remained high and coach Alan Fay was on hand to warm the team up and guide them through last-minute drills and handovers.

 First up was the under 9s relay team, composed of Ellie Fay, Stella Gow, Emilia Wheat, and Folasade Bello-Osagie, all of whom demonstrated impressive teamwork and determination at the Leinster Relay Championship.

Despite facing a tough heat, the young athletes successfully advanced to the final round. Competing in their first Leinster relay championship, they gave their absolute all and were very close to securing a medal. Although they did not finish on the podium, their performance was commendable and bodes well for future competitions.

The mighty U17s, comprising Harry Devitt, Ryan McMahon, Ledley King Abor, and Romeo Fomenky, entered the championship with high hopes and gold in their sights.

This dream team showed incredible talent and teamwork throughout the competition, but despite their strong performance, a slight mistake cost them the top spot. Their formidable effort was outmatched only by a team that set a new championship record, leaving our U17 heroes to claim the well-deserved silver medal.

The team’s outstanding effort and near-perfect execution were commendable, reflecting their hard work and dedication. Though they narrowly missed gold, their achievement and sportsmanship were nothing short of inspiring.

The under 12s took to the field in the afternoon, with determination and the team of Keegan Hanley Collins, Sean Clarke, Luke Spellman, and Cillian Hickey, delivered an outstanding performance in their heat, securing a comfortable victory and raising expectations for the final.

The competition was fierce, and the boys faced formidable opponents. Despite their best efforts and a dramatic photo finish, they were narrowly edged out and missed out on medalling. 

In the U14 category, Boyne AC sent out a formidable team comprising Ruadhan Fangeru, Aaron McMahon, Joe Bell, and Riley Byrne. For all of them, it marked their inaugural participation at this level of competition, yet they exhibited remarkable strength and determination.

Although they faced a challenging heat, they did enough to secure qualification. Despite a commendable effort in the finals, they narrowly missed out on the podium. Their performance laid a solid foundation for future successes, reflecting their potential to evolve into a winning team.

For the final Boyne AC entry of the day, the spotlight fell on the U16 boys' team, made up of Sam Doyle, Ryan McMahon, Evan Gamble, and Harvey Fomenky. Their performance was nothing short of courageous, as they tackled the race with determination and grit.

Despite their best efforts however, they narrowly missed out on a medal position by just one second, heightening the intensity of the competition. What made this race truly remarkable was not only the individual efforts of each runner but also the seamless handovers and sheer athleticism displayed by the team as a whole.