Eabha Ashwood, Emily Cooney, Hannah Cunningham and Eve Russell.
Athletes from across Leinster lined up at The Faithful Fields, in Kilcormac, County Offaly on Saturday. Competitors needed both power and agility to climb the challenging hill on one large field in a series of switchbacks, then tear down past the spectators at lightning pace.
First up for Drogheda and District were their terrific under 14 girls Eabha Ashwood, Emily Cooney, Hannah Cunningham and Eve Russell. Eve Russell took a joint lead over the chasing pack, then Eabha Ashwood and Emily Cooney both showed great strength, battling for the medals and in the last lap Emily Cooney handed the baton to Hannah Cunningham who secured a fantastic Leinster bronze in the 4 x 500m relay.
In the Ladies Masters event Yasmin Canning relished the challenge, getting into the mix from early on and surging past her rival at the end to clinch gold in her category. Mary Leech proved that the training is working for her as she ran a terrific race and was very pleased to combine with Yasmin and Karen Costello from Dunleer to take County silver. Mary-Ann Kinsella and Eimear Marron ran well also. Both are looking in fine form and we can expect great things from them in 2025.
Yasmin Canning, Mary Leech and Karen Costello.
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Colin Leonard led the charge from the outset in the Men’s Masters race and battled for 3rd place only to be narrowly beaten into a fine fourth position. Stephen Kelly followed up last week’s victory at the BHAA to claim 9th place amidst very able competitors, while cross country ace Robbie Keane ran his race to perfection taking 12th place. Colin Dyas had a superb run, and thanks to the strength of the club, the four took the Leinster championship gold at club level and bronze at county level.
This is the first time that Drogheda & District AC has taken gold in the team event at provincial level and marks a milestone achievement for the club who would like to thank our sponsor Hibernia Profiles for their help.
Meanwhile the hard work of D&DAC track athletes during the winter is beginning to pay off. At the Track + Field Live 2025 in Abbotstown on Wednesday 16/01/25, there were great performances all around from their junior athletes. The Girls U12 600mts Dearbhla Jonhnston (2.06.72) Keeley Nolan (2.16.55) and Eve Cunningham (2.17.59) showed the great improvements over the past few months.
Eabha Ashwood, Emily Cooney, Hannah Cunningham and Eve Russell.
In the Girls U14 800m Hannah Cunningham 2.43.12 and Eve Russell 2.44.16 once again got quicker than ever before. Danielle Nolan had a very good run (8.96) in the U16 60mts. In the U16 800m there was another great performance from Beatrice Cunningham 2.32.44 sec
There was a great performance from Darragh Callaghan, in the Senior Men 60m, he ran 8.48 and at the Senior Men Long Jump jumped 4mts 63 cm - taking part in his first Senior event he finished 3rd.
Andrea McCabe had a great run and was very pleased to take 5 seconds off her time in December for the 800m,(3:11.26), while Kerry McHugh also ran well (3:23.34). Gerry O'Connor shaved a fraction of his time off the 400m 1:02.27, Tony Corcoran was pleased with his time (1:07.19) as was Paul Stuart (1:01.14) and Louis O'Shea had another good run for the same distance (52.61).
At the National indoor league Round 2 on Sunday, Chris Keenan ran the metric mile (1500m) in a little over 4 minutes (4:01.86) absolutely remarkable running from the young man. Jimmy English, perhaps a bit off peak but showing dogged determination, ran the 400m in 57:45, while Andrew Kelly had an excellent performance in the 200m (23:54).
Closer to home, at the Oldbridge parkrun, Colm Prone was first finisher on a lovely dry Saturday morning (19:30), with Martin Russell (20:30) and Declan McMahon (25:20) both making a welcome return to park running also.
Finally, the annual race in honour of local legend Noel Carroll - the Annagassan 10K - was the highlight of the weekend for a squad of forty road runners from Drogheda & District AC. The course is well know because of its lovely scenic 10k coastal route. Leading the pack was John Breen who ran very well and was much please to finish in 9th position (00:35:53), there were PB's for both Joseph Hammel (00:38:37) and Roisin Mc geough (48:15). Fatih Zitouche can be proud with his run and is looking good for the marathon later this year (39:43).