Ardee make hay in Stamullen

ARDEE & District’s athletes made Sunday’s trip to Stamullen a successful one when returning from the first cross-country meeting of the year with a handful of medals.

With the top six individuals and top three teams of three being rewarded in each race in the event, promoted by Star of the Sea, these races always attract huge numbers and this year was no exception.

A bright sky, with only a few dark clouds, ensured perfect conditions and Caoimhe Carolan and Jessica McCarron were first to take on the course in the U-9 500m. The mostly downhill race challenged the girls, with Caoimhe finishing 12th just ahead of her clubmate.

Arthur Sands had an impressive ninth-place finish, with Fintan Kelly, Lennon Murphy and Dylan McCarron all hot on his heels in the Boys U-9 500m.

The U-10s also ran 500m and Paulina Kelly ran solo for the club, coming home in ninth place, while Charlie Sands ran well in the boys equivalent.

It was doublee the dis-distance for the U-11 boys as they tookook on the 1,000m.m. First home forr Ardee in 10th was Joe Murphy who, along with Darragh Osbourne andd Jack McCarron,n, claimed the silverver medal for the secondcond team home. Robob Kelly also acquitted himself well.

With the distances getting longer the U-12 girls tackled the tough 1500m race and here Hallie Sands (pictured above) fought hard on the downhill stretch to the finish line to take the final prize in sixth place. Hallie, along with Ruth Gillespie and Samantha McCarron, were rewarded for their efforts as the three girls achieved second place in the team event. Orlaith Carolan also finished well.

The Under-13 girls Charlotte Osbourne and Rebecca McCarron also ran the 1500m course, both running well against tough competition, while Emma Gillespie rose to the challenge in the U-14 2,000m when finishing an agonising seventh, one place from a medal. Abbie SSheridan ran the whwhole 2,000m with the leading groupgro in the U-115 race and waswa rewarded withwi second placepla for her efforts.eff Eimear Clare,Cla running in hher first-ever cross-country,cross was plpleased with seventh plplace. Last to take on the by-now muddy course was U-17 athlete Tara McGuinness and keeping stride with the leaders over the 3,000m she finished in fifth spot.

Training continues in the St Mary’s GAA grounds every Tuesday and Thursday for athletes aged Under-9 and upwards.