‘Master’ful run by Smith at the Euros
DROGHEDA & District athletes did their club and town proud at the European Masters Championships in Italy, led by Paul Smith who teamed up with two others to win team silver in the 5,000m cross-country event. Another Drogheda athlete, Mary Leech, was first from a field of 220 women in the BHAA Road Race in Raheny, and she was also part of the club’s Over-35 team who won silver at the National Road Relays.
Dunleer AC’s Karen Costello represented An Garda Siochana at the European Police Cross-Country and Amy McTeggart (Boyne AC) and Conor Durnin (St Peter’s AC) won Irish Universities titles in Athlone IT. Boyne trio Tara Meier and Oisin and Ruarcan O’Gibne scooped four medals between them at the National Indoor Championships.
There was relief in Boyne Rugby Club as Niall Kerbey’s penalty goal secured a 22-21 final-day win in Midleton, thereby avoiding a nervy play-off for All-Ireland League survival. The match spelled the end of Niall Ronan’s reign as head coach.
Boyne/Ardee drew 5-5 with Portdara in the Leinster Girls Under-18 League Final but were awarded the trophy on account of scoring their try first!
Whytes of Stamullen won the Duleek & District Dart League Premier Division title with victory over Drogheda’s Punt Bar.
An April Fool’s Day 4-0 drubbing of Cabinteely kicked off a more encouraging month for Drogheda United. Sean Brennan and Aaron Ashe (2) were among the scorers. All the goals came in the first half in the 2-2 draw at UCD, but the 3-0 defeat by Limerick in round six effectively ended any prospect of Drogheda winning the title. Aaron Molloy scored the winner down in Waterford where the game nearly didn’t go ahead at all because of a perceived jersey clash.
EMU Storm Under-9s braved extremely wet and windy conditions to win the Blackpool Cup.
Two of the Drogheda Schoolchildren’s League Cup finals were held and Walshestown Leopards and Donacarney White captured the silverware in the Under-13 and Under-14 age groups respectively.
In the North East League, Duleek remained on course for the Division 1 league title, but Boyne Harps held Newfoundwell to a draw in the Premier Division and that proved fatal for the ‘Well’s title hopes as Navan Cosmos ended the season in top spot.
Emmanuel Santos scored a hat-trick as Drogheda Town romped to a 5-1 Leinster Senior League winner over Wicklow.
Ger Fox was still pinching himself after the 27-year-old Ardcath jockey rode 16/1 shot Rogue Angel to a short-head victory over Ruby Walsh-ridden Bless The Wings in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
In boxing, Caelan Duff and Gavin Rafferty of the St Cianan’s club in Duleek won Leinster titles, and Rafferty went all the way to land his third Irish crown. Also going to the All-Irelands in the girls divisions were Drogheda BC quartet Caoimhe Murphy, Elise Carey, Alanna Hughes and Gabriela Simkute.
Slane’s Ian Richardson captured two podiums - including a treasured victory - in a weekend of races promoted by Stamullen Road Club. Drogheda Wheelers’ Daragh Campbell matched that feat when his club promoted three events in mid-month.
Drogheda Ladies beat Oblate Dynamos 40-33 to set them up nicely for Dublin League basketball’s Top-Four competition.