Ràs date looming large for Dunleer

FOR athletics fans, all roads will lead to Oldbridge, Drogheda, on Sunday February 5th as the highlight of the cross-country calendar for many is the annual staging of the Rás na hÉireann.

The renowned event has found a splendid home at the historical site where the famous Battle of the Boyne took place in 1690. The site is managed by the OPW and provides a fantastic setting for the event.

There will be races for juveniles and in the Junior, Senior and Masters categories, with the juvenile programme and the Under-9 races commencing at noon. Entries on the day will be accepted but online entries at www.athleticsireland.ie are recommended.

As usual there will be great interest in both the senior individual and team competitions, with the memorial cups being contested. The Larry Mc Guill Cup will be awarded to the first senior man in the 6km, with the Louis Duffin Cup going to the first Dunleer man home.

Dunleer AC will be awarding trophies to the winner of the Senior Ladies 3k and to the first Dunleer AC lady home.

The Rás now incorporates the Noel Mc Guill and Sandra Floyd events and Mc Guill and Floyd family representatives will be present to award the Noel Mc Guill Cup to the top men’s team, and the Sandra Floyd Cup to the top ladies’ team. •United States-based Dunleer AC international Tomás Cotter opened his indoor season in the USA with a 4:01.86 for the mile in Nashville on Sunday, finishing in fourth place.

Tomás is training with the Asics-sponsored Furman Elite group, based in South Carolina.