Classy Howard leads way for Drogheda club

DROGHEDA & District runners battled extremely harsh conditions as they took on Ireland’s best in the National Masters Cross-Country Championships in Waterford.

The biting wind never seemed to be on the runners’ backs and this year’s course could be described as challenging to say the least, with a seriously steep hill to be climbed on each of the three laps.

Nevertheless, once the gun went Pamela Howard lost no time in taking up a position in the leading pack, and although the pace was fierce she was determined to stay there.

Running like a woman possessed, she stuck gamely to her task, running side by side with many national-class athletes, including former Dublin Marathon winner Pauline Curley.

Howard crossed the line a very tired but happy runner as she finished third in her W35 category and 10th overall.

Backed up by the strong-running Mary Leech - who was 25th - and Yasmin Canning who had a great run further back in 46th place, things were looking good in the team placings. The club’s fourth finisher was Ciara O’Reilly who struggled a bit on the day, as can happen, but her solid 70th place ensured that the Drogheda & District club team finished in a very fine fifth place.

The trio of Howard, Leech and Canning also combined well with Dunleer’s Karen Costello to win bronze medals for the third county team.

In the Men’s race, Pat O’Grady was unlucky not to take home a bronze medal as he just lost out in a sprint finish for third place in his M55 category against some very good opposition. Likewise, Nuala Reilly also finished in the dreaded fourth place but as always delivered an honest run.

Young Tadgh Donnelly produced the performance of the day when he ran a superb race to come home winner of the Under-15 Boys title in the All-Ireland B Cross-Country Championships held earlier in the day.

Donnelly is a real find for the club and this really was a sparkling run from one who is so new to athletics.

Cormac Canning also produced a strong run when finishing 11th in the Under-17 Boys despite being a year out of his age group.

Elsewhere, there were some good performances from the club’s Juvenile athletes at Sunday’s Leinster Indoor Championships in Athlone.

Competing well, but more importantly gaining valuable experience, were Ben Egan and Harry Caffrey who took part in the 200m, with Caffrey also competing in the long jump for the first time.

The previous day, Oliver Clutterbuck finished a fine seventh place in his first outing over 800m. Robbie Caffrey was also seventh in his Under-18 800m and Lauren Hussey Smith came fifth in her first race over the 60m distance.

A large number of red vests took part in this year’s Erin’s Run in Termonfeckin on Saturday. Their first male runner home - in third place - was Brian Martin in a fine 17:04, and not far behind was pocket rocket Shane Larkin who was fourth in 17:18.

The performance of the day belonged to Stephen Floyd who ran a very well judged race to finish ninth overall in a fast 19:18, and also running well were Rob Power, Jackser Reilly and Stephen Geraghty.

For the Drogheda & District ladies, first home on the day was young Abi Tegart who ran a fine 21:55 for the distance, and others who showed up well included Edel Victory, Siobhan Shortt and Mary Toner.

Nuala Reilly won her category and came 21st overall at Friday’s BHAA Garda Cross-Country race in Phoenix Park.

At last Saturday’s Oldbridge Parkrun, David Birch had reason to smile as he recorded a new PB of 22:28 when finishing 14th overall. First home for the Drogheda & District ladies was Laura Roche who finished in 29th place in 23:44.

Popular club member Mary McGreehan, who coaches the club’s Fit4Youth section, made a welcome return to racing when finishing 32nd in 24:26.

Erin McHugh ran a fine time of 19:48, a personal best, to finish 23rd in the Malahide Parkrun.