Young Boyne athletes end season on a high

IT was an amazing end to the 2017 Cross Country season for Boyne AC at the All Ireland uneven age championships last Sunday in Waterford.

With the top 12 presented with medals in each race, a gutsy finish from Eimear Cooney in the U11 event saw her pass at least two competitors on the home straight to finish in 11th overall - a well deserved national medal and a provincial medal to boot!

Kate Culhane ran strongly out of age to finish in 41st and Sholah Lawrence ran well out of age in her first outing on the national cross country scene.

In the boys U11, Shea O’Donnell was a hot favourite to medal, having finished 10th out of age just two weeks ago, and he certainly did not disappoint.

A tactical race saw him conserve his energy for the difficult hill, where he moved from 15th into the top 10. A flying sprint saw him fight his way to a sixth place finish overall!

But the excitement didn’t end there. A fantastic 40th place finish from Lorcan Forde Dunne, with Alex Robertson in 51st (both out of age) and Emmet McEvoy in 68th saw these young men take home the thid place team medala first for Boyne at national level. Daragh Peters and Sean Cummins added to the overall team effort. O’Donnell also earned himself a gold medal as part of the Leinster winning team.

The U13 boys had a tough 2,500m to race and by now the ground was becoming more and more slippy underfoot. Neil Culhane got out early to stay in the leading pack for the duration and although tired after a fierce battle, was delighted with his 12th place finish.

Danny Nugent and Paddy Price both ran well, despite a lost shoe by Price on the way around!

Last, but by no means least, Eva Cummins raced strongly in the girls U19 event, a great end to a great day for the club!

Also in action on Sunday, Sally Clarke was thrilled to finally go sub 20 as she finished fourth lady in the Drogheda and District 5k, in a super time of 19.59.

Son, Rhys also ran a new pb of 25.47, while clubmate Darragh Callaghan ran 32.59. Gabbie White is certainly getting back to form, as she crossed the line in 26.46, while young Rachel Browne was her usual smiley self as she crossed the line in 44.40, followed closely by Eanin Gregory in 45.53.