Impressive medal haul for Boyne AC
BOYNE AC’S tough-as-teak athletes braved an absolute mudfest to claim a huge haul of medals at the Blackrock AC Cross-Country races in Haggardstown on Sunday.
After some very heavy rain, the ground conditions were extremely challenging, but Naiya Semple got the day off to a good start with a great run in the U-9 Girls 500m race, as did Nathan Robertson, who finished in sixth place overall in his race.
The U-11 girls took third team thanks to the combined efforts of Kate Culhane, who finished fourth, and Sholah Lawrence and Chloe Hanley, all running well over the 1,000m distance along with Tegan Semple.
The Boyne AC Boys U-11s dominated their race, taking home the first-place team prize, with Lorcan Forde Dunne winning the individual honours with some 20 metres to spare.
Alex Robertson battled hard to finish third, just a few metres behind the second-place athlete, while Rhys Clarke and Luca McLoughlin ran a great race as they completed the winning team.
By now the muck was like ice underfoot, and staying upright became the priority for the U-13 runners as they took on the 1500m distance.
Running out of age, Eimear Cooney remained true to form with a super third-place finish in the girls race, with Ella McLoughlin running well also.
The U-13 boys also took the first-place team medal thanks in part to an impressive run out of age from Shea O’Donnell, who simply glided over the muck to take an impressive win, followed closely by Paddy Price in second place, with Daragh Peters showing an impressive return to form in behind.
In the U-15 Girls, a small field saw Caer NiGhibne run a tactical race to take the lead early on and maintain it to the finish, ahead of her second-placed clubmate Anna Faulkner.
Danny Nugent continues to impress over the longer distances as he took second place overall in the Boys U-15 2,000m, with clubmate Neil Culhane not far behind in third.
The Boys U-17s and U-19s raced together over 2,500m, with Ruarcan O’Gibne taking the win in the U-19 race - Tadgh Everitt Thompson was third - and Killian McLoughlin finishing third in the U-17 race.
Last, but by no means least, the ‘Fit for Life’ 2,500m race gave some of the more senior members of Boyne the chance to try out cross-country racing in all its glory!
Making their debut in the muck and donning spikes for the first time, Nicky Veale ran a strong race to finish second lady overall, with another debutante, Ola Raji, putting her hard training to good use by finishing in third.
Coach Judith McGuinness Faulkner made an impressive return to competition, finishing in a fine fourth spot and the ladies also scooped the first team prize, a fitting reward for their mighty efforts.
Elsewhere, multi-eventer Amy McTeggart claimed a new PB in the All-Ireland Indoor Combined Events held in Athlone on Saturday last, where a grand total of 3,636 points saw her just miss out on the title by a mere 25 points.
A delighted Amy was all smiles as she accepted her silver medal in the Senior Ladies event, and she was particularly happy with her long jump result (5.49m) and 800m (2:26.2).