Medals of every colour for Ardee rookie Courtney

IN all, 36 athletes from Ardee & District AC began their outdoor track and field season by travelling to Drogheda where the Lourdes Stadium hosted the pre Louth Championships on Saturday.

First up on the track was newcomer Courtney Commins in the U-8 60m and she claimed her first medal of the day - silver - before taking bronze in the long jump (2.63m) and then gold in the turbo javelin.

Fellow rookie Tomjoe McCormack competed well in his 60m and long jump and was rewarded with silver in the turbo javelin.

In the U-9 girls, Jessica McCarron reached the 80m final, just missing out on a medal, before finishing second in the long jump with an effort of 2.69m. Lily Breen and Fintan Kelly also did well in the same age group.

Caoimhe Carolan claimed top spot in the U-10 Girls turbo javelin, while Tom Maguire and Dylan McCarron both got through their heats in the Boys U-10 80m but missed out on a medal. Tom was third in the turbo javelin with a throw of 12.35m, while teammate Senan Lundon took silver with a throw of 13.27m. Calum Caffrey, Arthur Sands and Lennon Murphy also competed in the U-10 events.

In the U-11 Girls section, Amy Murray qualified for the 80m final and Paulina Kelly came third in the U-12 turbo javelin. Charlie Sands made his U-11 80m final and Corma Lundon was also in action for Ardee in this age group.

Joe Murphy reached the U-12 Boys 80m final and was well supported in the U-12 events by Jack McCarron and Rob Kelly.

Hallie Sands took silver in the U-13 80m and went one better when taking top spot in the 600m, with teammates Samantha McCarron, Ava McNally and Ruth Gillespie hot on her heels. James Maguire took gold in the U-13 80m for boys.

In the U-14 girls events Eireann Hoey threw a PB of 8.54m to take gold in the shot put and. Rebecca McCarron also performed well in the U-14 events.

Emma Gillespie had a fantastic race in the U-15 800m where she won a well deserved silver medal, while Aoibheann Carolan moved up an age to compete in the shot put and was rewarded with a bronze medal.

Abbie Sheridan took gold in both the U-17 800m and long jump, with clubmate Niamh Whyte finishing fifth in both events.

U-19 sisters Tara and Niamh McGuinness were second and third respectively in the long jump, while it was double gold for Conor McMahon as he claimed top spot in the 100m and long jump.

Last out on the track were the relays and the Ardee & District U-10 boys finished second thanks to the efforts of Arthur Sands, Fintan Kelly, Calum Caffrey and Dylan McCarron. The U-13 Girls - Ava McNally, Ruth Gillespie, Orlaith Carolan and Hallie Sands - were third in their race.