Boyne AC stars bag 60 Louth medals

NESTLED amidst the scenic mountainous views of Bush Primary School, the Louth Athletics Championship unfolded over a vibrant two-day weekend, drawing record-breaking crowds and a great atmosphere.

Boyne AC athletes, some competing for the first time, participated across various age categories and their team of 72 athletes secured a whopping 60 medals and achieved over 90 personal bests.

First up in the U9 girls’ category were Ellie Fay, Emilia Wheat, Folasade Bello-Osagie, Stella Gow, and Una McEntee. All five young athletes ran a tremendous 60m, with Folasade claiming the silver medal and Stella earning a well-deserved bronze.

These mighty five young girls also competed in the 300m race, Long Jump, and Turbo Javelin.

In the 300m, Stella battled to a photo finish, securing a silver medal. Stella further showcased her versatility by winning the Long Jump with an impressive 3.12m, while Emilia and Ellie achieved personal bests. In the Turbo Javelin, Una took home the bronze with a fantastic throw of 6.63m.

Jamie Kelly and Cormac Brodigan represented Boyne AC in the U9 boys’ category. Cormac ran the 300m in an impressive time of 59.29, narrowly missing a podium spot. He also competed in the Turbo Javelin, achieving a new PB.

Next up were the U10 girls. Amy Murray-Sullivan, Heather Kingston, Maisie Fay, Millie Bell, and Sophie Alhaddad represented Boyne AC.

Millie ran an impressive 300m, finishing just outside the medals. Heather Kingston took gold in fine style with an unbeatable throw of 11.04m in the Turbo Javelin. Maisie Fay achieved a new personal best and narrowly missed out on a medal in the Turbo Javelin.

Conor Hughes, Malachy Brodigan and Rasmus Fangeru represented Boyne AC in the U10 boys’ category. Despite their best efforts, none of the three advanced out of their 60m sprint heats. However, later in the day, Rasmus set a new personal best in the Long Jump and was unlucky not to medal.

In the U11 girls’ category, Jessica McMahon and Caitlin Hughes competed in one of the toughest heats of the 60m sprint. Jessica cruised through her heat and semi-final and was narrowly beaten at the line in the final. Competing in her first Louth Championship, Jessica also participated in the Long Jump, achieving a new personal best of 2.75m.

Caitlin showcased her specialty in the 600m race, leading from the start. Her pure display of speed and endurance earned her a well-deserved silver medal.

Next up in the U11 boys’ category were James Byrne and Jesse Fomenky. James finished in fifth place in a challenging 600m race. Jesse achieved a new personal best in the Long Jump with a leap of 2.97m.

Our sole representative for the U12 girls was Aoife McCabe, who cruised through her 60m heat and was unlucky not to medal in the final. Aoife also competed in the 600m, finishing in a brilliant fifth with an impressive time of 1:58.

The boys’ U12 category was nothing short of thrilling, with Boyne AC boasting a formidable line-up including Charlie Kelly, Cillian Hickey, Danny O’Reilly, Garvan Lundon, Harry Kingston, Keegan Hanley Collins, Luke Spellman, Oran Monaghan, Ross Byrne, Sean Clarke and Will Gow.

Cillian Hickey and Keegan Hanley Collins emerged as standout performers, sailing through their respective heats and sems to deliver a gripping U12 final. Cillian secured the silver medal, while Keegan earned bronze.

In the 600m Will showcased a stellar performance, clinching the silver, while Keegan Hanley Collins won bronze.

In a remarkable feat, Charlie claimed gold in the High Jump on his first attempt, setting a new personal best, while Cillian took silver in the Long Jump with a fine jump of 3.94m, closely followed by Ross who secured bronze with 3.79m. Ross also impressed in the Shot Putt, winning gold with a throw of 7.15m, another PB. Harry secured second place in the Turbo Javelin with a mighty throw of 16.94m.

Though unlucky not to medal, Danny, Garvan, Oran Monaghan and Sean all achieved new personal bests.

In the Girls Under 13 category, Boyne AC was represented by Hila Raji, Laoise Black and Moya Kennedy.

Hila showcased her strength with a mighty throw of 8.18m, securing the silver medal in the 2kg shot put. Later, she impressed once again, claiming another silver in the javelin with a fantastic throw of 15.96m. Teammates Laoise and Moya also displayed their skills in the Long Jump, both achieving new personal bests.

The U14 Girls had standout performances from Georgia Rice, Lily Murray Sullivan and Molly Fay.Molly delivered a powerful performance in her 80m heat, securing a spot in the final. In the 200m she stayed with the leaders throughout and, in a thrilling final 50 metres surged forward to claim a well-deserved silver medal.

Lily impressed in the long jump, achieving a new personal best.

In the javelin competition, Georgia’s efforts culminated in a bronze medal in an exciting down-to-thewire contest. The joy on her face spoke volumes about how much this achievement meant to her.

The U14 boys events saw Aaron McMahon, Ciaran Garvey, Cuan Gamble, Eoin McEntee, Joe Bell, Riley Byrne and Ruadhan Fangeru showcase their talent.

Aaron and Ruadhan cruised through their 80m heats to secure spots in the final, where Aaron battled to the finish line, earning a well-deserved silver medal. Ciaran and Joe both achieved personal bests in their respective events.

In the 200m Riley dominated his heat with ease but had to retire before the final due to injury.

The 800m featured strong efforts from Aaron and Joe, who, despite missing out on podium finishes, set new personal bests.

Cuan earned silver in the boys’ 2.72kg shot put with an impressive throw of 6.93 metres and also bagged bronze in the javelin. Eoin excelled in the javelin as well, taking silver with a remarkable 18.30 metres. Ruadhan closely followed in both the shot put and javelin, finishing fourth in each event and achieving new personal bests.

Bonnie Hegarty and Zara Lee competed valiantly in the U15 category and came away with PBs.

Louis Devitt and Sean Alhaddad left an indelible mark with their outstanding performances in the U15 category. Louis won bronze in the 100m final and then blazed through the 200m, clinching another bronze while setting a PB.

Meanwhile, Sean showcased his raw strength and talent in the boys’ 3kg shot put, launching an impressive 7.38 metres to claim a well-deserved silver medal.

The climax of their performances came in the gripping javelin contest. With a fine throw of 23.11 metres Devitt emerged victorious, seizing the gold medal. Yet Alhaddad proved to be a formidable competitor, setting another personal best and winning silver.

Hannele Raji and Shauna Rice, representing Boyne AC in the U16 girls’ category, delivered an outstanding display of athleticism.

Hannele blazed through the 100m sprint, clinching the gold medal with ease. Undeterred, she returned to the track for the 200m race, effortlessly securing another gold medal. Shauna showcased her resilience and strength in the grueling 800m and she crossed the finish line with a commendable time of 2:51, earning fourth place.

Hannele’s success wasn’t confined to the track alone. In the long jump she soared to an unbeatable distance of 4.88 meters, claiming her third gold medal of the day and she continued her winning streak in the girls’ U16 3kg shot put.

Rice’s demonstrated her progress and commitment by securing a bronze medal in the Javelin with a new PB of 9.23 metres.

Emmet McShane, Evan Gamble, Harvey Fomenky, Ryan McMahon, Sam Doyle and Seamus Keenan formed a formidable lineup for Boyne in the U16 category.

In the highly competitive 100m final it was a display of sheer speed and skill as Emmet, Ryan, Harvey, Evan and Sam all secured their spots after cruising through their heats. Ryan emerged triumphant, clinching the gold medal, and Harvey seized the bronze, with Sam and Emmet narrowly missing out.

The intensity continued in the 200m where Evan powered to a silver medal, while Sam won bronze and Emmet was fourth.

Seamus stole the show in the 1500m, capturing the gold medal with a commanding run.

Harvey had a near miss in the boys’ 4kg shot put, narrowly missing out on a medal after setting a new personal best. The javelin event witnessed Evan, once again, claim a silver medal with a remarkable throw of 26.99 metres.

Aimee Rice and Rebecca Heading stood out for Boyne AC in the girls’ U17 category.

In the 200m race, Rice demonstrated her speed and determination, securing fourth position despite tough competition.

However, it was in the 100m hurdles where Rice truly shone. With finesse and skill, she stormed to victory,claiming the gold medal.

In the field events Rice displayed her strength and precision in the 3kg shot put, claiming a well-deserved silver medal. Rebecca Heading left an indelible mark in the long jump, soaring to an unbeatable distance of 3.96 metres to claim victory.

The under 17 boys’ category witnessed an impressive display from Harry Devitt, Jack Garvey and Romeo Fomenky.

Romeo produced speed and skill in the 100m, storming to victory, with Harry securing the silver medal in a thrilling photo finish.

Devitt’s success continued in the 200m race, where he crossed the finish line to claim another gold medal for Boyne AC.

Jack proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the middle-distance events. He led from start to finish in the boys’ 800m race, and his dominance continued in the 1500m race, where he once again topped the podium.

Harry excelled in the field events as well. His exceptional throw of 33.39m in the javelin event earned him yet another gold medal.

Hannah Newman stood as the sole representative for Boyne AC in the girls’ U19 category and in the 200m she won a well-deserved silver medal, while in the long jump she delivered an unbeatable 4.18 metres to claim the gold medal and she also won the 4kg shot put and javelin competitions.

Caoimhin McShane and Jack Devitt brought their A game in the U19 category. In the 100m and 200m Jack placed third and fourth respectively, while Caoimhin won the 400m and Jack came second and bagged another silver in the javelin.