Cross country gets summery weather!!!

The first day of the Meath county cross country championships were hosted by the St Brigids Athletic club at their grounds in Ballinacree on Sunday. The event was blessed with one of the finest days of weather all year. The testing course had dried out well over the weekend and a good day of racing was helped by a very smooth schedule carried out by the host club and the officials of Meath athletics board. The mens race over six one kilometre laps included the under 18 novice and masters grades.First across the line overall was Robert Tully from Star of the Sea AC who underlined his potential when winning the under 18 title. The novice title was won by the improving Rory Kavanagh from Dunboyne AC, who led his club to the novice team title with a clean sweep of the medals. Kavanagh was followed closely home by colleagues Loughlin Campion a recent recruit to the Dunboyne ranks and the experienced Morgan McDonagh. In the masters competition there was the usual crew of talented old timers battling it out for honours. Dermot Clarke, Bohermeen finished third overall and won the M50 grade ahead of Paddy Mangan. The other masters categories were won by Don Mahon,Tommy Maher,and Eddie Reid. In the womens race the first runner home was Emilia Dan, Dunboyne AC . with Linda Fahy, Dunshaughlin taking second spot ahead of her training colleague Ursula Byrne who took the top spot in the F45. In the novice womens grade Sonya Reilly put in a very strong performance to add a county cross country title to her achievements this year. The other womens masters grade went to Ann Tobin, Trim. The under 18 girls ran well among the more senior athletes with Ciara Rooney and Laura Farrell gaining valuable experience which will serve them well over the winter season. The under age races were keenly contested and there were notable efforts in the under 14 boys race from Kevin McGrath, Alan Monaghan, Paddy Maher, Alex Hunter and Cormac O’Dowd running in a manner which bodes well for the county at next months Leinster championships. The under 16 girls featured a good race for honours between Rose Finnegan, Elizabeth Moreland and Aisling O’Hare. Next Sunday 14 October the county cross country action will take place at Dunboyne when the county intermediate and uneven age championships will be up for decision. First Race will be at 12 noon.