Day 3 Report

The third day of the Meath track and field championships took place on
Sunday at Claremont Stadium. The mens 3000 metres was won in by Darragh
Rennicks, Bohermeen AC who took the initiative early on and pushed on to
take the title with a convincing display of solo front running. The
Bohermeen youngster is emerging as one of the best home based middle
distance track runners in the country and the manner of this win underlines
his potential for the coming season. The team competition within the same
race for the Mattie McGrath memorial trophy went to the Dunboyne AC "A" team
which included another very promising young talent Luke Forde, Neville
Reilly, Morgan McDonagh and Phelim Glynn.

The womens 3000 metres was a tactical contest between Linda
Fahy,Dunshaughlin AC and Brigid Clarke, Na Fianna. They ran the entire race
at each others shoulders until the Dunshaughlin runner made a break for home
on the crown of the final bend to take her first county track title. The
third woman home was relative newcomer Imelda Clarke, Na Fianna who was a
revelation in club and county colours at masters cross country during the
winter.


In the underage competitions there were two great 800 metres races which
give grounds for optimism in the future of middle distance running in Meath.
The under 18 race was a clean sweep for Star of the Sea AC with Rob Tully
powering home ahead of clubmates Cormac Costello and Ciaran McGinley.
The under 16 800 metres was another exciting race with a great battle for
honours between county cross country team colleagues Brian McGrath, Gavin
Maher and Conor Rennicks with McGrath taking the honours. In the field
events Shane Joyce, Cushinstown AC scored and impressive double in the boys
under 15 javelin and long jump. In the same age group Aaron Kealy,
Dunshaughlin AC showed great versatility by winning both the 200 metres and
the 800 metres. Fionan Madden,Trim AC won the under 16 high jump and took
seconds in the shot and triple jump.


In the girls sprint events Niamh Hetherington from Dunshaughlin won the 75
metre hurdles and the under 15 200 metres. In the under girls 800 metres and
long jump Karen Blaney from Navan AC put together an unusual double.
The standard of competition and level of entries for this year championships
showed a marked improvement on recent years. The county board were pleased
with the cooperation it received from clubs in providing officials which
ensured that the extensive and lengthy programme was run off very
efficiently.

The championships conclude at the Navan venue on Wednesday when the relay
championships will be decided. The action will get under way at 7pm the
programme includes 4x100 metres races in all the juvenile age groups and
senior with a medley 2x200,400,800m included for seniors.