Rás na hÉireann
Larry Mc Guill Rás na hÉireann
Rás na hÉireann 2024 took place on Sunday February 18th in Lawlesstown, Dunleer. Dunleer AC dug deep to make it a great day of cross country running. The Club was delighted with the support of all who entered, participated, spectated and helped out.
The winner of the senior women's 4k race was Fiona Mc Kenna, representing UCD AC, with Dunleer AC's Maeve Eakin in 2nd place and Orla Duffy from Dublin City Harriers in 3rd. Dublin City Harriers won the Sandra Floyd Cup for 1st team.
In the men's 6k race, Cian Mc Donald from Ballyroan Abbeyleix & District AC was the race winner and received the Larry Mc Guill Cup. In 2nd place was his Clubmate Jack Mc Mahon, with Daniel O Brien from Lusk AC in 3rd place. Ballyroan Abbeyleix were the unsurprising winners of the men's team prize with a fantastic outing for the Club at Rás na hÉireann once again.
Matthew Fitzpatrick from the host Club was the winner of the Louis Duffin Cup, which is awarded to the 1st Dunleer man home in the Rás. Maeve Eakin was the winner of the women's cup as the first Dunleer woman home.
Juvenile Results
Well done to all of the juveniles who competed in the 2024 Rás na hÉireann. It was fantastic to see athletes from so many counties taking part, and a great spread of awards going mostly around the Province of Leinster. The winners of the Best Visiting Club (Charlie Breagy shield) were Bohermeen AC!
The day started with the girls under 9 and there was a super win for Mullingar Harriers Cara Hickey, with Kate Power DMP AC in second place and Cara Lynch Dunleer AC in 3rd. First team was Dunleer AC, with Mullingar Harriers in 2nd place.
Dunleer AC Girls under 9
Dunleer A.C. 34 pointsCara LYNCH 3Grace DOYLE 7Bernadette BYRNE 8Muireann ROONEY 16
backed by teammates
Eva JOHNSON Stella MCCARTHY
Eva JOHNSON Stella MCCARTHY
Next race was the boys under 9 and a great win for Noah Bowes, with Cian O Reilly Glenmore AC in 2nd and his Clubmate Conor Gallagher in 3rd place. First team was Glenmore AC, with Réalt na Mara in 2nd place and Dundalk St. Gerard's in 3rd place.
Dunleer AC Boys under 9
Ja Courtney 21
Cillian Ward 26
James Corrigan 32
The girls under 11 was a very competitive race once again with 53 finishers. First home was Lily Maher from Cilles AC, with host Club's Jade Townsend (Dunleer AC) in 2nd place and Caitlin Hughes Boyne AC in 3rd. Bohermeen AC were the winners of the team prize, with Dundalk St. Gerards in 2nd and Dunleer AC in 3rd place.
Dunleer A.C. Girls under 1166 pointsJade TOWNSEND 2Margot GILLESPIE 19Ellie DARBY 22Grace WARD 23
backed by teammates
Anna DONOGHUE Hazel GREGORY Eve CAROLAN Katelyn CONNOR Sophie JORDAN Saoirse FAHY Hannah COYNE Aideen CALLAGHAN Violet MCCARTNEY Isla BOYLAN Amelia NEWMAN
Anna DONOGHUE Hazel GREGORY Eve CAROLAN Katelyn CONNOR Sophie JORDAN Saoirse FAHY Hannah COYNE Aideen CALLAGHAN Violet MCCARTNEY Isla BOYLAN Amelia NEWMAN
Devin Sheehan from Parnell AC had a 14 second advantage over the rest of the field in the boys under 11 race, with Louis Behan Dundalk St. Gerards in 2nd place and Colm Duff St. Peter's in 3rd. The winners of the Club team prize were Réalt na Mara, with Dunleer AC in 2nd place and Skerries AC in 3rd place.
Dunleer A.C. Boys under 1142 pointsLee JOHNSON 7Cormac DOYLE 8Emmett SMITH 12Stanley LAVERY 15
backed by team members:
Liam LYNCH Issac LAVERY Eoghan HICKEY Tommy MCBRIDE Tommy JORDAN Rocco LAVERY
Liam LYNCH Issac LAVERY Eoghan HICKEY Tommy MCBRIDE Tommy JORDAN Rocco LAVERY
Kayla Coyne representing Bohermeen AC was a winner by 2 seconds over 2nd placed Aisling Hegarty Skerries AC, with Robyn Browne Dundalk St. Gerards in third place. Dundalk St. Gerards were emphatic winners of the Club team competition on 26 points, with Bohermeen AC 2nd on 49 points and Skerries 3rd on 78 points.
Dunleer AC Girls U13
Fianaith KING 5Lily BOYLAN 28Siomha WARD 34Maisie MCCABE 39
In the boys under 13 event, Dylan O Reilly (Shercock AC) was another convincing Rás winner, 16 seconds ahead of the next place runner, and a very happy looking athlete as he crossed the line. In second place was Patrick Duffy (Glenmore AC), with Michael Gallagher (Tara AC) in 3rd place. First team honours went to Skerries AC, with Glenmore AC 2nd and Bohermeen in 3rd place.
Dunleer AC Boys under 13
Alex Costello 11
Eoin Hanratty 28
Joe Hickey 54
The Girls under 15 race had another great winner, by a huge 14 second margin with Áine Smith of Carrick Aces cruising home to first place. In second place was Tara Hunt of Bohermeen Ac, with Glenmore AC's Meabh Walsh in 3rd place. Dunleer AC won the team competition, with Parnell AC 2nd and Dundalk St. Gerards in 3rd place.
Dunleer AC Girls under 15
Dearbhla LEAVY 4Cliodhna REILLY 8Maeve CUNNIFFE 13Aisling CONLON 15Leah TOWNSEND 28
Boys under 15 was a very special race for Dunleer AC with Daithí Callaghan, a grand nephew of Larry Mc Guill and grandson of Barney Mc Guill coming home in first place, a year to the day that he took part in the Fun Run last year. Daithí has had a spectacular year with Louth and Leinster success, culminating in a qualification to run in the Nationals this year! In second place, 1 5 seconds back was Seán Power DMPAC, with Bohermeen AC's Charlie Chamberlayne in 3rd place. Bohermeen AC took 1st Club. Lucas Lavery (Dunleer AC) finished in a very good 9th place.
Sholah Lawrence (Ace Athletic Club) was a superb winner of the girls under 17 race, with Abby Smith (Shercock AC) in 2nd and Emma Hunt (Bohermeen AC) in 3rd. Ace AC won the team section.
The undisputed master of the under 17 race was local legend Dáire Mathews, whose uncle owns the field (giving him an advantage perhaps!!). Dáire has had an exceptional cross country season, with his selection to run for Ireland at the Celtic Cross Country event a just reward for his cross country heroics this season. In 2nd place was Mark Kearns of Shercock AC, who gave Dáire a good run and made him work hard for the Rás crown. In third place, Seán Rogers of Cilles AC had a great run also, just a second behind Mark. Ace AC won the team prize.
Dunleer AC Under 17
Dáire Mathews 1
Evan Costello 5
Max Lavery 13
MIXED OPEN 3KM
What a race!!! Loads of legends in there!!
1. Ian MARRON Ace Athletics Club
2. Noel SMITH Ace Athletics Club
3. Michael MCCARTHY North East Runners A.C.
4. Charles BREAGYDunleer A.C.
5. Adrian BLACK Ace Athletics Club
6. Oonagh GIGGINS
7. Angela KEARNEY Ace Athletics Club
8. Hamish GILLESPIE
9. Phliip MULLINS Skerries A.C.
10. Jacob TRAINOR North East Runners A.C.
11. Jim GONNELLYNorth East Runners A.C.
12. Ethan CLARKEDunboyne A.C.
13 Mary HALPENNY
14. Gareth STEWARTM41021:08
History
In the winter of 1969 three great minds got together to set about creating an event which would be the pride of Louth and Ireland. Their aim was to create an event which would stimulate both Athletic and Cultural minds and bodies. The three men were Larry Mc Guill, Joe Christle and Johnny Mullen. The first "Rás" took place in 1970 with athletes congregating in the village of Dunleer, and then all parading out to the course. Winner of the 1970 event was local man Micky Johnston . Over the years the Rás has produced many great champions, probably the two most famous winners of the Rás were Catherina Mc Kiernan and Million Wolde. (Million was winner of the 5000m at the Sydney 2000 Olympics). Over the years the Rás has provided many great memories...
Rás na hÉireann 2024 will take place on Sunday February 18th 2024 in Lawlesstown, Dunleer.
Enter online here: Ras Na hEireann 2024 - Buy Tickets (eventmaster.ie)
Prizes Newsflash!!
Top 3 Men & Women in the senior races
1st 3 Club teams (teams to include any combination of Senior, Junior or Master)
1st Men's team (4 athletes) will be awarded the Noel McGuill Cup & €500.
1st Ladies' team (3 athletes) will be awarded the Sandra Floyd Cup & €500
Dunleer AC is very happy to announce that the 2024 Larry Mc Guill Rás na hÉireann will take place once again in Dunleer, with the date confirmed as Sunday February 18th 2024. Rás Director Noel Williams is getting ready to direct, and has started the campaign to seek support from sports fans all over the world!! Don't hesitate folks. Get in touch and let us know how you would like to help! Physical and financial assistance needed! We will of course be hosting the Noel Mc Guill and Sandra Floyd team competitions, as part of the event. The 1st man home for Dunleer will receive the Louis Duffin Cup. The overall winner of the men's race will be presented with the Larry Mc Guill Cup, while the overall winner of the women's race will also receive a Cup.