Rás na hÉireann
There
were damp conditions underfoot on Sunday last for the 49th staging of the Rás
na hÉireann, but that did not deter the 500 athletes who participated. A great
event was hosted by Dunleer AC on the grounds of Oldbridge House at the Battle
of the Boyne site, by kind permission of the OPW.
Dunleer
AC were delighted to see many old friends at the Rás and also to welcome a new
breed of Champions from local Clubs, but also from other Counties also, with
athletes from Meath, Dublin, Westmeath, Kildare, Offaly, Wexford, Cavan,
Monaghan and Co. Down participating. The juvenile races were very exciting with
all of the children giving their best and enjoying their participation. Full
results will be posted on our website.
It was
a great day for the Club with the ladies and men's winners hailing from host
Club Dunleer AC, with Karen Costello the masters National Champion over 40
winning the ladies Cup and sub 4 minute miler Tomás Cotter winning the Larry Mc
Guill Cup as the winner and the Louis Duffin Cup as first Dunleer man home.
It was
indeed ladies' day for Dunleer AC with first team and the Sandra Floyd Cup
going to the Dunleer AC ladies team, with Karen Costello 1st, Nicola Welsh 2nd,
followed by Sandra Doheny, Nicola Courtney and Denise Mc Ginn. The late Sandra
Floyd's sisters Joyce and Ann presented the cup on behalf of the family.
The men
finished in second place with the Noel Mc Guill cup going to neighbours North
East Runners. Tomás led the Dunleer AC men home, with 16 year old Danny O Brien
in 11th and 2nd home for Dunleer AC, followed by Pat Fitzpatrick, Paddy
Mahoney, Fran Whelan, Anthony Connolly, Patrick Connolly, Mark Carroll, Barry
Mc Ginn, Peter Ryan. A great team effort.
Our thanks goes to our sponsors
Coca Cola, Glen Dimplex, Shay Sheridan, Mc Goey's Pharmacy and Paul Mc Geown
barber, plus all of our supporters and friends, as we look forward to the 50th
Rás na hÉireann in 2019.