ATHLETICS | Dunleer AC storm to a dream double at the Louth Senior Championships
Mid-Louth club wins both the individual and team awards
It was a very proud Athletics Louth County Chairman — and Dunleer AC man — Micheál Mulligan, who presented the medals to the Louth Senior Cross Country individual and team champions at Newtownstalaban last weekend.
After suffering a team title drought for the past five years, Dunleer AC more than made up for it on Sunday at the home of Drogheda and District AC.
Nineteen-year-old Aoife Fay romped home to a convincing win in the senior ladies 6km race in a time of 23.16 with last year’s winner and teammate Karen McDonnell Costello taking the silver medal in 23.48. Mary Leech from the host club was a fine third in 24.11 with Dunleer AC’s Nicola Welsh in fourth in 24.51.
Nicola McDonnell Courtney, Karen’s sister, was the fourth scoring lady on the Dunleer AC team in 28.55 and together they brought home the coveted team title to mid-Louth thanks to a two-point lead over second placed Drogheda and District, with North East Runners in third place.
The senior men’s 10km showed that Dunleer AC and Louth’s youngsters are in good shape with 20-year-old Garry Campbell racing to a terrific win in 33.25.
Garry was followed home by his very talented and experienced teammate, Darragh Greene, in 34.10 in second place, with 18-year-old youngster Diarmuid McKeown in sixth place in a time of 34.54.
The Dunleer AC team packed well in 15th, 17th and 18th with Paul Butler, Patrick Fitzpatrick and Anthony Connolly respectively and won the team title with a 10-point lead over second placed North East Runners and third placed Drogheda and District.
Club chairman David Carrie stated that he was pleased with each and every Dunleer AC member who toed the line, showing huge team spirit to win the double.
Claiming the two individual senior titles and the two senior team titles was a fantastic achievement for Dunleer AC and a true testament to the commitment and cohesiveness of this club.
Speaking afterwards, Micheál Mulligan added his praise and stated that the late Larry McGuill would have been truly proud of his club for their achievement.
In the senior men’s 10km, the scoring Dunleer AC members had tremendous support from David Carrie 38.22, Paddy O’Mahoney 39.33, Ray Hughes 40.08, Graham Townsend 40.12, Aonghus Rooney 40.26, Mark Carroll 40.38, Pat Dunne 40.57, Patrick Connolly 41.42, Barry McGinn 43.43, Robert O’Rourke 44.04 and Ollie McHugh 44.04.
In the senior ladies’ 6km, the scoring members had the backing of Jacqueline Matthews 29.09, Sandra Doheny 29.18, Sandra O’Rourke 31.18, Helen Cheshire 32.10 and Denise Gallagher 32.50.
As part of the day’s events there were juvenile relays to whet the appetite for the main event and the Dunleer AC youngsters ran with gusto. The U10 girls finished fifth, the U12 girls first, the U10 boys second, U12 boys fifth and the U14 boys second.
All in all it was a great day and thanks to all participants and organisers. Next up is the Leinster Juvenile and Senior Championships in Adamstown on Sunday.
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