Rás na hÉireann
Rás na hÉireann 2009
The Rás celebrated its 40th
birthday on Sunday 22nd February 2009. The event was kindly sponsored by
Drogheda Beverage Solutions and supported by the Irish Sports Council, the
Department of Foreign Affairs and the OPW, with local sponsors assisting
financially once again, helping to ease the burden of hosting such a high class
event.
Founded in 1970 in Dunleer, this
race has elevated to become one of the top International cross country events
on the calendar. To date 43 countries have competed, the only International
cross country event held annually in Ireland. For the 40th celebration the Rás
had a surprise for the people of Louth, with the participation of Keith Kelly,
announced at the press conference in early February.
Some people might remember that
first day in January 1970 when over 50 senior competitors marched from the
Parochial Hall to the famous Athclare castle course owned by the Sloan family.
The race was won by local man Micky Johnston from 3 time winner Willie Keane
from Clare. A few names still associated with the Rás are élite athlete
co-ordinator Charlie Breagy and the winner of the boys under 10 winner in 1970,
and Colm Rennicks from Bohermeen who won the boys under 16 race that day and
still competes in the Rás. 1975 saw the first International athletes from
France take part. From there that Rás took off and we have had World and
Olympic Champions testing the green pastures of the wee County since in Charles
Kamathi and Million Wolde. Since 1970 the Ras has been held at 6 venues within
the County. Our thoughts at this time of year are on those who worked so hard
to build up the Rás and are no longer with us.
Our thanks must go to all the
sponsors who have supported the event over the years which is now part
sponsored by the Irish Sports Council and supported by former world cross
country champion John Treacy.
The programme on February 22nd
catered for juveniles under 9 to 19 years, junior, senior and masters. The
first race was at 12 noon with a presentation before the International ladies'
race. The starter was Tom Neary, who we welcomed back after his illness last
year.
The people of Dunleer had plenty to
cheer about with some of the Club's top names in Ireland competing, including
the boys who won the silver medals in the All Ireland under 16 and 17 cross
country with names like Dunne, Goring and Farrell all in action and Tomás
Cotter who warmed up the crowd in Termonfeckin last year. County Novice,
Intermediate and Senior Champion Martin Quinn and team mate Darragh Greene
faced the 6,000 metres as well as David Vaughey, Tomás Cotter, David Lambe.
Sarah Haak, Catherine Byrne, Maeve Larney, Maria Mc Loughlin and Louise Hynes
were in the junior ladies'. In the masters' men Micheál Mulligan was to the
fore as ever and in the ladies' masters event world masters pentathlon Champion
Geraldine Finegan was joined by Sandra Doheny and Belinda Breagy. The post Rás
reception later in the evening featured Irish catering. The Rás committee
wishes to thank all of the stewards who helped out on the day, numbering 50 in
all: John Roche, the Mc Geough brothers, Mc Donnells, Howards, the Young and
Kenwright families, Graham Townsend, the Butterlys, Sam Ojo, Paul Adeniyi, Rory
Kirwan, Cillian Dyas, Mary and Colm O Brien, the Reid family, the Halpenny
family, the Cheshire and Breagy families, the Haak family, Declan Mc Kenna,
Gerry Reynolds, Joyce Kelly, Aileen Carrie, the Jein family, the Sewell family,
Margaret and Derek Stewart and others who helped out along the way.