Rás na hÉireann
Report on Rás 2017
Rás na
hÉireann 2017 was held on Sunday February 5th, on a
beautiful frosty but sunny day at Oldbridge, site of the famous Battle of the
Boyne. Almost 600 athletes participated and the Dunleer AC organisers were
delighted with the huge turnout. Cross country running is very strong in
Ireland and the Athletic Clubs in Louth and beyond are great supporters of the
Rás every year. This year teams from Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan, Dublin,
Offaly, Kildare and Down participated and there was a very high standard of
running with All Ireland, Louth and Leinster Champions mixing with Club runners
from this wide geographical area. Among the sponsors were Glen Dimplex, Premier
Electrics, Darby's Service Station and Coca Cola. Many thanks to all who
supported the event.
The
Larry Mc Guill and Dunleer AC Cups were presented to the winners of the Men's
and Ladies races respectively, with Killian Mooney winning the men's 6km and
Sarah Fitzpatrick also Dundrum South Dublin winning the ladies 3km.
First
Dunleer AC athletes home were presented with cups also to mark their
achievement, with Jack Boylan receiving the Louis Duffin Cup and Karen Costello
receiving the inaugural Dunleer AC cup.
Dunleer
AC were delighted to have a winner in Conor Brennan in the boys under 9 race
and Erinn Leavy in the girls under 13 race. Maeve Smith of Carrick Aces was a
clear winner of the girls under 9 race, with Emily Bolton of Metro St. Brigids
a worthy winner of the girls under 11. Shea O Donnell Boyne AC had a super
victory in the boys under 11 just ahead of Dunleer ACs Dáire Mathews. Boyne AC
had another winner in the boys under 13 with Neil Culhane with Dunleer AC's
Erinn Leavy winning the girls equivalent by a great margin. Tullamore Harriers
provided the winner in the girls under 15 with Ava O Connor just edging out
Blackrock AC's Neasa Reilly. Victor Esosa powered home to win the boys under 15
for St. Joseph's. Lauren Murphy of Cillies AC had a good win under 17 just
ahead of Ardee & District's Abbie Sheridan. The boys under 17 saw Tadhg
Donnelly of Drogheda & District power away to win the 4km race in a
convincing fashion.
The
men's senior race was won by Killian Mooney DSD, with Brian Mc Cluskey North
East Runners in 2nd and Shane Toner Glenmore in 3rd. Stephen Kelly Drogheda & District was
first over 40, Declan Bolton MSB was first over 45 and Paul le Blanc Dunleer AC
was first over 50, with Pat O Grady Drogheda & District first over 55.
Team
result:
1st
North East Runners 31 points
2nd
Drogheda & District 48 points
3rd
Dunleer AC 72 points
The
ladies' race was won by Sarah Fitzpatrick DSD, with Karen Costello Dunleer AC
2nd and Esther Dickson Newry AC 3rd, with first over 40 Yasmin Canning Drogheda
& District, first over 45 Ciara Darker DSD and first over 50 Anita Bolton
North East Runners.
Team
result:
1st DSD
24 points
2nd
Dunleer AC 44 points
3rd
North East Runners 72 points