ATHLETICS | Kim returns with a bang to win Louth Intermediate Cross Country title for Dunleer AC
Club wins six individual races and three team medals
An array of talent and hardy running was on display at the Louth Intermediate Cross Country Championships on Sunday with Dunleer AC negotiating the mud and muck in fine style.
The club had a total of six race winners on the day with Kim Lynch winning the Intermediate ladies 4000m, Grace McEvoy the U9 girls, Conor Brennan the boys U11, Maeve Eakin the girls U15, Neasa Reilly the girls U17 and Danny O’Brien the boys U19.
All of these champions were backed by club members and teams who quite literally ‘mucked in’ to help Dunleer AC to a gold team medal in the U11 boys, U15 girls and U19 boys section along with silver in the U13 girls, U15 boys and U17 boys.
Kim Lynch recreated the form she displayed as a juvenile and then as a novice runner 12 years ago by producing an outstanding performance to win with apparent ease in the Intermediate ladies 4km.
Kim had a baby in the last few months and is an inspiration to all the ladies to get back out running and get the spikes on! A true champion, she went from the gun and powered around the course, showing strength and speed that was unmatched by anyone on the day.
The intermediate men's team also enjoyed their best performance in years by winning the team prize in an enthralling race. Novice champion Terry Skelly powered through the field to third place and Paddy Fitzpatrick surely brought the rest of the team with him as he surged through the end of the 8km energy-sapping course to ensure team gold for Dunleer AC.
The club’s juveniles also shone in every age group with Dáire Rooney winning silver at U9 while Loughlin Welsh, Lucas Lavery and Ruairi Commins all acquitted themselves very well. U9 girls winner Grace McEvoy had a procession of Dunleer AC talent behind her with Ella Meegan, Kelly Sheridan, Leah Townsend and Sadhbh Greene all running well.
The U11 girls enjoyed a thrilling sprint finish with Cliodhna Reilly just getting ahead of clubmate Leah Rooney to secure the Dunleer girls third and fourth. Teammate Áine Fox was in support. There was another sprint finish in the U11 boys' race with Conor Brennan edging out Cormac Greene for first, followed by the in-form Christian Farrell, Declan McEntee, Evan Costello and Max Lavery.
Meghan McEvoy led the girls U13 team home in fourth place with Sally Sheridan, Danielle Brennan, Aibhe Reilly and Róisín Torris all battling through for their team. Tom Meegan had another super run to win himself a bronze U13 medal. He was supported all the way by Sam O’Neill and Jack Greene.
The U15 girls provided the stuff of dreams with Maeve Eakin running her own race. Maeve was always ahead and always in control and after 3.5km in the mud, she powered her way across the line to win her first Louth Championship. Close behind she had her dream team of Lisa Conlon in third along with Rebecca Baldwin, Lucy Sheridan and Jill Torris who all ran with their spikes off.
The U15 boys also enjoyed a fine afternoon on the badly churned-up grass with Matthew McEntee leading them home in fifth-place, followed by clubmen Oisín Cheshire, Ciarán King and Eoin Commins. Eseosa Victor, better known for his speed on the track had a great run at U17 level to win a silver medal. He was supported by teammates Seán Connaughton and Patrick Farrell.
Neasa Reilly proved to be a great champion in the girls' race and at U19 level it was Danny O’Brien who brought home the title ahead of teammate Peter Meegan with Fran Whelan 5th completing the Dunleer AC line-up.
