A troop of Ardee and district ac athletes travelled to the Franciscan college in Gormanstown to compete in Boyne AC annual indoors sports. This event plays an important role in the local athletic calendar as for many it has become an introduction into track competition.
With the many adults settled into their seats above the sports hall it was time to group the young athletes for progression into the sports hall and the start of the 60m sprints. Caoimhe Carolan and Jessica McCarron both made the final finishing in 5th and 6th place.
A fine group of boys (Dylan McCarron, Fintan Kelly, Charlie Sands , Arthur Sands and Lennon Murphy) competed in the very large u8 boys 60m.
Paulina Kelly was the sole runner for Ardee in the girls u10 60m sprint finishing in 5th. Later in the day Paulina showed her true style where she finished in second place for the silver medal.
Rob Kelly took home bronze for his third place in the boys u10 60m sprint just ahead of club mates Jack McCarron and Joe Murphy. In the 300m Jack McCarron took a hard tumble and showed true character to dust himself off for a creditable fifth.
Samantha McCarron moved up an age running with her peers in the u12 60m. Samantha showed true grit and will be among those to watch in the outdoor season.
In the boys u12 Kyle Quinn returned to form winning both his heat and the final of the boys 60m.
More used to running through mucky fields than nice shinny sports halls, Abbie Sheridan sailed through the girls u15 300m for her gold medal for 1st place.
Tara McGuinnes and Niamh McGuinness shinned through in the girls u16/17 events with Tara 1st in both the 60m and 300m with sister Niamh in her shadow in 2nd.
The team and club spirit was alive and rubbing off on everyone as heads went together to group the lads and lassies together moving up ages to compete in relays for the final events. The u11 golden girls Hallie Sands, Orlaith Carolan, Ava McNally and Ruth Gillespie proved that training and working together will make winners as they took the gold in the relays.
Joe Murphy, Jack McCarron, Neill Quinn and Kyle Quinn took 3rd in the boys u13.
However the girls Ada Murphy, Aoibheann Carolan, Emma Gillespie and Eireann Hoey went one better to take home a silver medal for second place.
The final event before everyone left to find out the Wales/Ireland rugby result was the u17 relays. Rebecca McCarron was thrilled to move up ages and join Niamh and Tara with Abbie Sheridan for the relay. The young ladies left Gormanstown on a high following a convincing win for the last gold medals.
A big thanks to Boyne A.C. for a running a great event
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