The Ardee and district athletes travelled North and South of the county last weekend to compete in events hosted by local clubs. On Friday evening the weather was perfect north of the county for the annual Carlingford 5k road race hosted by Glenmore ac.
The evening kicked off with a juvenile programme and the first 10 athletes across the line were rewarded for their efforts. Paulina Kelly stormed her way to the finish in fifth place in the girls u9 event. Paulina’s big brother Rob also picked up a medal in the boys u11 when he finished in seventh place. Ava McNally ran a fine race to come home in sixth place in the girls u11 race.
Rob & Paulina Kelly – Ardee & District A.C.
U16 athlete Tara McGuinness joined the senior athletes to run in her first road race. Tara finished the scenic course in a credible time of 22mins.
Tara McGuinness – Ardee & District A.C.
Also representing Ardee and district ac were senior athletes Leo Farrell and Brian Duff who ran the race shoulder to shoulder and finished with equal times of 23.56mins.
Leo Farrell & Brian Duff – Ardee & District A.C.
On Sunday the troops travelled South to the Lourdes stadium in Drogheda for the annual Boyne open sports day. As this event is an open sports day all events were hugely contested with competitors travelling from Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Down, Carlow and many others bordering counties.
Jonathan Commins sprinted his way to gold in the u15 boys 100m. Conor McMahon also took gold in the boys u16 100m. Conor threw 29.56m in the u17 javelin finishing in second place.
Jonathon Commins – Ardee & District A.C.
Conor McMahon – Ardee & District A.C.
A photo finish in the boys u10 relay placed the boys team of Charlie Sands, Joe Murphy, Jack McCarron and Rob Kelly in third place. Rob Kelly also picked up the bronze medal for 3rd place in the boys u10 turbo jav.
Boys U10 Relay – Ardee & District A.C.
Rob Kelly – Ardee & District A.C.
Sarah Lynch and Paulina Kelly were both on the podium with Sarah 2nd and Paulina 3rd in the girls u9 turbo jav.
Caoimhe Carolan ran a great heat to make the final of the girls u8 60m where she finished fifth.
Sarah Lynch & Paulina Kelly – Ardee & District A.C.
Also competiting well in the u8 events were Jessica McCarron, Fintan Kelly, Dylan mcCarron, Lennon Murphy and Arthur Sands.
A tots u6 race saw large number line up and representing Ardee were Courtney Commins, TomJoe McCormack and Sean McCormack. A dash to the finish line saw all the young participants receive a water bottle and an extra sweet treat.
Courtney Commins, TomJoe McCormack & Sean McCormack
Ava McNally led the u11 girls home in the 600m closely followed by Hallie Sands and Ruth Gillespie. The girls joined forces with Jessica Smith, Orlaith Carolan and Samantha McCarron and took on girls a full year older to compete in the u12 relay.
Eireann Hoey ran a steady race in the girls u12 600m staying with the leading group throughout the race. Club mates Rebecca McCarron and Adah Murphy also competed well in the u12 events.
Hats off or maybe shoes off to Emma Gillespie? Emma ran amid a large group in the girls u13 800m, however at the halfway mark as they got ready to make their move Emma got stepped on and lost her left shoe. Not being deterred by the incident Emma carried on with the race wearing only her right shoe.
Aoibhean Carolan won a place in the u12 80m sprint where she finished in 5th place. Kellymae Smith joined Aoibhean and Emma along with a guest competed well in the u14 relay. In the finl event of the day it was the turn of parents and coaches to take to the track for a relay. Once again Mudger McCarron, Tracey McCarron, Liam Smith and Peter Carolan went out and represented the club. Who knows with a little bit of practice maybe this team can go places.