Costello back to winning ways after fine display

Colin Costello returned to winning ways when he was first home in the FBD Insurance-sponsored Star of the Sea six-kilometre race at the club's 23rd cross-country event that attracted a large number of adult and under-age runners in male and female categories. Costello faced some stern opposition that included Martin Quinn (Dunleer) and Raheny Shamrocks duo Simon Ryan and Mick Traynor as the action unfolded. From the off Ryan took up the pace ahead of Costello and Traynor, but as they moved out on their second lap Ryan and Costello were running side-by-side and had opened up a slight lead on the veteran athlete Mick Traynor. Both Ryan and Costello looked to be running at their ease and on the third lap Quinn moved into third place, as the trio headed for home on the fourth lap Costello and Quinn pulled way from Ryan. With 600m to go Costello made a sudden surge and opened a decisive gap on the Dunleer man. The Star of the Sea athlete continued to press home his advantage and came across the line to rapturous applause from the home supporters with Quinn in second place and Ryan in third. Fourth place gave Traynor the Masters race while Vinny Connolly (Mullingar Harriers) in fifth place won the junior race. The ladies senior and junior race over 4k was won by Mary Scully (Mullingar Harriers) won the ladies senior race followed home by two junior athletes - Mary Mulhare (North Laois) in second place and Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin). Liffey Valley won both the senior and masters team category. Mullingar Harriers retained the Star of the Sea Shield for the best juvenile club with two athletes in the top six in a race won by Neasa Reilly (Blackrock AC). The u-17 boys race over 5000m for the Sean Higgins Memorial Cup was a great race with the leading runners all staying in close contact until the last lap of this three and a half lap race. On the penultimate hill Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea) made his move and broke away from David Mulhare (North Laois) and Rob Tully (Star of the Sea) who took the sliver medal with a late surge in the final 200 metres. The Star of the Sea u-9 boys team of James Kimmage, Liam Keogh and Ben McKenna took silver in the team event as did the u-11 grils team of Maeve Kimmage, Kate McKenna and Ciara Pollis. Mullingar Harriers won the combined junior and senior team prize with Star of the Sea in second place while Dunshaughlin, led home by Tommy Maher, won the masters team prize. The Star of the Sea Shield for the best juvenile club was retained by Mullingar Harriers with a total of 109pts. Beechmount Harriers from Belfast were second in this competition with 32pts and Ardee & District third with 20pts.