Boyle best of the Irish at Connemara marathon

Bohermeen athlete Shane Boyle produced the best run of his short running career to finish second in the International Connemara Marathon, regarded as one of the toughest races on the circuit. This was the third time Boyle took part in the race. He was 13th in 2007 and last year he was third overall behind winner Simone Grassi from Italy in a time of two hours 51 minutes. In this year"s event Boyle shared the lead with the Italian, who won the event again, for the first 19 miles before securing second place with a time of two hours, 46 minutes. The half, full and ultra-marathon set in Connemara takes in countryside of immense beauty through Mams Cross and Leenane, famous for the filming of 'The Field." The three races had in excess of 4,000 runners taking part. Boyle has progressed from a very modest fun runner to a very respectable club and national runner. Before last Christmas he was one of the athletes that back-boned Bohermeen"s retention of the Meath Senior Cross-Country title in Dunboyne. The good weather put a spring in the steps of all the runners who took part in the Meath five-mile championships on St Patrick"s Day. The event was the first round of the Meath Athletics Board Road League and was relocated from Frayne to nearby Ballivor by the organisers Fr Murphy AC. The fast new course provided the field of runners with a good early season test and after a very competitive race the plaudits were earned by Dunshaughlin AC"s Robbie Matthews who finished ahead of the field. The athletes set off at a good pace with the trio of Matthews, Rory McDonnell and Gerard Heery heading the field. After a prolonged incline in the second mile Matthews made his move and put a gap between himself and Rory McDonnell from Dunboyne which extended as the race progressed. Matthews looks set to have a good season on the roads and his time of 25.29 sets down a marker for 2009. This trio will be among the main local contenders when they renew their tussle in Dunboyne next Sunday for the 40th edition of that club"s annual four-miler. McDonnell"s achievement in claiming second place boosted Dunboyne to the team event. The other members of the team were Morgan McDonagh (fifth), Paul Moran (12th) and Sean Kinnane (20th). Their club colleauge Sean Kinnane was second in the over-40 event while Paul Moran was second in the over-45 race. The Dunboyne masters team, which claimed second place, was led home by Aidan Keegan, with John Holian, Ray Duggan and Colm Sweeney also putting in good runs. Duggan was second on the over-60 race. In the masters grades at Ballivor former road cyclist Bill Moore from Star of the Sea AC marked his transition into road running with a victory in the over -35 grade ahead of Dermot Farrelly of Bohermeen. The Dunshaughlin duo of Tommy Maher and Paddy Mangan took the over-40 and over-45 honours in convincing style. Luke Mulligan won the M50 title while Trim had Noel Hanratty and Pat Comey at the head of affairs in the over-55 and M60 categories. Thomas Moran ran a very impressive 29.16 to take the junior title and he is shaping up to be one to watch in the coming years. Johnny Morrissey, Fechin Heery and Robert Caffrey made a clean sweep of the novice grade for St Brigid"s AC. In the senior men"s team race Dunshaughlin took the St Brigid"s Cup from Dunboyne with St Brigid"s in third. The masters 35 team title also went to Dunshaughlin while the masters 45 team prize was claimed by Trim. Mary Hanley was clearly delighted with her performance as she added to her already impressive list of county distance titles. She broke the 30-minute barrier once again and looks well set for another great season of road races. Fiona Reid (Dunboyne) was second and will be looking to impress in her own club"s big promotion next weekend. Pauline Hilliard also indicated she is returning to form with a good run. The junior race resulted in a one-two for Dunshaughlin"s Shauna Moore and Shauna Moran. The Dunshaughlin club also provided the winner of the over-35 category with Linda Fahy emerging as the winner. Linda Gunning returned to top form, clocking up a time 32.55 to take the over-45 title ahead of Mary Watters, Navan AC. The host club had a category win in the over-60 grade with Rose Healy while Mary Reilly was top over-50 runner. The senior women"s team award was won by Dunshaughlin who have hit on a good mix of youth and experience this season. Hanley led her Na Fianna colleagues Margaret Neary and Ann Marie McCluskey who finished first and second respectively in the W40 category to masters success. RESULTS MEN Senior - 1, Robbie Matthews (Dunshaughlin) 25.29; 2, Rory McDonnell (Dunboyne) 26.17; 3, Gerard Heery (St. Brigid"s) 27.05. Junior - 1, Thomas Moran (Dunshaughlin) 29.16; 2, Nicky Hoey (Navan) 37.36. Movice - 1, Johnny Morrissey (St. Brigid"s) 30.00; 2, Feichin Heery (St. Brigid"s) 30.07; 3, Robert Caffrey (St. Brigid"s) 30.38. Over-35 - 1, Bill Moore (Star of the Sea) 29.22; 2, Dermot Farrelly (Bohermeen) 30.51; 3, Pearse Fahy (Dunshaughlin) 36.54; over-40 1 Tommy Maher (Dunshaughlin) 28.02; 2, Sean Kinnane (Dunboyne) 29.43; 3, Aidan Swan (Dunshaughlin) 30.34; over-45 - Paddy Mangan (Dunshaughlin) 28.06; 2, Paul Moran (Dunboyne) 28.45; 3, Domo Moran (Dunshaughlin) 29.29; over-50 - 1, Luke Mulligan (Dunshaughlin) 34.35; 2, Brendan Meade (Star of the Sea) 38.27; over-55 - 1, Noel Hanratty (Trim) 30.16; Patsy Fitzsimons (South O"Hanlon) 34.27; 3, Tom Sweeney (Dunboyne) 45.59; over-60 - 1, Pat Comey (Trim) 32.47; 2, David Hawcroft (Trim) 33.50; 3, Ollie Payne (Na Fianna) 37.17. Teams: senior (St. Brigid"s Cup) - 1, Dunshaughlin; 2, Dunboyne; 3, St. Brigid"s AC.; M 35-44 - 1, Dunshaughlin AC; 2, Star of the Sea; 3, Trim AC; M45 - 1, Trim; 2, Dunboyne. WOMEN Senior - 1, Mary Hanley (Na Fianna) 29.55; 2, Fiona Reid (Dunboyne) 30.27; 3, Brigid Reilly (Bohermeen) 39.59; Junior - 1, Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin); 2, Shauna Moran (Dunshaughlin); over-35 -1, Linda Fahy (Dunshaughlin) 34.15; 2, Rosemary O"Neill (Star of the Sea) 39.46; over-40 -1, Margaret Neary (Na Fianna) 35.04; 2, Anne Marie McCluskey (Na Fianna) 35.20; 3, Michelle McKiernan (Star of the Sea) 42.40; over-45 -1, Linda Gunning (Bohermeen) 32.55; 2, Mary Watters (Navan) 34.04; 3, Breda Clifford (Navan 35.12; over-50 -1, Marie Reilly (Navan) 37.36; over-60 -1, Rose Healy (Fr. Murphy) 45.33. Teams: senior - 1, Dunshaughlin. Masters: 1, Na Fianna; 2, Navan.