The Dunboyne team that won the Paddy Murtagh Trophy at Bohermeen on Saturday evening (from left) were: Sean Keany, Luke Forde, Rory McDonnell, Phelim Glynn and Neville Reilly. Morgan McDonagh was also a member of the team.

McDonnell best at Patrick Bell Memorial race

Published: Wed 15 Jun 2011, 4:59 PM

Close to 800 runners turned up to take part in the annual Patrick Bell Memorial 5km race on Saturday night with Dunboyne's Rory McDonnell winning the event. This was McDonnell's fourth time to win the race in five years and he managed to finish ahead of local runner Darragh Rennicks (pictured). Establishing a lead early on Rennicks looked like he might push on to take the title however, over the last mile McDonnell broke clear to win. The Dunboyne pair of Luke Forde and Neville Reilly secured third and fourth place respectively with Paul Gleeson (South O'Hanlon) fifth and Derek Croal (Bohermeen) sixth. Dunboyne won the Paddy Murtagh Cup for the team award ahead of Bohermeen, North East Runners, Mullingar and South O'Hanlon. The ladies race was won by Na Fianna's Mary Hanley (pictured) with 40 seconds to spare from Sandra Armstrong (Sportsworld) while Imelda Clarke (Na Fianna) was third. Amelia Dan (Dunboyne) was fourth, Ursula Byrne (Dunshaughlin) fifth and Maureen Harbision (Drogheda) sixth. The turnout was the biggest yet for an event that is now well established on the local sporting calendar. "The roads of Bohermeen were jammed to the limits with the largest turnout ever for the memorial to the young athlete who died in 1985. The atmosphere was electric with LMFM broadcasting from the venue at Bohermeen Community Centre, open turf fires billowed smoke into the June night," explained Bohermeen AC chairman Stephen Ball. "When the 800 athletes eventually lined up at Bohermeen school the old shop road as it is known locally was like the start of any big city marathon," he said. A poignant touch to the occasion was added by the inclusion of Declan Byrne and Rose Lambe among the large number of runners. Both took part in the inaugural Patrick Bell Memorial race in 1986 and this time around they participated in the o-50 grade. Bohermeen AC made a special presentation to John Hogan of Hogan Kitchens, main sponsor of the event for the past 25 years. The Bohermeen club chairman thanked all sponsors who have supported the event through the years. He also stressed the importance of the backing provided by the local community and the work of stewards and marshals. He expressed his thanks to all those who took park. "To organize an event of this nature requires the support of all great friends in the community and we are extremely grateful," he added. Gerry Leech treasurer of the Whistlemount Alzheimers Day Care Centre also thanked everyone who supported the race as proceeds will go towards the centre. Those who didn't receive a golden runner on the night can text their name to (0860 0792580 and it will forward one onto them. Full results available at www.bohermeenathleticclub.com. Bohermeen AC's next major promotion is the 39th Rennicks Cup Five-Mile Road challenge on Sunday 11th September, 2.0 when a longer challenge will face the starters through Old Ardbraccan. South O'Hanlon AC were well represented at the Patrick Bell Memorial with 10 athletes taking part. Paul Gleeson finished fifth and also won the o-40 category. Also placed in their categories were Mick O'Brien and Tommy Clarke who finished first and second in the o-55 race. Other category results were: men: junior - 1, Luke Forde (Dunboyne); 2, Vinnie Connolly (Mullingar); 3, Sean Kealy (Dunboyne). 0-35 - 1, Brian McCluskey (North East); 2, Steve Reenan (North East); 3, Sean Murphy (Trim). O-40 - 1, Paul Gleeson (South O'Hanlon); 2, Philip Smith (Baileboro); 3, Don Mahon (Trim). 0-45 - 1. Paul Cowie (Civil Service); 2, Phelim Glynn (Dunboyne); 3, Tommy Maher (Dunshaughlin). 0-50 - 1, Dermot Kerr (Armagh); 2, Paddy Mangan (Dunshaughlin); 3. Eamon Dolan. 0-55 - 1, Brian Lynch (North East); 2. Mick O' Brien (South O'Hanlon); 3, Tommy Clarke (South O'Hanlon). O-60 - 1, Patsy Fitzsimons (South O'Hanlon); 2, M Smith (Laragh); 3, Richard Duffy (North East). Women: junior - 1, Sarah Haak (Dunleer); 2, Jillian Hawdon; 3, Laoise McDermott. 0-35 - 1, Maureen Harbison (Drogheda); 2, Helen O'Connor (Na Fianna); 3. Bridie McHugh. 0-40 - 1, Mary Hanley (Na Fianna); 2, Sandra Armstrong (Sportsworld); 3, Imelda Clarke (Na Fianna). 0-45 - 1, Ann Hunter (Dunshaughlin); 2, Ann Marie Cluskey (Na Fianna); 3, Michelle McKiernan (Star of the Sea). 0-50 - 1, Rose Lambe (Armagh); 2, Linda Gunning (Bohermeen); 3, Breda Clifford (Navan). 0-55 - 1, Nuala Reilly (Drogheda); 2, Mary Lynn (Drogheda); 3, Margaret McAuley (Drogheda). 0-60 - 1, Rose Healy (Fr Murphy); 2, Josie Power (Fingallions). Young Bohermeen athletes enjoyed success at the Community Games. All-Ireland schools shot putt champion Kelly Brady won the girls u-16 javelin, Rose Finnegan took the girls u-14 800m, Katelyn O'Brien claimed silver in the girls u-10 100m, Molly Fitzgerald won silver in the girls u-14 100m and Ciaran Morgan finished in the bronze medal position in the boys u-12 100m. INTER-COUNTY There were plenty of miles covered by Meath athletes last weekend as they travelled to Kerry to take part in the AAI Track & Field League at Castleisland. Among the Meath athletes who did well was Mark Hoey who won the 5,000m in a new personal best of 15.09. The performance indicated that he is well capable of breaking the 15-minute standard this summer. Ger Nagle finished second in the shot and discus in his first competition of the season. Niall Matthews secured fourth place in the 400m in just 50 seconds while Joey Monaghan ran well in the 100m and 200m events. Shane Aston was fourth in the high jump while Chris Higgins took sixth place in the long jump. These were very respectable placings from two young athletes who were making their debut at senior inter-county level. The Meath men's team finished in sixth place and will need a strong performance in round two on the Sunday 17th July to avoid relegation. Rosie Daniel showed the way for the ladies team with a win in the high jump. She cleared 1.65m and also secured third place in the triple jump. There were also top three finishes for Brigid Clarke in the 3000m in a time of 10.44 and Grace O'Sullivan in the javelin. Grainne Miggin made a return to the hammer event and finished fourth with a throw of 37.79m. Ciara Grant, Karen Blaney and Ciara Rooney all competed on the county senior team for the first time and gained valuable points. The ladies side are also in sixth place and will have to work hard the next day out to avoid relegation. Meath team placings: Men: 100m - 5, Joey Monaghan (Navan); 200m - 6, Joey Monaghan 6th; 400m - 4, Niall Matthews (Navan); 800m - 6, Turlough Grant (Navan); 5000m - 1, Mark Hoey (Star of the Sea); 3000m steeplechase - 3, Rory McDonnell (Dunboyne); long jump - 6, Chris Higgins (Na Fianna); high jump - 4, Shane Aston (Trim); triple jump - 6, Shane Aston; discus - 2, Ger Nagle (Star of the Sea); javelin - 5, Chris Higgins (Na Fianna); shot putt - 2, Ger Nagle (Star of the Sea); 56lb for distance - 5, Brendan Meade (Star of the Sea); 4x100 - 6, Joey Monaghan, Niall Matthews, Turlough Grant and Chris Higgins. Women: 100m - 5, Ciara Grant (Navan); 200m - 6, Sophie Kennedy (Navan); 400m - 5, Moira Peppard (Trim); 1500m - 6, Ciara Rooney (Navan); 3000m - 3, Brigid Clarke (Na Fianna); high jump - 1, Rosie Daniel (Na Fianna); triple jump - 3, Rosie Daniel; long jump - 4, Karen Blaney (Navan); javelin - 3, Grace O'Sullivan (Cushinstown); hammer - 4, Grainne Miggin (Fr Murphy); discus - 5, Grainne Miggin; 4x100 - 5, Sophie Kennedy, Ciara Grant, Karen Blaney & Moira Peppard; 4x400 - 5, Karen Blaney, Ciara Rooney (Navan), Brigid Clarke and Moira Peppard.