Matthews best at Navan Road Race

Dunshaughlin AC runner Robbie Matthews stormed to victory at the annual Navan AC-promoted Simon Cumbers / Paddy Hyland 6km road race from Claremont Stadium on Friday evening. The late Simon Cumbers was fatally injured in a terrorist attack in Riyadh while working as part of a television reporting crew and the race, in conjunction with the Paddy Hyland memorial race, is staged annually in Navan. Matthews won in a time of 19 minutes 28 seconds, 22 seconds ahead of Skerries man Mark O'Shea with South O'Hanlon's Paul Gleeson, who won the event 12 months ago, in third. Adrienne Jordan (MSB) from Blanchardstown won the ladies race ahead of Meath footballer and noted athlete Fiona Mahon with Na Fianna's Mary Hanley in third place. Mayor of Navan Cllr Anton McCabe sent the 320 runners on their way out the Commons Road and apart from the serious athletes there were plenty of enthusiasts including Paul Clarke, manager of the Kells Celtic football team and he was accompanied by another Kells man, Joe Brady. The duo completed the course in 32:56 after participating in the Royal County 5km in Kells the previous Bank Holiday Monday. "I'm warming up for the Fitzsimons Cup final on Sunday, I hope the players are fit for that," commented Clarke in a reference to the MDL final his team was scheduled to play against Kingscourt. Alas, the players were not just as focused as their manager and lost the decider to top Cavan side Kingscourt who earlier this year won the Leinster Junior Shield. Benny Sheridan of Sheridan Insurances, who sponsored the race, also competed and returned a good time of 30: 41 l Sheridan Insurances & Financial Services is a family-owned business established by Benny Sheridan in 1979. Over the years the company has grown to become one of the largest independent insurance brokers in the North East with over 10,000 clients and offices in Ardee, Bailieboro, Cavan, Kells, Monaghan and Navan. See full list of runners and finishing times in this week's Meath Chronicle.