Locals edged out at annual Oldcastle road race
Meath footballer Paddy Gilsenan took a time-out on Wednesday evening of last week to act as official starter for the second annual Oldcastle five-kilometre road race organised by St Brigid's AC. The weather conditions deteriorated as the 465 runners set off on what some of the athletes described as a testing course. Dunleer's Martin Quinn took the honours and the Marie Monaghan Memorial Cup in the men's race with a comfortable victory in a time of 15 minutes and 15 seconds. Dunshaughlin athlete and Crossakiel native Robbie Matthews (15:47) took the runner-up position with Mullingar's Kevin Baker in third place. Quinn set a hot pace at the front of the field and had a 30-metre lead on the chasing group headed by Matthews, Martin Fulton, Baker, Vinny Connolly and Karl Kildee as they headed through the town over the opening a kilometre. Quinn maintained a strong pace throughout and came home a clear winner. International cross-country runner Becky Woods form Clonliffe Harriers took the laurels in the ladies section with more than 40 seconds to spare from runner-up, Meath athlete Mary Hanley of Na Fianna. Woods was the leading lady at the one-kilometre mark from her teammate Louise Reilly with St Brigid's runner Elaine Plunkett in third place. Woods maintained her pace and come home in a very fast time of 17.56, but there was only five seconds between the next four athletes with Hanley finishing strongly in 18.41 from Donna Evans (Monaghan) in 18.44, followed by Dunboyne's Emilia Dan (18.45) and Reilly (18.46). Plunkett gave the locals something to cheer about with a fine win in the junior ladies race with Jack McGowan Bohermeen continuing his good form winning the junior men's race. The Naper Arms Hotel hosted the presentations where the first presentation was the Ronan Sheridan Memorial Cup which was presented by Ann Sheridan to Maureen Gilsenan for her commitment to St Brigid's AC over a number of years. Michael Monaghan presented the Marie Monaghan Memorial Cup to the men's winner.