Matthews best at Star of the Sea cross-country

What is normally a quiet, if large field, in the middle of the east Meath countryside became a theatre of dreams on Sunday for athletes of all ages who were chasing their own individual goals and ambitions. They were there for the Star of the Sea's 24th annual cross-country meeting. The senior men's race was won by Robbie Matthews (Dunshaughlin, pictured) who edged out local hero Colin Costello for top spot. The senior women's title went to Sarah Fitzpatrick (Dundrum/South Dublin) while the best local runner was Nicola Bull from the promoting club in third ahead of Emilia Dan (Dunboyne) in fourth place. If the numbers that turned out on Sunday is anything to go by this particular annual cross-country jamboree is set to run for another 24 years, at least. Athletes of all ages and abilities were in attendance in the field located deep in the countryside at Grennanstown between Bellewstown and Stamullen. The running area is part of the dairy farm owned by Meath Athletic Co Board chairman and Star of the Sea clubman Brendan Meade. For one day every year the cows make way for the athletes and it's invariably the same day as the All-Ireland SFC final. For a few days beforehand Meade and his little army of helpers must have been busy ensuring everything was in place. They must have been pleased with how everything worked out because the races were run off with a level of efficiency that the Olympic organisers would be pleased about. There was a 'tea tent' and even a winners' podium where youngsters could step up and have their medals presented to them - and have their photographs taken by proud, beaming parents. It was estimated that up to 800 people were in attendance. The girls u-9s got the day's running underway soon after 11.0 and as soon as one race was finished another got underway from u-9 up to u-16. Then it was the turn of the adults to show what they could do and they also set about conquering the demanding, undulating course. For the men it was a 6,000-metre slog with a few of the upward slopes on the course enough to test the physical and mental mettle of even the best-prepared athlete. Among those involved in ensuring everything was run smoothly was Jim Berrill. He was on the original Star of the Sea committee charged with organising the club's first cross-country event back all those years ago. A local farmer, Berrill made up the committee along with his wife Margaret and a coterie of friends and neighbours that included Ann Hanley, Colm Hanley, Winifrid Collier, Joe Monks and Richard Brennan. It was a courageous idea for a group of local people to pick up and run with. The idea took root and the races were staged on Berrill's land for the first 14 years before they were switched to the Meade holding where they have been held since. "Other clubs were staging their own races and we felt that we should do the same," Berrill recalled on Sunday. "It's hard to believe, but I didn't get wet once during all those years I've been involved." The Star of the Sea officials were delighted with the turnout on Sunday. The entries for the under-age races were considerably up on last year while in the men's race there were 72 finishers with 41 in the 3,000 metres women's event. In all the organisers estimated there were close to over 400 runners involved. Certainly by the number of cars that were directed to a nearby field that figure is easy to accept. There were young and not so young runners proudly wearing club colours from a variety of counties such as Louth, Monaghan, Cavan, Kildare and Dublin as well as Meath. They were added into the mix along with familiar faces from local outfits such as Dunshaughlin's Tommy Maher who brought a contingent of young athletes to Grennanstown. Dunboyne too had a big contingent in place. Rory Kavanagh and Rory O'Neill were involved in the senior men's race. In the under-age races Dara Kinnane, Daniel Kinnane, Ciaran Lonergan, Aibhin Ni Fhlatharta, Doireann Ni Fhlatharta, Abigail Knox, Victoria Knox, Anna Griffin, Kate Griffin and Faye Howlin wore the club colours with pride. They, no doubt, and the other youngsters will be back. Back to the field between Stamullen and Bellewstown that for a few hours every year becomes a mecca for the athletes of Meath and beyond.