The first three Meath athletes home in the Ladies Meath Hill Running Championship (from left) were Fr Murphy's Sharon Monaghan (third), Dunboyne's Karen O'Hanlon (second) and Shauna Moore (fourth).

Heery crowned king of the hills at Mullaghmeen

Published: Fri 8 Apr 2011, 9:56 AM

The picturesque countryside at Mullaghmeen Forest close to Oldcastle provided the scenic backdrop for the Meath Hill Running Championships on Sunday. The event was hosted by St Brigid's AC and the club set out a five kilometre course which took the runners to the ancient cairn which marks the highest point in Meath and Westmeath. The field was led home by Ger Heery of St Brigid's who has achieved success in this event in previous years. His victory at Mullaghmeen helped Heery top the Irish Mountain Running Association Spring League series as well as the county championship. Heery finished ahead of Cian O'Reilly (Annallee) at Mullaghmeen with Neville Reilly (Dunboyne) maintaining his good form of recent weeks to clinch third spot overall. Tommy Maher (Dunshaughlin), David Connell (Bohermeen), Gavin Maher (Dunshaughlin), Conor Daniel (Trim AC), Paddy Mangan (Dunshaughlin), Eddie Reid (Dunboyne), Ursula Byrne (Dunshaughlin), Linda Gunning (Bohermeen) and Ciara Rooney (Navan) were other local athletes to feature in their respective categories. The women's race at Mullagheen was won by Cavan youngster Eadaoin O'Reilly while the top Meath athlete was Dunboyne's Karen O'Hanlon who put in a sustained run to finish second. Sharon Monaghan (Fr Murphy) also built on some recent good performances to secure third place in the testing environment. The Meath Hill Running Championships are now a well-established feature in the local athletics schedule with increasing numbers of athletes taking part. "The popularity of this event has grown from modest numbers over the past five years to this years' 100 participants," explained Heery who is also the course director. "Many of those taking part had never been involved in hill or trail running before. They were rewarded with a fine running experience and good competitive action." Results: men; open category - 1, Gerard Heery (St Brigid's), 2, Cian O'Reilly (Annallee), 3, Neville Reilly (Dunboyne). women: open category - 1, Eadaoin O'Reilly (Annallee), 2, Karen O'Hanlon (Dunboyne), Sharon Monaghan (Fr Murphy). The Bohermeen ladies team at the championships was led by Linda Gunning (sixth), Brigid Reilly (10th) and Kathleen Croal (14th). Meath Hill Running Championships: men: senior - 1, Gerard Heery, 2, Neville Reilly, 3, Tommy Maher (Dunshaughlin). M40 - 1, Gerard Heery, 2, Tommy Maher, 3, David Connell (Bohermeen). M50 - 1, Paddy Mangan (Dunshaughlin); M60 - 1, Eddie Reid (Dunboyne); juniors - Gavin Maher (Dunshaughlin); 2, Conor Daniel (Trim). Women: senior - 1, Karen O'Hanlon, 2, Sharon Monaghan (Fr Murphy), 3, Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin). W40 - 1, Ursula Byrne (Dunshaughlin). W50 - 1, Linda Gunning (Bohermeen). juniors - 1, Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin), 2, Ciara Rooney (Navan). Bohermeen AC will entertain athletes from the South American country of French Guyana on Wednesday 6th April, 6.30. The visiting students will engage in several athletic disciplines. The group are on a culture trip and are staying in Ardbraccan for a week. All Bohermeen juvenile athletes are asked to attend Bohermeen Community Centre on the day. Amber McGourty finished in joint fifth place in the u-17 girls high jump at the National Juvenile Indoors Track & Field Championships in Nenagh. McGourty achieved a jump of 1.40m. She also achieved a personal best of 4.13m in the long jump.