Matthews best Meath athlete

There was no doubting the enduring popularity of athletics when over 300 competitors turned out for the Athletics Association of Ireland (AAI) 10km Road Race Championships at Navan on Sunday. The event also incorporated the Meath championships and Dunshaughlin"s Robbie Matthews claimed the county title with a magnificent race to finish in ninth overall in 31 minutes, 48 seconds. As the main contenders set off on the route used for the Navan AC St Stephen"s Day Road Race there was a huge crowd present and their was no parking space available on Commons Road. Meath AAI president Larry Daly was delighted that the Meath Athletics Board could host their own championships in conjunction with the national championships. 'This is a great day for Meath athletics. I am very proud that Meath athletics can host their very important event. The whole day went very smoothly and I wish to congratulate the winners of all the races,' Daly told the Meath Chronicle. As rain fell throughout the county, Navan managed to stay relatively dry for the race and without a glaring sun the runners posted excellent times with Tallaght AC"s Sean Connolly claiming the national crown in 30 minutes, 22 seconds. Connolly"s tussle with Clonliffe Harriers Vinny Mulvey was the highlight of an exceptional race. The pair battled it out heel to toe over the second five-kilometre lap before Connolly found an extra burst to pull clear and claim the title, 14 seconds clear of Mulvey. The women"s race was close throughout, but as the second lap wore on Newcastle AC"s Kerry Harty found an extra gear and pulled significantly clear of Rathfarnham"s Catriona Jennings with 46 seconds to spare. Leading Meath runner Matthew"s ran a magnificent race throughout and was with the leading group until Connolly and Mulvey"s decisive break which proved too much for the rest of the field before he eventually claimed the top Meath finisher and ninth overall. The only other male athletes that competed for the Meath senior title were Bohermeen"s Derek Croal who finished one minute, 48 seconds behind Matthews and Anthony Corrigan who came home in 38 minutes, 49 seconds. In the Meath Ladies race Star of the Sea"s Orla Timmons finished clear of Na Fianna pair Brigid Clarke and Maggie Higgins. The masters category produced some of the best Meath finishes in some highly competitive divisions. Matthew"s Dunshaughlin colleague Paddy Mangan put many senior runners to shame by claiming third spot in M45 in 34 minutes, 23 seconds. Despite several excellent performances only one other Meath runner finished amongst the medals when the exceptional Rose Healy from Fr Murphy AC won top spot in the W60 grade. Trim AC"s Pat Comey was just outside the medals with his time of 39 minutes, 58 seconds in the M60 race while Mark Rowe from South O"Hanlon was fifth in 33 minutes, 37 seconds in the M35 race. There was a great show of strength from the W45 ranks with Linda Gunning taking fourth, Mary Watters claiming fifth and Breda Clifford finishing sixth. Dunshaughlin AC will host their annual Michael Manning 10km road race on Saturday, 27th June where once again a huge field is expected to turn out for one of the leading road races in the country. The Dunshaughlin AC 10km one of oldest road races in the country and is dedicated to deceased members and friends of the club, Margaret Walsh, PJ Fagan and Mick Manning and this year the proceeds from the race will be donated to the Marie Keating Foundation. There will be cash prizes for all the top finishers as well as tee-shirts / goodie bags for early entrants and spot prizes for down-the-field finishers.  The event caters for elite runners, joggers and walkers. Changing rooms, showers and refreshments will be available. Registration on the night before 7.15 at the community centre is €15 or enter online €12. For more information go to www.dunshaughlinac.com or contact Maggie (01) 8240519 or Paddy (087) 2597731. Bohermeen athletic club had a mini-international meet at their track on Monday evening of last week when they took part in relay and hurdle competitions against a group of young visitors from French Guiana who were staying locally at An Tobar, Ardbraccan. Many of the visitors and Bohermeen young athletes exchanged emails and bebo sites, no doubt for future exchanges. On the night Marie Pierre provided commentary in both French and English.