McDonnell tolls Bell hat-trick

THERE was a record turnout for Bohermeen AC"s 24th Patrick Bell Memorial 5km race and charity walk at Bohermeen on Friday evening where Dunboyne"s Rory McDonnell completed a hat-trick. McDonnell led a squad from Dunboyne and he won the title for the third year in-a-row, a great achievement for the athlete who displayed fine form having won the national Track & Field 3km Steeplechase the previous Sunday. Also running in the Bohermeen 5km was Fiona Reid who finish sixth in her race. There were also good runs too for Sean Kinnane and Noel Duffy. Almost 500 runners entered for the run and walk making it the highest turnout in the event"s history. Runners and walkers travelled from Portumna, Nenagh and Belfast to take part. The weather was pleasant for the large contingent of runners that included the sub five-minute mile athletes as well as the local community walkers. All participated in aid of the Meath Arch Club whose members turned out in big numbers to support the event. It proved to be a very successful evening for McDonnell who clinched the title for the third year in 15.18. Dunshaughlin"s Robbie Matthews secured second place while Martin Quinn (Dunleer) also vied for the lead before finishing in third place. Bohermeen"s top finisher was Derek Croal who was sixth in what was his best run ever on Bohermeen roads. He was watched by his parents Mary and Paddy, from Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. Dunleer AC won the Paddy Murtagh Cup presented to the winner of the team event. For the first time an athlete from abroad won the ladies race with 23-year-old Ezmera Gebrezgi from Eritera in north Africa claiming the top prize. Gebrezgi is a very talented runner who turns out in the colours of Dublin City Harriers and she took the title in 17.23 with Meath woman Fiona Mahon (Donore Harriers) second in 17.40 while last year"s winner Mary Hanley was third in 17.55. Eamonn Philips, son of the late Nicky Philips, presented the trophy to the winner of the ladies event. Na Fianna retained the Mallon Cup with Mullingar second and Bohermeen third. Meath Arch Club chairman Tony Brady thanked everyone for their kind support of the event and said it was unique that athletes who were of Olympic standard could participate in the same event as ordinary members of the public. Bohermeen AC would like to pay tribute to everyone that supported the event in any way from its main sponsor for the past 23 years, John Hogan, to all the supported the event on the night. David Harrison, junior and senior, provided entertainment and made light of the billowing smoke from the open turf fires. The local Order of Malta, the Community Centre committee, road stewards and the local media were all praised on the night for their contributions as was the official starter Tommy Neary from Co Louth . The Patrick Bell Memorial race has now been described as the event of the summer and one for athletes not to miss. RESULTS Patrick Bell Memorial - 1, Rory McDonnell (Dunboyne) 15.08; 2, Robbie Matthews (Dunshaughlin) 15.12; 3, Martin Quinn (Dunleer) 15.16; 4, Cian O Raghallaigh (Annallee) 15.38; 5, David Byrne (Tallaght) 15-45; 6, Derek Croal (Bohermeen) 15.46. Team event - 1, Dunleer 31pts; 2, Bohermeen AC 65; 3, Bohermeen B 126; 4, Dunleer B 134; 5, South O"Hanlon 159; o-35 - 1, David Byrne (Tallaght); 2, Ciarn Kelly (Dunleer); 3, Shane Boyle (Bohermeen); o-40 - David Carrie (Dunleer); 2, Matthew Glennon (Mullingar); 3, David Carey (Dunleer); o-45 - Mark Lacey (South O"Hanlon); 2, David O"Connell; 3, Dermot Clarke (Bohermeen); o-50 - 1, Dermot Kerr (Armagh); 2, Paddy Mangan (Dunshaughlin); 3, Ben White (Mullingar); o-55 - 1, James Gillespie (Armagh); 2, Patsy Fitzsimons (South 0"Hanlon); 3, Conor Cooney (Drogheda); o-60 - 1, Matt Cooley; 2, Michael Smith (Laragh); 3, Christy Creagh (Mullingar); junior - 1, Cian O Raghaillaigh (Annalee); 2, Thomas Cotter (Dunleer); 3, Donal Hanratty (Tara); novice - 1, Colm Walsh (Mullingar); 2, Bernard Heaney; 3, Nigel Smith. Nicky Phillips Memorial - 1, Azmera Gebrezgi (DCH Eritera Africa) 17.23; 2, Fiona Mahon (Donore Harriers) 17.40; 3, Mary Hanley (Na Fianna) 17.55; Crona Brady (Sportsworld) 18-30; 5, Helen White (Sportsworld) 18.35; 6, Fiona Reid (Dunboyne) 18.43. Team - 1, Na Fianna 60; 2, Mullingar 67; 3, Bohermeen 107; 4, Navan AC 117; o-35 - 1, Mary Sully (Mullingar); 2, Linda Fahy (Dunshaughlin); 3, Barbara Cleary; o-40 - 1, Mary Hanley (Na Fianna); 2, Helen White (Sportsworld); 3, Bridget Clarke (Na Fianna); o-45 - 1, Linda Gunning (Bohermeen); 2, Mary Watters (Navan); 3, Breda Clifford (Navan); o-50 - 1, Finola McCourt (Lagan Valley); 2, Karen McLoughlin (Donore); o-55 - 1, Margaret McAuley (Drogheda); 2, Deirdre Dowling (Moynaley); o-60 - 1, Rose Healy (Fr Murphy); junior - 1, Clodagh Ni Raghaillaigh (Annallee); 2, Edan Ni Raghaillaigh (Annallee); 3, Leah Rennicks (Bohermeen)