Ledwith leads the way to win South O'Hanlon event

Even the wet conditions couldn't dampen the enthusiasm of over 270 athletes who took part in the annual South O'Hanlon 5km Road Race at Seneschalstown on Wednesday evening of last week. Fr Murphy athlete Andrew Ledwith (pictured) showed the way home to win in a time of 15 minutes, 14 seconds while Annette Kealy (Raheney Shamrocks) was victorious in the women's event. Apart from Ledwith there was joy for other local athletes including Luke Ford (Dunboyne) who was victorious in the junior men's category while Shauna Moran (Dunshaughlin) claimed the women's race. With 100 more entries than 2010 this year's the race proved to be ultra competitive and Ledwith once more demonstrated his talents to win. He was closely followed home by Vinnie Connolly (Mullingar Harriers), while Neville Reilly (Dunboyne) continued his excellent form this summer by clinching third place. The winning team in the men's category was Dunboyne. They picked up 18 points while Mullingar were second on 19 points and Dunshaughlin third on 38 points. In the women's category Na Fianna won with 173 points, Dunshaughlin second with 223 and Donore third on 283. To honour the passing of South O'Hanlon stalwart Barry Connor, the club presented the Barney Connor Cup for first home in the over-60 race, Patsy Fitzsimons. Trim AC also had a good turn out of athletes with John Ferry finishing second in the M40 event in a time of 18.18 while Enda Markey was fourth in the same category in 18.49. Athletes from Cushinstown AC enjoyed a very successful weekend at the Woodies DIY All-Ireland Juvenile Track & Field Championships in Tullamore. A very competitive weekend resulted in the best of Ireland's juvenile athletes competing over two days and Cushinstown AC featured prominently in their chosen events. Among the Cushinstown athletes who featured were Shannon Sheehy (second u-13 60m hurdles and high jump), Elizabeth Morland (first in the u-14 long jump and second in the u-14 high jump), Keith Marks (second u-15 high jump) and Zoe Mohan (first u-12 long jump), Shane Joyce (second u-15 javelin) and Jordan Leech (second u-14 high jump). Trim AC's Shane Aston claimed his first national title when he won the boys u-18 javelin event at the Athletics Ireland u-13 to u-19 Tack and Field Championships at Tullamore Harriers track on Saturday and Sunday. Not only did Aston's efforts win the national title it was a new personal best throw of 49 metres for the promising young athlete. Aston had six metres to spare over his nearest rival. In the u-14 80 metres, Nathan Grant won his heat on Saturday morning and in the final he ran a great time of 10.29 seconds in a tight finish to claim silver. In the u-19 high jump Emma Foley cleared 1.40m which tied with the third placed athlete Aisling Costello who took the bronze on countback. Andrew Lynam finished in sixth place in the u-19 shot putt. The Meath teams have been selected for round two of the AAI Track & Field League in Athlone on Sunday. Kourosh Foroughi and Sara Treacy are unavailable as they are competing in the European u-23 championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Mens: 100m - Joey Monaghan (Navan); 200m - Eamonn Wallace (Ratoath); 400m - Niall Matthews (Navan); 800m - Dara Rennicks (Bohermeen); 1500m - Colin Costello (Star of the Sea); 5000m - Andrew Ledwith (Fr Murphy); 3000m S/C - Rory McDonnell (Dunboyne); 400 Hurdles: Matthew Hagan (Star of the Sea); long jump - Conor Doran (Cushinstown); triple jump - Shane Aston (Trim); high jump - Jamie Murtagh (St Andrew's); discus - Ger Nagle (Star Of The Sea); javelin - Rory Gunning (Fr Murphy); hammer - Padraig White (Dunboyne); shot putt - Ger Nagle (Star Of The Sea); 56lb for distance - Barry Delaney (Star Of The Sea); 4x100 - Joey Monaghan (Navan), Niall Matthews (Navan), Eamonn Wallace (Ratoath), Neil Finnegan (Ratoath). Women: 100m - Ciara Grant (Navan); 200m - Rachel Smyth (Dunboyne); 400m - Elaine Plunkett (St Brigid's); 800m - Sharon Monaghan (Fr Murphy); 1500m - Alison Daly (Na Fianna); 3000m - Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin); 1500 Walk: Palm Reynolds (St Andrews); 400 Hurdles - Karen Dunne (Bohermeen); high jump - Rosie Daniel (Na Fianna); long jump - Karen Blaney (Navan); hammer - Grainne Miggin (Fr Murphy); discus - Michelle Pilkington (Dunboyne); 4x100 - Ciara Grant (Navan), Rachel Smyth (Dunboyne), Karen Blaney (Navan), Sophie Kennedy (Navan).