Focus on Meath championships

All roads in Meath for athletes and enthusiasts will lead to Bohermeen on Sunday for the Meath senior cross-country championships. The course is sure to test the athletes with a lap distance of a mile over a looped course with a natural climb on each lap. The event is expected to attract the cream of Meath athletics with recently-crowned national senior champion Andrew Ledwith from the Fr Murphy club set to compete. Former winner Gerard Heery (St Brigid's) and last year's champion Robbie Matthews (Dunshaughlin) will also participate along with Rory McDonnell from Dunboyne and Star of the Sea pair Colin Costello and Ciaran McKenna . There are expected to be many teams in action with South O'Hanlon led by USA-based John Cunningham. Hosts Bohermeen, Dunboyne, Star of the Sea, St Brigid's, Dunshaughlin, Fr Murphy, Trim and Na Fianna are expected to field squads . Defending ladies champion Shauna Moore (Dunshaughlin) will defend her title while Irish u-23 champion Sarah Treacy (Moynalvey / Kilcloon) will compete in her first senior event. Past winners Mary Hanley from Na Fianna, Fiona Reid from Dunboyne and in-form Fr Murphy athlete Sharon Monaghan will add to the big event. Teams from Dunshaughlin, Bohermeen, Navan, St Brigid's, Dunboyne and Star of the Sea will bid for team gold. The event will be staged at Ardbraccan cross, from 11.0, which is a mile and a half from Bohermeen Community Centre on the road towards Navan. Action starts with the ladies 3,000 metres. The men's event will get underway at 11.15 and the juvenile relay events at 12 noon. Parking at the course will be on each of the five roads of Ardbraccan Cross. Patrons and competitors are asked to arrive early. All senior presentations will take place at Bohermeen Community Centre where refreshments and showers will be available. Juvenile relay presentations will take place at the venue after each relay.