Dermot Murphy

26 July, 2010

Mullaghmeen Race Report

The Meath Hill running championship moved from its traditional date in late December/early January to July this year due to the bad weather earlier this year. A nice crowd of 58 runners turned up on the day, mostly in their respective club colours for the club aspect of the championship. Host club St Brigids were the most numerous in attendance, and the final results were also dominated by them.

Shortly after 12pm, we started off up the trail into the forest park at Mullaghmeen. The initial climb was on tarmac road which turned to fire road when we hit the car park after about 500 meters. A dip into the Green hollow gave us a nice respite from the initial climb and then for the next couple of kilometres we follows the fire road as it wound its way up and down through the forest. Just after the halfway mark in the race, we came across the toughest climb on the course – a short but sharp ascent up to the highest point on park were you could enjoy some superb views of the surrounding lakes and countryside – if you had the time that is! There was an equally short and sharp descent back to the forest were there was a lovely fast run in to the finish on the forest trails.

Winner on the day was appropriately Gerard Heary, who along with fellow club members from St Brigids had organised the race and marked the course. Second place went to Derek Croal of Bohermeen with Tommy Maher of Dunshauglin in third. In the Senior women, Eileen Rahill won from Karen Crean, with Hazel Scorer in third. It was also great to see a turnout of juniors. In the mens, Robert Tully representing Star of the Sea was the victor with Gavin Maher (Dunshaughlin) and Michael Flood (St Brigids) in second and third place. In the junior girls, Catherina Mullen (Shercock AC) was the victor, with Elaine Plunkett and Emily Sheridan (both St Brigids) in second and third. A full breakdown of the vet results and club and county results are reproduced below.

A big Thanks You to host club St Brigids who hosted a super race. Parking was well organised in field at the forest entrance and loads of tea, coffee, sandwiches, cakes scones to feed the hungry runners afterwards! An enjoyable day out, I can’t wait for next year!

Senior Men - Team Results:

1 St Brigid's AC 10
2 Bohermeen AC 19
3 Dunshaughlin AC 24

Master Men - O/40
1 Tommy Maher Dunshaughlin AC

Master Men - O/50
1 Paddy Mangan Dunshaughlin AC

Master Men - O/60
1 David Hawcroft Trim AC


Senior Women - Team Results:

1 St Brigid's AC - 'A' Team 90
2 Navan AC 99
3 St Brigid's AC - 'B' Team 134

Master Women - O/40
1 Ursula Byrne Dunshaughlin AC

Master Women - O/50
1 Linda Gunning Bohermeen AC


Meath Championships:

Senior Women - Individual Results:
1 Linda Gunning Bohermeen AC
2 Ursula Byrne Dunshaughlin AC
3 Mary Waters Navan AC

Senior Women - Team Results:
1 St Brigid's AC 90
2 Navan AC 99

Master Women - O/35
1 Karen Crean St Brigid's AC

Master Women - O/45
1 Ann Tobin Trim AC

Junior Women
1 Elaine Plunkett St Brigid's AC
2 Emily Sheridan St Brigid's AC
3 Gillian Hawdon St Brigid's AC


Meath Championships:

Senior Men - Individual Results:
1 Gerard Heery St Brigid's AC
2 Derek Croal Bohermeen
3 Tommy Maher Dunshaughlin AC

Senior Men - Team Results:
1 St Brigid's AC 10
2 Bohermeen AC 19
3 Dunshaughlin AC 24

Master Men - O/35
1 James Shanley Bohermeen AC

Master Men - O/45
1 Paddy Mangan Dunshaughlin AC
2 David O'Connell Bohermeen AC
3 Sean Kinnane Dunboyne AC

Master Men - O/55
1 David Hawcroft Trim AC
2 Kevin McGeogh Bohermeen AC

Junior Men
1 Robert Tully Star of the Sea AC
2 Gavin Maher Dunshaughlin AC
3 Michael Flood St Brigid's AC