Latest news with #BoyneAC
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Versatile Hannele Raji scoops amazing four golds for Boyne AC at Louth Championships
Wearing the iconic yellow vests with pride, Boyne AC's juveniles and masters lit up the track and field with performances that went far beyond medals, though there were plenty of those too! From personal bests to podium finishes, and most importantly, an incredible show of sportsmanship and team spirit, the evening was a celebration of everything the club stands for. Among the standout performers was Hannele Raji, who put on a truly exceptional display of athleticism and determination. She stormed to first place in the 100m, 200m and Long Jump (with a leap of 5.07m) before going on to take gold in the Javelin and silver in the Shot Putt. It was a remarkable show of talent, power and focus. Aimee Rice, competing above her age group at just 16, demonstrated composure and strength across multiple disciplines. She earned bronze in the 100m, silver in the Long Jump with a personal best of 4.20m, and silver again in the 400m. She finished the evening on a high with bronze in the Javelin, highlighting her versatility and competitive spirit. Eilish Keenan ran with focus and endurance to win the U20 3,000m in 12:20.39, while her brother Seamus Keenan controlled his race from start to finish in the same event, earning a confident and well-deserved first place. Ryan McMahon powered to third place in the U20 100m, then followed up with a brilliant second in the 200m. Sam Doyle narrowly missed out on a medal in the 100m but showed true promise with a personal best in the 400m, finishing fifth in a tough field. Evan Gamble ran a smart and composed race to claim first in the U20 400m, leading from the gun and never looking back. Boyne AC's senior and masters athletes also rose to the occasion. Club president Catherine Tiernan finished second in the W45 3,000m with a strong 12:35.91 performance. Catherine is more than a competitor,she is the steady and passionate backbone of Boyne AC. Her leadership and love for the club are visible in everything she does, from race day to training nights, where she is a constant source of encouragement and support to all athletes, especially the juveniles. Brian Brodigan, a key figure in the club's juvenile coaching team, showed he still has plenty of competitive fire himself. Representing the M45s, he finished second in the 800m with a time of 2:20.04 and went on to win gold in the 200m with an impressive 28.05sec. Brian is an extraordinary coach whose impact goes far beyond medals. His dedication to nurturing young talent, encouraging every child, and bringing energy to every session has made him an irreplaceable part of the Boyne AC family.
Irish Independent
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Boyne AC sprinter Ryan McMahon does club and county proud with podium place
Drogheda Independent Today at 05:30 Boyne AC's Ryan McMahon put in a brilliant performance at the County Men's National League 100m sprint in Tullamore, finishing in a fantastic third place. Up against a strong field, Ryan showed real speed and determination to earn a place on the podium, a great result and a proud moment for both him and his club. Members of Boyne AC were also in action at the All-Ireland Juvenile Track & Field Championships in Tullamore on Saturday. It was a scorching day, but the high temperatures didn't stop the athletes putting in some excellent performances. Riley Byrne ran a strong 200m heat, finishing in 25.32sec, and then went on to set a new personal best of 25 seconds dead in the semi-final. He earned his place in the U15 final and gave it everything, just missing out on a medal in what was a very competitive race. Hannele Raji placed sixth in the long jump with a best of 5.05m before bouncing back well in the 200m, running a personal best and just missing out on a place in the final by two hundredths of a second. Evan Gamble ran a big personal best in his 200m, knocking half a second off his previous time. This great step forward was well deserved as he has done some solid work this season. Ryan McMahon, fresh from his exploits for the Louth team, was back on the track for the 200m and came close to making the final eight. He ran hard in a tough heat and showed good form despite the conditions.
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Boyne AC athletes off track work beginning to pay dividends on it
It's there, on warm summer evenings and quiet stretches of beach, that the club's athletes are putting in the work, chasing personal bests, gaining experience, and proudly wearing the green and yellow. That journey was on full display on Tuesday, June 25 at the Track and Field Live Meet in Claremont Stadium, Navan. The event was blessed with calm, almost Mediterranean weather ideal conditions for fast, focused running and from the very first race, it was clear Boyne AC had come not just to participate, but to perform. Aimee Rice led the way in the U18 category running with exceptional control and maturity. Her poise and consistency continue to make her a standout example for younger athletes. In the U17s, Shauna Rice delivered a commanding performance, racing with intensity and confidence. Dara Ellie Winters, competing in the U16s, impressed with her strength and composure, earning a new personal best and showing clear progress. Isabelle Winters, racing in the U14s, was cool under pressure and fearless from the start, demonstrating the form and focus of a seasoned competitor. In the U12s, Caitlin and Conor Hughes both ran determined races achieving new PBs and gaining invaluable experience while in the U10s, Harrison Stearn and Ruby Winters showed remarkable enthusiasm and drive, proving that talent and team spirit are strong even in the youngest members of the club. Every athlete gave their all, and the results reflected not just skill but a deep commitment to improvement. The evening was a reminder that every race matters and that great things happen when athletes are supported to grow, step by step. Just over a week later, on Wednesday, July 3, the team swapped the blue track for the coast at the iconic Blackrock AC Beach Races. With the sea sparkling beside them and the Cooley Mountains in the distance, Boyne AC athletes rose to the unique challenge of running on sand and once again, they shone. In the U18 girls' race, Shauna Rice finished a superb second while Aimee Rice claimed a strong fourth. Together, they teamed up with two Kilkerley athletes to form a relay squad that secured an emphatic gold medal, a powerful example of teamwork across clubs. In the U14 girls, Isabelle Winters continued her excellent form with a second-place finish, followed by a gold medal in the relay alongside athletes from Dundalk St Gerard's. Harriet Butterly, making her debut race appearance for Boyne AC, impressed everyone with a confident and exciting first performance, an athlete clearly full of potential. ADVERTISEMENT Will Gow delivered a strong third-place finish in the U14 boys' race showcasing both determination and racing intelligence. In the U12 boys, Rhys Farrell ran with true grit and commitment, displaying both promise and perseverance and in the U10 girls, Stella Gow gave a spirited and passionate performance, showing the kind of heart that makes this sport so special. Much credit is due to Coach Keith and his daughter Lucia Rose whose tireless support ensured that every athlete arrived at the start line prepared, focused and confident. Their dedication behind the scenes plays a vital role in every success story.
Irish Independent
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Talented Raji sisters sparkle for Boyne AC as both make podium at the Irish Championships
Among the standout performers were sisters Hila and Hannele Raji, whose exceptional efforts across multiple events not only brought home medals but showed just how bright the future is for these two rising stars. On Day 1, Hannele Raji delivered a performance full of composure and class. In the U17 Girls shot put she threw superbly to claim her first All-Ireland medal, securing a well-earned bronze. Earlier in the day, she qualified for the final of the U17 100m sprint after a confident run of 12.94sec in her heat, ultimately finishing seventh overall. To reach a national final on the track and also step onto the podium in the field is a rare double at this level, and Hannele's talent and commitment shone through in both. Not to be outdone, younger sister Hila Raji lit up Day 2 with a phenomenal display in the U14 Girls long jump. She leapt out to 5.12m, smashing her previous personal best from the Leinster Championships and claiming a silver medal at national level. The jump was a huge statement of intent from one of the most exciting young athletes in her age group. Earlier in the day, Hila also competed in the U14 high jump, clearing 1.45m to finish fifth overall. Her ability to perform across both events with such quality is a credit to her determination and versatility. Beyond the Raji sisters' medal-winning success, Boyne AC had plenty more to celebrate. Riley Byrne ran a new personal best of 12.50sec in the U15 Boys 100m heats to reach the final, where he finished fifth in a fast and competitive race. Ryan McMahon clocked an impressive 11.48sec in his U17 100m heat and went on to place fourth in the final, just shy of the medals. Evan Gamble also produced two strong runs in the U17 400m, improving his time in the final to finish fourth overall and Harry Kingston threw 20.47m in the U13 Boys javelin, showing excellent potential for the years ahead. In the U17 3,000m steeplechase Seamus Keenan produced a courageous effort in one of the most demanding events on the schedule, finishing eighth and showing great endurance and promise. Ruadhan Fangeru took part in the U15 Boys shot put and recorded a best of 8.44m, a solid showing in a competitive field. Across both days, Boyne AC's athletes showed outstanding commitment and determination on the national stage. The club is especially proud of sisters Hila and Hannele Raji, who brought home All-Ireland medals and personal bests, reflecting not only their talent but also Boyne AC's growing reputation as a strong force in promoting female youth athletics.
Irish Independent
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Friday 13th kicks off big fortnight for Boyne AC
It all began on Friday 13th with the Boyne AC 5K along the Ballymakenny Road, a massive and popular success once again. The atmosphere was buzzing and the club's juvenile athletes turned out in force, delivering an incredible night of performances, whether on the course or supporting from the sidelines. Eoin McEntee led the way with a superb run of 19:48, taking third place in the Youth category, followed closely by Will Gow in 20:04 and Malachy Brodigan in 20:21, all three helping the team secure a well-earned third place in the team competition. Cormac Brodigan wasn't far behind in 20:49, with strong runs from Tite Williams (21:27) and Joe Bell (21:51) also. Zion Oluwobowale ran a solid 22:28, followed by Sebastian Stearn (23:36), Tom Kelly (23:40), Conor Hughes (23:50), and Oran Monaghan (23:57), all showing great form. Also putting in brilliant performances were Thomas Crosbie (24:14), Kublai Ferguson (24:36), Finbar Fagan (24:38), Tadhg Lalor (24:48), and Kal-El Ferguson (25:26), with the next wave of Boyne talent right behind. They included Tom Redmond (26:32), Harry Corr (27:43), Garvan Lundon (28:28), Charlie Kelly (29:17), Alex Shields (29:44), Roan Lynch (31:12), Christian Shields (31:17), Sean Clark (31:50), Rasmus Fangerau (31:59), Paraic Keenan (32:16), and Jude Brady (32:40). On the girls' side, Eilish Keenan stormed to the Juvenile win in 21:50 and led the girls' team to third place overall, alongside Shauna Rice (22:40), Caitlin Hughes (23:39), and Stella Gow (24:44). Mollie Kelly also impressed with 25:48, followed by Shauna Crosbie (26:28), Folasade Bello-Osagie (29:00), Erin Dowling (31:26), Mollie Smyth (31:45), and Ella Brady (32:12), all pushing themselves to the finish. What made the night even more special was the presence of so many teammates who weren't running due to their focus on the Leinster Championships that weekend, but who still showed up in numbers to cheer on their clubmates. On Saturday, Hannele Raji proudly pulled on the Leinster vest at the Tailteann Interprovincial Games in Carlow and delivered two fantastic results despite the heat - fifth in the shot put with 10.60m and sixth in the long jump with 5.24m. Competing against the best in Ireland, Hannele stood tall for both her club and her province. ADVERTISEMENT Then on Sunday last, three of Boyne AC's youngest athletes made their All-Ireland debuts at the Juvenile Championships. In challenging wind and rain, Folasade Chloe Bello-Osagie ran a brilliant 500m in 1:48, closely followed by Stella Gow in 1:53 - two great runs showing heart and potential. In the U12 high jump Jessica McMahon finished just outside the medals with an excellent 1.15m jump, a composed performance on the biggest stage yet for her.
