The 200m sprints at the Boyne AC Open T&F Sports in the Meadow View Sportsfield, Drogheda on Sunday 8th August were rough affairs by all accounts. Our hardy middle-distance runners are used to a bit of barging and pushing, but it’s extremely rare in the sprints where sprinters are usually safely confined to their own lanes. Therefore it was bit of a shock for young Rachel Darby after finishing 3rd in the under 7 girls 60m to find herself bowled over with about 20m to go in the u/8 girls 200m while she was in third position. She took a bad fall and couldn’t finish the race, though all credit to the Boyne AC officials who were very nice and helped poor Rachel at the end.

Her sister Aoife Darby also got pushed around in the u/10 girls 200m but managed to keep on her feet and finished 3rd. Hilary Harris was delighted to take 3rd in the 100m u/13 and followed up with another 3rd place, in the 600m. Mervyn Harris also had a double success, but it was two 2nd places for him, in the 100m and 800m u/14. Fresh from victory at the National “B” Championships last Sunday, Victoria Harris comfortably won the 100m u/15. Also competing and enjoying the sports was Rebecca Kiernan, who ran well in the 60m u/7 but finished out of the prizes.

All in all an action packed afternoon for the small Mullingar contingent and well done to them all on their successes and we hope Rachel recovers okay.