Young athletes from Drogheda secondary schools faced damp and challenging conditions across a range of distances at the 2025 North Leinster Schools Cross Country Championships in the Phoenix Park recently. With individual and team honours at stake, as well as qualification for the Leinster Championships, the competition was fierce from start to finish.

The minor boy’s race, covering 1600m, set the tone for the day. Eoin McEntee of St. Mary’s Diocesan ran a brilliant race, finishing 11th out of 110 competitors, securing his spot for the Leinster Championships. Close behind was Aaron McMahon of St. Joseph’s, whose strong effort contributed to his school’s team silver medal. A Boyne AC clubmate of McEntee, McMahon showed great consistency and endurance. Ciaran Garvey, also of St. Mary’s Diocesan, delivered a solid performance but was unlucky to miss out on individual qualification.

The junior boys tackled a 2200m course, where Jack Willis delivered an excellent run, clocking 08:21 and securing 13th place overall, earning his qualification for the Leinster Championships. Joe Bell and Louis Devitt, representing St. Joseph’s, crossed the finish line in 09:32, demonstrating strong pacing and teamwork but narrowly missing out on team medals in a competitive race.

Meanwhile, in the junior girls event over 2000m, Dara Ellie Winters continued her strong return from injury, finishing 16th overall. Although the distance was slightly shorter than ideal for her endurance strengths, she still powered through to help Our Lady’s College secure an 8th-place team finish. With each race, Winters is regaining her full fitness, and there is certainly more to come from her in the future.

The intermediate boys faced the longest challenge of the day, covering 3800m. Jack Garvey produced an outstanding performance, claiming 2nd place overall and leading St. Mary’s Diocesan to a team silver medal. His clubmate Seamus Keenan, who continues to improve with every race, secured a 12th-place finish, ensuring the team remained competitive at the front. Sprinters Ryan McMahon and Sam Doyle, better known for their speed on the track, tested themselves over the endurance course for St. Joseph’s, putting in impressive performances despite the shift in discipline.

The intermediate girls covered 2200m, with athletes displaying strong endurance over the short but demanding course.

The final race of the day saw the senior girls take on 2200m. Eilish Keenan of Sacred Heart School produced a fantastic effort, placing 14th overall in a large and highly competitive field. Her performance was crucial in securing team silver for Sacred Heart, earning her a well-deserved place in the Leinster Championships.

With McEntee, McMahon, Willis, Garvey, Keenan, and Winters all securing their places in the next stage of competition, focus now shifts to the Leinster Schools Championships. The Phoenix Park races showcased some of the best young talent in the region, setting up an exciting provincial challenge in the weeks ahead.