The curse of Biddy Early and Davy Jones may have earned an indelible place in folklore but snapping at their heels is the curse of Martin Sludden.  The biggest controversy in Irish sport since the Roy v Mick Saga and the infamous Hand of Henry has been the the try scored by Joe Sheridan in Croke Park last Sunday.  It was the talking point on every byroad and boreen throughout the nation.  Martin Sludden, the official, may have awarded an illegal score to the Royals delight, but last night the officials erred again when this 5k race was left 400metres short. Many crossed the line having set new PB's only to be told the course was incorrectly measured.  The race started with 1 and a half laps of the track before heading out into the adjoining public park and re-entering the stadium to finish with a lap of the track.  The error occurred at the start when the athletes should have been directed to complete 2 and a half laps before exiting into the park.  242 toed the start line and from the gun the pace was sharp as many Gung Ho enthusiasts sprinted around the initial lap, only to pay the price in the final mile.  On an ideal evening for racing, AGS had 7 flyer's in the field.  Running his first race since the Omagh Half Marathon last April, and returning from injury Anthony Malone was our first athlete home on the night in 16:03.  He was followed by John Griffin, whose form is improving rapidly, in 18:54. This was a fine run by John with an average speed of 3:47 per km.  Next two home provided the sizeable crowd watching on with a sprint finish.  Dermot Haugh just pipped Liam Landers to the line, clocking 19:06 and 19:08 respectively.  Owen Keane crossed the line in 20:47, proceeded by John Burke who ran 23:04 for the course.  Our ever reliable warhorse Hugh Reddy had a great race taking top spot in his category with 23:20, a full 20 seconds and 9 places ahead of his nemesis.  All in all it was a good night for AGS.  We gained 2 bronze podium finishes.  Anthony, John G and Dermot finished 3rd in Category B just shy of Construction A and Media A.  Liam, Owen and John B gained 3rd in Category D, behind Eircom and Irish Permanent.  Those running last night from Drogheda and Dundalk demanded a re-run while the patrons from Navan and Dunshaughlin stated they were delighted with their new PB's, and it was only a WEE mistake.  They say, sometimes something is to good to be true, and on this occasion, it was. 

The next BHAA Race is a 1 mile track race in Irishtown on July 28th.  Reg at Irishtown Stadium at 19:00.  This will be a series of 1 mile races based on your standard.  An open race will also be held for new members on the night.

Hearty congratulations to one of the bastions of Garda Athletics, Ronan Hartnett.  Ronan is one of AGS''s best athletes and we congratulate him and his wife, Marie on the recent birth of twin boys, James and Eoin.