Athletics: Memorable wins for Holmes, McGrath

A final decisive kick from the Bohermeen athlete saw McGrath stretch clear up the run-in on his way to gold in a time of 00:19:32.

MEMORABLE WINS: Kevin McGrath of Bohermeen A.C. on his way to winning the Novice Men's race during the 123.ie National Novice & Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships at Navan Racecourse in Navan, Meath. Pic:  David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

West Waterford's Lucy Holmes and Kevin McGrath (Bohermeen AC) were deserving winners in yesterday's National novice titles at the 123.ie National Novice and Juvenile Uneven Cross Country Championships in Navan

Both athletes called upon their 800m speed in the final stages to claim memorable wins. McGrath was pushed all the way in a competitive men’s race which would see the leading positions change on numerous occasions over the course of the 6,000m race. Ultimately it was the leading trio of McGrath, Michael Muphy (Tullamore Harriers), and William Fitzgerald (Craughwell AC) who were still in contention for gold heading into the final 1,000m.