Sutton first home for Newcastle AC

Sutton first home for Newcastle AC

17 September 2025

THE Dromiskin 5K made its return in the heart of County Louth on Saturday, promising another thrilling evening of speed, community and athletic excellence. 

Hosted by St Peter’s AC, in partnership with St Joseph’s GFC, this race has become a staple in Ireland’s running calendar, drawing elite competitors and enthusiastic locals alike.

The race unfolds on a fast, flat road course, ideal for runners chasing personal bests, albeit with a lot of surface water and huge puddles as a result of a deluge of torrential rain showers throughout the day, but thankfully the sun came out just in time for the warm up.

The route winds through the scenic village of Dromiskin, offering smooth tarmac, gentle curves and minimal elevation—perfect for both seasoned athletes and first-time racers.

The taxi bus arrived at 4.45pm, providing plenty of time to get parked, collect numbers and warm up. 

En route, conditions were not looking good, with rain hammering down the windscreen along the M1, but that did not stop over 1,000 runners from taking to the line for the 7pm start.

Matthew Sutton was first home for Newcastle AC, finishing in 13th place overall and third male junior in a time of 16.32. 

He was followed by pacer Neil McGeough and his son, Conor, who posted a time of 17.28 and finished as the seventh male junior. 

Oran Dillon was not far behind, clocking 17.55 and beating his 2024 Dromiskin time by two seconds. 

Ashlene Mussen clocked a blistering 19.47, placing 108th overall and 17th female, shaving four seconds off her Carlingford run. 

Hot on his wife’s heels, and after a three-week Krombacker ban, Ciaran Og ‘Oggie’ Mussen was also in fine form, finishing 110th with a time of 19.50. 

John ‘Butcher’ Kelly was the next Newcastle AC runner to finish, running home in 20.07 for 119th overall and third in the M60 category. 

Lorna Cunningham followed with a time of 21.11, trying her best to stay with Jack McGeough, who finished in 20.34. 

Next up, was Ernie Hall, who had an amazing run in 22.52, while Wee Leea smashed her PB again, breaking the 23-minute barrier in 22.55 and 13th F40. 

We wish Brendan McQuaid a quick recovery, after he sustained a hamstring injury.

After the conclusion of the race, runners amassed on the impressive GAC hall, enjoying a spread of tea, coffee, sandwiches and, of course, buns.