Double Win in Derry for Valley in Ulster and N.I. Junior,
Intermediate and Masters
Cross-country
Breda Mc Ginty led Finn Valley to an Ulster junior and intermediate
team double at Gransha, Derry on Saturday afternoon. There was good weather
conditions and an excellent course for this event hosted by City Of
Derry.
So 2008 is up and away.
A most enjoyable days athletics with Breda
joined by Shauna Guthrie, Clionha Dunne, Ailish Patton, Karen
Ferguson Paula Friel, and Maeve Culhane the squad did the business
ahead of the host club.
The masters men squad checked in for the
bronze behind an excellent team effort from Letterkenny who took the
title by one point from North Belfast. Scoring for Valley Kieran
Carlin 4th, Dominic Bonner, Pat Hegarty and Tommy Farrell so the
message is they need to improve both individually and as a team to
retain national club award which would if achieved be a notable impact
result on what is a long list of historic breakthrough results reaching
back some 37 years. There is the added matter of contributing to the
county squad indeed on one notable occasion six Valley athletes scored
and took gold. So many challenges no doubt the lads and mentors Mark
Connolly and Neil Martin are up for it.
James Flanagan closed in 6th
in junior men and now the mens squad next outing is Ulster senior in
Antrim.
Jodie Stewart was in Nenagh competed in the junior combined events
finishing an excellent 2nd and has 4 more years still in this age range.
Her score 10.90 hurdles,8-40m shot, 4-45 in long not too happy with
that, 1-41 high, and 2.46.55 in 800m expressing delight with that the
strongest she has ever been in this event but her technique requires a
lot of improvment in pretty much all events and then life could get
exciting. Her score 2439 pts.
Finn Valley have had two national
combined champions at senior in the past Danea Herron and decathlete
Sean Carlin who on the occasion of his victory in 1979 broke the
national record. A long way to go for Jodie but she has a good work
ethic and a first class coach in Shauna Carlin.
This week
Club meeting on Tuesday night and trials for under 12 and under 14 boys
and girls Thursday evening under lights at valley 6-30. Nationals at
this venue Feb 3rd.
In Sympathy
The sad news of the death of Eamonn and Emma sweeney in a car accident
Saturday night rocked the membership and the wider community . Both had
attended St Caireall's P.S. in Aghyaran and medalled in 2007 school sports
while in addition they are cousins to Peter on our under 11 team and
the Gallen family Lissmulladuff. This was a terrible tragedy and we extend our
sincere sympathy to family and friends.
Results.
Results.
Some pictures by Kieran Carlin.
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