Excellent enthusiastic turnout at 37th annual Finn Valley AC AGM

The Finn Valley AC AGM began with opening remarks by outgoing chairman Patsy McGonagle reflecting on yet another year in the story and tradition of the club. Patsy remarked on the team spirit, support of all the support coaching staff, the committment of same and of the benefit of the centre to not only athletics but to the community in a wide range of activities. He reflected on the various element of competition and expressed slight disappointment to impact at national AAI level. He singled out the team of officials that continually turn out to stage events and do such a excellent job bringing athletics to the entire Donegal area and wider area. He enthused about the need to drive the story and legacy of the club further in 2008/09 and finally thanked all for their no nonsense and common sense approach. He indicated that in the coming weeks a further 170 photos of FVAC activity going back 40 years would be logged into the website and a "Night Of Nostalgia" would be held.

Neil Martin outlined the financial aspects of the club and highlighted the input from Pobal and was complimentary of the staff on that work force. The senior highlight was most likely the 7th in a row Masters men national team victory and in underage Ian Ward got an obvious mention for his World Cross selection.

PRO Niall Mc Gonagle mentioned the local press continue to display our weekly exploits and Highland Radio are clearly on the ball each week to bring their relative reports which he gratiously acknowledged and went on to single out Jonathan Campbell and Thomas Devine for website www.finnvalleyac.com and to Kieran Carlin for photographic coverage.

Finally Mark Connolly brought forward a records report -- 15-Jun-2008, Santry, Clive Heapes broke club & county hammer record 37.74m (Bosco Reid held record since 2003 @ 34.66m); 15-Jun-2008, Santry, Kathleen Merrit broke club hammer record 24.15m (Bridie Lynch held record since 1991 20.50m); 27-Jul-08, Santry, National Senior T&F Brian Doyle broke 400m club record 47.17 (Sean Reilly held record since 1993 49.20). This is also new county record which dates back to Paul Dolan Ballyshannon at White City, London 1952 who ran 48.20. Road best performances --29-Oct-2007, Dublin, Kay Byrne set new marathon best time of 3 hrs 6mins 17 secs (prevuos best held by Noreen Martin/Bonner 3hrs 6mins 42secs); Teresa mc Gloin 21-Sep-2008, Letterkenny, equalled Catriona McGranaghan/Devine's 5k road best of 16.57 set in Letterkenny Dec 2003.

Election of officers and committee resulted as follows -- President: Patsy Mc Ginley, Chairman:Patsy McGonagle; Secretary:Noreen Martin; Treasurer:Neil Martin/Bridgeen Doherty, Senior Competition Secretary:Mark Connolly; Juvenile Secretary:Brid Mc Laughlin, PRO: Kieran Carlin; Registrar:Rosaleen McGonagle; Records:Tom Thompson; General Committee:Cieran O'Donnell,Christine Feeley,Pat McCrudden,Peader McGranaghan, Brid McMenamin, Eugene Drumm, Patsy Doherty, Michael Kelly, Tony Gallagher, Grace Boyle, Paul and Susan Doherty, Thomas and Catriona Devine, Conor McGonagle, Niall McGonagle, Bernie Alcorn, Brendan Patton, Ann McGill, George Gallen, Sean Carlin, Shauna Carlin, Gerard Doherty and Rosemary Finn.

The night ended with tea and refreshments.This weekend its Womens only 3k 11-30 @ LYIT. After that its full steam ahead to UUJ and Ulster AAi even ages.