Finn Valley AC Completely Dominate Ulster Championships
Finn Valley AC once again prove their dominance in Ulster athletics, winning medals in 11 out of the 12 events.
9th November 2008 athletes from the 9 counties of Ulster ascend on a wet and muddy Finn Valley Athletic centre Stranorlar for the Ulster Novice & uneven ages. These condition reminding me of days gone by when Dermot Mc Granaghan and myself ran as juniors in Kilinaule, "now this is a real cross country course". Kicking off with a warm up race for the U-8's specially put on to give the younger children an opportunity to race and get involved in the sport something that should be encouraged by all. Under 10 girls next with a huge numbers in the field stretch across the track, whistle blows, stamped begins. At the head of the group Leanne Kelly chased closely by cousin Arlene Crossan from Letterkenny and athletes from Monaghan, Newry & Cranford. With 300m to Valley looked good for the team with 4 athletes in the top 10. 100m to go the battle was on which cousin will prevail 20 meters to go Leanne surges ahead to win by 3 seconds. The Valley team wins. One gone 9 to go
Under 11 boys next with 18 young henotheistic Finn Valley lads on the line we are sure to get an exciting race, again with cousins Denver Kelly & Charles Mc Daid getting to the front of the group valley looked sure to win another title but not with out a battle from close neighbours Letterkenny who came through to win. Helping the team to 2nd spot was Denver 3rd, Charles 6th, Pauric 7th, Shane 16th, Reece 17th & Jonathan 20th
Under 13 Girls finishing 2nd team will be slightly disappointed to be beat on home ground, with a number of very talented girls not coping with the by now very muddy & sticky under foot conditions will go back with Coaches Anne & Rosemary and get stuck into hard training for the national in Cavan. With a by now formidable Cranford quartet just ahead on point the Valley athletes were closely bunched in the top 10 & two more who would also expect to be there, we mow look forward to an enthralling battle in Cavan.
Under 13 Boys Once again Georgie Kelly took the early pace on with Jonathan Carlin a few yards back, Further down the field were Osin Gallen & James Carlin. With 1200m run the battle was on as by now Conall Kick and Ryan Sharkey both from Lagan Valley had cough and past Georgie who eventually finished 3rd. Jonathan Carlin who was coming like a train got through to 6th whilst Osin Gallen eventually finishing 8th to complete the quartet James Carlin in 24th. With the team having 14 point to spare over Annalee AC it's looking good for the All Irelands.
U15 Girls, again a bunch of talented girls who running out of their age had a mixed day with the talented Rebecca ward finishing 10th. Rebecca with another few weeks training would expect to be in the top three, further back two girls relatively new girls to the sport Kathleen Mc Ginty & Ciara Kelly gained a lot of experience from which they now will use in the National. To complete the team also new to the sport was Shannon Kelly who the support from the sidelines battle through the mud to get the Valley girls Silver medals
U15 Boys for me the race of the day, after a few week hard training Mark Bonar was back to where he belongs, at the front of the race. Mark forcing the early pace with his close rival Ruarie Finnegan from Letterkenny, another young Valley lad who has an abundance of talent Dean Bonar was storming through the by now ankle deep mud, further back Justin Browne & Eoin Bonar were battling the elements to keep the team in contention for the gold medal. Back at the front Mark had been caught and past by the talented Ruarie, Mark hold onto 2nd spot by now Dean had battled through to 4th place a superb run by the young Convoy man who will take great confidence from this race surly a great future ahead. At this stage the team was secure with another Bonar, Eoin coming home in 12th and Justin Browne with a strong run in 13th further back another new team member from Aghyaran Osin Mc Hugh in 57th position. This team must now seriously be looking for medals at nationals.
U17 Girls with the dominance of Lagan Valley in this event the team was a formality the battle was on for the minor place could the Valley girls perform? Drafting in from track & Field Jodie Stewart would surely find it difficult? Not Jodie never one to give in battled through the unaccustomed mud. Niamh Doherty taking the race on at the start but paying the price towards the finish, with Emily Murphy and Jodie Stewart further done the field and Karen Ferguson further back. In the two-lap race with every inch covered in mud this was now a test of mental strength. 500m to go Karen Ferguson surged through to led the team home closely followed by Emily 33rd and the ever-determined Jodie in 34th. Taking the team home in 4th place was Niamh Doherty in 40th.
Under17 Boys with this being the only event that Valley did not field a team, the sole athlete representing the Club was Ryan Mc Nulty who finished a credible 26th the race being won by Cain O Reilly from Annalee AC from Cavan.
Under19 Girls with a field of 19 athletes competing the Valley girls equipped with 12mm spikes to gain some grip on the extremely wet and muddy course. With a mixture of clubs represented at the front our own Breda Mc Ginty struggled with the difficult under foot conditions letting the gaps open never to regain contact. Breda a talented athlete whom is dogged by injury will reap the rewards as she matures into the senior ranks, with some confidence and encouragement from her mentor Mark Breda has a future to look forward to. Further back beginning to run well after a spell out of the sport was Daughter of the almighty Patrick Hegarty, Tara now getting stronger race by race finishing ahead of team mates Elish Patton and Paula Friel. The team finishing behind Beachmount Harriers From Belfast.
Under19 Boys. After a strong run in the Donegal Senior last Sunday Darren Mc Glinchey was on a mission, in the early stage 3 Valley lad were to the fore Darren Mc Glinchey, Shane Bonar and Padric Mc Laughlin also there were Dan King and Noel Collins from Omagh Harriers. At half way stages Darren was still in contention to win whilst further back Padric was having a stormier gaining great confidence from his previous race and Shane just dropping of the group. Jamie Stewart and Michael Penrose backing up the team back at the front Dan King, who had made a break with Noel and Darren battling for the minor places, with the excitement of the crowds Darren moves ahead of noel only to be taken in the last 200m better known as a steeplechaser on the track, not bad by the lad from Ballybun who is now at college in Letterkenny a step in the right direction. Padric Mc Laughlin supported by his parents who are loyal supporters finished with a sprint that Usain Bolt would have been proud of, passing two St Malachy's athletes from Belfast. Shane Bonar will have been tired after an excellent run last week never the less finishing a creditable 9th with Jamie Crawford finishing 19th & Michael Penrose 25th. In the team event with the efforts of Padric Mc Laughlin gaining two places on the run in left the Valley lads with the same point as St Malachy's on count back the Valley lads eventually resigned to 2nd spot.
Novice ladies 3500m of mud, not for the lighthearted courage and determination needed, the young Inishowen woman Karen Crossan set the early pace with our own Rona Loubser keeping a close eye not letting the gap open, as the race progressed Rona floating over the mud caught and passed Karen opening up a gap that would see her take her first Ulster Novice title. Further down the field was Cleona Dunne who has made great headway with her attitude and willingness to train Cleona got right up to third position, Meave Culhane now at college in Dublin finishing 11th with Gloria Donaghey taking the team home to a memorable victory in 25th.
Novice men. After running his first Marathon Kieran Kennedy transferred his long mileage to the sapping cross-country at the Valley centre, not afraid to get into the mix Kieran and another debutant Sean Gallagher headed the early group. Darren Stewart closely tucked up in the next group will eventually come through the field with a very strong run to finish just behind Sean & Kieran in a respectable 9th position again Daren is gaining confidence with each race. Taking the team home in 3rd spot was Tom Thompson in 24th. At the head of the race an exciting battle was in progress with Letterkenny's James Mc Fadden coming out on top over Declan Reed from City of Derry or is it Spartans? Letterkenny winning the team City of Derry 2nd and Finn Valley 3rd,
In conclusion Finn Valley is still the dominant athletics club in Ulster getting medals in 11 out of the 12 events shows that the hard work being done on the ground by Coaches and athletes alike rely does work. With zero tolerance an no nonsense attitude the club is looking good for the future. We must also thank the staff at the centre who set the course up and to Conor who also provided hot refreshments and sandwiches to the parents of the kids. Always good to see the parents support their children.
Further a field Ian Ward was on duty for Ireland, after a fantastic race the week before Ian was well prepared for the grand prix race in Brussels. With Letterkenny's Teresa Mc Daid as manager Ian set to the task, now a more tactical runner he can afford to experiment, knowing he has the speed and now the confidence that goes with it he sat with some patients. Eventually finishing in an excellent 6th position Ian really has shown his class, on & upwards for Ian, with his dedication and again the support from family, friends and of course his coach Peader Mc Granaghan Ian's future looks bright
All pictures by Kieran Carlin.
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