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National Inter Counties.
Two Finn Valley Athletes selected for the European Cross Country in Belgium
Ian Ward and Holly Knight were both selected to compete in the European Cross Country Championships in Brussels Belgium Dec 14th. Holly was pre selected due to her performance in the NCAA regional Champs in the States a native of Devon in England has now declared for Ireland with her Donegal connections Valley was the obvious club to join. Whist Ian in the junior race the only valley athlete once again showed his true class. Ian Ward the by now class act of Donegal and Ulster athletics showed that he was prepared to take the race on, as this was a qualification race to the European's in Belgium a lot was at stake. The early stage dominated by the eventual winner Craig Murphy with Ian coming through the field from 6th to snatch the final spot on the team. Ian should be delighted to travel to Belgium with another year in this age group he should now look forward to building a future at the highest level.
Mc Gloin comes of age.
The 8km round trip to the surfing mica that is Tramore Co Waterford proved to be a great day for Teresa Mc Gloin. Teresa who left the sport for a number of years returned three years ago, with a plan of action Teresa with coach Connolly devised a plan of action, setting the usual goals and going through the ranks of Novice, Intermediate and then senior, the fruition of the hard work and effort today Teresa had a very notable performance finishing 9th in a very competitive National inter counties. The undulating race course will prove to be a tough test for every athlete taking part, with a chilling northwest wind blowing and the under foot condition good to soft the course will challenge the best that Ireland has. Teresa had a great start sitting in the top12 never losing tough Teresa battle her way through the field mixing it with Olympic athlete Pauline Curley & World cross country athletes Orla O Mahoney and Susanne McCormick., showing great grit and determination Teresa battle on, with the support on the sideline from the Valley contingent who travelled the Donegal ladies were never lacking support, Teresa will now look to the future and build on this performance with the National Senior Cross Country in Ballyhaise Co Cavan we look to the next chapter. Backing up Teresa were the mother and daughter duo Helena and Karen Crossan, Helena a past member of a very successful ladies team in the 90's showed her usual grit and determination battling through the 8km race whilst daughter Karen made the transformation from Junior to senior. Coping well with the conditions Karen was aided on by the longest serving Donegal Female athlete that is the Reliable Kay Byrne, Kay with the experience having run in approx 22 inter counties and also running at international level had her usual strong gritty run, having only 4 Donegal ladies travelling it was always going to be a tough ask. In the senior men James McIntyre made the journey from Shannon to run and wear the green and orange of Donegal with Pride as did Pauric Mc Kinney, James King and Joe Mc Kinney, After a Donegal Championships with 40 athletes competing and only 4 Travelling to Waterford it will be interesting to see the repercussions.
Juveniles
In the younger age groups disappointment was etched on a lot of the children's faces, with the rolling hills on the racecourse this was a tougher than usual course. For the first time in a number of years the medal tally was limited the saviour of the day being Pauric Mc Laughlin whom had a gallant run to finish 9th in a competitive age group. Pauric who's training under the guidance of Peader Mc Granaghan is now showing the talent evident in his primary school days he will now build and look forward to Ballyhaise Co Cavan and the added bonus of a medal for Jamie Crawford . Great credit must be given to the coaches and parents who made the long journey to Tramore to support the children and adult athletes. One other positive aspect as we look ahead was the 4th team placing of under 16 boys all eligible for u-15 in Cavan .
Night of Nostalgia
This weekend a dinner will be hosted for club members and friends with close to 1000 pictures back to the black and white days covering 40 years of involvement assembled by Kieran carlin and Conor Mc Gonagle adding to the archives. This should be a night of nostalgia with special guests Beijing medalist Jason Smyth and his coach Stephen Maguire. Dinner for 9 pm sharp.
Some pictures by Kieran Carlin.
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