Ward 2nd Irish Junior Home
Ian Ward once again has performed when it rely counts, finishing 40th overall in a very competitive European Cross Country. Ian was travelling to the European Cross Country as 5th best of the Irish Juniors. Winning the U19's boys last week gave Ian some confidence travelling to Brussels. Ian battle his way through the race gaining more and more confidence as the race progressed, eventually coming through to finish 2nd Irish junior. Ian with the other lads on the Valley team will now get back to the hard grind over the next 2 months they will net some serious training done. In the senior men's races Irish hopes were with the Mullingar man now based in Flagstaff Arizona USA. Martin who should an inspiration to any athlete, more especially to the younger generation coming through the ranks, coming out of college Martin decided to move to flagstaff where his coach is based. Leading the race in the early stages Martin pushed the pace, with a large groups packing together the inevitable happened Martin fell, not one to give in he gathered him self together and started making the long hall back. Eventually finishing 21st Martin was a credit to all. Further back the former Finn Valley athletes Gary Murray finished third Irish score in 36th. Mary Cullen from Sligo now based in Boston was just piped for 3rd place finishing a very creditable 4th Mary had the performance of the Day by an Irish Athlete. Irish athletes will now look forward the next years European Cross Country, as it will be held in Santry Dublin. For more details see www.dublin2009.ie.
Closer to home the by now annual turkey trot was held in a very wet and cold Letterkenny, for the first time in its history organisers had to change the course as the original course know as the Inter Firms course was Flooded. Reverting back to the two loops of the town this would challenge all. Winning the race was Ciaran Doherty, 2nd Daren Mc Glinchey having a good solid run 3rd Ivan Toner, 4th John Mc Glinchey, John back running well having gained International selection a few weeks ago John is going from strength to strength. Pauric Mc Laughlin out sprinting Kieran Carlin who is back in training after a number of weeks off, Teresa Mc Gloin also put in a strong performance running in the low 17mins. Gloria Donaghey was one of the winners of the Turkey predicting her correct time. Results will be posted soon.
Another clubman back running strong is James McIntyre; running in a 5Km in Co Claire James had a great time of 15.49. James and all the Valley athletes will now look forward to the Annual St Stephens Day (Boxing day) 5km on the 26th Dec at the Clubhouse in Millbrae Stranorlar; this is a great opportunity for everyone in the community to get out and walk, jog, run, crawl or what ever tickles your fancy. All proceeds will go to the family of Noirin Ni Gairbeith a 5yr old girl seriously injured in a traffic accident last Summer now wheelchair bound and thus many family adaptations have to be undertaken.
Pictures.
|
