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Donegal
Athletics Board

Bonner wins National title

by Kieran Carlin.

Tymon Park Dublin on Glorious sunny day in February the venue for the National Masters Cross Country. Finn Valley master men team set out to defend their title, First up the masters ladies heading the challenge here was Kay Byrne, Kay once again rose to the occasion, in an extremely competitive race with up to 100 runners competing, Kay battled through the field to finish 15th overall and 2nd in her category. Back in the team after a long injury Noleen Porter had a gallant run finishing 27th also running to back the team up were Rosemary Bogle 52nd Nancy Mc Namee 78th and final Gloria Donaghey in 81st. The race was won by Pauline Curley Tullamore 2nd Annette Kealy Ranheny, 3rd Niamh O Sullivan Riocht AC,

This was to be an extremely competitive national masters, with the likes of Peter Mathews DSD, Donncha O Mahoney East Cork debutants, an the usual suspect Downs, Morwood, Mc Kinney, Byrne, Traynor Crossan, Bonar, Carlin and the rest. 180 athletes go to the line for the 7km race on a flat fast dry course, having a small loop of 1km before heading to the larger loop of 2km the field would string out. In the led group at the 1km mark Morwood takes a tumble, a group of ten would gain a gap at 2km, by 3km the group was down to 6 Mathews, Mc Kinney, Downs, Traynor Morwood, O Conner. Further back James Mc Intyre and Brian Thursby-Pelham were running well, James in heavy training for the Rotterdam Marathon in April would not be at home in the fast conditions but would show his ability by maintaining the pace. Another battle was developing just behind with Gary Crossan LK, Kieran Carlin FVAC, Dominic Bonar FVAC, James Mc Mahon FVAC and Johnny Patton LK, this a battle that would decide who would take the title home. At the 5km mark Downs drops out with Calf problems, the led group now down to four, Mathews decides to make a race of it, he hits the gas and opens a gap of about 150m, this a usual tactic of Mathews in his hay day as a senior, would Mc Kinney and Morwood settle? James Mc Intyre and Brian Thursby were by now closing the gap on fourth position both battling with each other drawing in O Connor with very stride, down the field as positions switched between the Letterkenny and Finn Valley lads this is were the battle would be won. With 1km to go Donegal had 8 athletes in the top 15 this was the County team title wrapped up, now the battle for the main title, with 1200m to go Crossan in 11th Patton 12th Carlin 13th Bonar 15th and Mc Mahon 16th 500m to go Patton moves ahead of Crossan Carlin Closing on Crossan whilst Dominic proceeded to gain ground. 100m to go Patton maintains 11th Carlin passes Crossan to finish 12th Crossan 13th Bonar in an other Battle with an old adversary Tom O Conner who was fast closing but Dominic holding him off to take his Category National Title. Mc Mahon finishing 17th and 3rd in the V3 category. At the front Mc Kinney passes Mathews with Morwood on his tale, Morwood would out kick Mc Kinney to retain his title for the 3rd year. Back to the Team with the points counted Letterkenny were the new Champions with 2, 6, 11 & 13 Total 31pts Finn Valley AC 7,12,15,17 Total 52pts. Other Finn Valley athletes who helped Valley in the battle to defend the title were John Mc Glinchey Tommy Farrell, Pat Hegarty, Tom Thompson, Pat Mc Crudden and Eunan Scanlon; Eunan's first experience over the country will have gained a lot of experience. Overall a very exciting day with 8 Donegal athletes in the top 17 Letterkenny winning the team Finn Valley 2nd and Donegal winning the inter county Team. A special mention to the supporter from both clubs as usual covering the course and giving the much need support

In the ladies intermediate race Cliona Dunne battled well in the fast conditions, Cliona will now look forward to the upcoming Road and Track season and in the men's intermediate Valley had one representative Darren Stewart, Darren using the Cross Country as strength and conditioning for the Track.

Overall an exciting day with Donegal athletes gaining 4 medals in individual categories, winning the men's inter county and 1st and 2nd teams in the inter clubs. . Results on www.athleticsireland.ie.

Further a field Rona Loubser once again set a new PB this time in the Half Marathon in London with a time of 1.22.11 Rona getting better with each race will now look forward to the National 10km in April Congratulations to Mary Cullen Sligo in Breaking Sonia O Sullivan's 3km indoor record running 8.43.74.

Finn Valley AC would like to extend their deepest sympathy to the O Brien Family on the Death of their mother. Art, John, Paul and Luke all who competed with Finn Valley AC in the early years.

A note to remind all athletes, joggers and walkers of the 5km race in Castlederg to raise funds for CANCER Research, all details are on www.paulasrun.com

Results.

Men

Women

Individual



Brian & James Battle to the line.




Cliona at the finish line .




Dominic Battle with Tom O Connor.




Eunan Scanlon at the finish .




James Mc Intyre & Brian Thursby .




James Mc Mahon 17th .




John Mc Glinchey .




Ladies Masters Start .




Ladies team .




Mary Martin in a new role .




Men's Race .




Morwood wins .




Pat Hegarty .




Pat Mc Crudden .




Tommy Farrell .




Tom Thompson.


Pictures by Mary Martin.