Ian Ward wins National Junior Cross Country Title
by Kieran Carlin.
Perfect weather on a perfect day for Donegal Athletics, Ian Ward once again shows his class winning the Woodies national junior cross-country championships at Santry Dublin, the 8km race run on near perfect under foot conditions, having the confidence to sit and wait in the group for the first 4km Ward the mechanical engineer student at LYIT slowly powered his way through the field, with 1km to go Ian made the run for home, the hard training sessions with his Valley team mates and the unassuming Coach Peader Mc Granaghan were about to pay of, Ian would see off the final Challenge of Carmody from Limerick to come home a convincing winner. The Last Donegal athlete to achieve this was Gary Murray running for Finn Valley AC, on a very wet muddy day in Stranorlar ten years ago Gary lead the Finn Valley team home to Victory with Ian's brother Simon Ward, Karl Doherty and Michael Mc Glinchey bring home the team gold. Ian brining the Valley team home in 3rd position today also having a gallant run was Darren Mc Glinchey from Castlefin, Pauric Mc Laughlin Convoy and Shane Bonar also from Convoy,
The Junior ladies race prior to the junior men's was lack lustre event, with the fFrench-O Carroll twins taking 1st and 2nd in the race. Running for the first time in a national junior event for Finn Valley was Clara Dunnion, Clara now just getting to grips with training will have gained great experience from the race.
In the senior ladies, whilst the numbers were few the quality was at the front was good. Maria Mc Cambridge now running for Letterkenny romped home a very convincing winner, Maria leading the race from the gun showed that the Marathon training she is now doing was the catalyst for the win, doing up to 100mile per week Maria was able to sustain the pace through out the race, Lynda Byrne DSD the national Inter Counties Champion a full minute behind. Teresa Mc Gloin running in the Valley colours had a gallant run, just outside the top ten. Teresa a talent for the future will now look to the track. Also running was Catriona Jennings from Letterkenny, Catriona battled well in the early stage but stitching up half way through the race was forced to pull out, Catriona will also look forward to the track now.
In the senior men's race the Donegal hope were in the shoes of Letterkenny, Pauric Mc Kinney once again showing his strength to get through 24th Letterkenny team getting 4th team.
Looking ahead Finn Valley athletes will travel to Glaslough for the 5km road race in conjunction with the juvenile race series. Also on the 15th March the 5km race in Castlederg in aid of Cancer Research.
Results.
Junior Men.
Junior Women.
Senior Men.
Senior Women.
Pictures.
Pictures by Kieran Carlin.
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