Finn Valley youngster wins national

THe University of Ulster ,Coleraine was the setting for the final stage of the national under age cross-country champs. Sunday and it heralded the arrival of a young Tooban nS boy Denver Kelly . It was the under 11 event and once again he had come to win and that he did in a very exciting manner . He held his nerve in the early stages got to the lead at halfway and in the final 300m put the head down and headed for home taking no prisoners . In winning he bridged an 8 year gap at this level to Ryan Mc Daid also a student from the same school ,a school that delivers a varied range of activities to the youngsters . Ryan incidentally warmed up the Valley group for the event and would have been delighted to see his younger brother Charles join Denver on the winning Donegal team some 70 pts ahead of Galway but there was dissappointment for the Finnsiders as their club team failed to deliver medals missing out by 2 pts when victory was anticipated but Peader Mc Granaghan has been there before and will relish success in the future with this talented group.

Elsewhere the under 11 girls narowly missed out 5 th team with the only impact run coming from Amy Crossan who gained a deserved medal with Ulster . Amy hit the front but was unable to maintain the momentum but full marks for having a real go . Leanne Kelly scored on the Ulster team gaining a medal on 22 nd out of her age group while Pauric Mc Laughlin was 7th under 19 boys fatigued a little after his great run in Kilbegan 2 weeks earlier . In the novice Valley finished 6th team led by Cliondha Dunne supported by Clare ,Maeve ,Mary Gloria and Miriam .Mark Connolly has done remarkably well with these squads increased numbers on the roads an excellent team /club spirit and the support of members not running that made the journey was really appreciated .We look forward to meeting up and renewing rivalry on Stephens day. This weekend all roads as they say lead to Santry ,Dublin for the European Cross an 10-30 start a unique occassion and the club is privileged to have Ian Ward on the junior team with Neil Martin acting as coach as is Teresa Mc Daid ,Letterkenny, to whom we extend every best wish. For those not travelling the races are live on Rte television.

Notification of the Letterkenny annual turkey trot on Dec 20th has come in as has details of Tirconnaill ac New Years day event in Donegal Town.

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Pictures by Kieran Carlin.