FINN VALLEY DOMINATE COUNTY SCENE

Finn Valley athletes once again had a very successful weekend. This 
time it was their Senior and Veteran Men and women who took their county 
by storm in the Donegal Senior and Veteran Cross Country Championships. 
This race was held in Summer like conditions with underfoot perfect for 
a fast race.

The first race to kick off was the Veteran men. Valley92s Mark Connolly 
and Pat McElroy were out from the start and they left no doubt that they 
were going for gold and silver individual medals. Pat McElroy just got 
Mark on the line for the gold medal and Mark the silver. Mark has been 
fighting with injury for the past few weeks and its great to see the 
Valley men in such good form. The Valley team was well supported by 
Anthony Murray 5th, Bernard McCabe 6th, Drew Doherty 8th, Neil Martin 
15th, Jim Hynes 17th, Jimmy Shiels 18th and Shaun McDevitt 19th. Finn 
Valley won the team title on 25 points from Cranford 33 and Letterkenny 
41. Finn Valley B team was 4th on 48 points. With a addition of Pat 
Hegarty and a few others this team looks bright for the All Ireland 
Veteran Cross Country Championships to be held in February.

In the Senior ladies race Catriona McGranaghan took the County title 
making it her third county title. Catriona made racing look easy . 
Clodagh McCool made her debut for Finn Valley and ran a brilliant race 
finishing 2nd senior lady. Clodagh is a great addition to the ladies 
team and a good prospect for the future. Noreen McConigle also returning 
to the racing scene put in a good performance finishing 3rd. Margaret 
Murray just getting back from injury and returning to the racing scene 
finished 4th. Finn Valley ladies won the team title.

In the Veteran ladies Kay Byrne just back to serious training once again 
showed her great determination finishing 2nd and lead her team home to 
gold medals. Maeve McElroy battled hard and got her reward finsihing 3rd 
and Mary Martin 7th. The girls won team title from Tir Conaill.

In the Senior Men92s Valley92s men performed well with four of Finn 
Valley92s finishers in the top five. Kieran Carlin took the led from 
the start and like Catriona made it look easy. Kieran finished 1st from 
Pauric McKinney 2nd (Lifford AC), Kevin Holian 3rd, Charlie Gallagher 
4th and Simon Ward 5th. Michael Penrose 10th and Frank Chaney making up 
the Finn Valley winning team on 36points from Letterkenny 73 and 
Cranford 91.

The club wishes a speedy recovery to Barry Harron who had to pull out of 
the race.

Next weekend Finn Valley92s Senior and Juvenile athletes travel to 
Dungarvan, Co Waterford to compete in the All Ireland Inter Countries 
and Even Aged Cross Country Championships. This will be a very exciting 
weekend for the valley club with seven teams competing as well as a 
number of individuals. Two coaches will be leaving the centre at 10am on 
Saturday morning. Best of luck to all involved.

Last Saturday Bernie and Nicola Alcorn, Barry and Anne McGill traveled 
to Roscommon town to attend an All Ireland Schools coaching weekend. 
This was a very informative session and of great benefit to Nicola and 
Barry as well as Bernie and Anne.

Finn Valley92s juveniles will be traveling to the Scottish Indoor 
competitions to be held early next year. All focus will be on these 
competitions once the Cross Country season comes to a close. More 
information to be given later.

As mentioned last week Finn Valley are celebrating 30 years since the 
foundation of the club. The committee are organising a dinner at the 
club December 1st at 9pm bringing in a caterer. The tickets are A310 
each and there will be music. A small presentation will be made to those 
involved in 1971 that are still active in the club 30 years later, a 
small token to recognize that fact. Tickets are available from the club 
centre. Please make an effort to come along.

Just a remainder that club membership is now overdue. Please pay same 
immediately.