Finn Valley AC, Stranorlar, County Donegal, Ireland, Newsletters

Last Sunday the Ulster Senior and Veteran Cross Country Championships were held in Derry. The fine day and perfect underfoot conditions made conditions ideal for racing. Valley retained their Ulster Ladies title and regained their Senior Men's title in style. Veteran Men just lost their team title by one point. Due to illness and other commitments Valley had no Veteran Women competing, however will have a team for National Veteran Championships.

In the Senior Ladies race Noeleen Porter ran a fine race finishing 3rd individual. Noeleen was strongly supported by team mates Catriona McGranaghan 4th, Marion Steinger 5th and Kay Byrne 6th. Finn Valley retaining their Team Title. Well done to all

In the Senior Men's Valley's Joe Byrne a 19 year old student at Swansea University had a very strong race finishing 2nd overall. Kieran Carlin also had a fine race taking 3rd spot (Kieran won these championships some years ago). Both boys were well supported by team mates Kevin Holian 4th, Charlie Gallagher 6th, Richard Simms 8th, Dominick Bonner 9th, Barry Harron 12 and Michael Pemrose 25th. Finn Valley won the Team Title in confident style.

In the Veteran Men's race Valley's Pat Hegarty and Damien McGinty from Foyle Valley battled hard for 1st individual and Pat came out as clear winner. Pat was well supported by team mates Anthony Murray 5th and Bernard McCabe 8th. Valley was 2nd team behind Foyle Valley. Foyle Valley winners by one point.

The future looks bright for the blue and white colours of Finn Valley. All now look forward to Stormont International Cross Country to be held on the 19th January. Finn Valley's Jerome Brooks and Catriona McGranaghan have been selected on Irish teams for

Final preparations have now been made for Scottish Indoor trips and good luck to all involved.

Training for all Finn Valley athletes is now back to normal. Training continues at the club every Tuesday and Thursday night at 7.30pm and 10.30am on Sundays.