The All Ireland Veteran and Intermediate Cross Country Championships were hosted last Sunday by Finn Valley AC. Ground conditions were saturated with falling rain for the past week making racing conditions perfect for a testing course.

The veteran ladies was the first race to kick off the day and Valley92s Noeleen Porter who has been progressing all season ran a storm of a race finishing 2nd individual and lead her club to 3rd team placing and the Donegal County Team to gold medals. Kay Byrne also ran strongly and just missed out on individual placing finishing 4th overall. The girls were well supported by team mates 29th Nancy McNamee, 31st Rosemary Bogle, 32nd Margaret Murray, 33rd Mary Martin and 42nd Mary Bond. Finn Valley finished 3rd club team. The Donegal County team won on 44 points from Cork 47 and Dublin 51.

The Veteran men went off with a blast and the boys from Finn Valley were committed to break a spell. The boys packed well and from the start they built up their points. Seamus Kerr traveled home from England and lead the Valley team in 7th, with the Gweedore man Dominick Bonner fighting closely behind in 8th Pat Hegarty 10th and Mark Connolly 19th winning the club team title on 44 points from Clonliffe 64 pts and Liffey Valley 92pts. The boys were also well supported by Pat McElroy, Anthony Murray and Bernard McCabe. This was a historic occasion for team Valley as it was the first time ever for a Donegal club to win the team title and indeed North Belfast was the only other Ulster club to win this title in 1985 and 1986. Clonliff Harriers have dominated and won this race over the past number of year. Donegal also won the County team with Seamus, Dominick, Pat, Mark, Gerald McMonagle of Cranford and Pat McElroy FV. Donegal won on 86pts from Dublin 123 and Cork 177. Anthony Murray also had a brilliant race and fulfilled his seasons ambition by winning the O50 category. The club wish to thank Gerry O Doherty who send good wish message to the team and who was running himself in the British Cross Country Championships. Gerry may himself be ready next year to run in the blue and white and be on the fighting team to retain the title.

In the Intermediate boys race Kevin Holian was the Donegal star finishing 5th overall. Kevin lead the Donegal team home to 3rd place. Kevin battled against a knee injury and the club wish him a speedy recovery. Michael Penrose finished 44th and was 7th Donegal man and disappointed to have just missed out on team medal.

This was a proud day for Finn Valley AC and the club wish to thank all who helped. To Patsy McGinley and Peadar McGranaghan and all the Fas men for setting up the course. To the ladies who made the soup and sandwiches Grainne McGowan, Rosaleen McGonagle, Liz O Donnell, Maura Reid, Bridgeen Doherty, Grace and Aine Boyle and all juveniles. Also to Declan Hennessy and Brian Patton who worked hard during the race with results etc. The club also wish to thank Patsy McGonagle and Neil Martin.

Also last Sunday Finn Valley juveniles traveled to Nenagh to All Ireland Indoor Juvenile Combined events championships. This was a great outing for the young athletes and they performed very well. Pauric Feely finished 8th in final and was 2nd in hurdles and long jump. Joe McGinley 9th, Stefan Connolly 11th, Mathew Larkin 14th. Kevin Feely was 6th going into final but final results were not to hand on leaving competition. Kevin won the shot. Grainne Nangle, Catriona Penrose and Geraldine all performed very well. This squad will have gained great experience from this competition. The club wish to thank their coaches Bernie Alcorn, Elibhlin Crampsie and Christine Feely. The Juveniles travel to Glasgow this weekend to compete in the Scottish Indoor Championships. Coaches traveling are Christine Feely and Shaun Carlin. The club wish everyone the best of luck.

Last Wednesday the Donegal School Cross Country took place at the Valley center and the club wish to congratulate athletes who have qualified for the Ulster finals. Nicola Alcorn scored on the winning U15 girls team which now goes through to the Ulster final. Also Sarah and Kate Byrne, Levina Merritt, and Gina McGowan all qualified for the Ulster finals. Best of luck to all. The final takes place in Mallusk on the 22nd of February.

On Saturday in Limavady at the Roe Valley 4 mile trail race Charlie Gallagher finished 1st and Jamie Lewis 2nd. Both athletes building up towards the National Seniors in two weeks.

Next Saturday and Sunday the All Ireland Senior Indoors championships takes place in Nenagh. Finn Valley have Kieran Carlin, James Gibbons, Clodagh McCool. Jeff Cassin and Anne McGill competing in senior events and Barry McGill competes in the Juniors. Best of luck to all.

Club training continues at the club every Tuesday and Thursday night 7.30pm and Sunday morning 10.30am.