Finn Valley Athletics Club, Newsletter, 12th May 2002

Valley's Competition Schedule Continues

Valley's preparations for upcoming senior, veteran and juvenile competitions is going to plan and a number of athletes competed and performed well last weekend.

On Sunday the AAI National Relay and Combined events championships were held in Navan. Valley's senior and veteran men performed well both finishing in third team position.

In the senior men's 5000m Charlie Gallagher was the first team member to go handing over to Kieran Carlin in a time of 15.25. Kieran like Charlie battled hard finishing in a time of 15.32 with Dominick taking the team to National bronze medal in a time of 16.01 behind Raheny and Liffey Valley.

Like the senior men Valley's veteran men also finished in third position behind Raheny and Liffey Valley in the 3000m race. Mark Connelly was first runner clocking a time of 9.33 making him the fourth fastest man in the competition with Patsy Doherty and Jim Hynes making up the team and winning national bronze medals. Well done to all

On Saturday Catriona McGranaghan ran a 1500m race in Belfast finishing 5th overall in a time of 4.33. This race was part of Catriona's preparations for upcoming track season championships and this will now stand to her as a good marker for then rest of the season.

Rosaleen Campbell had a excellent win in the Sligo 5K which was also held last Sunday.

Our athletes abroad are also competing well. Marion Steinger raced in the Reading 10k last week finishing 2nd in a time of 37.32. Well done Marion.

Primary Schools sports are the main target at the moment for Valley's juvenile athletes. Area Schools finals will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday for Aghyaran and East Donegal area. A very successful day was held in Glenties on Wednesday for West Donegal area. This area are new to the scene and it was great to see so many aspiring young athletes. The club wish to congratulate and thank Marita McLoone local co-ordinator of the event and Michael principal of Glenties Comprehensive School on their fine facility and their help on the day. The club wish to thank all their members who helped Patsy McGonagle, Ciaran Carlin, Peadar McGranaghan, Patsy McGinley, John Merritt, Christine Feely, Bernie O Callaghan, Michael McGill and Joe Brennan. School finals will take place at the Valley Centre on Thurday 6th June and a large number of competitors will be competing. All available help will be appreciated on the 6th June.

Next weekend AAI games will be held in Kilkenny. This is a good competition of preparion for upcoming track championships. Catriona McGranaghan will be competing and a number of other athletes.

Also next weekend is the Sports World 5K. This is a very good race on a flat course and of International standard. A number of Valley's senior and veteran athletes will be travelling to this competition.

A number of Finn Valley juveniles will be competing in Mosney at All Ireland Community Games Cross Country and Relay championships. Best of luck to all competing at the weekend.

A very successful Ulster Tug of War competition was held at the valley center on Saturday and once again the venue proved to be very popular.

A level One coaching course will be held over two weekends at the centre starting on 26th June. This will be a great opportunity for all coaches who have achieved their Introductory course and others to advance their coaching skills.

Super Valu North West Squad Coaching will be held at Finn Valley on Sunday 19th May between 10.30 and 12.30. All events will be covered.

Finn Valley's training will continue every Tuesday and Thursday night at 7.30pm and Sunday Morning at 10.30. A large number of athletes turn up for Tuesday and Thursday nights and it is important that Sunday morning training sessions are also attended. Coaches gave their own time and travel to be at the centre.


This page is: http://www.finnvalleyac.com/020512.html. Last modified 12 May 2002 - jg.campbell@ntlworld.com - patsy.mcgonagle@lyit.ie - annemcgill@eircom.net

Finn Valley Athletics Club - Millbrae - Stranorlar - Co.Donegal    Ph: 074 32053    Fax: 074 64111