Anne McGill has won the World Masters 20K Walk Championships in Italy last Sunday. This is a fantastic achievement and a richly deserved reward for the very popular Finn Valley athlete who is renowned for her dedication and commitment to her event. Anne also led her team to victory. On Saturday Ann had competed well in the 10K event but was disappointed with her very credible 4th placing although she was on the Bronze medal winning team. She decided she would give it another go on the Sunday in the longer race so determined was she to come back with an individual medal. Many congratulations from all at the Club.

BRONZE INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM FOR JAMES GIBBONS

James Gibbons competed also in the 10K Walk on Saturday and was delighted with his individual Bronze medal in the O/40 category and also leading his team to Bronze medals. James, who had race walked as a senior very successfully for years, entered the Veteran category this year and has trained extremely hard for this major Championships. Congratulations from all at Finn Valley A.C.

Noeleen Porter competes in Manchester

Noeleen Porter finished in 24th place in a 5 mile International road race in Manchester which was won by Ireland's Geraldine Hendricken with Pauline Curley in 5th place. Noeleen was Ireland's 3rd scorer for the Silver team medals. Well done.

ULSTER SCHOOLS TRACK & FIELD FINALS - ANTRIM

The Ulster Schools Track & Field Finals were held on Friday and Saturday last. Club athlete, Nikki Alcorn representing her school, Loreto Convent, Letterkenny competed in the first event on Friday evening. Nikki won the 1200m Junior girls walk in a time of 6 minutes 39 seconds with schoolmate Aoife O'Grady taking the silver medal in 7 minutes and 3 seconds. Indeed Loreto's Junior girls team won the cup for the top Junior Girls School in Ulster as a result of their excellent performances over the two days. Nikki will now contest the All-Ireland Schools Championships this weekend in Tullamore.

Kevin Feely representing St. Columba's College, Stranorlar was first to compete on Saturday morning in the Intermediate Boys Shot Putt and was very disappointed in, what for him would have been a very uncharacteristic "below par" performance. Kevin had a 12.20m putt which placed him in 4th position, one place from qualifying for the All-Ireland finals. Considering that Kevin recently won the All-Ireland Indoor Championships with a 14.88m Putt this was indeed a bad day for him. Hopefully he will still be considered for selection on the prestigious Tailteann Games team at the end of June which will be picked this week.

Michael Reid (Buncrana) was next to compete in the Junior boys Javelin and was very unlucky not to qualify with a throw of 36.15m in what were very poor weather conditions. Michael has been throwing extremely well this season having had a p.b. in the Schools' District Championships in Derry of 39m plus. He will now look forward the Ulster Club Championships in Antrim on the 23rd June.

Matthew Larkin (St. Columba's) competed well both in the Junior boys 200m and Long jump but the bad weather conditions put paid to setting any personal bests but he came very close. Paul McGrath representing St. Eunan's College ran very well in the 75m Hurdles semi-finals but just failed to make it through to the finals. Grainne Nangle (Loreto) was on the Intermediate Girls relay team which finished 4th in their semi-final. Barry McGill qualified in the Senior 5k Walk.

Other News Upcoming dates for competition are 1st June - All-Ireland Schools, 3rd June - Donegal Track & Field Championships in Derry, Dublin mini-marathon, 6th June - Donegal Primary Schools Championships - Finn Valley Centre and 9th June - Ulster juvenile Championships - Derry.

Training continues as usual Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30 p.m. and Sunday mornings at 10.30 a.m.