Finn Valley's veteran athletes travelled to Tullamore last weekend to compete in the AAI Masters Athletic Championships. All competing returned home with All Ireland medals.

Athletes were lucky as the weather was perfect for competition. Bosco Reid, Valley's throws coach was the first competitor and had a fine start in winning the shot with a personal life times best throw of 11.95. Bosco went on then to win the Discus with another life time best of 34.39, and then continued with the hammer scoring another life times best in the hammer with a throw of 31.36. Bosco also threw the Javelin winning a bronze medal with a throw of 33.79. Well done Bosco.

Bosco's brother Donal better known in the Gaelic circle showed he could also perform at athletics by winning himself a silver medal in the High Jump with a jump of 1.55. Donal went on then to win bronze in the Long Jump with a jump of 4.73.

Valley's Noeleen Porter who has been in great form all year showed she has still the winning edge by taking the gold medal in the 3000m run in a time of 10.29 and was 2nd in the 1500m in 5.01.

Anne McGill won the 3000m Walk in V3 section in a time of 16.50

James Gibbons the big Milford man competed in the 5000m. James was against strong competition from Pat Murphy of Kerry . James fought well finishing 2nd but was disappointed with his time of 23.04. However, James knows he can improve on this time as he heads off to Potsdam in Germany to compete in the European Masters Track and Field Championships this week.

Valley's Dominic Bonner of Gweedore but up a great battle in the 5000m and won himself a silver medal in a time of 15.46.

Gesilda Penrose new to the competitive scene had a great days competition finishing 3rd in the V1 3000m Walk in a time of 21.45. Gesilda then went on to take the silver medal in the shot with a throw of 6m and bronze in the Discus with a throw of 15.22.

Jim Hynes continued to fly the Finn Valley colors in taking the bronze medal in 1500 in 5.28 and also bronze in the 5000m in a time of 19.44.

Relays proved very exciting for the Finn Valley squad with their men's teams taking a very good 1st place in the 4 x 100. This was an exciting race with Pat McElroy taking the first leg and handing over to Drew Doherty. Reid brothers Bosco took the third leg and Donal the final leg running in blistering style won the gold medal for the valley team.

The Finn Valley ladies took the bronze medal in the 4x100. Meave McElroy took the first leg for Valley with Anne McGill 2nd passing to Gesila Penrose who past to Noeleen Porter who fought hard winning the bronze medal for the Valley team.

The Valley men were also third in the 4x400 relay. Dominick Bonner was the lead runner with Pat Hegarty taking the 2nd leg passing to Mark Connolly with Bernard McCabe on the final leg winning the bronze medal for the Valley Team.

A good days performance by the Valley team. A big thank must go to Team Manager for the day Neil Martin.

Finn Valley Athletes head to Potsdam Finn Valley wish to the best of luck to James Gibbons, Jim Hynes and Mark Connolly and all the Donegal squad the best of luck as they head off to Potstam to compete in the European Track and Field Championships to be held in Potstam form 15th to 25th July. Club also wish Bernie O Callaghan who is team manager for the event the best of luck.

Patsy Returns from Munich

Patsy McGonagle returns from Munich this week from the European Senior Track and Field Championships. Patsy had a busy week working as Irish team Manager. Sonia O Sullivan was one of the best Irish performers winning silver medals in the 10,000m and 5000m. However, the performances of the Irish Race Walkers cannot be overlooked. Kerry's athlete Gillian O Sullivan had a brilliant race in the 20k walk finishing 4th just missing out on a bronze medal. This was the best performance ever by a home based athlete. Also Cork man Robert Hefferan had a fine race finishing 8th and just missing out on the medals by 30 seconds. These are Irish names to watch out for in the future. Well done to all.

Ballyare 5K Sunday 18th August

The Ballyare 5k road race takes place next Sunday at 5.30. This race is organised by club member Pat Hegarty. All Athletes take note that this race has now be changed to Sunday instead of Saturday to allow people to travel to the Donegal match to be held in Dublin. The club wish the Donegal team the best of luck.