Finn Valley's senior and veteran athletes travelled to Phoenix Park in Dublin last Sunday to compete in the Gerry Farnan Cross-Country. Valley continued their winning ways with their senior men retaining the Gerry Farnan Trophy and their senior women also took team victory.

Kevin Holian the Ballyare man who has had a good road season and continued to improved with each race had an excellent performance finishing 8th overall and was leading Valley man. Kevin was strongly supported by James McMahon 15th (James was also 2nd in the over 40 category), Dominick Bonner 17th and Seamus Kerr 18th making up the scoring Finn Valley team. Finn Valley won on 58 points from Rathfarnham 67 and Tinryland 100. The good news also for Valley athletes is that James McMahon, Dominick Bonner and Seamus Kerr all made the Irish International team along with Anthony Murray who finished 4th in the over 50 category and Jim Hynes who was 4th in Over 60 category.

Valley's ladies continued the success of their male club mates as they also took the team title. Margaret Synott who again has had a good road season lead the Valley ladies home in 4th position. Margaret was strongly supported by Noleen Porter who also took the first over 35 category and 5th overall, with Kay Byrne just returned from America in 24th spot and Maeve McElroy 35th. Finn Valley ladies taking team victory from Dromore 2nd and St Finbarrs 3rd. Noleen Porter who has competed well all year also earned herself a place on the Irish Veteran Cross-Country team.

This was a great days competition for Finn Valley with nine of their athletes been selected on Irish teams to compete in Ireland v England cross-country international race to be held on the 16th of November in Ballymena, Co Antrim. Congratulations and best of luck to all.

Next weekend is the October bank holiday and on Saturday all eyes will be set on Comber Co Down where Ulster Novice and Unevenaged cross-country championships will be taking place. Valley will have two coaches travelling to this event fielding teams in both Novice Men and Women's and all juvenile categories. Valley's Juveniles won this overall event last year and will be going out this year to retain this position. Finn Valley will be naming team coaches and bus times at training on Tuesday night. Best of luck to all involved.

Finn Valley are holding a celebration function next Sunday night to honor Kay Byrne who scored on all Valley's senior ladies ten cross-country team titles. A good turnout is expected and all names to be given to Patsy McGonagle and Neil Martin as soon as possible.

Club membership is now overdue and should be paid to Grainne McGowan immediately.