Comber, Co. Down was the setting for the un-even age groups Ulster & Northern Ireland Cross Country Championships on Saturday last. This was the first ever joint Championships at juvenile level with all the best athletes from the province competing. Finn Valley had a fantastic day winning five team Championships and placing third in two others and winning three individual Championships.

Click here for some pictures.

The top three club teams, top twelve individuals and top eight inter-county athletes qualified for the All-Ireland Championships in Cork on the 24th November.

Finn Valley got off to a great start in the under 11 girls race with Niamh Doherty following up on her win in the recent Donegal Championships with a very easy victory to become Ulster Champion from Shauna McAnespie from Glaslough in 2nd and Finn Valley team-mate Jodie Stewart putting in a terrific sprint finish to finish one second behind in 3rd position. Ciara Devenney had one of her best races this year to finish in 10th position with Emily Murphy, daughter of Irish International athlete Anne Murphy making up the scoring team in 11th place. Michelle Gallagher, Grace Ward, Aileen Brennan and Stephanie Connolly also ran very well in this race. Finn Valley won the team with 25 points with Milford 2nd on 40 points and Letterkenny 3rd on 52 points.

The under 11 boys were next to the start line and they totally dominated the race with Gerry Boyle having the race of his life to win the Silver medal, Matthew Kelly (All-Ireland Champion in the Ball Throw) finishing one second behind in Bronze medal position with Christopher McBride on his heels in 4th position and Patrick Geary in 5th position, Niall Doherty, Andrew Gallagher, Eamon Quinn, James McCafferty, Aaron McMenamin, Kieran Brennan, Kevin Smith and Cormac Gallen also ran very well. Finn Valley won the team easily with 18 points, Glaslough 2nd 47 points, Cranford 3rd 52 points, Letterkenny 4th on 81 points.

The under 13 girls race produced a great battle between the Donegal Champion Breda McGinty( (F.V) and Ailish McColgan running for Sparta NW, Ailish is the daughter of former World Champion Liz McColgan from Scotland and Peter McColgan from Strabane. Breda ran very strongly throughout the race and pulled away in the last lap finishing 1ST 5 seconds ahead of Ailish in 2nd place and Frances Forbes from Three Ways in 3rd. Shauna Guthrie continues her good form this season finishing 11th with Jackie Gibson 13th and Clara Dunnion 18th, Aoife Whelan, Catherine Gallagher, Eilish Patton, Natasha Duffy, Siobhan Gallagher and Fionnuala Lindsay also had very strong runs. Finn Valley won the team with 43 points, Glaslough 2nd on 50 points, Letterkenny 3rd on 60 points. Donegal won the inter-county Championship.

The under 13 boys who are the current All-Ireland Champions both in their own age group and the age group above were next to the start line. This was also a great race to watch with the top three athletes in the Donegal Championships battling it out to become the Ulster Champion. Ryan McDaid who is the individual All-Ireland X-C Champion from last year took the lead from the start with Dan King from Milford in hot pursuit. Ian Ward, who had recently come out top in the Donegal Championships, fell at the start of the race and had a bit of ground to make up but he made his way through and got up for second position in the run in just one second behind Ryan who retained his title, in fact, only three seconds separated these three very talented athletes at the finish line. Shane Bonner 5th, Aodhan Connolly 6th ,Pauric McLaughlin 7th showing that this team will be aiming for Gold in Cork. Great runs also by Conor McNulty, Lorcan McMenamin, Philip Browne, Dermot Brennan, Karl Bradley, Christopher O'Leary and Gavin Foy who showed the depth of talent in this age group winning the Team Bronze. Finn Valley 91A' in 1st place on 14 points, St. Malachy's, Belfast 2nd with 98 points and Finn Valley 3rd on 100 points. Donegal won the inter-county Championship.

The under 15 girls were next to the start line and were very unfortunate being seriously impeded at the start when the officials mistakenly blew the whistle while still holding our team behind the tape. However, the famous true grit of Finn Valley came to the fore and after untangling themselves chased after the other runners who by now had a 30 metre head start and got up for Bronze team medals. Maeve Culhane 10th, Nikki Alcorn 21st, Fionnuala Bruton 23rd and Emma O'Neill 29th. Aine McLaughlin, Aishling Rushe and Laura Friel also ran very well. Letterkenny 1st on 46 points, Craigavan 2nd on 80 points and Finn Valley 3rd on 83 points. Maeve and Nikki scored on the Donegal Team who won the gold medals in the inter-county race.

The under 15 boys were our last team to compete with high hopes of yet another winning performance and indeed they excelled themselves against the much fancied St. Malachy's from Belfast. Diarmuid Fullerton, Maurice Boyle, Conor McConnell, Jonathan Browne, Alan Cavanagh and Enda Doherty won the team Gold with 56 points from St. Malachy's on 79 points and North Belfast Harriers on 84 points. Kevin Gallagher, Paul McGrath and Ronan McCabe also ran well in this race with Stefan Connolly having a below par performance suffering from cramp. Donegal won the inter-county Championship.

Nikki Connolly was our only competitor in the under 17 girls race where she ran well and will be selected on the Donegal team for the All-Irelands.

Thanks to the coaches, Peadar McGranaghan, Patsy McGonagle, Christine Feely, Maureen Doherty, Ann Gallagher, Patsy Doherty, Joe Brennan, George Gallen, Richard and Bernie Alcorn and all the parents who travelled to support.

Senior and Veteran Races

Valley's Conal McBride finished 5th in the Novice competition.

The Comber Cup Cross-Country Championships was also held on Saturday for Senior and Veteran athletes.

Catriona McGranaghan had a great start to her cross-country season when she won the senior ladies competition with Kay Byrne finishing 5th.

In the veteran men's competition Pat McElroy had a fine performance finishing 2nd individual and gained himself selection on the Northern Ireland International team to compete in the Veteran cross-country international in a few weeks time. Mark Connolly who is returning from injury and getting back into competition finished 5th.

A great individual and team performance by all over the weekend and Finn Valley wish to congratulate all involved and look forward to future competitions.

All focus is now on next weekend when Finn Valley will be hosting the Donegal Senior and Veteran Cross-Country Championships. Veteran men's race commences at 11am with senior and veteran ladies at 11.20am and senior men at 11.45am. Best of luck to all involved.

Training will also be at Finn Valley for all juveniles at 10.30am.

Valley honour Kay's 10 National Team Titles

A very enjoyable night was had by all last Sunday, when club members, family and friends came together to celebrate the achievement of Kay Byrne scoring on ten winning Finn Valley National Senior Women's cross-country Team Titles.

Patsy McGonagle club chairman stated that this was one of the greatest achievements ever by an athlete. He went on to say that what Kay has achieved has never been done before in Irish athletics, and that is, to put yourself on the starting line for a period of 10 championships and end up scoring on all teams.

Kay's first introduction to athletics was as a juvenile in Glencovitt National School where her School Principal entered the school in the Primary Schools sports. From there he encouraged her to join local training group which was in the local GAA pitch where Kay met up with the late Hugh Gallen and his family and her career kicked off from this.

Kay acknowledged the great help and encouragement she receives from Patsy McGonagle who gives everything he can to athletics and the club. She also thanked Peadar and Catriona McGranaghan for their support and help over the years. Also not forgetting team coach Neil Martin and all team mates on the various teams down the years. Kay also thanked local media for publicity of various events and achievements, and her own family for always been there for her.

Congratulations Kay and we all wish you continued success for the future.

The club wish to thank Mary Murray and her staff for the lovely meal.

Dublin City Marathon

Finn Valley had two of their athletics competing in the Dublin City Marathon last Monday and performed very well.

Noeleen McConigley of Fanad had the run of her life finishing in an excellent time of 3.34.50. This was a great performance by Noeleen and she is delighted with the result.

Valley's Paddy Bond also had a excellent run finishing in a time of 3.35.40. Well done Noeleen and Paddy and keep up the good work.