Finn Valley's juvenile and senior athletes made the long trip to Cork last weekend to compete in the National Inter-County Senior and Juvenile Unevenaged cross-country championships. Valley's hopes were high as their juveniles were going into the championships as leading Ulster club and were ranked in the top ten National clubs last year. As anticipated our athletes performed brilliantly with our juveniles winning one team title, one second team place and two third as well a third individual place. Also many scored on Regional and County teams.

Click here for some pictures.

Five of our senior athletes were also scoring member of the Donegal teams which came 2nd and third in the senior men and women championships. The club won fifty medals in total 42 juvenile, as well as climbing to second place on the National club rankings. The first 12 in every race received individual medals.

U-11 Girls

U11 girls was the first race of the day and these young athletes were experiencing top class competition for the first time. This young team did us proud finishing 3rd team overall. Niamh Doherty was Valley's lead runner finishing a strong 7th place (winning her first all Ireland individual medal) and was strongly supported by Jodie Steward 25th, Emily Murphy daughter of the well known Anne Murphy (Hillard), Ciara Devenny 55th, Michelle Gallagher and Grace Ward. A great team performance by this young team.

U-11 Boys

U11 Boys This was another great team performance with Matthew Kelly (son of Michael Kelly who has been competing with Finn Valley for a long number of years) leading the team home to bronze medals Matthew who got off to a poor start but battled bravely and fought through the field finishing as Valley's lead scorer in 15th spot. Matthew was strongly supported by Patrick Leary of Castlefinn 21st, Christopher McBride 49th, Niall Doherty of Sessiaghoneill 55th and Gerry Boyle 57th. Gerry Boyle of Loughanure who was in forth place during the race was unfortunate to fall but did great to fight his way back and knows that other days will come to lead the way.

U11 Boys B team Valley also had a good performance from their U11 B team which finished 11th overall. The team was Conor McNulty, Diarmuid Brennan, Philip Browne, Carol Brady, Matthew Morris and Gavin Foy. This experience will stand to all in the future.

U-13 Girls

Breda McGinty who is the Ulster U13 champion had a strong performance finishing 6th winning herself an individual medal and a place on the Ulster team. Jackie Gibson, Catherine Gallagher, Shauna Guthrie, Clara Dunnion and Aoife Whelan also performed very well with team finishing 6th overall.

U-13 Boys

These boys have always produced the goods for Valley over the last number of years and have made a mark for themselves. The only changes is individual placing and this time Ian Ward who is following the footsteps of his older brother Simon lead his team home to victory. Ian finished 3rd individual and was also lead county and regional runner. A great performance on the day by the young Castlefinn lad. Ian was strongly supported by a well packed FV team Ryan McDaid from Muff 12th, Aidan Connolly son of the well know Mark 19th, Lorcan McMenamin 35th and Pauric McLaughlin 43th. Great strong performance by all winning club and county team titles and 3rd in regional category.

U-15 Girls

U15 Girls also competed well and many of this team is using cross-country as training for race-walking. Maeve Culhane was Valley's lead runner and was followed strongly by Nikki Alcorn, Fionnuala Bruton, Aine O Neill, Aisling Rushe and Aine McLaughlin.

U-15 Boys

Alan Kavanagh came up trumps in U15 boys race and lead his team home to silver medals finishing 15 overall. He was closely followed by Maurice Boyle 21st , Conor McConnell, Enda Doherty, Kevin Gallagher, Diarmuid Fullerton and Stefan Connolly all scoring on the Finn Valley team. Maurice Boyle was also scorer on the Ulster team which came third and along with Stefan and Conor also scored on the Donegal team which also came third. A nice selection of medals for all.

Junior Girls

Official results were not available for the Junior girls race however it is thought that the Donegal team finished 3rd in the event and Valley's Charlene Rushe who finished 34th and Karen Connolly 38th were both scoring members of this team.

NATIONAL INTER-COUNTIES

Senior Men

Donegal have a great record over the past number of years in the National inter-countries and have always been in medal position this last number of years. In the Senior Men's section Dublin have always been the prominent winners and this year it was hoped that Donegal would gain the illustrious title. This was not to be this year, however Donegal can be proud of the results finishing 2nd overall on 94 points behind Cork 79 and from Dublin 103 beating Dublin for the first time ever. Valley's Jerome Brooks was 2nd scorer on the Donegal team finishing 11th, with Kevin Holian 5th scorer in 17th place having the best National cross-country race of his life and Dominick Bonner continuing his good season 6th scorer and in 30th position. Mark Connolly whose son earlier was part of the successful U13 boys team was reserve on the Donegal team finished 50th.

Senior Women

Donegal women have also been prominent in this event over the last number of years. This year only a few points separated the team with Dublin 1st on 38 points, Cork 2nd 38 points and Donegal 3rd 49 points. Valley's Margaret Synott was Donegal's lead scorer in 7th position with Noeleen Porter 10th and Kay Byrne 28th. Well done to all.

A great days competition for Valley and club chairman Patsy McGonagle said he was delighted with the performance, especially with the fact that the juveniles have now been ranked on day one of the cross country as second club behind Dundrum South. This is a great achievement by the club and this must give great satisfaction to all club leaders and coaches for their strong support and great team effort. However the battle does not stop here. All now must focus on the Evenaged and Novice cross-country championships to be held in two weeks time in Navan were Valley will be aiming to get things right and continue to build on this success.

The club wish to thank all coaches, supporters and bus drivers who helped out over the weekend. Without this help and support the success of the club could not continue and for this the club is very grateful.

Finn Valley club meeting will take place on Tuesday night 26th November at 9pm sharp.

Club training continue every Tuesday and Thursday night at 7.30pm and Sunday morning at 10.30am. It is necessary for all athletes who have qualified for the second round of the juvenile cross-country to attend all training.