Finn Valley Master Athletes on International Teams

The Finn Valley club have once again had athletes selected on various Irish masters teams for the home countries cross country international in Dublin on March the 13th.

As a result of a selection race at the Phoenix Park, Dominic Bonner has been included again after a most encouraging performance with a second placing in his category while James Mc Mahon has been included in the over-45 squad after yet another strong finish.

There was no luck for Pat Hegarty who did not race well but is clearly training well and things will improve for the dedicated Ballyare man.

In the womens event there was again a strong start to the season for Noeleen Porter and thus selection with a third place finish position in the Masters Selection race.

Congratulations to Bridie Trearty from Cranford who has also been included while we await the announcement of the squads to ascertain if Kevin Toner, Letterkenny has done enough.

The clock is certainly ticking towards the Donegal senior at Finn Valley in November were Letterkenny and Finn Valley defend the relative team titles and with an injury to Charlie Gallagher in May ruling him out, the pendulum in the men's is swinging towards Letterkenny once again. With local pride at stake it's certainly a date to mark on your calendar.

The womens only 3k on Sunday saw a new course record 10:32 to former Valley athlete Rosaleen Campbell an athlete who contributed immensely to our successful womens team for many years while Nicola Alcorn combining a training/racing day did well.

A number of young athletes accepted the invitation to attend the National Academy training day in Dublin accompanied by Bernie Alcorn and Neil Martin who were part of the coaching staff on the day.

A reminder to everyone to deal with their membership fees which are now due while the next competition up is the Ulster Novice and uneven ages at Scotstown next Sunday.

The normal Sunday morning session was handled by Patsy Mc Gonagle, Sean Carlin and George Gallen and we were joined by a number of Killybegs AC members.

On Saturday coaches Maureen Doherty and Brenden Patton had a squad train in Drumboe forest.

Joe Byrne the Finn Valley athlete on scholarship at Southern Illinois finished 4th in the NCAA regional cross-country championships at the University of Indiana over the past weekend. Joe is the current club steeple chase record holder and represented Ireland in the European Cup last June. The event was won by the Kenyan athlete Jacob Koria. Joe posted a time of 25:26 over 8k, well done to him and good luck in the Nationals.

       Results of Donegal Ladies 3k 2005

Overall

    1st Rosaleen Campbell 10.52
    2nd Catherine Gibbons 11.45
    3rd Shauna McGeehan 13.27
    4th Noreen Bonner
    5th Nikki Alcorn
    6th Eimear McGeehan
    7th Carla Bourne
    8th Katie Carr
    9th Lisa Shields
    10th Gloria Donaghey

Masters

    1st Noreen Bonner 13.49
    2nd Gloria Donaghey 14.16
    3rd Mary Bond and Mary Martin 15.17

Classes

    1st Conleth 21 points 
      (Eimear McGeehan, Carla Bourne, Katie Carr)

    2nd Carmel 42 points 
      (Catherine Gibbons, Orla Tunney, Rachel Mulpeter)

    3rd Bernadette 45 points
      (Lisa Shields, Shiama Zuhay, Laura Deeney, Leanne McGillye)

Newsletters by Niall McGonagle, Club P.R.O.