Finn Valley Dominate Ulster Underage

Underage Championship at Ballyclare

A hectic weekend of competition was the order of the day just last wekend at Ballyclare on Saturday where Finn Valley youngsters really responded in a most positive manner to emerge with numerous honours.

It was the Ulster 10-18 cross-country championships the tally at the end of a busy day was 4 teams in winning position and two others in top three.

Individually Rebecca Ward took the U12 title in a really mature manner responding with 400m to go while Mark Bonner was next up got himself into a good position and took U12 boys title.

Later in the day Breda Mc Ginty battled well for silver in girls U16, indeed it would be interesting to see what she is capable of in the months ahead when her injury clears up.

While most of the team battles were obviously very exciting the U16 boys went down to the wire, Finn Valley winning on 37 points against Omagh 45 and St Malachy's 63.

At half way the Donegal lads had it all to do but responded in a manner that reflected well on them.The winning teams U12 boys, U10 girls U16 boys U14 girls led home by Karen Ferguson 4, Niamh Doherty 5, Amy Slevin 13, Emily Murphy 17, Jodi Stewart 18, Madeline Penrose 39. This team will need to show an improvement to win medals at National level.

The U10 girls quartet of Shannon McLaughlin, Convoy 4th Blathnaid Patton Stranorlar 7, Caoimhe McMenamin Stranorlar 10 and Olivia Roe Drumkeen 14, will have delighted coaches Ann Murphy and Brid McMenamin and they can now turn their attention to sportshall in Ramelton on November 19th.

The U12 boys team responded agressively and put 4 in top 12 to outrun neighbours Letterkenny, scoring: Mark Bonner 1, Eoghan Bonner 8, Dean Bonner 6 and Justin Brown 12, scoring U16 Boys: Ian Ward 4, Ryan McDaid 7, Aiden Connolly 9, and Shane Bonner 13.

An improved run here from Pauric McLaughlin. Maeve Culhane was lead runner for U18 girls while as stated Breda McGinty lead runner U16 girls and a really stand out preformance from Enda Doherty U18 boys 5th sealed an exciting day.

Coaching Session on Sunday

All young athletes and their coaches are invited to North - West coaching session at the Finn Valley this Sunday for registration at 10 a.m.

Donegal Senior --- Clodagh Mc Cool Wins First Senior Title

The Donegal Cross-Country championship at Finn Valley had everything, a serious team battle in mens, enthusiastic crowd, good weather and a new womens champion, Clodagh McCool from Stranorlar will mark Sunday last as her greatest athletics memory to date.

The Deele College, Raphoe P.E. teacher fought a great individual battle with team mate Noleen Porter before going away on the last 300m.

Leading her Valley team to yet another team victory thanks to the contribution of Noleen Porter 2, Catriona McGranaghan 3, Teresa McGloin 7.

This team preformance would suggest that if Catriona and Teresa can improve fitness they can challenge for team honours in Nationals in a few months time.

Finn Valley record in County Seniors is phenominal winning 28 times in a 30 year span.

Donegal Senior --- Men's race

The mens race engendered a lot of passion both on and off the field as Finn Valley attempted to regain team title but it wasn't to be going down 41 to 48 despite a great effort.

Letterkenny had too much punch on this occasion and are to be congratulated. Finn Valley scoring: Kieran Carlin 3, James McMahon 5, Dominic Bonner 7, Pat Hegarty 8, Frank Clancey 10 and Gerard Bogle 13.

International Masters

This weekend Noleen Porter, James McMahon, Dominic Bonner compete for Irish Masters team in Dublin and we wish them well.

Peadar McGranaghan Function

A function will be held at the club Saturday night to acknowledge Peadar McGranaghan regarding his 13 years as Centre Manager. Parents, senior athletes and Committee are invited.

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