Victories in Letterkenny and Glaslough

The St. Patrick's weekend delivered a number of positive competitive outcomes for Valley athletes beginning with Kevin Holian's victory in the St. Patrick's Day 5K in Letterkenny. This is an encouraging performance for an athlete that had more than his share of injury problems in the recent months. Clodagh McCool began her weekend with a competitive victory here as well and followed up 48 hours later with a winning effort in the Glaslough 5K, defending a title she first took in 2005. Two of our junior athletes, Maeve Culhane and Fionnuala Bruton, stepped up to support her and win the teams prize.

Glaslough was a most enjoyable outing with, on this occasion, some l9 clubs participating. Karen Ferguson responded to a Monaghan challenge on the hill that led to win the U15 girls. Karen, who is a student at the Royal and Prior, had her introduction to athletics while at Welchtown school. She was capably supported by Emily Murphy and Amy Slevin. In the U17 girls Breda McGinty was away like a hare and was never challenged with the ever improving Shauna Guthrie 3rd and Clara Dunnion in strong support in the top 10. Ian Ward had an injury scare during the week but there was no self pity from an athlete that has not missed a training session since mid August as he saw off a Belfast challenge in a race which had Darren McGlinchey and Shane Bonner in the top four. Rebecca Ward took a wrong turn when leading the Ul3 girls, but undaunted she regrouped to finish 2nd showing a strong competitive instinct. Shannon McLaughlin from Convoy showed real grit to get up for 3rd in the U11 girls. In the boys U13 Dean Bonner 2nd, Gary O'Donnell, Mark Bonner 3rd, all in the medals.

This weekend sees the underage indoors. Good luck to those who have trained hard in the recent months.

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