Royal and Prior Student Top Of Class At Ulster Schools

A considerable number of Valley athletes came through the Ulster Schools athletics on Friday and Saturday last in Antrim to qualify for the Irish Schools on June 3rd in Tullamore. Top of the class was Ian Ward of Royal and Prior winner of the 1500m. in a time of 4.04.06 against Ryan Faulkner, St. Malachys 4.05.9. Ian pushed out from the off and when the Belfast athlete came back at him with 200m. to go he again responded. The Ulster record for this event is 4.0.7 to Colm McClean of Malachy's in 1996.

Shane Bonner, Deele College easily won the inter walk in 10.30, while there were also victories for St. Columbas students Fionnuala Bruton in the 2k. walk 11.04 in inter and Aoife Whelan 1200k, in 6.22.3 against St. Louis, Monaghan student 6.38.1 Paula Friel 4th 7.19.7. Aileen Brennan came through in the high jump 1.46m. to a winning 1.49m. by Craig from Streatheam but needs to go 1.50 plus in the schools to remain in the hunt. Nicola Alcorn, Loreto Letterkenny, won the gold medal in the senior girls 3000m walk.

Laura Feeley St. Columbas had a busy few days, a victory in the shot at 9.93 and a silver in the hammer 28.68m. for the Columbas girl. Shareen McCrudden, Stranorlar Vocational got out to 27.31 in the junior javelin but is pushing towards 30m. where the action really begins in the Irish finals. The Regent House athlete threw 29.29 to win here but the Ballybofey girl can chase that. Pauric McLaughlin, St. Eunans placed third 4.36.9 against 4.34.2 and 4.35.5 up ahead. This is good on very limited training due to football interests. Paul Doherty, St. Columbas placed 2nd behind his Donegal Town rival Christopher Britton who had an excellent double on the day. Both boys will again battle it out on Saturday week and the 100m-h. will again be exciting.

Nicola Alcorn, Loreto Letterkenny, won the gold medal in the senior girls 3000m walk at the Ulster schools final at the Antrim Forum last weekend.

The local area athletics primary schools were once again a tremendous success due mainly to the excellent local organising committee with 18 schools and close to 800 youngsters involved. Thanks are due to the schools who so willingly gave their time to support the event. Will we ever reach the day when all the schools will participate? It seems such a shame that a small number of schools ignore the opportunity to participate.

Next up at Valley is Wednesday May 31st 6.30. county 9-13 championships with the primary schools finals on June 7th. Help is badly needed for this one as it takes 50 officials to complete the task properly.

Finn Valley have this week lodged a planning permission request with Donegal Co. Council to build a Fitness/Leisure area while the lift to enable total access to all has just been completed.

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