Success At Irish Schools

Finn Valley had an encouraging day at the Irish schools championship in Tullamore on Sunday. It was an early departure at 6 am for those who had not travelled the previous day.

First into action were the walks events which drew on all the emotions as we had dissappointment with the disqualification of Shane Bonner Deele College, when leading with 20-m. to go in the intermediate walk but it is simply part of the learning curve for this talented Convoy athlete.

Michael Penrose from Aghyaran, a student at Holy Cross Strabane delighted his family with a best ever preformance to win the Junior Boys walk just marginally outside 6 minutes at 6.00.13 to 6.04.53 to Sheehy of Doon Christian Brother School. It was so appropriate that his family were present as they are part all of the Finn Valley story.

Aoife Whelan was disqualified in the junior girls walk while leading and will learn and bounce back in the Club Nationals, while Foinnuala Bruton of St.Columbas also competed excellently to take the bronze in the Intermediate Walk in 10.16.64 to Penderville, Tarbert CS, 10.09.85 so to make that school international she must find that 7 seconds on her next preformance.

Laura Feeley who is coached by her mother Christine placed 6th in hammer at 10 a.m. but at noon got out to 10m. to take silver in Junior Shot which put a smile on her face.

Another athlete from St. Columbas and coached by Bernie Alcorn, Paul Doherty had to really dig deep over the last twenty to get silver in the 100m. hurdles, recording 14.91. The organisers made a mess of this result but Paul has the re-assurance of a silver and added confidence as he approaches the Tailteann Games and a possible Irish schools vest.

Ian Ward ran a blinder at the Ulster schools and remained unfazed as he waited from 9.30am to 5pm to race the 1500m. international. Maher of Nenagh took up the pace, Ian sat along for the spin and finally it came down to a battle between the Royal and Prior student and Touhy of Waterford it was a P.B. for Ian at 4.02.7 against a sub 4 for Tuohy; these are both seriously talented boys and they will renew battle in Tailteann Games.

Finally, in her final schools race Nicola Alcorn of Loreto Letterkenny, currently engaged in leaving certificate examinations, a silver medal preformance from a girl who has given a lot of positive results during her student days at Loreto. Pauric McLaughlin 4.37.91 for junior 1500m and for Shareen McCrudden Stranorlar Vocational 4th in the Javelin 29.17 an improvement on Ulster results with Aileen Breenan 1.45m in the junior girls high An exciting days athletics superbly organised in beautiful weather.

Ulster 9--13 Championships 11th June.

This Sunday it's an 11 a.m. start for the Ulster 9-13 championships at Finn Valley. Timetable on www.finnvalleyac.com.

Brian O'Domhnaill takes in the Ulster championships walk in Belfast on Saturday before moving to the Leamington 20k the following week. Best of luck to him and well done to Rosaleen McGonagle and Grainne McGowan who participated in the Mini-Marathon 10K. on Monday. Full results of primary schools athletics will be available on www.finnvalleyac.com this weekend.

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