A Rising Star for Aghyaran

Michael Penrose a 15 year old Aghyaran native excelled at the recent Irish schools athletic championships, by winning the junior boys race walk in a most impressive victory at Tullamore.

Michael is a student at Holy Cross, Strabane and a member of Finn Valley Athletic Club in Ballybofey. In attendance to enjoy the occassion were his parents Michael and Gesilda( nee Connolly) themselves keen athletes in addition to other members of the family.

Michael has been involved in athletics since his primary school days at the local St. Caireall's primary school and was a member of the winning Finn Valley U16 National Cross-Country squad earlier this year, as was his cousin Aiden Connolly a student at Omagh Christian Brothers. Aiden is also a member of the Tyrone U16 G.A.A. side.

There has been traditionally a strong link between the Aghyaran area and the Donegal Club and there have been many athletic successes. Some years ago Finn Valley hosted the Ulster Senior Cross-Country Championships in the Tyrone parish in partnership with the local G.A.A.Club.

Michael next outing is the National age group championships back again in Tullamore next month having won the Ulster title at Antrim.