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| Athletes and officials look back on a great year for the club |
29th December 2002: Finn Valley held their 26th 5K handicap race on
St Stephen's Day ... Michael Kelly a polular winner... Catriona McGranaghan had
the fastest ladies time ... Kevin Holian was the fastest man ...
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| Athletes and officials look back on a great year for the club |
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15th December 2002: Finn Valley's juvenile athletics are now on
their Christmas break
after having a very successful cross-country season... A lovely dinner was
organised on Saturday night for all club committee
members, workers, parents and members... Holian wins Letterkenny Turkey
trot... Announcement of further Christmas races and
events ...
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| Private Ward Helps Valley Win Gold |
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8th December 2002: At Dalgan Park in Navan Valley's team were
confident of ending the juvenile cross-country season on a high note as
they started, and their novice men's team confident of taking the All
Ireland Novice Title back to Finn Valley something that no Ulster club
has ever achieved before. Indeed all teams performed to their
expectations and Valley returned home with a total of 50 championship
medals. Click here for some pictures.
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| Valley Prepare for All Ireland Novice and Juvenile Evenaged CC at Dalgan Park Navan. |
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1st December 2002: This weekend all focus will be on Dalgan Park,
Navan for the All Ireland
Novice and Juvenile Evenaged cross-country championships...
Valley's Novice men's team will be lead by Joe Byrne, Simon Ward and
Colm McBride and Valley are very hopeful ... Various Christmas festivities
announced ...
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| Fifty championship medals for Valley juveniles and Donegal second place behind home county. |
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24th November 2002: Finn Valley's juvenile and senior athletes made
the long trip to Cork
last weekend to compete in the National Inter-County Senior and Juvenile
Unevenaged cross-country championships ... Fifty championship medals for
Valley juveniles ... Donegal second to Cork in Men's Inter-counties and beat
Dublin ... Ladies third behind Dublin, Cork ...
Click here for some pictures...
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| Valley's Porter, Bonner and Kerr lead Irish Teams Home in Veteran's Cross-country |
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16th November 2002: Finn Valley's Veteran athletes had great success
in Ballymena last
Saturday when they competed on Irish teams in the International
cross-country championships. Three of our athletes, Noeleen Porter,
Dominick Bonner and James McMahon each were the lead Irish runner on
their team.
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| Team Valley Top Ulster Juvenile Club |
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10th November 2002: Dunaree Forest Park, Co. Cavan was the scenic
venue for the Ulster
Juvenile Evenaged cross-country along with Ulster Intermediate Men and
Women's Cross Country championships... as envisaged our
juveniles performed brilliantly winning three team titles, placed 2nd in
three others and one third placing... Also winning two individual
championships and one third placing... out of the 10 county teams competing
Donegal won eight of the teams and were 2nd in one...
Click here for some pictures...
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| Clean Sweep for Finn Valley at County Championships |
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3rd November 2002: Sunday was another triumphant days competition for
Valley's senior and
veteran athletes as they retained all Donegal Team titles and had two
individual titles in the senior ladies' and veteran men's competition ...
Click here for some pictures...
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| Five Team Gold Medals for Finn Valley at Ulster Championships |
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28th October 2002: Comber, Co. Down was the setting for the un-even
age groups Ulster &
Northern Ireland Cross Country Championships on Saturday last;
Finn Valley had a fantastic day
winning five team Championships and placing third in two others and
winning three individual Championships...
Click here for some pictures ...
in the vets race, Pat McElroy was
2nd and gained selection for Northern Ireland for the vets international
cross-country ... celebration of Kay Byrne's ten winning Finn Valley
National Senior Women's
cross-country Team Titles....
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| Senior Men and Senior Women Team Double in Gerry Farnan Cross-Country |
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20th October 2002: Today in the Phoenix Park, Valley
continued their winning ways with their senior men retaining the Gerry
Farnan Trophy and their senior women also took team victory ... Kevin Holian
leads team home ... Margaret Synnot 4th in ladies ...
James Mahon, Dominic Bonner, Seamus Kerr and Anthony
Murray selected for International Vets team ... Noelene Porter earns place
in ladies team ... a total of nine Velley
athletes been selected on Irish teams to compete in Ireland v England
cross-country international race to be held on the 16th of November in
Ballymena, Co Antrim ...
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| Finn Valley retain Best Donegal Juvenile Cross-Country Club Title |
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13th October 2002: Juvenile uneven aged cross-country championships
were held in Cranford
on Sunday in perfect weather and underfoot conditions; Finn Valley went into
the days competition as leading Donegal club ... Click here for some pictures ...
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| Details from Club AGM; Results from Donegal Juveniles and Novice Championships at Killybegs |
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6th October 2002: Further details from Club AGM ... Committee ...
Officers ... Strong Valley performance at Killybegs ...
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| Club AGM, Schools CC Championship at Valley, Cross-country Fixtures |
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29th September 2002: Finn Valley had a very successful Annual General
Meeting last Monday
night ... A very
successful primary and secondary school championships was held at the
center over the past two weeks ... Focus is now on club competition and the
first race of the season will
be Juvenile Uneven age and Novice Donegal championships to be held in
Killybegs on Sunday 6th November ... other cross-country fixtures are
announced ...
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| Final Results for Donegal Grand Prix |
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22nd September 2002: Margaret Synott Second in Letterkenny 5K ...
Kevin Holian third in senior men ... Dominick Bonner wins O-40
... Anthony Murray wins O-50 ... Valley Vets take team title ... In Cuisine
de france Series, Valley's Margaret was the Senior Lady winner, Nancy
McNamee Veteran Lady and Bernard McCabe Veteran male winner ...
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| Brilliant Performance by Yvonne Cassin at Leamington International Race Walk; Club Award Winners for 2002 |
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15th September 2002: The star of the show at Leamington Spa 10K Grand
prix race walk was Valley's Yvonne Cassin who finished in 2nd place
behind Kyesti Tysse Plaetzei of Norway, silver medallist in Sydney
Olympics ... Thirty five juvenile award winners for 2002 named - Click here
for full list and pictures....
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| Holian 2nd in Donegal Grand Prix |
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8th September 2002: Kevin Holian 2nd in Donegal Grand Prix ... Jeff
and Yvonne Cassin, Barry and Anne McGill and Gesilda
Penrose travelling to Leamington Grand Prix of Race Walking ...
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| New Donegal Records |
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1st September 2002: New Donegal Records by Valley's
Bosco Reid and Gary Murray ... Margaret Synott wins Dessie's 10k ... Noeleen
Porter on Irish Team for 10K in Cardiff ...
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| More from European Veterans Championships, Donegal Grand Prix Nears Climax |
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23rd August 2002: Valley's Mark Connolly, James Gibbons and Jim Hynes
will be returning
from Potsdam this week ...
... Results from Brockagh Four Miles ...
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| Valley Vets in Potsdam |
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18th August 2002:
A number of Finn Valley athletics are competing this week at the
European Veteran Track and Field Championships in Potstam ... Results from
Ballyare 5K ...
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| Twenty eight All-Ireland Medals for Finn Valley at AAI Masters Athletic Championships |
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11th August 2002:
Finn Valley's veteran athletes travelled to Tullamore last weekend to
compete in the AAI Masters Athletic Championships. All competing
returned home with All Ireland medals.
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| Valley's Ciara Masterson Competes for Ulster at Celtic International |
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4th August 2002:
Last Saturday Valley's Ciara Masterson of Buncrana was on the Ulster
team which competed in Tullamore in the Celtic International. Ciara
competed in the U.17 Girls Discus and finished fourth overall with a
throw of 24.06 ... News of Valley runners in Donegal Grand Prix Series ...
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| Another Golden Weekend for Finn Valley at AAI Juvenile Championships |
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28th July 2002:
The All-Ireland individual Championships for the U/14 to U/19 age groups
were held in Tullamore last weekend. The previous weekend our younger
athletes had a fantastic Championships, so the pressure was on the older
juveniles to emulate their success. They certainly rose to the challenge
winning no less than Two Gold, Three Silver and Three Bronze Championship
medals...
Click here for a full picture parade -- new pictures added 16 Sept. 2002. |
| Finn Valley Strike Gold at AAI Juvenile Championships |
21st July 2002:
Finn Valley had one of their most successful competitions at
All-Ireland level ever last weekend at the U/9 to U/13 Juvenile
Championships in Tullamore. At the end of two days
fantastic competition they had won Four Gold medals, Two Silver and Four
Bronze...
Athletes with their coaches, parents and supporters.
Click here for a full picture parade. |
| Finn Valley Compete at Record Breaking Track and Field National Championships |
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14th July 2002:
Over the past two days the AAI Track and Field National Championships were held
at Morton Stadium in excellent weather conditions. This was a
championship with plenty of excitement with world records broken ... in the
women's 5000m walk, Valley's
Yvonne Cassin had an excellent walk finishing 3rd in a seasons best time
of 24.30 and gaining a bronze individual medal. Yvonne was in a top
class field where Ireland's Super Race Walker Gillian O Sullivan
retained her National Title in 20.02.60 and broke the world record
previously set by Sacby-Junna of Australia.
In the 10,000m Men's race walks Valley had Yvonne's husband Jeff and
James Gibbons competed. Jeff finished 4th in a personal best time of
44.34. James Gibbons who used this race as preparation for the
European Masters Championships to be held in Germany finished 5th ...
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| Martin off to the Bahamas ... Bernie Alcorn Team Coach for Celtic International |
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7th July 2002:
Valley's Neil Martin makes the long journey to Jamaica this week to
manage the Irish team for the World Junior Track and Field Championships
to be held in Kingston ... Bernie Alcorn
Team Coach for Celtic International ... Valley athletes for National Track
and Field Championships at Santry ...
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| Valley Top Juvenile Club - Bosco Reid Wins Gold and Silver |
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30th June 2002:
Finn Valley AC is the undisputed top Ulster Juvenile club for 2002 ... Bosco
Reid Wins Gold and Silver at Antrim meet ... Donegal Road League results ...
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| Tailteann Games Bronze for Kevin Feely - Ulster Juvenile Championships at Antrim |
23rd June 2002:
At the Tailteann Games were held in Tullamore on Saturday with Ireland's
top young athletes representing their schools in a very prestigious
Inter-provincial event, Kevin Feely representing St. Columba's
College, Stranorlar was third in a very high-standard shot putt competition
and with a best of 14.40 metres ...
Our juvenile athletes U/14 to U/19 were in action in Antrim on Sunday
and performed exceptionally well ...
Finn Valley A.C. juvenile athletes who competed with great success at the
Ulster Track and Field Championships in Antrim on Sunday.
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| McGonagle Estonia Bound - Gold for Valley Team in Paul Nihill Shield |
16th June 2002:
Last weekend the senior Grand Prix race walking took place in Phoenix
Park alongside the Paul Nihell Shield (underage match between the top
underage walkers of Ireland and England). Valley had success in a number
of events...
Nikki Alcorn and Fionnuala Bruton
represented their country and club in the U15 girls 2000m race. Both
girls performed very well with Nikki finishing 6th in a top class field
and Fionnuala 9th winning Finn Valley the team title on 15 points ...
Patsy McGonagle once again leads the Irish team in Estonia for the
Europa Cup.
Nikki Alcorn and Fionnuala Bruton at the Phoenix Park.
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| Finn Valley Juveniles Excel at Ulster Championships |
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9th June 2002:
Finn Valley's youngest members were in action at Templemore Sports
Complex in Derry on Sunday ...
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| Silver for McGill at All Ireland Schools. |
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2nd June 2002:
Last weekend the Irish Schools Athletic Championships (track and
field) were held in Tullamore Co. Offaly. Valley's Barry McGill and
Nikki Alcorn both competed for their schools ... In the Letterkenny Inter
Firms Race, Kieran Carlin had a fine performance
winning the race from Charlie Gallagher... Rosaleen Campbell was 1st lady
with Margaret Synott 2nd and Annette Ferry 3rd. Margaret Murray and
Mary Martin both won veteran prizes ...
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| Anne McGill World Masters 20K Walk Champion. |
28th May 2002:
Anne McGill has won the World Masters 20K Walk Championships in Italy
last Sunday...
Anne Mc Gill ...
James Gibbons competed also in the 10K Walk on Saturday and
was
delighted with his individual Bronze medal in the O/40 category and also
leading his team to Bronze medals...
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| Silver Medals at Community Games for Finn Valley Boys. Primary Schools Regional Championships held at Finn Valley Centre. |
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20th May 2002:
The Community Games Relay and Cross Country All Ireland Championships
were held last weekend in Mosney, Co. Meath. In the relay competition
Enda Doherty, Brian Patton, Maurice Boyle along with Letterkenny's
Neil Gibbons made up the Donegal team which finished 2nd, winning their
first ever Community Games All Ireland medal...
Finn Valley AC had a busy week last week when they held their regional
primary schools finals at the centre... The competition was held over
Tuesday and Wednesday with between 750 - 800 young children competing for
their place in the county finals to be held also at the center on Thursday
6th June. Over 26 primary schools were invited to the championships and 20
responded. Patsy McGonagle commented "I am delighted with the numbers involved. Some
great talent was shown over the two days but I long for the day when all
schools across the county would take part, giving all children in every
corner of Donegal the opportunity to compete".
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| Valley's Competition Schedule Continues. |
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13th May 2002:
On Sunday the AAI National Relay and Combined events championships were
held in Navan ... In the senior men's 5000m Charlie Gallagher was the first
team member
to go handing over to Kieran Carlin in a time of 15.25. Kieran like
Charlie battled hard finishing in a time of 15.32 with Dominick taking
the team to National bronze medal in a time of 16.01 behind Raheny and
Liffey Valley ...Valley's veteran men also finished in third
position ... Mark
Connelly was first runner clocking a time of 9.33 making him the fourth
fastest man in the competition with Patsy Doherty and Jim Hynes making
up the team ...
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| Valley Compete in North West 10K |
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5th May 2002:
The annual North West 10K was held today. This was a very
successful event with over 900 runners and walkers taking part...
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| Patsy McGonagle elected Vice President of Athletic Association of Ireland. |
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28th April 2002:
At the AAI conference in Galway, Patsy McGonagle was elected as Vice
President of the AAI and Neil Martin was elected as Ulster delegate
on the executive committee...
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| Finn Valley Juveniles Top Ulster Rankings. |
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21st April 2002:
Congratulations to the club's juvenile athletes who have come out as
top Ulster club once again in the overall rankings after two weekends of
intense competition...
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| Another Golden Weekend for Finn Valley Athletes at National Championships. |
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14th April 2002:
Finn Valley had another successful weekend of competition at both
senior, veteran and juvenile National Championship competition. Valley
returned home with three Juvenile All Ireland Champions, one senior All
Ireland Champion and one Veteran Champion along with two team titles and
numerous silver and bronze winning medals...
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| Finn Valley's Nikki Alcorn All-Ireland Champion. |
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7th April 2002:
The first weekend of the All-Ireland Juvenile
Indoor
Championships were held in Nenagh last weekend with great success
for the
club securing Gold, Silver |
| Valley's Clodagh McCool Competes in World Universities. |
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1st April 2002:
Last weekend a number of Finn Valley athletes competed
in the
Omagh half marathon and the results were very positive. In the ladies
sections
Finn Valley ladies ran as a team and competed very well ...
Clodagh McCool makes her big debut next weekend when she competes for Irish Universities in Spain ... Finn Valley are holding an Introduction to Coaching Course in the centre on Saturday 20th April 2002. |
| Valley members reunite with old friends at World Championships. |
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24th March 2002:
Last weekend Leopardstown was host to the World Cross Country Championships
one of the worlds biggest
athletics events. A large number of Finn Valley members travelled to support
the event and others worked as
volunteers on the course.
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| Clodagh McCool selected on Irish University Team and Gold for Bosco at British Veteran Indoor championships. |
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17th March 2002:
The big news for Finn Valley this week is that Clodagh McCool of Dunwiley
Stranorlar has been selected on the Irish
University team that will be competing in the World University Cross
Country Championships. Elsewhere,
Valley's Bosco Reid travelled to Glasgow last weekend to compete in the
British Veteran Indoor Championships and
won gold in the shot.
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| National Title for Valley and Kay Byrne. |
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10th March 2002:
Last weekend was another historic weekend for Finn Valley AC when their
ladies team took their 10th National
Cross Country Senior Team Title and their second National title in two
weeks. Valley's Kay Byrne has the unique
record of scoring on all ten teams.
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| Finn Valley at Ulster Indoor Trials. |
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3rd March 2002:
The Ulster Indoor Trials for the All-Ireland Indoor Championships were held
in Antrim on Saturday.
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| Finn Valley Ladies Regain Cross Country Title in Superb Style. |
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24th February 2002:
Last Sunday the National Senior Cross Country Championships were held in
ALSAA, Dublin and once again the
Valley Golden Girls rewrote history by regaining the National Team Title.
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| Click here for action pictures of the winning team. |
| Valley Shine at National Track and Field Indoor Championships. |
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17th February 2002:
Last Saturday and Sunday the National Senior Indoor championships took place
in Nenagh and Finn Valley had a
number of competitors with Clodagh McCool winning a silver medal in 1500m,
Jeff Cassin and Anne McGill winning
bronze medals in the walks competition.
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| Historic Day for Finn Valley AC at Cross Country Championships. |
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10th February 2002:
The All Ireland Veteran and Intermediate Cross Country Championships were
hosted last Sunday by Finn Valley AC.
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| Young Ryan McDaid Continues his Crusade for Finn Valley AC |
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3rd February 2002:
Last weekend Finn Valley juveniles made the trip to Glasgow to compete in the
Scottish Indoor Championships.
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| Successful weekend for Finn Valley AC |
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27th January 2002:
Last weekend Valley's juveniles travelled to ALSAA in Dublin to
compete in the
All Ireland B Cross Country Championships and All Ireland Relay U11 and
U13
Championships.
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| Great Honour for Valley Chairman |
20th January 2002:
Finn Valley AC and all Donegal
were delighted last week when news
came
through that club chairman Patsy McGonagle was selected as the Donegal
Person of
the year 2001.
Patsy and his wife along with members of the Donegal Association.
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| Busy Schedule for Valley Athletes |
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13th January 2002:
Senior and Veteran athletes are now in the middle of Cross Country
Season and
looking forward to Belfast International Cross Country as well as Irish
Intermediate, Veteran and Senior Cross Country
Championships.
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| Finn Valley AC in Control of Ulster Senior and Veteran Cross Country Championships. |
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6th January 2002:
Last Sunday the Ulster Senior and Veteran Cross Country
Championships were
held in Derry. Valley retained their
Ulster
Ladies title and regained their Senior Men's title in style. Veteran Men
just lost their team title by one point. Due to illness and
other commitments Valley had no Veteran Women competing, however will have a
team for National Veteran Championships.
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| Finn Valley 5K Charity Race for Irish Kidney Association. |
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30th December 2001:
Finn Valley held their 30th annual 5K charity race on St
Stephen's day. The race was well supported by local athletes as well as athletes
from
Letterkenny, athletes home for their Christmas holidays as well as
locals. Some
very good times were recorded which looks good for the year 2002.
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| Opening of Finn Valley Centre. |
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October 2001:
A large selection of local dignitaries and politicians, along with Valley
members, past and present, attended a gala opening of Finn Valley's superb
Euro 2,000,000 million centre.
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| This page is: http://www.finnvalleyac.com/index2002.html. Last modified 22 April 2003 - webmaster@finnvalleyac.com - annemcgill@eircom.net |
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Finn Valley Athletics Club - Millbrae - Stranorlar - Co.Donegal Ph: 074 32053 Fax: 074 64111 |