All Ireland Juvenile Combined Events championships

The All Ireland Juvenile Combined Events championships took place last weekend in Nenagh. This is a tough competition with each athlete having to compete in five events High Jump, Shot Putt, Hurdles, Long Jump and 800m. Points are won on each event.

Valley's star of the show was young Ryan McDaid from Muff. Ryan won the hurdles and high jump event, and was 3 seconds behind the leader going into the last event 800m. Ryan won the 800m by more than 9 seconds and won his first All Ireland Indoor title. A brilliant start to the track season for Ryan.

Mark Connolly's son Aidan also competed very well finishing 5th overall and just missed out on a bronze medal by 8 points.

Pauric Feely had also a good competition finishing 2nd in the Long Jump and 4th in the Shot Putt. Stephan Connolly was unfortunate in that he was leading his section but missed out on points in the High Jump. Something he can work on for the next time. Others who competed very well were Matthew Larkin, Joe McGinley, (Joe had a very good High Jump and 800m), Maurice Boyle, Alan Kavanagh, Geraldine Kelly and Lindsay Stewart. Well done to all.

The club wish to thank Christine Feely who travelled with the athletes. This was very much appreciated by the club.

Stormont International Valley Retain Senior Men's Title

Valley senior and veteran athletes continued their success in the Stormont International Cross-Country.

Dominic Bonner from Gweedore who has had a brilliant opening to his cross-country season continued his success by finishing 2nd veteran. Dominick was in the lead for much of the race finished a very strong second spot and lead his Valley team home to victory and to retained their title from last year. Dominick was well supported by Pat Hegarty 6th, Pat McElroy 7th , Mark Connolly 8th, Anthony Murray 17th (Anthony was first in over 50 section) and Bernard McCabe 24th. Jim Hynes won the O 60 section.

The Veteran men and senior men are now looking forward to National Veteran and Intermediate c-c championships to be held in February. Veteran men competing to retain their National title and senior men competing to regain the Intermediate title. Valley are the only Ulster club to have ever won the Intermediate title and have done so on three occassions. Their first occasion was in Westport, then the unique occasion the following year retained their title on home ground at Finn Valley . The last occasion was in Monaghan with team lead by Mark Morgan and Barry Harron, Richard Simms was also a scoring member on this team.

Catriona McGranaghan continued her good form and finished 31st.

Simon 4th in All Ireland Army C-C

Simon Ward had a very good run in the All Ireland Army c-c championships. This puts Simon now in a very strong position for selection on Irish Army team for the European Army championships to be held later. Best of luck Simon.

Northern Ireland Championships

This weekend Valley's Veteran men and women will be competing in the Northern Ireland Veteran c-c championships to be held in Bangor, Co. Down. Men's team will be lead by Dominic Bonner and Pat Hegarty with Noeleen Porter and Kay Byrne leading the ladies team.

Next weekend Margaret Synott will be competing in the Raheny 5k

Level One Coaching Course

Nine Finn Valley coaches started their Level One course in Donegal Town last weekend. Part two of this course will be held this weekend. The is delighted to see the interest of their members in coaching and this will improve the development of coaching within the club.

Good wishes from Australia

Clodagh McCool who is travelling the world and at present in Melbourne sends her good wishes to all. Club also wish Clodagh the best and looking forward to see her return later on this year.

Finn Valley's New Astroturf Grass Pitch

It is hoped that the new Astroturf pitch will be completed this week. A good level of interest has been shown in the pitch and a large number of booking has been taken by FV already. This was a very big project taken on by the club committee and will once be a great service provided for the people of Donegal by the center.

Club Training

Club training continues every Tuesday and Thursday night and Sunday morning at 10.30am. It is imperative that all juveniles turn up for Sunday morning training as preparation is now underway for Indoor and Outdoor track season.

In Sympathy The club extends sympathy to Joe Brennan and family on the death of his father Con. Joe competed with the club some years ago. His two sons Kieran and Diarmuid are now competing.