All Round Success for Valley Senior and Juvenile Athletes.

Last weekend was a busy competition weekend for Valley senior and juveniles athletes. Once again our competitors did the club proud with success for our juveniles at the Scottish indoor championships in Glasgow. Success in the Isle of Man for Jeff Cassin in the 50k Walk and success for our senior cross-country athletes in Rathdrum Co. Wicklow.

Talented Feely Family and Scottish Indoors

The extremely talented Feely family collected a full set of Scottish indoor medals between them over the weekend . Not to be outdone by young sister Laura's gold medal on Saturday, Kevin who also has another two years in this age group took the silver medal in the shot putt to add to the gold he won in the U-17 age group last year. Then to complete the family affair Pauric added a bronze in the triple jump. This family performance must give great satisfaction to their parents Christine and Frank, who are both very involved with the club, Christine is coaching with the club for over four years now with great success. Laura Feely was the star of the show on Saturday winning the Scottish Indoor Title with a putt of 8.18m. Laura, was 2 meter's ahead of the rest of the field. Indeed her victory was all the more fantastic when you consider she is still eligible for this age group next year.

Gavin Carlin had a fantastic day winning the silver medal in the long jump with 4.36m and very narrowly beaten in the 60m for the silver but secured the bronze medal and is also eligible again next year. Gavin who is coached by his father Sean, a former Irish decathlete would appear to be following in his fathers footsteps. .Lorcan McMenamin had a very busy time with all three of his events on at the same time. He won the bronze medal in the u13 high jump with a personal best of 1.43m, finished 4th in the final of the 200m after tough heats and semi finals. He also just missed out in the long jump. Breda Mc Ginty had her first ever race indoors and what a race it was after coming through a very competitive heat she recovered to run a brilliant personal best with a time of 4.58.65 to take the bronze medal. Maurice Boyle was the unluckiest athlete of the day for us literally being pipped on the line for the bronze medal, beaten by a mere 5 hundredths of a second. Great performances throughout all athletes. Thanks must go to coaches Bernie alcorn, Christine Feely, Ann Gallagher, Brid Mc Menamin, Sean Carlin and Patsy Doherty who made the long and tiring journey with the athletes.

Great Cross Country season by our Senior Athletes

Valley's senior athletes traveled to Rathdrum Co. Wicklow on Sunday and hopes were high for success and expectations were lived up to.

Our lead runner in the senior women was Catriona McGranaghan who performed very well finishing 11th overall and was well supported by Noeleen Porter 13th, Margaret Synott just back from injury 16th with Kay Byrne 21st and Noreen McConigley. Valley finished 2nd team. This was a good team performance by our ladies performing to their very best on the day. Dundrum South Dublin won the team on 46pts from Finn Valley 61pts and Raheny Shamrock 98.

Our senior men was lead by Jerome Brooks who has had a very strong run finishing 8th. This has been a great season for Jerome firstly winning the National Intermediate title earlier this season, however todays race was the best race of his career to date. Jerome was strongly supported by Jamie Lewis who had a excellent run just returning from injury and finishing in 17th spot and followed strongly by Kevin Holian in 19th, John Creane 33rd and Dominick Bonner 38th. Finn Valley finished 3rd team which is a great achievement. DSD won the event on 40pts from Clonliffe 43 and Finn Valley 77.

Finn Valley have had a very successful cross-country season with their men winning masters, novice and intermediate team titles and today have come 3rd in the senior event with senior women taking the silver position. Great achievement and we are all very proud of them.

The club wishes to thank Neil Martin, Patsy McGonagle and all team supporters who traveled.

Jeff Cassin continues his walking success

Jeff Cassin traveled to the Isle of Man to compete in the 50K walk which incorporated the U.K championships. This is one of the most grueling sporting events on the sporting calendar, testing an athletes strength, endurance and mental ability. Jeff took off from the start and fought his way indubitably making no doubt that this was his race finishing in a time of 4.09.46 breaking the course record by 2min. Steve Arnold of Coventry in Enland was second in a time of 5.09.16 and Mark Byrne also England 5.25.17.

This was a great weekend of competition by all.

James Gibbons Heads to San Sebastian

James Gibbons travels to San Sebastian in Spain on Wednesday to compete in the Master Indoor championships. James will be competing in the 3000m walk on Saturday and the club wish him the best of luck.

Club training continues on Tuesday and Thursday night at 7.30pm and Sunday morning 10.30pm for all athletes.