Valley Ladies Retain Short Course Team Title

Valley's senior men and women travelled to Dunleer last weekend to compete in the National short course c-c championships. Senior women were competing to retain their team title, while senior men wanted to get within the top three clubs.

The day got off to a great start with racing conditions perfect. Valleys ladies knew they had a battle on hand but as always showed their team spirit with Catriona McGranaghan having an excellent run finishing in 9th spot and lead her team home to victory. Catriona was strongly supported by Noeleen Porter who has had an excellent c-c season finishing in 13th spot. Margaret Synott returning nicely to the competitive scene after injury finished in 17th with Kay Byrne finishing 19th making it her 12th All Ireland National c-c medal. Finn Valley won the team on 58 points from Raheny.

Jerome Brooks was Valley's lead runner in the senior men's race finishing in 14th spot and lead the team home to 3rd position. Jerome finishing his c-c on a high note finishing 1st in the Intermediate c-c and having an excellent run in the long course championships and another excellent run today on the short course. Jerome was well supported once again by the Ballyare man Kevin Holian who finished 30th with Simon Ward just back from France after competing in the World Army cross-country championships and Dominic Bonner 43rd. Simon and Dominic both winning their first ever National club c-c medal. Mark Connolly also competed very well. Clonliffe won with 68pts from Raheny 117 and Finn Valley 125. A great result for the Valley athletes and a great finish to what is once of the best cross-country seasons every by the club.

The club also congratulates Gary Murray who had an excellent run finishing 4th overall and gains himself selection on the Irish team for the 31st IAAF World Cross-Country championships to be held in Lausanne in Switzerland on 29th and 30th of March. Best of luck Gary.

The club now looks forward to hosting the National 10k road race to be held on the 13th of April. Finn Valley hope to retain all team titles in this event. Senior men and women along with veteran men and women.

Next weekend our juveniles make the long journey to Nenagh to compete in the first round of the National Juvenile Indoor championships. Bus leaves Finn valley at 2.30pm sharp. Club coaches to travel with juveniles are Christine Feely, Bernie Alcorn, Maureen Doherty, Sean Carlin and Seamus McGranaghan.

Finn Valley are hosting a coaching course for all athletes and coaches in the North West on Saturday 12th of April. Local coaches will be in attendance as well as a number of National coaches Sean and Maeve Kyle, Paddy McGratton, Steven Maguire, Bernie O Callaghan. Registration will be at 9.30am and the day will finish at 4pm. Cost of registration is 5 Euro.