Valley's Ivonne Varas Wins International Grand Prix Race Walk in Donegal Record-breaking Time

A number of Finn Valley athletes travelled to Leamington Spa last weekend and returned with some very encouraging results.

Ivonne Varas (Cassin) who had been struggling with injury all week competed in the Women's 20K and won the event in a Donegal record time of 1.44.22. Congratulations Ivonne.

Three of our juveniles also travelled to compete in the juvenile event and did themselves very proud. Nikki Alcorn competing for the first time at 5k distance finished a very strong 9th in the U17 girls race, while Maeve Culhane finished 11th and Charlene Kelly finished 12th in the U15 Girls. This was a great experience for the girls and both from a competitive and travelling point of view will stand strong as they prepare for future competitions.

The club also wish to acknowledge the help of Teresa Culhane who travelled and to Bernie O Callaghan who organised the Irish squad to travel to the championships. The club is very grateful to all.

Valley Men compete well at National Relay Championships

Valley were very pleased with the performances of their senior and masters men last weekend in the National Relay championships.

Their senior men were lead by Barry Harron who was fresh from his good run last weekend in the Letterkenny 3k where he won the event in an excellent time of 8.55 the only man on the course to break 9 min. Barry took the first two lap for Valley and finished in a time of 9.52. Dominick Bonner of Gweedore who earlier competed in the Masters race took the second one lap in 4.44, and was followed by Jamie Lewis 15.07 and Kieran Carlin 10.22. Boys finished 4th behind Raheny 1st, Rathfarnham 2nd, and Clonliffe 3rd. Valley did very well considering the loss of some team members due to injury.

Valley's Masters men continued their success finishing 3rd team. Their team was lead by Mark Connolly who took the one lap finishing in a time of 5.06 with Dominick Bonner who had a busy afternoon took the second 2 laps in a time of 10.17 and Pat McElroy on the last lap in a time of 5.03.

Civil Service won the event with Liffey Valley 2nd and Finn Valley 3rd.

Finn Valley are delighted to see the return of Michael McGlinchey to the competitive scene. Michael, an Electronic Engineer student at Queen's University, competed in the All Ireland Universities Track and Field championships which were held in Galway at the weekend. Michael competed well and no doubt after a few more tough training sessions will be in good form for 5k championship races coming up later on in the Summer.

Simon Ward who has been off injured the last number of weeks is now back into training and Valley are also looking forward to his return to the competitive circuit.

Valley's Jerome Brooks and John Crean competed last weekend the British 12 Stage in Birmingham. Club is awaiting results of same.

Next weekend a number of Finn Valley juveniles will be travelling to Tullamore to compete in trails for the European Youth Olympics. It is hoped that Kieran McConnell will make the trip from England to compete in the discus as he has a good possibility of qualifying.

The club wish to congratulate Shauna Culhane on winning the long jump (5.96) in Malta where she was training over the Easter period. Shauna who is married to Declan Carlin equaled the Donegal record which was held by Valley's Sinead McLaughlin. Shauna must now have her aim set on breaking the Ulster record which presently stands at 6.11 and held by Phelma Hopkins.

Letter have now gone out to all primary schools giving details of primary schools sports. As in previous years it is hoped that once again their will be a big response.

The club express sympathy to Regina McCabe and the McCabe family on the recent death of her father.