Carlin Hurdles to Success for Team Valley

Last weekend was a busy competition weekend for Valley with their athletes competing at the National Juvenile championships in Tullamore, while others travelled to Phoenix Park to compete in the annual Phoenix Park Race walks. Bosco Reid traveled to Navan as part of Donegal team to compete in the National League Championships.

Finn Valley left on Friday afternoon for Tullamore with their young Under-9 -- Under-13 squad and relay teams and hopes were high for success. All our underage performed well and the experience gained competing at this level will help all for future competitions.

Bronze For Under-16 Relay

On Saturday our under 16 boys relay team were Valley's first medal success. The team of Declan Hennessy, Sean McMenamin, Mark McGowan and Stefan Connolly finished in third spot and along with Maurice Boyle of Loughanure took the bronze medal reward.

Because of injuries on the team Mark and Stefan then moved up an age group to join Joe McGinley and Pauric Feely on the under 17 boys team who were very unlucky not to be within the medal ranking finishing 4th missing out on bronze medals by just 10th of a second.

Gold for Gavin

On Sunday Gavin Carlin son of Sean and Mary Carlin of Killygordon was the star of the show winning the Boys Under 13 hurdles title. Gavin a very keen athlete also finished 4th in the Long Jump competition and was also part of the U13 boys relay team which finished 5th. Gavin has had a great summer season ending his athletic season on a high as he looks forward to upcoming soccer events.

Silver for Lorcan and Matthew

Stranorlar lad Lorcan McMenamin son of Enda known well to the golfing world continued his success winning silver in the under 13 boys High Jump and bronze position in Long Jump. Matthew Kelly another very talented young athletic won silver in the boys under 12 ball throw with team mate Martin Doherty just missed out on medal position finishing 4th in this event

Bronze for Laura, Aileen and David

Laura Feely had another excellent competition in the under 13 girls winning herself the bronze medal in the shot and finishing 4th in the Ball Throw and 5th in the Javelin. The Feely family are very involved and it is great encouragement to see this success. Aileen Brennan who is competing in her first season had a great days competition to finish 3rd in the High Jump in the under 12 girls. David Black also competing in his first Nationals in the under 13 boys finished 3rd in the ball throw.

Other Performances

All athletes performed very well and many on personal best and made finals. Pauric McLaughlin had an excellent run in the 600 u13 boys just missed out on medal position finishing 4th in the final, while Ryan McNulty finished 7th in the under 11 600 final. Ryan was unfortunate to fall before the race and had to receive medical attention. Clive Heath was 4th in the under 13 Javelin Aaron McMenamin was 6th in the boys under 12 high jump while Jodie Stewart was 7th in the Long Jump. Stephine Connolly was 10th in the under 11 girls ball throw. Brian Tague finished 9th in the under 13 boys Our under 13 boys Lorcan McMenamin, Gavin Carlin, Pauric McLaughlin and Christopher O Leary just miss out on metal poistion in the relays finsihing 5th in the final. Also team to just miss out on finals were boys under 12 Gerry Boyle, Aaron McMenamin, Matthew Kelly and Ryan McNulty finished 4th. Also our under 14 relay boys Ryan McDaid, Paul Doherty, Shane Bonner and Ian Ward finished 5th.

National Award Scheme

This year a National award scheme was introduced for the younger age and Dean Bonner brother of Shane along with Ryan Kelly won silver in the under 10s. Aisling Kelly won bronze in the under 9 girls. Also our under 9 girls team finished 7th in the 4x50 relay. The team of Geraldine Gallagher, Aisling Gallagher, Caoimhe McMenamin and Erin McGranaghan.

The club just say well done to all and most of all wish to thank all coaches and parents who help to get the athletes to this stage. Also a big thank you to all coaches and parents who gave up their weekend to look after the squad. Bernie Alcorn who organised accommodation and registration of the athletes and gave her time over the weekend. Also Christine Feely, Mary and Seaamus McGranaghan, George Gallen, Patsy Doherty, Maureen Doherty, Anne Gallagher and Michael Kelly.

Action will once again be in Tullamore next weekend for the second round of the AAI juvenile championships. Bus will leave Finn Valley on Friday at 3pm sharp.

Juveniles Compete in Race Walks

The 13th Dublin International Grand Prix of Race Walking was held in Phoenix Park last Saturday and a great day was enjoyed by all. This is a very exciting time for race walking in Ireland and is great encouragement for young walkers to get involved as they see the success of Irish athletes on International grounds.

Just this week 16 year old Ann Loughnane created history when she became the first Irish athlete to win a medal in the IAAF world Youth championships when she took silver in the 5,000m walk in Sherbroke in Canada.

On Saturday in Phoenix Park our juveniles witnessed Ireland's record holder Gillian O Sullivan perform splendidly in the Dublin Grand Prix of Race Walking in Mediterranean type weather. Gillian won her fifth successive Irish 20k title in 1.29.22 her fourth sub 1.30 performance for 2003.

Four of our juveniles competed in the in an International match Ireland v England Boys and Girls under 13, 15, 17, and 19. Fionnuala Bruton was 8th in the under 15 girls 2k in 11.01, Maeve Culhane 10th in 11.12 and Charlene Kelly 15th in 12.04. Finn Valley finishing 2nd team.

Nikki Alcorn whose technique was praised by many competed in the under 17 girls 3Km finishing 5th. This was great experience for the girls. Standard were high with course records being broken in many of the age groups. This was a great day for the girls who will improve greatly with training and encouragement.

The club wishes to thank Gerry Bruton father of Fionnuala who travelled to Dublin with the girls on Saturday morning.

James Gibbon competed in the 3k Ireland v England masters match finishing 2nd behind Pat Murphy of Castleisland WC Kerry. Anne McGill was 2nd behind Marie Cox of Isle of Man. James now prepares for the National 3,000m to be held in Tullamore on 2nd August.

Bosco Reid Breaks Donegal Hammer Record

On Sunday Bosco Reid was part of the Donegal team who competed in the National League Div 1 in Navan. Bosco guest in the hammer and had a fine competition breaking the Donegal record with a throw of 34.66. Bosco contributed well to the Donegal tally of points finishing 2nd in the shot with a throw of 11.48 and 5th in the Javelin. Well done Bosco.

Grand Prix Road Race

Churchill is the venue on Friday night for the next 5k. Race starts at 7.30pm.

Odds and Ends

The club welcome the return of Mary Martin from hospital and looks forward to see her back on the road shortly.

Training will continue at the club Tuesday and Thursday night at 7.30pm