National Success for Finn Valley Juveniles

Our juvenile athletes had great success at the National U/14 to U/19 Championships in Tullamore last weekend winning two Gold Medals, two Silver and four Bronze Medals with another twelve athletes placing in the top six.

On Saturday our race walkers were in action with Aoife Whelan, Clara Dunnion and Paula Friel first on the track contesting the U14 2000m Walk. From the gun Aoife made her intentions known as she stormed into the lead and was in a class of her own winning easily in an excellent time of 10.54.57. This was Aofie's first outdoor title following up on her indoor 1000m title which she won in April in Nenagh. Clara and Paula both new to the event put in strong performances and will have gained from the experience.

Shauna Guthrie and Natasha Duffy competed in the U15 2000m Walk with Shauna putting in her usual gutsy performance to battle all the way for the bronze medal. Natasha also walked very well finishing 7th.

Fionnuala Bruton and Maeve Culhane competed very well in the U16 2000m Walk with both girls putting in excellent performances in a very high standard race; Fionnuala finished 4th, just out of the medals, and Maeve 6th.

Nikki Alcorn competed in the U17 3000m Walk and was determined, like Aoife, to follow up on her National Indoor Gold from Nenagh and this she did with an excellent performance and a new p.b. of 16.53.42. Nikki also competed in the Pole Vault, a new event for her, where she won the Silver medal.

Fionnuala Lindsay competed in the U14 1500m but unfortunately got spiked in the early stages of the race and was not able to perform to her best. Breda McGinty put in a gallant effort in the U15 1500m but was just out of the medals in 4th position. Ian Ward likewise fought hard throughout the race in the U15 boys 1500m but finished 5th in a race won by his friend Dan King from Milford A.C. Bronagh Sweeney ran well in the final of the U17 1500m.

Emma O'Neill and Joe McGinley contested the 100m U/17 & U18 respectively and put in very good performances but unfortunately did not qualify for the finals.

Stefan Connolly U/17 and Brendan Alexander U/19 competed in the 400m heats with good performances with Stefan qualifying for the final.

In the field events on Saturday we had two medal performances. Laura Feely won the Bronze medal in the U14 Shot with an excellent p.b. of 11.17 metres to follow up on her indoor Bronze in Nenagh earlier in the year. Laura was delighted with her throw, her first time to break the 11m barrier.

Geraldine Kelly won the Bronze in the U18 Triple jump to add to her Irish Schools Bronze in June. Geraldine also finished 5th in the Long Jump.

Pauric Feely was very unlucky in the U18 Triple Jump with four foul jumps, a safe jump, and one sub-standard jump for him, to finish just a few cms off the bronze medal in 4th position. Pauric also finished 6th in the long jump.

Laura Reid was delighted with her new p.b.of 24.33m in the U/16 Javelin which was good enough for an excellent 6th place.

Kieran O'Grady who was having a great season so far was unlucky to pick up an injury just before the All-Irelands and was unhappy with his performances in the Javelin and Discus but hopefully after a well-earned rest he will keep up the excellent progress he has made this year.

On Sunday, Joe McGinley U18 and Brendan Alexander U19 were in action in the pole vault and both showed excellent potential for the future with Joe finishing 4th in his competition and Brendan 5th.

Aiden Connolly ran very well in the U15 250m Hurdles just failing to make the final by the narrowest of margins.

Stefan Connolly was next on track in the final of the U17 300m Hurdles and ran an excellent race to finish in 4th place just out of the medals.

Laura Friel showed great character in the U15 High Jump holding her nerve when the pressure came on to win the bronze medal by equalling her p.b. of 1.50m. This was Laura's first All-Ireland medal and richly deserved despite giving her mother (and club coach) Celine a near heart stopping time watching her. Laura's sister Paula was also there to enjoy the exciting finish to this excellent high jump competition.

At the same time Gavin McCrudden was competing in the U15 Javelin and was also showing great depth of character to come from fourth position in the 4th round to steady himself and produce two excellent throws which bought him up to Silver medal position with a new p.b. of 39.98m. Indeed Gavin had a terrific throw in the 44-45m range but the javelin just touched the white sector line and it was judged a foul throw. However, Gavin should be very proud of his performance and is determined to train hard this winter to gain selection for the Celtic Games next season.

Lorcan McMenamin was unlucky in the U14 High Jump clearing 1.45m but just failed his attempt at his p.b. of 1.50m which would have got him the silver medal. Lorcan ended up in joint 5th position on countback.

Clive Heapes was also very unlucky in the U14 Javelin finishing 5th in a competition where a mere few cms separated 2nd to 5th. Ciaran McGill also competed well in this competition and would have gained great experience in his first All-Ireland Championships.

Ciara Gallen had her best competition ever in the U15 Javelin with a new p.b. of 24.56m, 4 metres up on her throw in the Ulster Championships and will no doubt be challenging for medals if she keeps up this great progress.

Laura Feely was unfortunate in having three no throws in her U14 Javelin but she was certainly good enough for a medal if lady luck had been a little kinder but at least Laura had the consolation of her Shot Putt bronze the day before.

Pauric McLaughlin competed well in the U14 800m but despite his best efforts was unable to go with the pace in a very fast race.

Declan Hennessy put in a good performance in the U17 200m but suffered a little from lack of training due to exams and will no doubt improve a lot with a good winter's training.

Joe McGinley had an excellent run in the U18 200m which will put him in good form for the National relays next weekend.

Many thanks to the club coaches who travelled with the athletes at the weekend: Michael Kelly, George Gallen, Ann Gallagher, Christine Feely, Celine Friel and Bernie Alcorn.

Next weekend it will be the turn of the U/9 to U/13 age groups to take on the best in the country and also all relays from U/9 to U/19. We wish them all the best of luck.

The club have entered a team in the Mazda National League this year, the first round will be held in Navan on Sunday.

World Junior Championships

Congratulations to club coach Neil Martin who is Irish Team Manager for the World Junior Championships in Grosetto, Italy and good luck to all our Irish Juniors who will be competing from 12th to the 18th July.

Trials

Trials for the Inter-County relays will be held at the Finn Valley Centre at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday (15th July).

Engagement

Congratulations to James Gibbons and Eileen Gallagher who got engaged recently.

Bernie Alcorn, P.R.O.