Ulster Championship Success for Valley

The Ulster juvenile and novice cross-country Championships were held at Fintra, Killybegs last Saturday on a lovely mild sunny day which made for a very enjoyable competition for athletes and spectators alike. Finn Valley had an excellent day with all of our teams qualifying for the National Championships in Dungarvan. In addition to all our club teams qualifying many of our athletes have also been selected on the Ulster Team (top 12 individuals) and the County Team (top 10 Donegal athletes).

The U9 girls got the competition underway and what a great start for Finn Valley with terrific runs from Blaithnid Patton 4th, Caoimhe McMenamin 5th, Shannon McLaughlin 8th and Melanie Penrose 16th to take the Gold team medals. Well done to our young stars of the future.

The U/9 boys were also on the medal podium led by Jonathon Carlin in an excellent 4th place with Peter Brown running very well in 9th, Niall Bonar 27th and Carl Hughes 28th making up the scoring team who won the Bronze medals. Great running also from Daniel McGlinchey 32nd, Brendan Hughes 35th and Alex McCafferty 39th.

Rebecca Ward was our lead runner in the U/11 girls race winning the individual silver medal in great style and leading her team of Cheyanne Griffin 13th, Josena Lynch 19th, Ciara McGarvey 20th to the Silver team medals. Great back-up from Tori Lafferty, Haley McGlinchey, Grace O'Donnell, Maria McColgan, Kathleen McGinty, Michaelle Bonar, Louise McCafferty, Amanda McCafferty and Nadine McBride.

Mark Bonner running a year out of his age group had a great run to finish 5th in the U/11 boys leading his team of Justin Brown,Oisin Merritt and Eoghin Bonner to silver medals. Great back up from Paul Smith, Ryan Porter, Dean Bonner, Gary O'Donnell, Mark Dorrian and Dean Harron.

We had our first individual champion of the day in the U13 girls with a terrific run from Niamh Doherty who looked very impressive indeed lifting her 2nd Ulster Cross-Country title. Jodie Stewart put in another great run to finish 5th, followed closely by Karen Ferguson 7th and Emily Murphy 8th this is a very strong team which easily won the Gold team medals and hopefully will go on to do very well in the National Championships in Dungarvan at the end of November. Back-up here provided by Aoife Gallagher, Madeline Penrose, Ciara Devenney, Rochelle Tourish, Caroline Moss and Ailish O'Donnell.

The U/13 boys were also on the podium winning the Silver team medals led home by Gerry Boyle 10th, Ryan McNulty 17th, Colm McLaughlin 19th and Emmett Patterson 20th. Strong running also from Patrick Geary 26th, Andrew Harron 28th, Kevin Smith 37th and Sean Bannigan 54th.

The U/15 girls race was to provide our next individual Champion in the form of Breda McGinty who had an outstanding victory and will be looking forward eagerly to the National Championships. Breda led her team of Fionnula Lindsay 6th also running extremely well this year, Gemma Vance and Aoife Whelan to the Silver team medals. Ailish Patton, Clara Dunnion, Caroline Gallagher, Christine O'Neill and Andrea McCafferty provided great support.

Ian Ward fought a great battle with Dan King in the U/15 boys race with Ian having to settle for the Silver on this occasion but what a great race to watch. Ian led his team to Gold medals with Aidan Connolly having his best race for a long time in 6th position, Ryan McDaid 7th and Darren McGlinchey 9th. This is also a team to watch in Dungarvan with these boys remaining unbeaten in Ireland so far. Great back-up here from Shane Bonner 14th, Pauric McLaughlin 21st, Philip Brown 29th, Lorcan McMenamin 38th and Karl Bradley 65th.

The U/17 girls put in a great performance to take the Bronze medals with excellent running from Maeve Culhane in 9th followed closely by Nikki Alcorn 10th, Fionnuala Bruton 18th, Bronagh Sweeney 19th and Catriona Lyons 23rd.

The U/17 boys were also in Bronze medal position packing well to take the 3rd team spot led home by Enda Doherty 17th, Stefan Connolly 18th, Maurice Boyle 19th and Alan Cavanagh 25th. Very good back-up here from Brian Patton 35th and Ronan McCabe 42nd.

Ulster Novice Championships

The Ulster Novice Championships were also held in Killybegs and Finn Valley were also to the fore here. We had the individual Bronze medallist in the Women's race with and excellent run from Teresa McGloin. Teresa also led her team to Silver medals with great running from Brid Connolly 5th, Marian Gallinagh 10th and Charlene McGowan 13th.

We also had a men's team in the Novice Championships; our lead runner here was Frank Chaney 14th with Daniel Kupka 33rd, James Gourley 44th and Brendan Alexander 51st just missing out on medals.

Next Weekend

The action moves to Ballyclare for the even-age group and Masters Championships on Saturday. Good luck to all.

Membership

Please note that all membership fees should be paid by now.

Coaching Courses

There will be an Introductory and Level One coaching course held in November, please check Notice Board for details.

Bernie Alcorn, P.R.O.