Double Gold for Finn Valley at Cross Country Championships

Finn Valley athletes, juvenile and senior, made the long journey to Dungarvan, Co. Waterford for the National Juvenile uneven age group and Senior Inter-County Cross Country Championships last weekend. It proved to be a very successful outing for the club with our athletes winning 29 medals in total. At juvenile level there are individual medals for the first twelve in each race, the top three club teams, the top three County teams and there is also an Inter-provincial Championships.

The day got off to a great start with Rebecca Ward having an outstanding run in the U11 girls race coming in 5th place despite being a year out of her age group. This was a fantastic performance from Rebecca who is certainly taking after her older brothers Simon and Ian who have already won numerous National Championship medals. Tori Lafferty also ran very well in this race and both girls will have gained a lot from their first taste of National Championship racing.

The U11 boys were next on the start line and what excitement that race produced with Mark Bonar putting in a tremendous finish to get up for 4th place and lead his team to victory. Excellent performances here from all the team of Oisin Merritt, Justin Browne, Eoghan Bonner, Dean Bonner and Paul Smith to win the Gold medals. Congratulations boys on your first All-Ireland title. Donegal won the Inter-County title here also with Mark, Oisin and Justin on the scoring team. Mark also picked up a Bronze medal as a scoring member of the Ulster Team.

Niamh Doherty kept the individual flag flying in the U13 girls race coming from way back after a bad start to finish 12th and was delighted with her individual medal. There was also a very strong team performance here from Jodie Stewart, Karen Ferguson, Emily Murphy, Aoife Gallagher and Madeline Penrose with the team just out of the medals in 4th position.

The U13 boys team was led home by Daniel McLaughlin in 23rd place. This was an excellent run by Daniel in his first National competition and he was rewarded with a Silver medal as a scoring member of the Ulster Team and a Bronze medal on the scoring Donegal team. Gerry Boyle also had a great run finishing in 40th position and picked up a Bronze medal on the Donegal Team. Finn Valley's team of Daniel, Gerry, Ryan McNulty, Colm McLaughlin, Ciaran McAteer and Patrick Geary finished in a very creditable 7th position.

Breda McGinty was our lead runner in the U15 girls race with a brilliant last 800m which saw her move up the field to take an individual medal in 5th place. Breda will certainly be one to watch for the future as the distances get longer. Breda led her team of Clara Dunnion, Eilish Patton, Gemma Vance and Fionnuala Lindsay to 8th team position. Breda also won medals as a scoring member of both the Donegal Team and the Ulster Team.

Next up were our U/15 boys who have never been beaten in any age group in Ireland and they responded well to the pressure once again winning the title with excellent running from all the team. Ian Ward was once again to the fore winning an individual medal in 8th place with the ever-improving Aiden Connolly in an excellent 16th place, Darren McGlinchey 20th, winning his first National Gold, Ryan McDaid running strongly as ever in 21st place and Shane Bonner and Pauric McLaughlin completing the victorious team. Donegal won the Inter-County Gold here as well as the Inter-Provincial Gold. Congratulations boys on your continuing success.

The U17 girls were next up with Maeve Culhane leading the team home in 8th position and winning a Bronze medal as part of the Donegal Team , Nikki Alcorn running well just missing out by one place on a County medal and strong running also from Tara Hegarty and Fionnuala Bruton.

The U17 boys finished in 6th position led home by Enda Doherty who is having a great season putting in another excellent run in 30th position supported by Maurice Boyle, Stefan Connolly, Alan Cavanagh, Brian Patton and Ronan McCabe. Donegal finished in Bronze medal position here with four of our boys on the scoring team: Enda, Maurice, Stefan and Alan.

Senior Inter-county Championships

The Senior Inter-County Championships also took place in Dungarvan after the juvenile races and Donegal were in medal positions in both races.

Catriona mc Granaghan helped the Donegal ladies led by Bridie Trearty, Cranford A.C. to National senior intercounty bronze medals. In the men's race Donegal finished in Silver medal position, 10 points ahead of Westmeath with two of our athletes on the scoring team: Barry Harron and Pat Hegarty.

Congratulations to Stranorlar man Gary Murray who took the individual silver medal in the men's race and has been selected for the European Cross-Country Championships which will be held on the 12th December. We wish him well.

Christmas Party

This year's Christmas Party for the juvenile athletes will be held on Thursday, 16th December, 8 to 10 p.m. for younger members and 10 to 12 p.m. for the older juveniles. Prizes for Fancy Dress.

A Christmas Dinner for Senior members, coaches and parents will be held on Saturday, 18th December; please ring the Finn Valley Centre to book 074-9132053 or put your name on the list on the notice board.

Bernie Alcorn, P.R.O.