Busy time for Valley athletes

It's that time of year when track and field athletics comes at you thick and fast.

Midweek it was Finn Valley area school sports; this was a tremendous success once again with some 800 youngsters joining in taking advantage of the beautiful weather.

Antrim was the venue Saturday for the Ulster schools finals always a most enjoyable challenge and the local athletes to emerge and progress are Ian Ward 1500m winner, Paul Doherty silver in hurdles, Shareen Mc Crudden javelin 26m plus --- more required if she is to challenge on Saturday week in Tullamore, Breda Mc Ginty bronze in the 1500m and Michael Penrose bronze in the walk --- quite a bit of the pace. Fionnula Bruton is through in senior girls walk and thus the story moves to Tullamore and we will see what all are made off on that occasion.

The AAI national league kicked off again in Antrim Sunday and thanks to the leadership of Mark Connolly the men's and women's squads came through with what can only be described a spirited team display enjoyed by all. Both teams with renewed effort on day two in mid June can reach the final so it will take yet another team performance to deliver just that.

Names that scream out of the results are Brian O Domhnaill, Darren Stewart, Cliodhna Dunne, Breda Mc Ginty, Trevor Mc Glynn, Teresa Mc Gloin, Shareen Mc Crudden, Aoife Whelan and the list goes on and on. Suffice to say Mark as team leader got the response he deserved and Kay Byrne, Pat Hegarty, Neil Martin and Bernie Alcorn were there in support indeed its not all that long ago since they indeed impressed with such a positive attitude when required.

All heroes on the day and a stronger club unit returned to the clubhouse Sunday night with the talk all about how they can improve the tally on day two.

This Thursday it's the Donegal 10--13 age group championships at Valley; registration from 6pm.

Further details www.finnvalleyac.com while the most exciting athletic event of the year the 38th annual primary school finals on Wed. May 28th with an 11 am start. All hands on deck please to enable a smooth competition.

AAI National Leagure Round 1 Results

Results.