Finn Valley Athletics Club

Leanne Kelly National Champion

by Kieran Carlin.

Lough Kee forest park the venue for the final Juvenile Cross country of the season, Finn Valley athletes once again excelled. With the unusual sight of the sun shining the day got off to a great start. Leanne Kelly one of four Talented Kelly's took the bull by the horn getting out for a great start, Leanne didn't let up right through the race, with 200m to go she made a determined break for the line, the final surge to much for the others. Leanne crossing the line in 1st with ten metres to spare, also in the top ten and helping the U-11 girl's team to gold medals was Aoibheann Mc Hugh, Aoibheann copping well with muddy underfoot conditions. In the U-11 boys another Kelly, this time Denver leading the Boys team to bronze medals, the U-13 Girls took to the field next Oliva Roe, Tara Kate Harley, Shauna Finn, Caiomhe Mc Menamin Eimear Kelly all getting fast start but as the race progressed and the mud got heavier the fitness levels began to show finishing 4th team the girls will be disappointed. The U-13 Boys gaining Bronze medals lead home by the Oldest Kelly Georgie, Georgie also in the Donegal Relay team. Having to run to make a team up, as some of this team mates thought it was best to stay at home, letting both team and the club down these athletes need to reflect on this?

Moving up the age groups in the U-15 girls Rebecca Ward getting out well at the start but as the race progressed she struggled with the under foot muddy conditions Rebecca finishing 8th place should not be happy with this as she is an extremely talented athlete, also in the U-15 girls was an ever improving Ciara Kelly, Ciara getting stronger with each race making up the team was Kathleen Mc Ginty and Shannon Kelly. In the U-19 age groups both boys and girls races were amalgamated into the one, in his first race in the Blue and White of Valley the Strabane native Eamonn Neason had a good first outing leading for the first half with only one shoe he was eventually haled back to finish a very creditable 2nd place, Eamonn will take great confidence out of this race with some intensive training over a period of time Eamonn will get stronger. In the same race the Valley Girls took home gold medals leading the team home was the ever improving Clara Dunnion followed by Elish Patton & Tara Hagerty. A number of Finn Valley athletes also took part in the County relay teams, all teams finishing outside the medals, a big thank you to all parents & coaches who travelled to Roscommon.

Further a field in Ranheny at the annual race Mark Bonar & Justin Brown participated in the mile race which has been put on in addition to the senior 5mile race. Mark showing his potential once again came up trumps coming home in an impressive time of 4min 19sec whilst Justin came home in fifth in a time of 5min 2sec.

Congratulation to Mary Mc Cloone Tirchonaill AC set a new Donegal long jump record with a jump of 6.11 at the AAI Indoor Games in Nenagh Co Tipperary.

Looking forward to next weekend the Ulster & NI Senior Cross Country will take place in Gransha Derry starting at 2pm