Valley Athletes triumphant at Ulster Juveniles
by Kieran Carlin.
16 Finn Valley Athletes travel to the Antrim Forum the venue for the Ulster & NI Juvenile championships. Returning home with a very creditable thirteen medals, the hard work put in by both athlete and coached been rewarded. On Saturday Shannon Mc Laughlin got the day of to a great start gaining silver in the 1500m whilst Shauna Finn and Shannon Heaps just missing out in the medals in the 800m and Hammer respectively. Caoimhe Mc Menamin getting silver in the Long Jump with a jump of 4.36 also getting silver in the long jump was Rebecca Ward with a jump of 4.79. Blaithnaid Patton winning the high Jump on count back, with a height of 1.40. In the field event, Michael Gallagher a clear winner in both the Shot and Javelin, throwing 11.70 in the shot and an impressive 39.09 in the Javelin. John Kelly was a clear winner in the Discus throwing an excellent 36.04, John also was 2nd in the Javelin with a throw of 32.01. On the Sunday 6 athletes travelled the High light of the Day being Mark Bonar winning the double of 800m and 1500m, in a competitive 800m Mark fought off the opposition to win by 2 hundredth of a second in a time of 2.05.70, in the 1500m he had an easier run winning by 3sec with a time of 4.22.11. Later in the day Emma Mc Sorley had a good throw wining the Javelin with a throw of 20.70 and getting Bronze in the Shot 20.31, Stephanie Connolly received Silver in the Javelin with a throw of 17.72. A big thanks, to all who travelled with the athletes on both days. A great weekend athletics for the club and an excellent return for all the coaches in the club whose hard work and commitment has reaped reward.
Closer to home the Lifford 5km took place. The 3-loop course of the town would test all. 80 athletes took to the line. After the 1st loop the field had split with the top four of James Flanagan, Pauric Mc Kinney Johnny Patton and the Omagh Lad Noel Collins forcing the pace, further back the old reliable Dominic Bonar headed the second group. Adrian Gillespie in only his 2nd 5km was heading the 3rd group with Alan Mitchell the Tri Athlete also tucked in. At the 3km mark Pauric Mc Kinney pushed the pace with Collins following closely whilst Flanagan dropped of by a few seconds. Other Valley athletes having good runs to this point was Mark Connolly, Kay Byrne, John Mc Elhill, Andrew Scanlon and Cliodhna Dunne. With 1km to go Mc Kinney and Collins had broken Flanagan, now 5sec off the pace, with the down hill finish Flanagan would battle back to fight for first place passing Mc Kinney with 100m James left it to late to catch Collins. Collins winning in a time of 15.10, whilst Flanagan getting 15.12 and Mc Kinney 15.16. Other note able performances were Adrian Gillespie 17.17. Allan Mitchell getting under 18mins for the first time with a time of 17.26 new PB. John Mc Elhill having a good run in a time of 17.34. Colin Mc Nulty better know on the soccer pitch having a great run a time of 18.06.
The next race in the Brian Mc McCormick Donegal Grand Prix serious is on Friday evening 26th June at the Finn valley centre. The race will start 7.15pm
Walkers, Joggers all welcome to come along and participate. Think Health!!!!
Results.
NI Ulster Age Group T&F Results.
Lifford 5k Results.
Pictures.
Some pictures by Kieran Carlin.
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