PATSY MCGONAGLE: The British AAA champs in Bedford focused attention on two of Finn Valley’s promising juniors both of whom have qualified for world juniors in Barcelona next month.
First up on Saturday was Dempsey Mc Guigan in the hammer (in windy conditions) yet the end result 2 throws over 69m the best measured at 69.62m good enough for bronze and indeed now he faces a busy weekend next weekend at Mannheim on Saturday and then jumping on a plane for te national juniors Sunday.
Also Saturday younger brother Dalton was in the steeple finishing 5th in 10.05.73 They had the U 23 and juniors in same race so he will run faster but needs to get in there and not be pushed around.
The second medal came via Sarah Collins in the 3k an event she also takes in Spain in the worlds. Slow opening laps led by herself wasn’t going to work for a fast time and nobody else was prepared to take the front at that point but eventually they did get up to her in the person of Gorecka, Aldershot, European junior champion who returned 9.22.11 to win with Sarah who now runs 1500m next Sunday in Tullamore , 3rd on 9.42.37.
Antrim Saturday and Sunday at a quick count 16 athletes from the Finn Valley club through to nationals to add to the numbers from Shercock last weekend.
Somebody mentioned 44 of our younger members from there so at this point one has to comment all going well thus who were our achievers on this particular weekend?
There was 10 athletes day one coming through the Q process that is Ulster Naoimh Mc Granaghan , Castlefin a treble in hammer 24.50m ., discus in 21.40m, and javelin with 25.59 the challenge is now to turn at least one of those disciplines into a strong medal return. Janine Boyle won the 80m and 200m but had to settle for silver in long but the future is bright for this Doosish NS girl.
Bryan Mc Namee from Convoy won the 800m with 5 secs to spare over talented clubmate Denver Kelly while Jack McGeehan took the high jump title at 1.50m and most encouraging from a development point of view was Jade Leeper on day 2 a discus 27.11 and shot 10.83m double which clearly suggests she really must chase that international schools spot in the shot – it’s there for her for sure in the Tailteann games and of course there is John Kelly the St Johnston boy never far away from the front line in terms of acheivment – on this day a treble in shot 16.15,discus 39.37m, and javelin 49.16m what can you say….he meets a the challenge and continues to perform!
Medals for Oisin Gallen in 1500m 4.28.65 against winner Lettterkenny’s Peter Gibbons 4.26.53. This young man is here to stay and will continue to improve impressive focus in recent times. Ian Brennan long jump silver 5.41 against a winning 5.51m and Blaithnaid Patton high at 1.55 competition won at 1.60m.
Convoy’s Gavin Mc Laughlin javelin 34.04 a medal and a deserved tilt at nationals in July, the talented Caoimhe Mc Menamin is beginning to show a relish for the triple jump 3 jumps over 10m best of which was 10.13 now no doubt 10.70m is there so over to you Caoimhe!
Good work being done here by Adrian Lecky in this event as coach a former Annadale athlete, a Castlederg man and a Northern Ireland international in the jumps.
Ann McGill got a great boost with the performance of Niamh Murphy in the walk improving day on day and back in a competitive environment Danny Brown in 80m sprint with a medal return.
A good few days and so we switch our attention to national juniors and under 23 champs and Dempsey Mc Guigan in compertition in Mannheim Saturday. Beyond that European champs in Helsinki with Tori Pena the sole local representative again in recent days she cleared 4.50m once again so all in all an exciting few weeks before the world shuts down for the London Olympics.
In Lifford 5k Friday night Gerard Gallagher was 2nd with James speight 3rd while Teresa McGloin returned to the roads of Donegal to win the women’s section beyond that its the Finn Valley 5k in Aghyaran on Friday week and an enthusiastic response in indicated with initial entry already at 360 so we can expect 500 for this well organised event in the heart of West tyrone yet only a few miles from Ballybofey Friday week with all Finn Valley club people wearing club colours.
This weekend the young brigade are in Cork for National children’s games and there is so much excitement round this event. Best of luck to all coaches,parents and children.
Not forgetting of course that on Friday Kate Byrne gets married – and we wish her well!
