The national junior champs. under 20 ( Junior ) and under 23 the challenge in the Irish Midlands early in the day a return to athletics activity for Ciaran Dolan now a student at Sheffield Univ . had been working on the Valley long jump run up through the week and it came together perfectly at 6.76m on round 5 he had a longer effort marginally over the board so all looks good in the period ahead when a serious winter is undertaken a gold medal national champion under 23 on this particular outing . Welcome back . John Kelly was on a busy schedule through the 2 days as on Saturday in Santry at Tailteann Games an interprovincial meeting a selection meet for Irish schools team the Royal ,Raphoe pupil pencilled in his name for shot a winner at 16 plus .and javelin at just under 50m inches from a winning throw .He gets to do it all again in Schools international .On the road to national juniors have a go set a marker for the years ahead and this he did remember he has 3 years left in the cycle of a junior athlete .A silver medal in shot only overhauled on round 6 by a 14.98 putt against Johns long time lead of 14.85 . In the javelin a most respectable consistent series his best 49.78m in round 3 . Jade Leeper was out of luck in Santry just missing out in discus/shot but this Ballinamore V S student will bounce back older and better for the experioence .
A long journey to Cork beckoned for our young brigade for National Childrens games and the enthusiam and excitement really was evident as they assembled prior to departure . Success as anticipated for 11 age group team of Lauren callaghan,Dromore n s ;and Jessics Quigley St Marys stranorlar in 60m a combined time of 19.02 way ahead of Ferrybank 19.26 and Carlow also 19.26 Jessica timed at 9-37 an exceptional run and Lauren 9.65 they then were on a relay squad which included Aine Wilkinson and Daniella Jansen plus Caitlin Mc gonagle fastest time in the heats but a slight hitch in final but silver medals their reward . Daniella Jansen had a resounding 600m 1.57.19 the 2nd fastest in 600m and combined with the aforementioned Jessica to collect bronze in the Ball throw . A great experience for all the group and now a well earned rest after a very rewarding few weeks in schools Ulster and national compertition . A bit shout out to the coachs and parents who travelled hopefully Finn Valley will stage this meeting at home in 2013 . An application has been made .
Later this week in Helsinki Tori Pena competes in the European pole vault championship and best wishes are with her.