BY PATSY McGONAGLE: Four teams travelled to Lurgan for Ulster intermediate and Masters Cross Country last weekend – and each returned back down the motorway with a set of medals.
Masters women led by Catriona Devine secured Gold. The men’s Intermediate team just lost out by just four points to neighbours City Of Derry. Only six points separated the top 3 squads. Intermediate women 3rd team and Masters men 2nd team finished behind an impressive North Belfast quartet.
Familiar names like Catriona Devine, 2nd, Kay Byrne and Noleen Porter and Miriam Bonner were all in action, and contributed to the team finishing 1st on 39.2 –ahead of Lagan Valley (55.3) and Springwell (64.0).
This Finny Valley squad have certainly enjoyed their fair share of success over the years, interesting to note that they all were involved and began to impact as 10 year olds!
The withdrawal of Fintown man Dermot Brennan with an Achilles injury in the days leading up to the intermediate men was to be pivotal to the eventual outcome with City of Derry 120, Finn Valley 124, Foyle Valley 126. The squad really giving it zip, such is the current spirit. Gerard Gallagher finished 3rd still learning his trade and continuing to improve. James Speight finished 4th, with Sean Mc Getttigan 23,Colin Mc Nulty 26 ,Shane Mc Nulty 38 and Dean Toland 42 scoring. So so near.
Masters men the tough teak squad led by the welcome return of Kevin Holian 11 th supported by Martin Irwin, Dominic Bonner and Michael Penrose all scoring, as North Belfast amassed a comprehensive victory on 23 pts, Finn Valley 70pts and bronze to Annadale on 70 pts. Letterkenny AC’s Ciaran Doherty had a good run, finishing 2nd.
Intermediate Women scoring Catherine Dooher, Angela Speight, Miriam Bonner and Charmaine O Brien. Team scoring looks like this Springwell 38,Omagh 61 and F Valley 71.
Valley endurance coach Mark Connolly -while disappointed to lose out on War Memorial intermediate title- expressed satisfaction on what is a developing squad, scores and non scorers contributed.
Jodie Stewart and Mark Hoye were involved in the AAI indoor Games in Athlone IT, a new exciting modern indoor facility . Elsewhere Tori Pena was nailing the European indoor qualification standard with a 4.30 clearance in New Mexico, as you may have already seen here on Donegal Daily.
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