Finn Valley AC shot putter James Kelly earned a qualification mark for the 2019 European U20 Athletics Championships.
At today’s Donegal Senior Championships at Finn Valley, Kelly threw 17.98 metres.
That throw was enough to qualify the St Johnston man for this summer’s European U20s, which take place in the Swedish city of Borås from July 18-21.
“It was absolutely outstanding,” was the verdict of Finn Valley AC’s Patsy McGonagle, the former Irish Athletics Team Manager.
“It was a good early-season mark and it’s down to a lot of hard work over the winter.
“It’s encouraging. We’re delighted for him. All the hard work is paying off for him. He can do it again and again.”
Among the local winners today were Finn Valley AC’s Daniella Jansen, who won the women’s 400m in 58.95 seconds; Joey Donald of Finn Valley took the 100m title in 11.77; Nicole O’Donnell from Rosses was the women’s 100m winner in 13.59 and also took the 200m crown in 28.88 seconds; Finn Valley’s Patrick Galvin won the 110m hurdles in 22.13 seconds; Danny Mooney won the men’s 3,000m in 8:44.31; Bridget McDyer of Finn Valley landed the women’s javelin thanks to a 19.17m throw and McDyer claimed the women’s shot put title via a 9.85m effort; Lifford-Strabane’s Daragh Kirk won the men’s javelin with a 47.26m attempt; Lifford-Strabane’s Brendan O’Donnell won the men’s hammer with a 50m throw.
This was the 50th year of the Donegal Senior Championships, which were first held at Fintra, Killybegs in 1970.
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