The main focus of athletic attention is in Europe this weekend rotates around the European Championships in Rome and Finn Valley are delighted to report that club athlete Mark English will be on the start line in the 800m, having ran his 5th fastest time ever in Oslo last Thursday evening. His time of 1.44.95 is just 0.24 off his Irish 800m record which he clocked in Spain in June 2021. Running in the famous Bislett Games, he finished 4th and this gives him serious confidence going forward to the continental championships in which he has previously won 4 medals. We wish him well and also extend good wishes to Kelly McRory from Tir Chonaill AC who has been included on the Irish 4 x 4 Women’s’ relay team for these championships. The Laghey native has progressed very positively this season and in many ways similar to Mark, will have her eye on the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.
On Saturday the Irish schools dominated, a traditional meet which always brings the cream of the young athletes on the island together, representing their school and indeed medals won at Irish schools finals traditionally held in Tullamore are cherished. The Finn Valley AC return from Saturday was Riona Doherty, St Solumbas College Stranorlar, gaining a silver medal in the Senior long jump at 5.46m. Riona, a leaving cert student, has thankfully put a long period of injury behind her and the season now opens up for her. Orhran McBrearty, on the back of s very successful cc season which saw him represent Ireland at schools and club level, finished second in the 1500m intermediate boys in what was a real ding dong battle. He rretuened a time of 4.15.40 as against the winners time of 4.14.85. Odhran represetnting St Colubmas college is curetntly balancing competitna t National level and playing for his local football team which is a tough ask.
Eimear McCarroll a student at Loreto Omagh who is bound for the US towards the end of the summer, also collected the silver medal in the 1500m senior clocking 4.30.46 to list another quality performance. The other remaining FV associated medal came from Blaine Lynch, Omagh CBS who collected a bronze in the javelin at 48.56m.
On Sunday, some 600 young athletes from throughout Ulster attended for the Ulster Games and U12/13 championships hosted by Finn Valley in what was a surperby organised meeting. Indeed, it underlines what an excellent venue finn valely is for an athletics championip of this nature. Once again, the club were very successful, qualifying 10s of young athlets for national finals which will happen towards the end of june. We now await the position re qualified teams as in the childrens games, qualification is based on pairs. While there were many many outstanding performances, particularly prevalent were Sheridan McMonagle st eunans Raphoe, Jasmine Barett doherty Milford NS and Eoin c unningham a student at ST Mary’s Stranorlar. Fnal preparatiosn will now be undertaken with a view to Sunday’s results and post the childrens games, there will be a break until schools re-open for many of our younger athletes. This weekend lub athletes are in Belfast for the ulster 14/19 championships and again with positive vibes regarding performances.
In view of upcoming national championships, young athletes are reminded that it’s a requiemtn to wear the official club vest. And up to date membership.
Ean update on Eilish Flanagan is that she is recoving from injury and is intent on giving a few races a go, as longa s things don’t flare up again. aT this juncture, she is planning on doing the 5k in Canadan June 15th and should that not work out whe will race in Europe that weekend.
That will be followed by a 3k the following weekend in Europe and then nationals towards the end of June.