CHAOS AT COLERAINE NATIONAL FINALS

Juvenile News

December 2009

After a season of cross country events throughout the country during the last two months that produced great competition, great venues and great administration. The national finals at un-even age groups in Coleraine university campus on Sunday sadly produced the worst organisation and equally sadly chaotic starts to the younger age group races. Questions have to be asked and answers provided into how on a good day for cross country running, athletes, parents, coaches and a ill equipped organisation all contributed to chaotic behaviour resulting in race results being objected too. Null and void became the buzz words after each race and at this point in time sadly no one knows, do results stand or not. All in all a bad day at the office for all concerned.

However amidst all this pandemonium? Letterkenny young athletes produced great performances with some outstanding individual displays at this level. An individual gold medal winner and six other athletes in the top twelve finish at national level despite all the chaos was a magnificent return.

Probable winners of county and regional medals will emerge when the dust settles.

U/11 GIRLS
Another great performance from Arlene Crossan never out of the first six she kept her composure in a stampede finish of over 120 athletes to take fifth place. A great race by this young girl by any standards she will surely figure in the track and field season. Younger sister Laura Crossan, Alana Clarke, Jennifer Kilcoyne, and Laura McCann all battled their way to the finish.

U11 BOYS
Sadly Michael McGrory missed the Ulster at this age group and the club didn’t qualify for the finals. But young McGrory running in the Donegal squad took seventh place here and another excellent performance by Jordan Ryan (10th) ensured both lads emerged with top twelve medals and gold for Donegal and Ulster boys. Two great young lads for the future.

U/13 GIRLS
Another top twelve finish here as Natasha McArdle despite recovering from the flu took twelfth position. Surely one to watch over the track season. Ciara Finnegan, Eimear Walsh, Ciara Hamm and Sarah Boyle again displayed great courage to overcome a disastrous start to the race.

U/13 BOYS
A gold medal winner and undoubtedly the clubs new star. Peter Gibbons underlined his Ulster gold medal with a resounding victory in this race. All Ireland champion title will rest easy on the shoulders of this unassuming young man. What a victory, by at least thirty metres, the track season can’t come quick enough for peter Gibbons. It must be noted that Finn Valleys Denver Kelly had already taken the U/11 title so seeing two Donegal boys to the fore was certainly some boost to the county. Well done to both lads.

U/15 GIRLS AND BOYS
Just Lisa Gibson and Sean Boyle here representing Donegal teams and while Lisa survived been badly spiked at the chaotic start both athletes can feel well pleased with their cross country season.

U/17 BOYS
Again Ruari Finnegan stood his ground , out of his age group and eighth place following his gutsy fourth (U16 in kilbeggan) was another top class performance. Ruari can now unleash his undoubted talent in the indoor season ahead. Mark English on his return from injury battled away for 17th place while John Gibbons, John Foley, Daniel Carr and Ciaran Lynch gave all for the club.

U/19 BOYS
Another top twelve performance saw Darren McBrearty pick up the clubs seventh medal of the day. Adam Friel, Kevin Kilkenny, Ciaran McBride endured what was now a mud bath with the course well cut up. But it was Peter Gibbon’s name that took the laurels from this final cross country event of the club season.

A well earned Christmas break from training now earned. So happy Christmas to all our athletes and coaches. See you all again second week in January.