Sportshall Athletics

Four Teams Triumph in Enniskillen

February 2010

The west Ulster Sportshall athletics finals were held in the Lakeland forum Enniskillen last Thursday and the four teams representing Donegal all emerged victorious and now head to the Ulster finals in Magherafelt (11th March)with victory there ensuring a trip to the Aviva finals in Birmingham during April (18th).

Despite these west Ulster success`s the trip to Birmingham should not be taking for granted by the Donegal teams as the east Ulster finals also produced some great performances as well as Fermanagh’s U/15 boys determination to reserve the Enniskillen result and they can well improve their teams for what should be an exciting Ulster final.

U/13 GIRLS
1. Donegal (702) 2 Fermanagh (582) 3 Co. Derry (516)

A good victory for this talented young squad who have Birmingham in their sights if they maintain this form, Nicole Boyle (Rosses) led by example taking three gold from her disciplines 6.10m in triple jump, gold also in four lap race and a great pararlauf relay gold with club mate Erika Hannah. A great display by Boyle and Hannah who also took bronze in vertical jump (50). Niamh Farrell (Letterkenny) displayed great ability with gold in vertical jump (59) and also teamed up with Sarah Doherty (Rosses), Aine Bradley (Inishowen) and Hannah again for gold in the 4x1 lap relay.

The versatility of this squad selected from various trials throughout the county was underlined when Doherty, Bradley, Eimear Walsh (Letterkenny) and Ruth Gillespie (Tir Conaill) took gold in the obstacle relay while the very experienced Tir Conaill quartet of Kate McGowan, Kelly McGrory, Emma Brady and Eve McMullan blew away the opposition in the 4x2 lap relay.

McGowan gold in the 2 lap, Brady silver in the same event, McGrory silver in the 6 lap with McMullan bronze underlines the quality of these girls. Walsh a relative newcomer to this level took bronze behind Boyle in 4 lap, McMullan silver in the long jump (2.05), Caoimhe Bonner (Rosses) silver in the shot putt added valuable points to the team total and with every team member taking medals this is indeed a good squad.

U/13 BOYS
1 Donegal (648) 2 Derry (646)3 Fermanagh (632)

This will surely be some final in Magherafelt with the East Ulster qualifiers joining these three teams who have absolutely nothing between them. So for the Donegal lads its total focus in the job ahead or else bitter disappointment will prevail in Magherafelt.

The obstacle relay quartet were indeed the only gold medallist in this close encounter between three teams any of which can take the Ulster title. Jason McGill, Paul Doherty both sliabh Liag ac teamed up with Eoin Farrell (LAC) and Fergus Cox (Inishowen) for the victory which probably won this title.

Pardraig Byrne (Sliabh Liag) silver in four lap and shot putt, Doherty again silver in the speed bounce (78), as the Letterkenny pair of Oisin Toal and peter Gibbons took silver and bronze in six lap respectively. Doherty added bronze to his impressive collection in the 4x1 lap relay with Cox, McGill and Conor Doherty (Sliabh Liag). Conor then teamed up with the Toal twins Oisin/Darragh (LAC) and Niall Fogarty (Inishowen) for silver in the 4x2 lap relay while Byrne and Gibbons battled their way to silver in Paralauf relay. Dominic Gallagher (Sliabh Liag) bronze in triple jump (6.14), Farrell silver in vertical jump (58) just ahead of bronze medallist Fogarty (54) and Conor McKinney 4th triple jump ensured this close victory. Well done lads.

U/15 GIRLS
1 Donegal (669) 2 Derry (606) 3 Co. Derry (537)

Another west Ulster title for Donegal U/15 girls but again nothing can be overlooked in the Ulster final as all teams involved will be head hunting this Donegal team. Jade O`Donnell (Rosses) picked up the trophy for overall points total in the multi event competition as best all rounder. Jade has made the transition from last year’s U/13 team with her undoubted versatility and gold in both long jump (2.20)and speed bounce (88) and 4x2 lap relay along with Aideen Meehan and Caroline Sharkey (Rosses)plus Roisin Ni Chuarainn (LAC). Meehan bronze in 4 lap, silver in speed bounce (86) and silver in vertical jump made a very impressive debut in Sportshall competition.

Sara Donovan (Slieve Liag) gold in shot putt (9.60) and bronze in long jump (2.15), Sharkey bronze in vertical jump (59), Ni Chuarainn silver in shot putt (8.79) and Claire Brady (Tir Conaill ) and Rose Boyle (LAC)held on for silver in the tough paarlauf relay. Brady also taking silver in the 2 lap race. So all seven members took medals and this team spirit can go along way next month.

U/15 BOYS
1 Donegal (650) 2 Co. Derry (629) 3 Fermanagh (611)

Any over confidence by the Donegal lads will be severely punished by Derry and especially Fermanagh (who where under strength in Enniskillen) at the Ulster final so a big job ahead for our boys. A solid all round performance by the Donegal team especially Darragh McGlynn (Rosses) gold in the speed bounce (88) and long jump (2.48) plus bronze in the 4x2 lap relay with Joseph Gallagher , David McCarron and Tiernan O`Dea (all Rosses) underlined a fine performance by this lad. Newcomer Gallagher gold in triple jump (7.80) where Donegal also took silver and bronze Thomas Grant (LAC) 7.26 and Seanie Henry (LAC) 7.06. And Gallagher again bronze in shot putt (10.53), a good day for this promising newcomer. Grant and Jason Doherty (Inishowen) another debutant at this level can be well pleased with a very gutsy paarlauf relay gold. So again all seven team members took medals but it will take a similar or even better performance by these lads if they want to stride the boards in Birmingham`s NEC arena. Team managers Louise Gillespie, Sharon Bradley, Seamus Gallagher, Dermott Donovan and Robert O`Donnell produced the goods here. Now for Magherafelt (11th March).