Letterkenny AC - Juvenile Athletics

SEASON ENDS WITH MORE NATIONAL MEDALS

July 2009

Tullamore hosted the final weekend of national track and field championships at the weekend and Letterkenny young athletic squad were usual attendees, returning home with more national medals as they now take a welcome summer break from training and competition before re-assembling in September for the cross country season.

SATURDAYS RELAYS
A full programme of club and inter county relays brought excitement, great competition and the usual drama of dropped batons, poor zone changes and some favourites biting the dust.

However Letterkenny well tuned squads held on to their nerves and were very competitive and confident. None more so than at U12 boys (4x100m) level. With two teams in this age group emphasising the depth of talent it bodes well for the clubs future.

The B team of Ethan and Stefan McCrossan, Steve Gallagher and Sean Curran gained great experience sadly bowing out in their semi-finals. But Ciaran Kelly, Lochan Purdy and the Toal twins Darragh and Oisin showed great team work taking victory in their semi final. Four proud and determined young lads in the black and amber colours lined up for their final and all involved, coaches, parents and supporters raised a great cheer as they battled their way in a great final to bronze medals. Well done lads.

Not to be undone by these raising young stars Catherine Boyle, Cliodhna Timoney, Monica O`Connor and Lisa Shiels had a busy and very successful days relays at U19 level they took gold medals in 4x400m club relay.

Then in their competitive age group (U18) these girls help the Letterkenny colours to the fore with a brilliant silver medal position in the 4x100m club relays. An hour later these same four girls took gold for Donegal in the inter county relays. So three national medals back was a fine reward for a hard day’s work.

SUNDAY FINNEGANS BRONZE
Sunday saw the 1500m and 200m events, at U16 level Ruari Finnegan was always prominent in his 1500 final leading into the home straight but following a long season and with a recent cold still bothering him, Ruari had to settle for bronze behind a very confident and well timed finish by Mark Bonner (Finn Valley) who took gold in 4.15.1 with Ruari (4.17.3)3rd.

Adam Friel (U18) was his usual competitive self in his 1500m but never threatened the medal positions. Like Ruari Adam can now set his sights on the cross country season.

200m heats are always competitive with qualification for finals no easy matter.

Catherine Boyle (U17) was delighted to line up in her first national final having produced her best run for some time to qualify from her semi final. Sixth place in a new P.B (28.4) was a top show from this young lady who can only progress more next season.

Cliodhna Timoney (U17) didn’t produce her form of last week when a great fourth place in the 300m should have set her up for this event so she too can benefit from a summer recess.

Lisa Shiels (U18) has always been the clubs sprint star over the past six seasons and once again this totally focused young lady produced the goods taking second place in her semi final (26.37), Lisa was just piped for bronze medal in the Indoors finals in Nenagh during April by hundredths of a second and once again the result of a great final saw the popular Letterkenny girl have to settle for fourth place (26.01) again. It was so close!

So another successful season ends but for Lisa (guest for Tir Conaill) in National league finals. Mark English (gold medallist in weekends schools international) who is also selected for Celtic international in Cardiff (Aug 1st), and the recently magnificent performances of Darren McBrearty (U19) Donegal record holder at senior level who takes on the senior championships (Aug 1st) the season carries on. So good luck to all over the summer.