Mark qualifies for Youth Olympics in Singapore

By Tom Comack, Donegal Democrat/Donegal Peoples Press

May 2010

Donegal will have a man at this summer’s inaugural Youth Olympic Games after Letterkenny teenager Mark English booked his ticket to Singapore finals at the weekend's qualifiers in Moscow.

The Letterkenny Athletic Club member and student at St Eunan’s College came through the qualifier in flying colours to win the 1000 metre on Sunday morning.

He showed the opposition a clean pair of heels in the final coming home in a time of 2:24:53 to guarantee his place in the finals which take place next August in Singapore.

The trials got underway on Friday morning with the Letterkenny man taking first place in a blanket finish before completing the qualification in impressive fashion in Sunday morning's final.

“I took it easy for the first 800 and just kept my eye on the British guy because he ran faster than me in his qualifying heat and I figured he was the one to watch.

“He took the lead with 400 metres to go and with 200 metres remaining I kicked for home and passed him and held on to the finish,” English said.

In Friday's heat Mark said it was a matter of qualifying and so as to take no chances given the level of competition he decided to go out and control the race.

Mark who was a bronze medal at the National Indoor championships is coached by Teresa McDaid, Letterkenny AC.

Meanwhile, there was no joy for Donegal's second competitor at the qualifiers Dempsey McGuigan from Finn Valley.

Despite a throw of 55.91 in the hammer the Finn Valley man did not make the finals which are on between August 14 and 26 in Singapore.