Athletics season is now in full flow and it has been an action packed few weeks, with plenty of outstanding performances from our young Olympians with many of the club’s athletes competing in county Championships and schools athletics competitions.

Donegal T&F Championship

Our juvenile U13-19 athletes had a fantastic day in Lifford in the Donegal T&F Championships.

In total 19 athletes competed, there was a great haul of medals (18 Gold, 11 Silver & 5 Bronze), brilliant performances all round and a great day was had by all who took part.

Sprints & Relay

The Club sprinters had a highly successful day.

A number of athletes doubled up winning medals in both the 100m & 200m; Briana Doherty (U15 girls), Sam Donnell (U15 Boys), Martin Corbett (U16 Boys) and Bonnie Gillard (U19) all won gold.

Eoghan O’Donnell won a gold and Silver, Tei Chen won silver medals and Charley Barr (U16 Girls) and Aine Strain (U17 girls) won bronze medals in both events.

Also running well were, Megan Jackson (4th in 100m & 200m), Cara Heaney (7th Final) and Amelia-Rae Jackson.

In the 4x100m relays, the club picked up a silver medal in the U14, U15 and U17 age group and a gold medal in the U16 boys race.

Throws

Hanna Carty claimed a silver medal in the U14 Javelin and the Discus. Maeve McGeehin was impressive throwing PB’s and claiming golds in the Javelin, Discus and Hammer. Ciara McDaid won a silver in the Discus and a bronze in the shot put. Ashton Forester won the U15 boys shot put. Aoife McGeehin won the U17 Javelin and Discus.

Middle distance

Both Ashton Forrester and Roisin Faul ran gutsy races in the U15 800m, Ashton finished in 3rd place and Rosin was 4th.

Jumps

The club had athletes competing in the triple jump and the Long jump. Both Ashton Forrester and Martin Corbett won gold medals in their age categories. In the Long jump Amelia Rae Jackson, Roisin Faul and Cara Heaney competed well.

Children’s games and
U12 Championships

On Sunday 9th April the club’s younger athletes made the trip to Finn Valley to compete in the Children’s games and U12 Championships, for many it was their first time competing. Orla McGeehin won gold in both the U12 turbo javelin and the shot put and Sophie Deery won silver medals in the U9 60m and 300m. There were strong Performances from Eadha Webb-Higgenbotham, Patrick Barrow, Aoibheann Strain, Ronan Carrty, Conal Breen, Shea Dowd, Kate Anderson, Rose Anderson, Orla Ferry, Eoghan Kirby, Amelia McGee & Fiadh Dowd who all competed in their respective events.

County U20 /Senior &
Masters Championships

On Sunday 9th May a contingent of athletes were in action in Lifford Track. There were fine performances from Ellen O’Donnell, Charlie McHugh and Aine Strain who all competed in the Junior U20- category. Aine Strain was first in the 400m and 5th in the 200m. Ellen O Donnell won a silver medal in the Shot Put and a silver medal in the Javelin. Charlie McHugh was 3rd in the Shot put and Javelin and second in the Discus. In the M35 category Patrick O’Donnell was 1st in the long jump and 400m. Martin O’Donnell was 1st in the Shot Putt, 100m & 200m. Whilst younger sister Karen O’Donnell was first in the 100m & 200m.

Ulster Schools District C Championships.

Many of the club Athletes were representing their school in the District C championships. There were fine performances from the athletes representing Loreto College Letterkenny, St Eunan’s College Letterkenny, Foyle College Derry, Thornhill Derry, Loreto College Milford, and St Cecelia’s Derry. Medallists included Maeve Mc Geehin (Gold in the Junior girls Javelin) Aoife McGeehin (Gold in inter girls Discus & Javelin), Ciara McDaid (Gold in the minor girls shot put and junior girls discus), (Kellie Carty (Silver in junior girls triple jump), Ashton Forester (Gold junior boys Javelin), Eoghan O’Donnell (Bronze Senior boys Javelin), Charlie McHugh (Bronze senior boys Shot Put), Noah Casburn (Silver in the 4x100m) Emmanuel Adeogun (Gold inter boys 4x100m relay)and Ashton in the minor boys relay, Sam Donnell (Silver long jump & 100m & Gold in 4x100m relay), Tei Chen (Gold 4x100m relay) & Bonnie Gillard (Gold senior girls 4x100m relay), Malachy Mullen (Bronze inter boys Triple jump). There were also season’s bests and PBs from other club athletes competing. All medallists now proceed to the ulster schools finals which take place on Wednesday and Saturday wishing all athletes the best of luck.

Heartiest Congratulations to all athletes and the very best of luck to all of our athletes who are competing in the Ulster schools finals this week. Club training continues every Tuesday (Glenswilly National school) and Friday (Aura) for the Glenswilly group and every Tuesday and Thursday at Templemore track for the Derry Group. New members are always welcome for further details please contact any of the club coaches or see further details on Facebook. As always we would like to thank all the athletes, coaches, parents and teachers for all their hard work and dedication to all our athletes so far this year.