The journey to Magherafelt began early for Donegal athletes last Thursday as the first group left Donegal town at 7.30am with pickups in Ballybofey, Letterkenny and Inishowen on the way to the Ulster finals.
Athletes from Letterkenny, Finn Valley, Inishowen, Rosses, Lifford and Sliabh Liag made up the teams.
Congratulations to the three Donegal Sportshall teams U13 boys, U13 girls and the U15 girls who won their respective competitions at the Ulster Sportshall finals in Magherafelt beating off strong opposition from teams all over Ulster.
These teams now travel to Birmingham in three weeks time to compete in the UK finals against the best of Scotland England and Wales.
Hard luck to the U15 boys who finished in 3rd place, well done to all these lads as they give it their all.
U13 GIRLS
1 Donegal (782) 2 Belfast East (630) 3 Fermanagh (599). The Donegal girls here were clear winners with a gap of 152 points to their nearest rivals. These girls were supreme as they won almost all their events.
The Obstacle relay team of Tara Harley (Rosses), Shannon Craig (Lifford), Eimear Carr (Sliabh Liag) and Caoimhe Boyle (Rosses) took the silver medals just behind Belfast East.
In the 4×1 lap relay, the team of Tara Harley, Shannon Craig, Ailish McShane (Sliabh Liag) and Caoimhe Boyle took the honours with gold. Not to be out done the 4×2 lap relay team of Ailish McShane, Saskia Boyle (Rosses), Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley) and Michelle Maguire (Sliabh Liag) also took the gold medal.
In the 8 lap Paarlauf the team of Janine Boyle (Finn Valley) and Laura Crossan (LAC) crossed the line in first place to earn another gold medal for Donegal.
Individual events
Janine Boyle 1st in the 2 lap (22.8) and 1st in the standing long jump (2.36).Laura Crossan 3rd in the 6 lap (1.21.5) and 4th in triple jump (5.82).Tara Harley 6th in the long jump (1.99). Jessica Oglesby (Rosses) 2nd in the shot (8.10).Shannon Craig 3rd in the high jump (1.36). Ailish McShane 5th in the triple jump (5.80). Saskia Boyle 3rd in the 4 lap (50.7) and 3rd in the speed bounce (78). Niamh McGranaghan (Finn Valley) 1st in the shot (9.92). Eimear Carr 5th in the 6 lap (1.23.7) and 11th in the vertical jump (42). Sommer Lecky 1st in the high jump (1.48) and 2nd in the 2 lap (23.0). Michelle McGuire 5th in the 4 lap (51.5) and 13th vertical jump (39).Caoimhe Boyle 1st in the speed bounce (83).
U13 BOYS
1 Donegal (730) 2 Co. Londonderry (666) 3 Fermanagh (552). The Donegal lads taking the Ulster title with 64 points to spare against Londonderry. The obstacle relay team of Killian O`Malley (Sliabh Liag), Ultan Boyle (Rosses), Kenny Duggan (Sliabh Liag) and Oisin Bradley (LAC) took the bronze medals here behind Fermanagh and Co. Londonderry. Silver medals for the 4×1 lap team of Killian O`Malley, Ultan Boyle, Kenny Duggan and Conor Lynch (Lifford). Not to be outdone the 4×2 lap relay also took the silver medals with Lanty Molloy (Sliabh Liag), Michael Gillespie (Sliabh Liag), Dylan Kelly (Sliabh Liag) and Conor Lynch.
In the 8 lap Paarlauf the duo of Thomas Mullan (Lifford ac) and Pat Loughery (Inishowen ac) collected top honours here with gold (1.34.4).
Individual events
Lanty Molloy 1st in the 2 lap (22.2) and 2nd in the standing long jump (2.20). Killian O`Malley 1st in the vertical jump (60).Thomas Mullen 1st in the 4lap (46.1) and 2nd in the shot (8.83). Ultan Boyle 3rd in the vertical jump(51). Kenny Duggan 3rd in the standing triple jump(6.32). Michael Gillespie 1st in the long jump and 4th in the 4 lap (49.9). Oisin Bradley 2nd in the speed bounce (75) and 6th in the 2 lap (23.5). Pat Loughery 1st in the speed bounce (78) also 3rd in the 6 lap (1.17.3). Dylan Kelly 6th in the 6lap (1.19.2) and 9th in high jump (1.15) James Kelly Finn Valley 1st in the shot (13.47).Conor Lynch 1st in the high jump (1.46).Matthew Johnston (LAC)1st in the triple jump (6.64)
U15 GIRLS
1 Donegal (667) 2 Belfast East (573) 3 Co. Londonderry (792), another equally impressive win here for the girls. Rosses girls Sarah Doherty and Fodhla McFadden paired up for the 8 lap Paarlauf and another gold medal came Donegal’s way. The 4×2 lap relay is the highlight of the U15 event and these girls were up for the challenge taking the gold medals here, Nicole Boyle (Rosses), Niamh Farrell (LAC) Caoimhe Byrne (Sliabh Liag) and Niamh Gavigan (Sliabh Liag).
Individual events
Nicole Boyle 2nd in shot (8.50), 2nd in the long jump (2.22) and 3rd in the 2 lap race. Niamh Farrell 1st in the vertical jump (61) 4th in 2 lap (22.9) and 13th in shot (6.49). Caoimhe Byrne 1st in 4 lap (48.1), 4th in speed bounce (79) and 6th in long jump (2.15). Sarah Doherty 2nd in speed bounce (83), 5th in 4 lap (48.9) and 4th in long jump (2.16). Niamh Gavigan 2nd in 2 lap (22.7), 6th in vertical jump (53) and 12th in shot (6.63). Nicole Cuskelly (Lifford) 11th in 4 lap (51.5), 11th in speed bounce (71) and 10th in vertical (50).
U15 BOYS
1 Fermanagh (628) 2nd Co. Londonderry (615) 3 Donegal (565) 3 Antrim (565) these lads didn’t give up without a fight, but against a very good Fermanagh team it was always going to be a tough call. Joey Donald (Rosses), Pauric O`Neill (Sliabh Liag), Niall De Barra (Rosses) and Dylan Kearns made up the 4×2 lap relay but in an exciting final the boys finished just outside the medal positions in 4th place. In the 8 lap Paarlauf John Gibbons (Sliabh Liag) and Alan McGinley (Lifford) took the bronze just behind Fermanagh and Co. Londonderry.
Individual events
Joey Donald 3rd in long jump (2.40), 7th in the 2 lap (22.1), 9th in shot (8.18).John Gibbons 4th in shot (9.78), 6th in long jump (2.16) and 11th in 4 lap (49.0) Pauric O`Neill 2nd in speed bounce (84),, 5th in 4 lap (46) and 6th in long jump(2.16), Niall De Barra 5th in triple jump (7.02),6th in 2 lap (21.9)and 8th in shot (8.56). Alan McGinley 5th in speed bounce (75), 10th in triple jump (6.38) and 12th in 4lap (50.0). Dylan Kearns 3rd in speed bounce (80), 12th in 2 lap (24.8) and 12th in triple jump (5.98).
There will be a get together for all teams going to UK finals shortly.
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