Joy for Finn Valley at the Banks

There was delight on Sunday for Finn Valley AC at the Donegal Novice and Uneven Age Cross Country Championships held at Mullaghderg.
Finn Valley AC athlete Emer O’Brien took gold in the women’s novice race, surging to victory with around 25 seconds to spare with Emily Callaghan bagging the bronze medal.
Emer and Emily were joined by Martina Quinn in 5th and Orlaith McCrory in 14th as Finn Valley AC secured the women’s team gold medals ahead of Rosses and Inishowen.
It was the 20th time for Finn Valley AC to win this team title with Emer the 21st FVAC athlete to earn the women’s individual gold.
In the juvenile uneven age championships, FVAC took five of the eight team titles on offer.
Aimee McElchar sealed the U17 girls gold, with four of the top five in FVAC vests. Aimee was followed by Ruth Reilly in second, Amy Sweeney in fourth and Saorla Gilligan in fifth.
Cian Neeson grabbed gold in the U15 boys with FVAC taking gold. Dylan Temple (5), Evan Patton (6) and James Barron (10) also made up the scoring team.
Muireann Burke impressed for gold in the girls U13 race and guided FVAC to team gold. Caitlin Gillespie earned silver and the other scorers were Eimear Moy (4) and Ellen Rose Carlin (7).

Finn Valley AC also took team gold in the boys U13 race where Shay McHugh was the bronze medal winner. Darragh Coyle (4), Harry Houston (6) and William McGlinchey (9) also scored as FVAC win the team honours.
Silver medal winner Rhea Moy led the charge for team golds for the Finn Valley AC U11 girls. Cora Clarke (4), Ailbhe Coyle (5) and Malea Griffin (8) also scored for the victorious team.
The U9 non-championship races also took place with Finn Valley AC’s Senan Healy charging to the gold.
Caoimhe McNeill was the U15 gold medallist, leading FVAC to team silver where she was joined by Aoibhinn Greene (5), Aoibheann Moss (8) and Rachel McBride (12).
In the U11 boys, Blake Keenan won gold with his FVAC team taking the silver medals, Blake backed up by Cooper Stewart (10), Eoin Cunningham (11) and Eunan McGinty (12).
FVAC founder Patsy McGonagle was the very first winner of the Donegal Novice back in 1969 in Glenties – then competing for Cranford AC – while Neil Martin, competing under the Glenfin banner, won in Raphoe in 1972.
Former Athletics Ireland President John Cronin, in the colours of Glenree AC, won in Fintra in 1976 and was a guest at this year’s edition.