BY DÁIRE BONNAR
SEAN McGinley is setting his sights on qualifying for the European U23 Championships in Finland as he prepares for a big 2023.
The Finn Valley athlete began the year well, winning the 1500m Junior title at the National Junior and U23 Indoor Championships in Athlone in January, but he is focusing on the 3000m steeplechase going forward.
He will go to the Intervarsity Championships on April 22 and will look to hit a time of 8:58, the qualification standard for the Championships, but it might be too soon for McGinley who is just returning from an injury.
His main goal to hit the standard is at the British milers meet in Manchester in May.
But that win in January has given him confidence heading into action.
“I took a break to enjoy time off and it was the first race of the year,” McGinley told the Donegal News.
“I knew I was going in as a likely favourite and I was hopeful to win but I knew I hadn’t done maybe as much work as others.
“But I ran my own race, led from the start and picked up the pace and built a gap.
“It was a good confident booster to know I had that sort of strength that early on in the season with such little work, it showed the cross country work carried through.
“(Qualifying for Finland) would be the main goal. I’m focusing on the 3000m steeplechase this year. I’d hope to get the standard in both races but I’d have to choose and it would be the steeplechase as I might be higher ranked and make it to a final.
“We noticed a bit of a gap in the steeplechase this year in both Ireland and Europe and it’s a good opportunity to go there, get the experience and if we do well in it then maybe we’ll stay at the steeple chase or go back to 1500m.”
A first year Biology and P.E. student at DCU, University life has helped the Glenswilly native progress as an athlete.
With flexible hours and more freedom it means his training and studies are a lot easier to balance in comparison to last year when completing the Leaving Certificate.
And the 19-year-old had a brilliant end to a 2022 which saw him named the December Donegal News Sports Star of the Month in conjunction with Brian McCormick Sports & Leisure.
He was the third counter on the Irish U20 team that took silver at the European Cross Country Championships in Turin, Italy. McGinley made up a number of places on the last lap as he finished 12th, with Nick Griggs and Dean Casey finishing second and third respectively.
“Going into the last lap I was told I needed to pass three lads to get a team gold, so crossing the line I was looking around for the rest of the lads. I wasn’t thinking about my result but more the team. I found out then we came second but it took me a long time to find out how I actually got on myself.
“Running is mainly an individual sport but it’s nice to get the team medals when you can.
“That was my first international and my first time seeing that big of a crowd, it didn’t hit me for ten or fifteen minutes but I remember wanting to run again and hear the crowd.
“It was a great feeling (to represent Ireland), I had before but it had been a long time since I did.
“This was my first European one and the buzz travelling with the seniors and them wishing you well and seeing the crowd was surreal and a different sense of pride.”
Athletics wasn’t always the priority for McGinley, who began running in primary school at Glenswilly National School, but it took a while for him to realise his own ability.
He then joined Olympian YAC who he ran with until 2020 before moving to Finn Valley AC, and praised the support of his coaches, from his own coach John Rogan, to Patsy McGonagle and Dermot McGranaghan, along with Joe Ryan, his DCU coach.
“I never did much at the Donegal Primary School meets, I was maybe top five, top three, until sixth class when I won the 800m comfortably and I realised I was decent and I was encouraged to get into a club.
“I was only alright at soccer and Gaelic, but running gave me a kick and then going to Ulster’s and All-Ireland’s and gradually getting better, I kept on wanting more and I grew to love it with all the opportunities it gave me.
“I was with Olympian YAC, as they were only over the road.
“As I developed as an athlete I thought it was maybe time to move on, to train on tracks and get that edge and support. The facilities at Finn Valley is unmatched in Donegal and even maybe in Ireland so it made sense to make that step and they’ve been very helpful.
“I still love Olympian for all they did for me but I’m happy I took that next step, it was necessary at that time to keep growing.”
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