Finn Valley AC athlete Leah O’Gara turned in a superb performance on Friday morning to qualify for the European Athletics U18 Championships.
At the 94th Podebrady Walking 2026 in Czechia, Leah booked her ticket to the Europeans thanks to a new Ulster and Donegal record.
In the U18 girls 5km race walk, Leah was second in 24:47 – just three seconds off Ines Macabey from France, who won in 24:44.
Leah held off the advances of both Cyrielle Bouquin of France (24:53) and Dominika Pernicka from Slovakia (24:58) in a tight finish.
Leah’s new personal best goes in as new Ulster and Donegal records – and it was also inside the qualifying standard for the European U18s, which take place in Rieti, Italy in July
Finn Valley AC members gathered in their droves last week in the Finn Valley Centre to welcome home Arlene Crossan from the World Athletics Relays.
In Gaborone, Botswana, Arlene helped the Ireland women’s 4x400m team qualify for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing – and the Finn Valley AC woman played a huge part.
Arlene ran a superb 51.30-second leg before handing the baton to Sharlene Mawdsley, who secured victory in the race, via a blistering 48.34 anchor to give Ireland the win in 3:23.83.
Arlene thanked her long-time coach at Finn Valley AC, Shauna Carlin, for her work through the years and thanked the club for the constant support, with a special mention to the young group who took time out to send a good luck video message last week.
Speaking to the young athletes present, Arlene said: “I started like you guys and I tried every event. I did cross country, I tried the long jump, springs and long distance. Find an event that you love and enjoy it. Get out and enjoy training every night.”
Several Finn Valley AC athletes competed at the Belfast Classic at the Mary Peters Track on Saturday.
Tara Rose Smith of Finn Valley AC clocked another significant time.
Tara Rose finished in 2:09.37 over 800m. That is now her second time that is inside the European U18 qualification standard – but the race is still on to see who will be selected with multiple athletes having gone inside the standard.
Amy Greene won the 3000m, finishing in 9:34.74 while Amy Timoney was second in a 100m in 12.45 seconds.
Ciaran McCarroll clocked 48.8 over 400m and Oisin Toye crossed the line in 4:02.34 in a 1500m.
A big PB also for Odhrán McBrearty. In a 1500m, the Finn Valley AC lad came around in 3:53.71 – shaving five seconds off his previous best.
There was a big PB also for Odhrán Rodgers, who dipped below 2 minutes for the first time over 800m, clocking 1:59.36 and was fourth in his race
Finn Valley AC athlete Evan Patton competed in the junior 1000m, going 3:08.21 to finish eighth overall.
A dozen Finn Valley AC athletes took to the road on Friday evening at the Ballyshannon 5k.
Leoni Cooke was the first woman home – and set a new PB in the process. Leoni finished in 17 minutes and 26 seconds to take the win from Ciara Cunningham of Tir Chonaill AC, who crossed the line in 17:35 with Inishowen’s Kirsty Downey going 18:18
FVAC’s Noreen Bonner was the leading F60 in the race in 23:21.
Enda Doherty was seventh overall in 16:04 while Shaun Bannigan was 10th, clocking 16:27. Barry Gallagher (16:55) and Darren Toland (17:18) were 10th and 26th respectively.
Others to toe the line were: Joanne Campbell (20:29), Martina Quinn (20:30), Paul McCabe (20:33), Michael Penrose (21:47), Martin Anderson (25:07), Gloria Donaghey (29:05).