Posted Date: 19-Mar-2009 Thurs

MIZUNO DONEGAL GRAND PRIX FIXTURES 2009 (XLS) & RULES (DOC)

PHOTOS 2008 PRESENTATION NIGHT

Olympic marathon runner Pauline Curley was guest of honor at the fourth annual Inishowen Athletics Club presentation night held in the Gateway Hotel in Buncrana on Friday night last. Bridget Moohan was awarded the female athlete of the year, while Joe Mc Kinney secured the male accolade. Originally from Frosses and now teaching in Moville Community College, Moohan recorded a string of impressive performances in 2008 that included personal bests in the marathon (3.20.50), half marathon (1.38.10) and 5km (20.14). She also helped the Club to bronze medals at the Ulster Novice cross-country championships when finishing sixth and was selected on the County team for the All-Irelands. Joe McKinney returned to the sport after almost 20 years and showed that he has lost none of his competitive edge with an array of performances that culminated in gaining selection for the county team for both the national novice and inter-county cross-country championships. Other results included personal bests of 16.55 for 5km, 37.01 for 10km and 57.05 for 15km. Club person of the year went to Fahan resident Karl Doherty.

PHOTOS 2008 PRESENTATION NIGHT

Owenie Mc Kinney won the most improved athlete award. Other senior winners included, Elizabeth Mc Daid, most improved female, Evelyn Mc Ginely, cross-country athlete, as Finbarr Gallagher and Karen Crossan collected the road athlete awards. Special merit awards were won by Pauline Doherty, Patricia Barnett, Seamus McDaid, Vinnie Hegarty, Karol Doherty, Donal Doherty and Margaret O’ Donnell. Special contribution awards to former officers in the 2007-2008 committee included Catherine Mc Laughlin, Eilish Bell, Karl Doherty, Patrick Mc Laughlin and Aoife Logan. 2008 team performance went to Karen Crossan, Helena Crossan, Bridget Moohan and Bridie Cassidy for winning the County 5km road championships last September.
In the junior categories, Kayla Farran won the female athlete award for the second consecutive year for performances that included an 8th place finish at the B All-Ireland cross-country championships, selection for the County sportshall team that competed in the UK finals in Birmingham and first in the County 400m and long jump. Clonmany athlete Kieran Devlin was awarded the male athlete for 2008. The transition year student was selected on the County sportshall team, won the County under 16 boys triple jump title and was a silver medalist at the Ulster track & field championships with a best of 11.16. Other prize winners included Patrick Mathews, most dedicated, Declan Farran, most improved, Declan Donaghy, cross-country, Nuala Bradley, female track athlete, and Stephen Friel, male track athlete. Conor Collins was recognized for this bronze medal winning performance at the All-Ireland indoors with a special merit award, while the team performance went to the under 14 boys who won bronze medals at the County cross-country championships. The team included Declan Farran, Declan Donaghy, Derek Lee Doherty, Feargal Doherty, and David Sheridan.

RESULTS FOYLE HOSPICE 5K RUN

Darragh Kelly from Moville was a gold medalist in the under 12 boys’ high jump at the Ulster indoor championships in Magherafelt on Saturday last. He also competed in the 60m and long jump where he finished 6th with a best of 3.42m. Ethan O’ Kane finished 7th with 3.28m and also raced in the 60m. Aine Bradley competed well in the under 13 girls 60m, 600m and long jump, where she recorded a best of 3.27m. In the under 16 boys 1500m, Patrick Mathews finished with a personal best of 5 minutes and 18 seconds. Conor Collins qualified for both the 200m and 400m finals in the under 19 boys category. The long day took its toll on the Clonmany athlete and he was unable to produce his best in the final.

Eilish Bell will run in her first ultra-marathon this Sunday when she toes the line in Connamara to compete in the 39.3 mile event. She will be joined in the West by Katrina Ruddy who is running the half marathon. Several of the Club’s senior athletes will be running the Omagh half marathon on Saturday. Aine Bradley and David Mc Laughlin will be competing in the UK sportshall finals in Birmingham this Sunday. Training for all juveniles in the Buncrana area continues this Wednesday at the Leisure Centre from 7.00 – 8.00 pm. The Fit for Life and senior training continues every Tuesday from the Buncrana Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm. Athletics training for 8-12 year old juveniles continues this Thursday in Carndonagh Community School from 5.00 – 6.00 pm. Training for post-primary school athletes takes place every Thursday also in Carndonagh Community School from 3.20-4.45.