Posted Date: 26-Jun-2009 Fri

Helena Crossan had arguably her finest hour in her distance running career on Saturday morning last, when she finished third European at the Night of Flanders 100k road race in Belgium. The event also incorporated the World 100km championships, where Crossan finished an outstanding sixth overall in a time of 8 hours and 4 minutes. This was the Carndonagh woman’s second time to medal at this level, as she also won bronze in the masters’ women’s V2 category at the World 100k championships in Holland two years ago. Crossan’s preparation for Saturday’s race indicated that an outstanding performance was on the cards as won the Newry marathon in 3 hours and 4 minutes just three weeks ago. In March, she became the first Irish woman to win the Celtic 100k. Speaking after the grueling 62.2 mile event, an understandably elated Crossan said that she was delighted with her performance and was very pleased that everything worked out on the day.

(l to r): Helena Crossan,Brigid Moohan

(l to r) John Collins, Helena Crossan & Brigid Moohan

Helena Crossan winning Anglo Celtic Plate 100km in Galway
on March 28th, 2009

Ulster & NI T&F Champs U17 Boys High Jump (l to r): Dylan Mc Cusker Inishowen A.C. 2nd, Barry Quigg Sliabh Liag A.C. 1st and Stas Drabysheuski Inishowen A.C. 3rd

Elsewhere, Inishowen Athletics Club had its most successful weekend to date at the Ulster and Northern Ireland juvenile track and field championships at Antrim Forum with a total of 4 medals being won. On Saturday last, Declan Donaghy started the medal winning spree with an excellent second place in the under 14 boys’ 800m in 2.32.26. The second year Carndonagh Community School student also finished sixth in the long jump with a best of 4.05m. Buncrana athlete Susie Hegarty ran 13.80 in the under 14 80m and recorded a best of 3.25 in the long jump. Kate Doherty clocked a time of 14.13 in the 80m and achieved 2.62m in the long jump. David Mc Laughlin performed well in the 80m hurdles, 100m and long jump. On Sunday it was the turn of the under 16 and 17 age groups. Dylan Mc Cusker achieved a new personal best and a Club record of 1.69m when taking second in the under 17 boys’ high jump. Stas Drabysheuski finished third and equaled his best with a jump of 1.60m. Kieran Devlin finished third in the under 17 boys triple jump with 11.46m. Earlier in the day, Kieran finished sixth in the long jump with 5.40m, while Stas was ninth on 4.89m. Steve Sheridan threw 15.80m in the under 16 boys’ javelin and recorded a lifetime best of 4.15m in the long jump. Patrick Mathews improved his 1500m personal best by over 18 seconds when finishing ninth in the under 15 boys’ race in a time of 4. 59.02. Stephen Friel impressed in the under 17 boys 400m when finishing fourth in 55.61 seconds. As a result of their performances over the weekend, Stephen, along with Declan Donaghy, Dylan Mc Cusker, Stas Drabysheuski and Kieran Devlin have all qualified for the All-Ireland Finals to be held in Tullamore in July.

Susan Mc Grath ran 25.05 in the Lifford 5km on Friday evening last. Other Inishowen A.C. runners to finish included James Browne 16.45, Patrick Doherty 17.36, Martin Mooney 18.14, Vinnie Hegarty 18.58, Shane Doherty 19.16 and Michael Collins 20.39. Inishowen runners who completed the Buncrana 10k on Saturday week last included Mickey Collins 43.00, Seamus Mc Daid 44.57, Breege Collins 50.23 and Mary Mc Namara 56.40.

RESULTS - LIFFORD 5K

Paddy Doherty - Lifford 5k (Photo: Kieran Carlin)

Athletes that competed in the Lifford 5k (Photo: Kieran Carlin)

Up-Coming Events

The Furey Insurance 5k series comes to Carndonagh this Wednesday 24th June, with Inishowen A.C and City of Derry jointly staging this event. Registration is from 6.15 pm in Carndonagh Community School, with the race getting underway at 7.30 pm. All levels of runners and joggers are welcome to come along. The ninth race in the Brian Mc Cormick sponsored Donegal Grand Prix will take place this Friday 26th June at 7.15 pm in Ballybofey. The distance is 5km. This is followed by the Aran Mor Island 5km on Sunday 28th June, starting at 1.30pm.