Posted Date: 08-Feb-2010 Thurs

It was a very successful day for the athletes from Cardonagh Community School and Inishowen Athletics Club on Tuesday last with Declan Donaghy, Connie-Ann Hession, Conor Hession and Patrick Mathews qualifying for the Ulster Schools cross-country finals in Mallusk on Wednesday 24th February.  Declan Donaghy was the highest placed finisher, clinching an excellent second in the under 15 boys 3.2km race. The second year student was always in the first three and in a sprint to the line just edged ahead to get the silver medal. Danny Monagle raced well to place 66th in his first year of the competition as did Derek-Lee Doherty who finished 80th. Clonmany athlete Eoghan Barkley adapted well to the testing course and is still eligible to compete in the same age group next year. Connie-Ann Hession showed great determination in the under 15 girls 2k race, finishing 6th overall and comfortably securing a place in the Ulster finals. In the under 17 boys 4.8km, Conor Hession had without doubt his best performance ever, finishing impressively in third position. This was an improvement of 47 places from last year’s race and was just rewards for the diligent and consistent approach he has taken to training this year.  Patrick Mathews was also in top form with a strong run to finish fourth. He will be a force to be reckoned with next year also, as he will be competing in the same age group. There were gritty performances from Jason Doherty 37th and Cathal Kelly 41st, who helped the team to fourth place. The team narrowly missed qualification by 10 points but can be greatly encouraged by their performances on the day. Eddie Noone from Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana finished 34th in the under 17 boys race in his first ever Ulster Schools competition.

Meanwhile, at the Ulster and Northern Ireland age group indoor championships held at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast over the weekend, Aine Bradley just missed qualification for the final of the under 14 girls 60m, running 9.55 seconds in the heats. She jumped a best of 1.20m in the high jump. In his first competition at Ulster level, Niall Fogarty finished 5th in the heats of the under 14 boys 60m in 9.11 seconds. Declan Donaghy moved down in distance to finish 9th in the under 15 boys 800m in a season’s best of 2. minutes, 35.87 seconds. On Sunday, David Mc Laughlin competed well in the under 16 boys 60m and high jump.

Up-Coming Events

Congratulation to Aine Bradley, Niall Fogarty, Fergus Cox and Jason Doherty have been selected on the Donegal sportshall athletics teams. Their first competition will be this Thursday 11th February, when they take part in the West Ulster finals. The first three teams will qualify for the Ulster finals. The annual Club presentation night will take place on Saturday 20th February in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana