Caroline Kelly and Declan Donaghy qualified for the All-Ireland cross-country championships on Sunday last following impressive performances at the Ulster and Northern Ireland novice and uneven ages cross-country championships at the Finn Centre Centre, Stranorlar. Their performances were the highlight of the day for Inishowen A.C. as all of the juvenile competitors ran strongly in challenging underfoot conditions and inclement weather. The day was rounded off with excellent team and individual performances by the Club’s men’s and women’s novice athletes.

ULSTER NOVICE & UNEVEN AGESXC RESULTS & PHOTOS (Courtesy of Dermott)

Caroline Kelly showed great determination to get into the top 12 in the U 19 girls race with a strong run finishing 8th in the 3.5km race. Earlier in the day, Declan Donaghy also secured a place in the top 12 and qualification for the All-Irelands with an excellent run in the U 13 boys 1200m finishing 10th . In the U 11 girls 800m Eimer Redden led the Inishowen team to 10th place with a very impressive run in 15th place. Other runners on the team were Lauren Mc Keever 43rd, Deirdre Doherty 52nd, and Emma Doherty 56th. Darren Donaghy powered his way to 32nd in the U 11 boys 800m, with Fergus Cox 42nd and Ethan O’ Kane 56th. In the U 13 girls 1000m Susie Hegarty finished 61st with Kate Doherty just seconds behind in 68th. Derek-Lee Doherty battled well through the muddy conditions to finish 72nd in the U 13 boys 1200m with Feargal Doherty 73rd. The U 15 boys 2000m saw Spanish student Jacob Sanchez finish well to take 63rd as Kayla Farran ran steadily to finish 28th in the U 17 girls 2k. Clonmany athlete Daniel Mc Laughlin recovered well from a fall on the first lap to finish 38th in the U 17 boys 4000m. James Griffin came through strongly in the second half of the race to finish 45th.

Karen Crossan led the novice women’s team to bronze medals in what was a very competitive individual and team race. The DCU student finished 4th in the women’s 3km event. Brigid Moohan was 6th with a very strong performance, just less than two weeks after her 3 hours and 20 minutes personal best run in the Dublin City marathon. Evelyn Mc Ginley completed the scoring team in 10th position with another composed run over the country. Elizabeth Mc Daid delivered another battling display to finish 16th. Joe Mc Kinney led the team men’s team to fifth place with another highly impressive performance to finish 6th. Finbarr Gallagher finished 30th with the fast improving Peter White in 38th. Gerry Doyle was just one place behind, while Vinnie Hegarty put the effects of the Dublin marathon behind him with a creditable run to clinch 43rd in what was a very well supported race with ten clubs from across Ulster represented. Mickey Donaghy finished 49th. Seamus Mc Daid recovered well from the Dublin marathon less than a fortnight ago by finishing 53rd. Peter Mc Kinney worked hard throughout the 6km race and completed the team in 54th position.

Meanwhile, Helena Crossan was forced to withdraw from the World 100k championships in Rome on Saturday last. The ultra running specialist came down with the flu on the Wednesday before the race and was forced to withdraw at the 65km mark.

Up-Coming Events
Kayla Farran, Declan Donaghy, Declan Farran, Aine Bradley, Karen Crossan, Helena Crossan and Joe Mc Kinney will run in the National intercounty and juvenile even ages cross-country championships on Sunday 23rd November in Tramore in Co. Waterford. Training for all juveniles in the Buncrana area takes place every 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 takes place every 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. New members are very welcome to join.