Inishowen Athletics Club had its best ever competitive day in its seven year history on Sunday last in Letterkenny, as all four teams that raced in the County 5km championships got amongst the medals. In addition to the brilliant team performances, four Inishowen AC athletes were medalists in the individual categories. Helena Crossan finished first in the masters’ women V2 category in 18.28. Karen Crossan clinched second in the senior women’s race in a lifetime best of 18.25. Joe Mc Kinney was the top Inishowen finisher on the day running a personal best of 16.55 for fourteenth overall and second in the masters’ men V2 category. Buncrana athlete Paddy Doherty was also a silver medalist in the masters’ men V3 category in 17.54.

RESULTS DONEGAL COUNTY 5K CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

Karen Crossan led the women’s team to their first ever gold medals at County level by storming home in 18.25. Helena Crossan was just three seconds behind in 18.28, while Brigid Moohan finished with an excellent personal best of 20.l4. Bridie Cassidy completed the scoring team with a lifetime best of 21.56. Evelyn Mc Ginley was also in top form running 22.08. The senior women’s team was completed by Patricia Barnett who ran strongly to finish in 28.18. Eilish Bell from Culdaff led the masters’ women’s team to silver medals with a good sprint finish in 21.54. Elizabeth Mc Daid from Buncrana was the second scorer in a fine 22.23 as fellow Buncrana athletes Ann Marie Mc Laughlin and Pauline Doherty recorded excellent performances by running 24.13 and 27.47 respectively. Joe Mc Kinney had arguably the race of his life as he led the masters’ men’s team to silver medals in a new personal best of 16.55. Paddy Doherty was just 59 seconds behind running 17.54. Newcomer Gerard Doyle clinched the third place with an impressive time of 19.08 as Owenie Mc Kinney completed the scoring team with the same time. Mickey Donaghey, who competed in the World Fire Service games in Liverpool earlier in the month, displayed the good form he has been showing in training in recent weeks by running a personal best of 20.11. Seamus Mc Daid notched up another consistent performance, finishing in 20.49. Peter Mc Kenna was also in good form, running 21.04. The Club’s senior men’s team finished third overall, with Niall Mc Gee finishing in 17.05. John Collins made a promising return to competitive action, running 18.16, with Peter White clinching the third scoring spot in 19.06. Vinnie Hegarty race to a strong finish in 19.26 to complete the scoring places as three-time iron-man triathlete Patrick Mc Laughlin recorded 20.00. Sean Mc Laughlin completed the senior team by running well to finish in 21.04, just 24 hours after completing a 22 mile run in preparation for the Amsterdam marathon in October.

Up-Coming Events
The Donegal juvenile even ages and masters’ men and women cross-country championships take place on Sunday 5th October. The County uneven ages and novice championships are set for Sunday 12th October in the Finn Valley Centre, Stranorlar at 12.00 noon. On Saturday 25th October, the cross-country action moves to Jordanstown for the Ulster and Northern Ireland even ages cross-country championships. 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 will resume in Carndonagh Community School on Thursday 11th September 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.