Dunaree Forest Park, Co. Cavan was the scenic venue for the Ulster Juvenile Evenaged cross-country along with Ulster Intermediate Men and Women’s Cross Country championships. Team Valley were entering the race optimistic that they could retain their position as top juvenile club in Ulster, and as envisaged our juveniles performed brilliantly winning three team titles, placed 2nd in three others and one third placing. Also winning 2 individual championships and one third placing. It is also very encouraging to note that out of the 10 county teams competing Donegal won eight of the teams and were 2nd in one.

Another great weekend of competition for Finn Valley. The club retains it position was top Ulster club over the two weekends of cross-country championships and have 15 teams qualified to compete in the All Ireland Juvenile Country-Country Championships to be held over two weekends. 24th November for the All-Ireland Juvenile Even Aged championships to be held in Donaghmore, Co. Cork and it is expected with parents, children and coaches to have over 100 travelling to Cork. 8th December is the date for All Ireland Juvenile uneven-aged championships to be held in Navan.

Patsy McGonagle club chairman is delighted with the performances and states that the club is now stronger that it has ever been at juvenile level and the prospects look bright. A good coaching structure has been set up within the club and it is now reaping the reward. He acknowledges the great work done by coaches whom are responsible for these results. Focus is now on the All Ireland cross-country championships and a lot of work must be done.

The club wishes to thanks all coaches who help with team over the weekend. U10 girls Giselda Penrose and Anne Gallagher. U10 Boys George Gallen, Joe Brennan and Brendan Patton. U12 Girls Christine Feely and Maureen Doherty. U12/14 Boys Peadar McGranaghan, U14/16 Girls Bernie Alcorn and Patsy McGonagle and U16 Boys Patsy Doherty. The also thanks all parents who supported on the day.

Girls Under 10 The first race of the day was U10 girls and Rachel Tourish Valley’s lead runner battled bravely finishing 10th and was only 20 seconds behind the winner Shauna McAnespie of Glaslough Harrier. Rachel was well supported by a well packed team with Madeline Penrose having a fine race in 17th, Niamh Maily 18th, Aisling Gallagher 19th and Clara McDaid sister of Ryan 22nd making up the scoring team. Also competing very well were Stephine Connolly 27th, Ciara McGarvey 33rd , Niamh Gallen with 3 years left in this age group 45th and Laura Bonner 48th. Letterkenny won the team title with Finn Valley 2nd and Innyvale 3rd. Boys Under 10 Andrew Gallagher was Valley’s lead runner in U10 boys finishing 6th and also earned himself a Ulster badge. Dean Bonner younger brother of well known Shane was just 30 seconds behind Andrew in 14th, Ciaran Brennan progressing nicely 17th and Martin Reilly 18th making up the scoring team. Good runs also from Kevin Smith 26th and Ryan Kelly 31st. Glasslough won the team title, Finn Valley 2nd and Innyvale 3rd. Girls Under 12 Clara Dunnion was team leader in the U12 girls race finishing 5th with Jodie 7th and Niamh Doherty 10th the girls all earning themselves Ulster badges for the All Ireland cross-country and along with Aoife Whelan made up the Valley scoring team. Good runs were also had from Catherine Gallagher 16th, Siobhan Gallagher 19th, Aisling Patton 25th, Imy Slevin 29th, Christine O Neill 38thm, Andrea McCafferty 40th and Mairead McGill 45th. Glaslough Harriers won the team with Finn Valley A 2nd and Letterkenny 3rd. Finn Valley B finishing 5th team. Boys Under 12 The U12 Boys was one of the most exciting and closest race of the day with the battle starting from the starting line to finish. The Valley boys all fought bravely and coming to the final hill Valley’s Pauric McLaughlin of Convoy was neck to neck with Letterkenny’s Darren McBrearty with other Valley team mates battling closely behind. A delighted Pauric McLaughlin took the Ulster team title and lead his team home to victory with Loran McMenamin of Stranorlar had a great race finishing 3rd just 3 seconds behind second and winning himself the individual bronze medal Gavin Carlin coached by his father Sean and it is to be noted training for Indoor season and using cross-country races as training had a strong performance finishing 4th and Dermott Brennan closely behind in 5th. Dermott from Fintown is new to the athletic scene and son of Joe Brennan who was himself involved in cross-country. This made up the Valley A scoring team. Christopher McBride just two seconds behind Valley’s last scorer lead valley’s B team home in 8th , Eamon McBride 8th, Mathew Kelly 15th and Gerry Boyle 16th all making up the scorers for valley’s second team. Also competing very well were Karl Bradley 19th, Niall Doherty 24th, Christopher O Leary 27th and Philip Browne 36th. Finn Valley A won team title with Letterkenny 2nd and Finn Valley B 3rd. A very competitive race and great team work by all. Girls Under 14 In the U14 Girls Breda McGinty of Dooish once again showed she is the name to look out for. Two weeks ago Breda had the race of her life when who won the U13 girls title in Comber Co. Down. Today she was a year out of her age group and on a tough course but this did not impede her. Breda lead the race for the gun and at the finishing line had over 10 seconds to spare on the next competitor. Breda was well supported by team mates Maeve Culhane 6th, Shaunie Guthrie 11th and Jackie Gibson 14th making up the scoring Valley’s A team. Also running very well were Fionnula Bruton 18th, Bronagh Doherty 20th, Laura Reid 26th, and Natasha Duffy 36th. Valley A team won the title with Letterkenny 2nd and Finn Valley B 6th. Boys Under 14 U14 Boys continued Valley’s team success with Diarmuid Fullerton taking the team leader in 5th position. This was another exciting race and a battle from the start. Diarmuid was supported by team mates Ian Ward 6th, Ryan McDaid 8th, Shane Bonner 18th , Aidan Connolly 23rd and Kevin Gallagher who was sick on the day showed his loyalty to the team finishing in 25th making up the scoring Valley team. Finn Valley retained their team title with St Malachy’s 2nd and North Belfast 3rd. Girls Under 16 Nikki Alcorn, daughter of Valley’s coach Bernie, was Valley’s lead scorer in 17th. Nikki was well supported by team mates Emma O Neill 19th, Aisling Rushe 20th, Aine McLaughlin 23rd , Paula Gallagher 29th and Nikki Connolly who battled with injured but bravely crossed the finishing line in 38th position. Finn Valley finished 4th team. Boys Under 16 Alan Kavanagh made a strong return to the running scene finishing team leader in 13th and was closely followed by Mark McGowan who had a class run for his first day out in 18th position. Maurice Boyle from Loughanure as always fought hard and was just 2 seconds behind in 19th spot with Stephan Connolly 24th and Enda Doherty 25th making up the scoring FV team. Good run were also had from Conor Fullerton 36th Packie Maily and Brian Patton who had a great battle between themselves with Packie finishing 37th and Brian 38th . St Columb’s won the team with North Belfast 2nd and Finn Valley 3rd. Intermediate Women Noreen Mc Conigley from Fanad was Valley’s lead scorer in the Intermediate women’s race finishing 6th with Charlene Rushe 10th, Mary Gallen 11 and Karen Connolly 12th making up the Valley team which finished 2nd behind Letterkenny. Intermediate Men Conal McBride was Valley’s lead scorer in the Intermediate men in 7th spot with Mark Connolly closely behind 8th Bernard McCabe was next scorer in 11th with Michael Penrose 18th and Drew Doherty 19th. Cranford won the team title with Letterkenny 2nd and Valley 3rd.