FVAC Athletes Shine on Domestic and International Stages

by Finn Valley AC

It’s a big weekend for Mark English and Arlene Crossan, both of whom compete in the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. Mark has been in this familiar territory on many occasions before, gaining medals at this level and goes into the weekend confident. Meanwhile, for Arlene, this is a totally new experience and her first time ever to be included in the Irish senior selection for a Championship. This, in addition to being a learning experience, will give her added confidence to progress to the outdoor season and build on this outing. We wish both of them well.

Staying with Arlene, she competed in the Leinster championships over 200m last weekend, returning a time of 24.44 which translates as a new Donegal indoor best performance, adding to the record-breaking performance over 400m the previous weekend.

Elsewhere, Jon Jo Doherty was in England taking in the St Helens 10k, his target very much to win the event in which he finished second last year. In an exciting performance he returned a time of 31.17, winning the event that finishes in the St Helens Rugby League grounds in what is a very well-established annual event in the area.

Cara Laverty was competing in the Big East Indoor Championships for her University (Providence) returning 4.44, very close to her pb for a mile, having come through the heats the previous day. So, all in all a successful outing for her.

Eimear McCarroll, representing Bradley University was at the Missouri Valley Championships where she ran a mile in 4.57 and posted 2.12.68 in the 800m.

Hannah Murray was in action at the Leinster Championships, now representing UCD as a scholarship athlete, returned to somewhat good form, bringing in a 56.49 400m time, which should she build on it, could put her back in contention for a 4 x 4 shout for the National U23 team.

A large crowd of club athletes took in the, what is by now a very well-established event, the Bundoran 10m. Record crowds were in attendance and with the weather in their favour, it was an enjoyable day out for all. Indeed, the next big challenge for many of the same athletes will be the Ballyliffin Coastal Challenge on April 19th but club members are urged to get their entry in asap as there are only some 50 places left out of a race limit of 1200. So again, a large attendance for this popular event which finishes on Pollan Strand in the village.

A total of 85 of our young athletes participated in the Ulster Indoor Championships, the largest representation from any of the provincial clubs and, at the end of 2 days of intense competition, collected the top club award. So not only a record number in competition but excellent results also.

This is Women in Sport Week and our Club Women in Sport officer Ann Slevin has posted a series of events being held over the week and members, athletes and indeed parents are encouraged to avail of the expertise available from experts across all aspects of women in sport across all ages. The club is proud to have supported female athletes since its foundation in 1971. Notices of these events can be found on the official club Facebook page.