ORGANISED ATHLETICS in Donegal is a fairly new development, but history was made on Sunday at the Donegal Senior Cross-Country Championships in Stranorlar.
Christopher Johnston of Finn Valley AC won the men’s event and led Finn Valley to the team victory there, but for the first time since the event began in 1970 there was glory for Letterkenny AC women’s team.
LAC was established 44 years ago, but they finally got their hands on the prize on Sunday at Finn Valley AC.
Picture caption: LAC celebrate after winning the Donegal women’s senior cross-country title on Sunday.
Caitriona Jennings, who ran the marathon at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, won the women’s reace in 18 minutes and 36 seconds. Jennings was a comfortable winner of the race, held over a difficult course.
[adrotate group=”76″]Nakita Burke was second in 19:09 with Noleen Scanlon third, just three seconds behind in 19:12. Irene McFadden (20:14) was the other scorer as LAC took the title up Stranorlar’s Millbrae for the first time.
Finn Valley were second in the team event with Lifford-Strabane AC in third.
Johnston, a former LAC runner, led the way in the men’s race, coming home in the 10k in 33 minutes and five seconds.
[adrotate group=”85″]Eoghan McGinley of LAC was second in 34:08 with Finn Valley AC’s Dermot McElchar third in 34:45.
Eight of the top nine finishers wore the blue and white Finn Valley singlet with Mark Hoy 4th (34:50), James McFadden 5th (34:51), John McElhill 6th (34:56) and Mark McPaul 9th (35:14).
[adrotate group=”53″]Johnston is a veterinary student at Warsaw University and flew in for the event, claiming a title he previously won in 2012.
For Finn Valley, it was a fourth senior men’s title in a row and a 27th overall since day one, held in Falcarragh back in 1970.
Letterkenny collected the team silver with Inishowen AC in third.
The county board held the inaugural underage cross country relays on Sunday and they proved successful, adding to the overall enjoyment and atmosphere of the day.
Finn Valley won the Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 girls and Under-10 boys with LAC winning the Under-14 boys and Inishowen collecting the Under-12 and Under-16 boys titles.
The event hosted by Valley and under the auspices of the County Board drew high praise and was another good event delivered.
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