Finn Valley mens intermediate cross country squad made the short cross border journey to Derry on Saturday to contest the Ulster title.
It was difficult to ascertain pre-race what their chances were certainly they had come close to winning the coveted War Memorial title two years earlier in Lurgan going down by 1 point to Newcastle after a tough battle.
So the scene is set and they are off battling in the early stages with Derry Track Club then City Of Derry then along came Acorns AC and Magherafelt/Cookstown combination but the response from the Valley lads was tremendous they drove through led by Ramelton man Mark McPaul and in the end after a thrilling performance joined by James Mc Fadden, Downings, Shane Gallagher Crossroads,Shane Mc Nulty Ballybofey, John McElhill, Aghyaran and Convoy man Seamus O’Donnell ably supported by Brian McCrea and Barry Gallagher.
In the end they had 17 points to spare from Acorns and City Of Derry in third spot the atmosphere added to by an enthusiastic travelling Valley support acknowledging team coach Mark Connolly who had scored for a winning Finn team in the late 70s, and his assistant Pat Hegarty.
The early years story of Finn Valley and this title which they have now won on 8 occasions is: We assembled at the Crossroads, Killygordon in 1974 a memorable individual victory from Neil Martin running barefoot as he had done a year previous to win the Ulster novice at Omagh but Laragh AC got the better of the battle that day on a tough course that included ditches and ploughed fields.
The Valley squad on that day Neil, Gerry O’Doherty, Paddy Bonner, Michael Crampsie, Liam McCallion and Kevin O’Doherty.
Nothing for it but to assemble and prepare to do the business a year later 1975 this time the venue Monaghan no mistakes this time led by Patsy Doherty and supported by Gerry and Kevin O’Doherty, Michael Crampsie, Patrick Murray and Thomas Doherty beating a very good Killybegs team.
The club were back in Monaghan in 1978 winning again with familar names on board Mark Connolly, Pat Hegarty, John Penrose the late Francie Dorrian, Gerard Penrose and Michael Kelly hence history rolled back in the excitement on the bank of the Foyle on Saturday.
Valley had a masters womens team on duty and they closed in 5th while congrats are extended to LAC winners of the womens intermediate team their first ever and a silver for Fionnuala Diver in the masters women.
