U-13 GIRLS TEAM: Nicole Boyle, Sarah Doherty, Ailbhie O`Donnell, Anna Sweeney (all Rosses ac). Arlene Crossan, Niamh Farrell, Eimear Walsh (Letterkenny ac). Mary Teresa Doherty, Tanya Collins (Inishowen ac), Shannon Bonner, Niamh Gavigan (Slieve Liag), Ciara Doogan (Tir Conaill).
YOUNG ATHLETES from across the county set off this morning to represent Ulster in a superb weekend of athletics at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
The U-13 and U-15 girls and boys teams will be in action on Sunday in Aviva grand finals after winning the Ulster championships last month.
Our young athletes representing Ulster will compete in all of the exciting disciplines of Sportshall against the elite young athletes from England, Scotland and Wales.
U-13 BOYS TEAM: Mark Boyle, Caolan O`Callaghan (Tir Conaill), Oisin Toal, Darragh Toal, Mathew Sweeney, Jordan Ryan, Shane Irwin (Letterkenny ac), James McKinney, Fergal Cox (Inishowen ac), John Gibbons (Slieve Liag), Jordan Connell, Adam Doherty (Lifford ac).
Kent, Greater Manchester, Birmingham, Surrey, Cheshire, Sussex and the Isle of Wight are just some of the competing counties and medals at this level will be of a premium.
Sportshall Co-ordinator Neil Cullen says Donegal is producing great young athletes and the clubs within the county deserve credit for the work put into coaching.
Said Neil: The success in Sportshall demonstrates the strength in depth in the county and I am delighted that four teams have achieved the goal of reaching Birmingham.
DONEGAL'S U-15 GIRLS: Caroline Sharkey, Jade O`Donnell, Aideen Meehan (Rosses ac), Rose Boyle, Clodagh Brennan (Letterkenny), Megan Colhoun (Lifford), Aine Bradley (Inishowen).
“I want to thank the clubs who have supported Sportshall over the years and I am also pleased that the team selections are spread out over the county all this would not be possible without the help of the schools involved with the athletes and Sportshall, from individuals who have supported the Donegal athletic board and my own efforts over the years.
“I will be acknowledging all of these following this weekend, without their help and obviously the help of the young athletes’ parents who also make a big contribution to this competition it would not be possible.
U-15 BOYS TEAM: David McCarron, Darragh McGylnn, Stephen Conaghan (Rosses), Sheanie Henry, Luke Bonner (Letterkenny), David McLaughlin (Inishowen), Eoin O`Leime (Slieve Liag).
“Hopefully some of our athletes will return from Birmingham with medals and equally important” a greater knowledge of the importance of this sport.”