It was a sad week for the club with the passing of Billy Ward. Billy, the former vice principal at Loreto, Letterkenny, was laid to rest at Conwal Cemetery on Friday afternoon following Funeral Mass in St Eunan’s Cathedral.
Billy played major role in the club in its earlier years and was a highly respected figure within the sport of athletics all over the country. In 1977 when the club’s adults structure was being revamped, he was elected vice captain to Charlie Kelly. Two years later, the club picked up its first adult championship when winning the Donegal novice cross country championships.
It was also around that time that Billy set up the Monday night indoor session for young boys and girls at the Loreto gym – a session which is still continuing at the same venue 36 years on. He was heavily involved in the senior juvenile section of the club and accompanied these athletes to national competitions.
Billy was a keen long distance runner himself and completed 25 marathons during a long career.
The club extends it sympathy to Billy’s wife, Mary Rose, son Liam, daughters Aoife and Caoimhe, and to his relatives and friends.
Best wishes to Ruairi Finnegan who travels to Italy to compete in the 1500 metres at the European junior track and field championships this Thursday.
Congratulations to Peter Gibbons who will represent Ireland for the first time at the international schools championships in Santry this weekend.
There was no joy for Mark English or Darren McBrearty in the European under-23 track and field championships last week in Finland, with neither making it through to their respective finals. In the 4 x 400 relay, Mark clocked the fasted of all splits with his 46.09. Letterkenny AC’s Teresa McDaid was Irish team manager for the event.
At the Irish Milers Club meet, Darren McBrearty clocked 1:48.7 for the 800 metres. Other LAC runners who competed in the same meet were Ruairi Finnegan (1:49.67), Dan Mooney (1:48.97), Conor Morrison (2:00.22) and Peter Gibbons (2:00.82)
Chris Johnston was second to Keith Shields of Foyle Valley in last weeks’s St Johnston 5K road race. Chris ran 15:34 – just a second behind the winner, City of Derry’s James Brown third in 16:07. Others LAC runners in the top ten included Michael Black (4th in 16:30) and Kieran Crawford (10th in 17:13).
On Friday night in Rathmullan, Eddie Margey was the fasted of the black and amber vests when posting a time of 16:09 to finish fifth overall. The race was won by Gerard Gallagher of Finn Valley in 15:26, with his club mate, James Speight second in 15:32 and Chris McGuinness of Foyle Valley third in 15:34. Other Letterkenny AC runners in the top ten were Paul McGlinchey (6th in 16:14), Ivan Toner (7th in 16:22) and Kevin Ferry (8th in 16:29). A total of 225 runners took part.
There was no winner of the club’s weekly lotto jackpot. The numbers drawn were 2, 8, 16 and 22. The four match two winners were Kyle Gormley, Paul McGlinchey, Pauric McGinley and Martin Gibbons who each receive 20 euro. This weekend’s jackpot will be 630 euro.
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