It was yet another busy week again for Rosses Athletic Club, as athletes took part in the Donegal Half Marathon, Community Games National Finals and the UK AAA Track & Field Championships.
Donegal Half Marathon
The big race at the weekend past was the Donegal Half Marathon in Letterkenny which doubled as the County Half Marathon Championships also. Last year’s national half champion the very talented Yared Derese from Monaghan took the win in a blistering course record of 1:07:22 but he was followed closely by Rosses distance running specialist Shane O’Donnell recording a very impressive time of 1:13:38.
Shane O Donnell who was second in the County Half Marathon in Letterkenny
Charlie Postie O Donnell was fourth overall and first M40 in 1:15:47, Patrick Trimble set a new PB 1:18:57 to take the M50 crown. There was a number of strong performances from Mark Ward PB 1:21:30, Paul McKelvey 1:22:31, Declan Gallagher 1:23:52, Ken Bates PB 1:26:07, Denis Boner 1:31:08, Keith O Connell 1:32:08 and Norman McClean 1:39:37 with most preparing for the Dublin marathon so a great training day.
In the ladies section, last year’s winner Helen McCready retained her crown, winning in 1:21:54 and great prep for her upcoming Berlin marathon. Martina Mulhern is well into her own marathon preparations and showed it’s going well finishing fifth lady and first F40 in 1:32:12. Another category winner in the F55 was Emer Magee in 1:49:16 with good performances from Selina O’Donnell 1:42:08, Bridget Molloy 1:46:37, Rachel Harper 1:54:58, Evelyn Boyle 1:56:20 and Veronica McLoone 2:07:11.
Helen McCready who won the County Half Marathon title on Sunday last
Community Games National Final
The National Finals of the Community Games took place in Carlow SETU with seven club athletes travelling to compete and it was to prove a great day for Niamh Doogan and Aaliyah Gallagher Canavan with both showing their athleticism securing National Silver Medals – and make it even more remarkable is that it was different events that they both secured Athletics Ireland medals at the recent All Ireland Track and Field Championships in Tullamore.
Rosie Breslin and Aaliyah Gallagher Canavan competed in the u12 girls Long Jump with Aaliyah jumping 4.05m to win a silver medal. In the u14 girls shot putt it was the McGonigle sisters of Aoife and Caoimhe, while in the u12 girls a strong relay team of Tamara Parker, Olivia Gorman, Rosie Berlin and Aaliyah Gallagher Canavan got to the semi final stage. Niamh Doogan secured a National Silver medal in the u14 girls Hurdles completing three races on the day.
UK AAA Track & Field Championships
On Sunday it was another great day for the club as Eva Logue got her Ireland vest when she competed in Birmingham as part of the Athletics Ireland Team at the u15 & u17 UK AAA Track and Field Championships. It was a great experience for her to be part of the 47 athletes on the Irish team and will drive on all the juveniles in our club to be hungry and part of these opportunities going forward.