DONEGAL’S fastest feet have been confirmed this evening at the Finn Valley Centre in Stranorlar.
Schools in Donegal sent their young fliers to the county finals of a competition that could see them go to the prestigious Millrose Games in Manhattan in February.
Emily Kelly from St Mary’s NS, Stranorlar was the winner of the girl’s section.
Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin, Letterkenny youngster Harry Shields claimed the win in the boy’s category.
Notably, the girl’s section was, for the second year in a row, the quicker of the two.
Emily and Harry will now advance to the national semi-finals and, hopefully, the final which take place in Athlone on Saturday-week, December 17.
This evening’s county finals were led out by Finn Valley AC’s Dermot McGranaghan and Sharon Bradley.
The children were tested on their fastest speed over a ‘flying 20 metres’ and were open to kids who will be no older than 8 by February 11, when the event takes place in New York.
“Schools had races to select their representatives from and a big well done goes to all the parents and teachers for the support – and to the kids themselves for taking part,” said Finn Valley AC’s Patsy McGonagle.
The manager of the Irish Athletics Team and a veteran of a handful of Olympic Games, McGonagle’s enthusiasm and passion for his sport at the very grassroots level was very evident this evening.
Patsy McGonagle addresses the boys group
“Go with all your might,” he encouraged. “This is the real deal now,” he coaxed another on starter’s orders after an initial practice run.
“Go to the end. Don’t back off,” enthused McGonagle.
“Drive the bejesus out of it,” exclaimed the experienced Finn Valley man, in his element again at the coalface of the sport’s innocence as a batch of youngsters lined up for what seemed the race of their young lives.
The event has been warmly received in local schools, particulary those in which Finn Valley AC coaches are actively involved.
RESULTS
Boys
1 – Harry Shields (Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin, Letterkenny)
2 – Caolan Scott (Glenswilly National School)
2 – Noah Beales (Dooish National School)
3 – Alex Cottrell (St Patrick’s NS, Lurgybrack)
Girls
1 – Emily Kelly (St Mary’s NS, Stranorlar)
2 – Shauna McGlynn (Coimin NS)
3 – Ava Crawford (St Mary’s NS, Castlefin)
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