FOR Neil Martin there is no secret recipe.
Over his years at the Finn Valley Athletic Club, he’s seen the club grow into one of the best in Ireland.
At the moment, Finn Valley is the top juvenile club in Ireland for the second year running.
On Tuesday night, the club held a function to honour the six athletes who have competed in the Irish vest in recent weeks.
Sommer Lecky returned from the European Youth Olympic Festival in Georgia with a high jump bronze medal while Arlene Crossan and Aaron McGlynn reached finals.
In Scotland on Saturday, James Kelly won the Under-16 shot put at the Celtic Games with Janine Boyle taking bronze in the Under-18 100m sprint.
“They ask what we do – it’s just coaching and traiuningf, that’s all we do,” says club stalwart Martin.
“Life is all about progression. We’ve developed ourselves through our own work here at the club.
“Myself and Patsy McGonagle, the club chairman, sat down a few years ago and came to the conclusion that we were lacking a coach here or there.
“We went back to some past athletes of the club and got them back. Now on a Tuesday night we have 26 active coaches working with different groups.”
In Tullamore on Sunday, the Finn Valley senior women’s team took second in Division 1 at the National League finals and have been promoted into the Premier section.
Martin said: “It’s about that team spirit and that team commitment.
“There’s a real camaradarie here. The fun is there, the banter is there, but the serious sport is there.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/neil-martin-of-finn-valley-ac-at-international-athletes-homecoming