There has been superb success for Finn Valley AC athletes at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Toruń, Poland.
Mark Connolly (above, left), a stalwart of the Finn Valley club, won Gold yesterday, helping the Irish team to success in the 8k Cross-Country race. The Aghyaran native was 19th overall and part of an Irish team that was seven seconds ahead of England and 14 seconds clear of Poland.
“I’m so excited,” Connolly said afterwards.
“I ran very strong all the race. It was a tough race and the conditions were tough. You have to be mentally tough in a race like that. I’m delighted to come through it. I gave it everything and the hard work paid off.”
A season’s best of 25:43 saw Kay Byrne win a team bronze with Ireland. The Edenmore native was fifth overall for the latest success in a stellar career that has spanned the decades and generations. Kay is still competing and still on the podium.
This afternoon, Sinead McConnell returned a new national indoor record in the 3000m walk, finishing in 15:42.88.
McConnell claimed fifth place, just missing out on a bronze medal. McConnell was pipped by just two seconds.
Catriona Devine, Kieran Carlin and Noreen Bonner are all set to compete later in the week in Toruń.
