Here’s the weekly roundup from Finn Valley AC:
It has very much been a global week at Finn Valley AC – with success at home and abroad.
The undoubted highlight, again, was the stunning, world-class delivery by Finn Valley AC athlete Mark English in Hengelo on Monday evening.
Competing at the FBK Games, English clocked a new Irish record over 800m, winning the race in a superb 1:43.92, becoming the first Irish athlete to run a sub-1:44 800m.
It is the second time in 10 days that he has lowered the Irish record and it was his third gold-level meet win of the outdoor season.
A period at altitude training with new coach Justin Rinaldi is clearly paying dividends for Mark and it’s onwards now to Oslo for the Bislett Games, a Diamond League meeting, in Oslo on Thursday night.
Three Finn Valley AC athletes were in action on Saturday at the BMC Grand Prix in Birmingham – and there were two PBs.
At Birmingham University, Amy Greene clocked a new 3000m steeplechase PB, going 10:28.23 – taking down her 10:31.26 previous best – and over 800m, Oisin Toye was fourth in 1:54.14, a new best in the distance, down from 1:56.09.
Roisin Flanagan was also back on track and finished in 4:21.29 in the 1500m.
In France on Saturday night, Oisín Ó Gailín of Finn Valley AC was in action in the Fast5000 can came through in 13:47.35 at Parc des Sports, Maisons-Laffitte.
Finn Valley AC’s Odhrán McBrearty was fourth in the 3000m at the EYOF Gala meeting in Wetzlar, Germany on Saturday. Odhrán, accompanied by his coach Dermot McGranaghan – one of the Ireland team leads – clocked 8:42.99 and was the lead Irish runner in fourth spot.
Odhran McBrearty who competed in Germany at the weekend
Arlene Crossan was in action at the FC Putbos Memorial Buyle meet in Belgium on Saturday and, at Vlierzele Sportief in Oordegem, she clocked 53.99 seconds out of lane 2.
Last midweek, we had an impressive display by Finn Valley AC’s Sophia Thompson at the State Meet of Champions in New Jersey.
The Union Catholic High School scholar finished second in the girls 1600m, going around in 4:45.43 at Pennsauken High School.
At the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle on Sunday night, Sophia competed over one mile and finished sixth in an all-US competition at Renton Memorial Stadium. Sophia finished in 4:49.28.
Closer to home, at the Antrim Forum on Sunday, Finn Valley AC enjoyed success at the Ulster U14-19 Championships.
Katie Louise McMonagle went to a season’s best of 5.40m to win the U18 long jump. The Gairmscoil Chu Uladh student has been back in excellent form of late and bearing the fruits of a lot of hard work with an Ulster gold a real reward.
Katie Louise McMonagle and coach Ann Slevin after winning gold on Sunday
There was gold, too, for Ciaran McCarroll in the U19 800m, while Sheridan McMonagle won her long jump and Stephen Slevin took gold in the U18 high jump. Stephen added a javelin bronze to his day’s efforts.
Ace Rodriguez picked up gold when leaping to 5.79m to win the U19 long jump and Emily McHugh threw out to 26.73m to win the U14 javelin.
Lee McGranaghan won silver in the U15 long jump and there were bronze medal wins for Kayla Bruce (200m, 100m), Ciara McCusker (200m), Jessica Gavin (long jump), Caoimhe McElhinney (long jump) and Oisin McMenamin (javelin).
The U14 boys relay team – Ultan McLaughlin, Michael Breen, Joshua Ugwunna and Anshdeep Singh – won gold while the U14 girls – Caoimhe McElhinney, Mia Gallagher, Caoimhe McNeill and Rachel McBride – took bronze.
Finn Valley AC pair Jon-Jo Doherty and Leoni Cooke were the respective winners at the Aurivo/Donegal Creameries 5k last Tuesday night.
This event has become a popular annual event and this year was in aid of MS Ireland. FVAC’s Ryan Quinn was third overall and it was a 1-2-3 for the females with Leoni followed by Andrea Reid and Aimee McElchar. A large attendance at this one from FVAC athletes – well done, all!
Fr Kieran McAteer briefly touched on his athletics career during his Golden Jubilee Mass at Church of Mary Immaculate in Stranorlar on Sunday evening as he marked 50 years since his ordination to the priesthood in 1975.
A talented sportsman and a native of Fanad, Fr Kieran ran for us at Finn Valley AC for several years and several FVAC members were in attendance for a special function
Congratulations to Fr Kieran, a wonderful milestone and here’s to many more years of ministry in our parish.
Finn Valley AC stalwarts Patsy McGonagle, Michael Crampsie and Patsy Doherty with Fr Kieran McAteer
English leads the way as Finn Valley AC celebrates global success was last modified: June 10th, 2025 by
