13 May 2008 - Donegal Senior and Masters T & F Championships on Tuesday Evening The first round of the 'Donegal Senior and Masters Track and Field Championships' took place on Tuesday evening at the Danny McDaid new tartan track in Letterkenny. Results.pdf

13 May 2008 - Sliabh Liag Charity Walk The Sliabh Liag Charity Walk for The Niall Melon Trust is on Sunday 25th May 2008 with a 12noon starting time. This trust builds houses in South Africa for the needy. Five men from Kilcar are raising funds to go out and help with this build. Registration is at the Carrick Vocational School, Carrick, Co Donegal from 11:30am onwards. We have four different levels of walk all going via. the Pilgrims Path on Spectacular Sliabh Liag which hosts the highest sea cliffs in Europe and amazing views of Donegal and across to Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo. Easy Walk 2 x 1/2 hour track walks to stream picnic point Intermediate Walk 3 x 1/2 hour walks to Church Ruins & Crossed Slab Moderate Walk 4 hour walk to Croleavy Lough on Sliabh Liag to Silver Strand Streneous Walk Teelin to Silver Strand 5 hour walk All times are approximate. People of all levels of fitness and ages are invited to join on this fundraising walk.

12 May 2008 - Ulster Schools Track and Field Finals We wish all our juvenile Athletes good luck as the prepare for the 'Ulster Schools Track and Field Finals' that take place this Saturday in Antrim, good luck all.

12 May 2008 - Sympathy All at Tír Chonaill AC/St John Bosco would like to extend their deepest sympathy to Patricia Britton, Club Coach and Bosco Secretary, on the recent death of her mother, Mary Brennan, and to all the Brennan Family of Castlebar, Co Mayo. May she rest in peace.

12 May 2008 - AAI National Track and Field League Antrim on Sunday Next 'Round 1' of the AAI National Track and Field League takes place on Sunday next, 18th May in Antrim and the club will have both women and men traveling to compete.  All those intending to travel should contact Jackie, Paddy or Eamon before Saturday. 'Round 2' will see us in either Santry or Tullamore on Sunday 15th June with the final, hopefully again, in Tullamore on Saturday 27th July. Invitation to Athletes to participate in National League.pdf

12 May 2008 - Ballyshannon 5k The Ballyshannon 5k will take place on Friday evening, 16th May, with a 7.30pm start.  It is presumed that registration and changing will take place in the Mercy Hall with the prize giving there afterwards, as no details have been made available to me at time of going to press.

05 May 2008 - North West 10k Sunday saw the twelfth running of the North West Charity 10k in Letterkenny and again the club had a good presence.

05 May 2008 - Juvenile Competition at Colaiste Colmcille in Ballyshannon On Thursday evening last the St John Bosco Training Group joined the Ballyshannon/Bundoran Group for a local competition at Colaiste Colmcille in Ballyshannon. The competition saw the running events take place outside on the playing field while the standing long jump, ball throw and speed bounce took place indoors.  All events ran simultaneously and several great performances were witnessed with athletes enjoying themselves. The age range was from U-9 to U-13.  There were 60m, 80m, 300m and 600m running events.  A great big thank you to all those who turned up to assist on the evening, your help was greatly appreciated.

04 May 2008 - Donegal Town Athlete Invited to the House of Commons Aoife O'Connor, the young Donegal Town athlete, was a surprised and delighted recipient of a very special invitation earlier this week.

28 April 2008 - David Wilson Following on from his stunning seasonal debut at the 'Race That's Good for Life 5k' a fortnight ago in Chicago, where he finished fifth overall in winning his age category with 15.45, David Wilson continued his resurgence with a superb 15.27 at the Ravenswood 5k, also in Chicago, on Sunday morning last. The pace, furious from the gun, saw Wilson mix it at the front with some of Chicago's best road racers. With the lead alternating and changing several times, the eventual winner Chad Ware broke clear in the final 500m recording 15.12. Wilson locked in a battle with James Akita and Ricky Britton for the minor placings had to settle for third overall with Akita claiming second with 15.20 on the clock and Britton fourth in 15.31. The first six athletes broke the 16-minute barrier in this high-class race. The South Donegal man took first place in his MM35 age category and leads the category standings in the race series.

25 April 2008 - AAI Insurance The following documents have just been released by the Athletic Association of Ireland (AAI) AAI Insurance.pdf AAI Insurance - FAQs.pdf

20 April 2008 - AAI National 10k Road Championships Ladies Team The Master Women's Team travelled to Athenry on Sunday to compete at the 'AAI 10k Road Championships' and despite a brave effort in a very tough and competitive race finished a creditable fifth team place. Led by Philomena Gallagher, with a good return to form, she crossed the line in 43.06. Marie Rooney, suffering with a slight hamstring injury, was next to finish with 43.28 on the clock. Marie was second in her age category and took a great silver medal. Linda Ward, showing some good form of late at training, turned this into racing form with a fine 44.08, while Sharon McGowan completed the scoring team with a sound 45.21. Tony Cummins was our sole male athlete and was delighted with 48.29. 10k Results 2008.pdf

20 April 2008 - David Wilson in the News Stateside Former South Donegal Harrier and lately Tír Chonaill AC Athlete, David Wilson is back on the roads, and clocking superb times. Now residing in Chicago and after several years away from the sport, David returned to running last year, competing in one 5k in his local area. Now a year on, a fitter and stronger Wilson continues to train and began his racing season on 13 April with a 5k around the roads of Chicago. A former junior International and collegiate athlete, Wilson remained in the states after graduating, married and settled in the Chicago area, took some time out from athletics before returning to the sport that he showed such an aptitude for. On Sunday last in a field of over eight hundred athletes at the `Race That's Good For Life 5k', it was like old times, up with the leading group from the gun, Wilson, running in the colours of Brookfield, was always in contention and was delighted, crossing the finish line with a superb 15.45 on the clock for fifth place overall and first in his age category 35-39. Wilson's plans for the next six weeks are to compete at the next race on the circuit on 27 April and to follow this with two races in May, one a 5k, the other a 10 miler, a distance Wilson last raced over at the Ballyshannon 10, with its infamous Higginstown Hill, way back in 1987 - where does time go? The Chicago race circuit has about forty races, varying in distance from 5k to 10 milers and runs from April to November. We hope to hear lots more good news stories from across the Atlantic during this racing season!

16 April 2008 - Exciting Athletics Initiatives Two exciting 'Athletics Ireland' pilot initiatives that will introduce over three thousand children across Sligo and Donegal to the fundamentals of athletics was launched recently at Sligo I.T. and the Finn Valley Centre, Donegal.

14 Apri 2008 - British Sportshall Finals at the N.E.C., Birmingham Four Club Athletes - Emma Brady, Kelly McGrory, Louise Harvey and Aoife O'Connor were part of Donegal teams that travelled to the British Sporthall Finals in Birmingham on Saturday.

14 Apri 2008 - National Indoor Championships in Nenagh Young Athletes from the St John Bosco/Tír Conaill Athletic Club had a very busy schedule over the weekend when the final section of the 'National Indoor Championships' took place at Nenagh.

13 April 2008 - Sympathy Deepest sympathy was extended from all club members, at the recent club meeting, to club athlete Bridie Lynch, the Lynch and Colhoun families, on the recent death of Rosemary, sister to Bridie.  Sympathy was also extended to Paul O’Gara, throws coach with St John Bosco and Tír Chonaill AC and to the O’Gara family in Glencolmcille on the recent death of Mary Ellen, mother to Paul.  May their souls rest in peace.

07 April 2008 - Lorcan McGarry runs Connemara Marathon The club's only athlete competing at the Connemara Marathon on a wind swept and unpleasant day was Lorcan McGarry. Plagued by a niggling injury, Lorcan's training was severely curtailed over the past few weeks, limited to tow runs, but despite this he was pleased with his 3.55 for the distance. Lorcan plans on a few days rest now before resuming training with the Dublin City Marathon in mind for the end of October.

07 April 2008 - Northwest Sprint Triathlon 2008, Derry Tír Chonaill Athletic Club was represented by Noel Thomas in the Northwest Sprint Triathlon 2008, at Templemore Sports Complex, in Derry City on Sunday morning .

06 April 2008 - Thrills, Spills and Success in Nenagh When 'Part 1' of the 'All Ireland Indoors' took place on Sat/Sun 5/6 April, six young Tír Conaill/St John Bosco Athletes had a most successful experience at Nenagh's Indoor Arena.

31 Mar 2008 - Omagh Half-Marathon Omagh provided the competition over the weekend for those brave enough to tackle the half marathon. On a day that had showers and sunshine, three club athletes made the journey and competed. Tony Cummins, the mere mention of a race is enough to set this man off, continues to show excellent early season form with a good 1.51, knocking over five minutes off his time for this tough course. Bernie McNeely crossed the line in 2.02 while Ann Donoghue was pleased with her 2.06. Kevin Connors provided much welcome backup on the course with water and taking the wet gear along the route. Also from Ballyshannon area were Caroline and Jackie Spratt who had excellent runs, their first on this tough course.

31 Mar 2008 - Congratulations to Vinny Duffy Everyone at Tír Chonaill athletic club would like to wish good luck and all the best for the future to club athlete Vinny Duffy who on Friday last had the official opening of his state of the art Showrooms at Portnason in Ballyshannon.

28 Mar 2008 - St.John Bosco Athletics Club Easter Camp During the Easter Holiday period, one hundred and thirty children enjoyed a fun packed three days, at the St John Bosco Athletic Club Multi-Sports Camp.

25 Mar 2008 - Carney 10k The Carney 10k provided the action for many of our club athletes on Easter Monday, with the second staging of the race, a fine way to blow away the after effects of the Easter Chocolate feast.

17 Mar 2008 - St. John Bosco Athletes enjoy New Indoor Experience When Part 3 of the Ulster Juvenile Indoor Championships were held at Magherafelt Councils, magnificent new Meadowbank Indoor Arena, on Sat 15th March,  a group of St John Bosco Athletes had a memorable, enjoyable and successful experience.

17 Mar 2008 - Club Coach Honoured The club would like to be associated with the richly deserved Donegal Town Heritage Award to Seamus Og Campbell.

17 Mar 2008 - Point Construction, St. Patrick's Day 5k, Letterkenny Results.pdf complements of Herbie McDaid.

16 Mar 2008 - Ballyshannon Group Training Picture from outdoor training at the Mall Track Ballyshannon on Thursday Evening 13th March.

14 Mar 2008 - Sympathy All at Tír Chonaill Athletic Club extend our sincere sympathy to Paul, Eileen Ward and Family and also the Barron Family on the recent death of Bridie Barron, grandmother to Paul. May she rest in peace.

12 Mar 2008 - Bundoran Training Group Some pics from our Training Group taken at indoor training in the Sportshall at Magh Éne College Bundoran on a Tuesday night. Some long jump drills and general pics.

09 Mar 2008 - Supporting the Marathon-Man On Sunday morning last, several club athletes and members helped out with the long run for our marathon man. Lorcan McGarry, going in the 'Connemara Marathon' took to the roads around Lough Melvin for his 22 miler, accompanied by Marie Rooney, Sharon McGowan, Linda Ward, Shelley Roper, Vinny Duffy, Michael Gallagher and Canice Nicholas, with Tony Cummins and Paddy Donoghue on bikes, Philomena Gallagher in her car and with Bernie McNeely and Ann Donoghue organising the picnic for afterwards, it was a most enjoyable morning.

09 Mar 2008 - Pauric Harvey sets a new PB in the Liverpool Half-Marathon Club athlete Pauric Harvey had a tremendous run at the recent Liverpool Half-Marathon and set himself a massive new personnel best with 79.19 on the clock as he crossed the line in 20th place in the open male and 26th overall. His previous best time for the distance was 93 minutes. What next for this fine young athlete.

04 Mar 2008 - St. John Bosco Athletes Successful Outing in Glasgow St John Bosco Athletes made a successful trip to the 'Scottish Indoor Relay Champioships' on Saturday last. Held in the impressive Kelvin Hall, the clubs Girls Under 13 and 17 squads, made their own piece of history when they were the first Irish club teams to compete at this level and the first to win medals.

04 Mar 2008 - St. John Bosco Athletic Notes Congratulations to the Abbey Voc Schools 1st Yr Sportshall Teams on their fine performances in the county finals last week. Both Boys and Girls teams finished runners up.

03 Mar 2008 - Donegal Democrat Sports Star Award for Mary McLoone Congratulations to club athlete Mary McLoone on being selected as the Donegal Democrat Sports Star for the month of January.

29 Feb 2008 - Ulster Sportshall Finals at the Valley Leisure Centre, Belfast Fermanagh Boys Under 13 and Under 15 and Donegal Girls Under 13 and Under 15 were impressive team winners when the Ulster Sportshall finals were held at the Valley Leisure Centre, Belfast on Tuesday last.

27 Feb 2008 - Donegal Athletic Board, Grand Prix Fixture List 2008 Grand Prix Fixture List 2008.pdf

24 Feb 2008 - Jarlath Wins in Belfast Yesterday, 23rd Feb saw Jarlath  Ruane with a third round putt of 11.75metres won the 'Ulster/Northern Ireland Under 19 Indoor Shot Putt Championships' at the University of Ulster’s New Indoor Arena in Jordanstown, Belfast. The multi talented St John Bosco youth competing with the new 6kilo weighted implement for the first time also qualified for the All Ireland’s with medal winning performances in the 60m Hurdles and a 5.80m leap in the Long Jump.

24 Feb 2008 - Ulster Schools Cross-Country Results Cross-Country Ulster Schools, Mullusk Results.pdf

20 Feb 2008 - AAI Juvenile Athletics Rules Index A complete Index of all details and regulations regarding Juvenile Athletics including all rules relating to competition. AAI Juvenile Booklet.pdf

18 Feb 2008 - Congratulations to 'Finn Valley AC Masters Men Congratulations to 'Finn Valley AC Masters Men' on their success in winning the 'AAI Master Men Cross-Country Club' title and also th the Finn Valley AC Masters who made up the successful Donegal Team that took the 'County Team' title.

18 Feb 2008 - Ulster/Northern Ireland Athletics Regional Squads Over one hundred invited young athletes from all over Ulster assembled at Shercock on Saturday and Templemore, Derry City on Sunday for the 4th Ulster/Athletics Northern Ireland Regional Developmental squad series of the winter. Summer like weather greeted the athletes at both venues as they were led through technique work, training and discussion in the various disciplines.

16 Feb 2008 - AAI Masters Indoors, Nenagh Today, we saw some of our master athletes travel to Nenagh for the AAI National Masters Indoors Championships and what a day it was to be!  Four club athletes, Marie Rooney, Jackie Harvey, Paul Ward and Manus Peoples traveled to compete in their age categories bringing home two gold, four silver and one bronze medal between them. Well done all.

10 Feb 2008 - Sympathy All club members would like to extend their sympathy to club athlete and treasurer Marie Rooney on the recent death of her uncle, Michael Lucey, and also to the Lucey Family of Ballyshannon. The funeral took place in his native Kerry on Tuesday. May he rest in peace.

10 Feb 2008 - Eamon Harvey interview with Colin Griffin Eamon Harvey interviews Leitrim 'Race-Walker' Colin Griffin - holder of the Irish 50k Walk record.

10 Feb 2008 - Michelle competes in Sydney Olympic Stadium Back in action after a short New Year break in New Zealand, Michelle Harvey competed at the New South Wales Track and Field Championships on Sunday evening.  Michelle, after a ten day altitude training stint, competed in the pale blue of Victoria, lined out in the final of the NSW 1500m championships at 6.51 pm on a balmy Sunday evening, along side some of Australia’s most promising female athletes. In the magnificent Homebush Olympic Stadium, scene of the 2000 Olympic games, Michelle was always in the leading group, but when the injection of pace came with 400m to go, Michelle found herself being passed and had to settle for a good sixth place with a super 4.31.78. Michelle, entered the Australian 2007 ranking lists with some excellent performances in the 1,500m and 3,000m prior to Christmas.

04 Feb 2008 - 1st Yr Schools Sportshall, Abbey Voc Gym, Wed 30th Jan 2008 Schools competing were Carrick Vocational School; Mgh Ene Bundoran; St Catherine’s, Killybegs and Abbey Vocational School Donegal.

04 Feb 2008 - Mary McLoone wins in Cardiff at the Celtic Cup International indoors Club athlete, Mary McLoone was competing in Cardiff at the Celtic Cup International indoors. Mary was competing in the triple-jump as part of the Irish team. Despite two no jumps and some technique difficulties, it would turn out to be another successful weekend when with a second round leap to 12.22m she claimed first place and a full five points for the Irish team. The women’s team finished second overall to a strong Scottish outfit.

04 Feb 2008 - Marie Rooney at the Banks National Cross-Country Championships Club athlete, Marie Rooney was competing over the weekend, at the Banks National Cross-Country Championships in the grounds of UCC. For Marie, battered by rain, sleet and mud, running in the colours of the Bank of Ireland, it was another fine outing at cross-country this winter, when with a strong run she finished second overall, in a very competitive race.

30 Jan 2008 - Donegal hopes to attract the elite from around the World On Monday 21st January, 'Donegal County Council' became the first county in the country to officially launch a campaign to be a pre Olympic training location for the 2012 Games that take place in London.

29 Jan 2008 - Irish Indoor Championships at Odyssey Arena Belfast Tír Conaill’s Mary Mc Loone was the outstanding local athlete when the Irish Indoor Championships were held in the impressive Odyssey Arena Belfast last weekend.

21 Jan 2008 - Ulster/NI Master Cross-Country Championships, Gransha The club had two teams compete at the 'Northern Ireland and Ulster Cross-Country Championships' at the Gransha grounds in Derry on Saturday last and the master women’s team came home with silver medals.

21 Jan 2008 - Jarleth Ruane at the Junior Indoor Combined Events in Nenagh Jarleth Ruane competed at the junior indoor combined events in Nenagh over the weekend and was pleased with his performance, coming home with a silver medal with only a handful of points separating the first two. Jarleth was good over the 60mh in a super 9.02 and strong in the shot with a 11.19m.  His long jump at 5.65m and his high of 1.65m left him with some work to do but a good final event, the 1000m in 3.02 was enough to secure the silver with a total point’s score of 2956.

20 Jan 2008 - St John Bosco Club Athletes Notes Ten athletes from the St John Bosco Club attended the 3rd Athletics Ireland North West Squad Day of the current season, at the Finn Valley Centre, on Sunday last.

15 Jan 2008 - Mary McLoone leaps into Record Books Tír Chonaill AC Athlete Mary McLoone, in her first indoor competition of the season jumped into the record books when equalling the Donegal County Record in the Triple Jump with a magnificent 12.49m, at the AAI Indoor Games in Nenagh on Sunday afternoon.  For McLoone this was a just reward after being hampered for most of last season with a back injury that limited her competitiveness.  Opening with two failures, the calm McLoone leaped out to 11.54m on her third attempt to take the lead, a lead that she consolidated in her fourth jump, breaking the sand at 12.49m to ensure the title and a super new personnel best.  This equals the county record set by Sharon Foley of Lifford AC in Lappreenta, Finland in June 2003 and ranks both girls in joint  third place on the National ranking list behind Tanesiha Scanlon with 13.62m and Sara Barry with 12.65m. Later in the afternoon the versatile McLoone went to the board in the long jump and with an opening leap of 5.70m propelled herself into second place behind the Ferrybank athlete, Kelly Proper. McLoone remained consistent with leaps in the 5.60m region to take second place unchallenged, while Proper went on the set a new Irish Indoor record with a fifth round jump of 6.25m.  McLoone’s next outing will be to the AAI National Indoor championships in Belfast at the end of the month and on this sort of form it promises to be a good championship for her.

13 Jan 2008 - Sporthall Competitions U10 & U12 at Abbey Vocational Club Gym Several young athletes from the club’s catchment area took part in the girls and boys under 10 and under 12 sportshall competition hosted by the St John Bosco club on Saturday last.

12 Jan 2008 - Sponsorship from Cara Pharmacy Cara Pharmacy, with a flagship shop and store on Main Street, Bundoran, and a chain of shops across the border counties and more recently two new openings in Sligo, are the proud sponsors of Tír Chonaill AC.  Canice and Ramona Nicholas, both members of Tír Chonaill Athletic Club, have generously sponsored the club for a three-year period.  Photograph shows Canice presenting Marie Rooney (Treasurer) and Sharon McGowan (Secretary), both Tír Chonaill AC with a sponsorship cheque for the year 2008.

12 Jan 2008 - Tír Chonaill Athletic Club’s Boxing Day charity run in Castle Caldwell Marie Rooney (Treasurer of Tír Chonaill AC) and Paddy Donoghue (PRO of Tír Chonaill AC) presenting Georgina Fox, Manager of Bundoran Holiday Centre and Ozanam House with the proceeds form the Tír Chonaill Athletic Club’s Boxing Day club run in Castle Caldwell. The funds go to the local St Vincent De Paul.

07 Jan 2008 - Daire Brennan in London There was good news from the London area on Saturday afternoon where club athlete Daire Brennan, returned to racing after the Christmas break with a fine 7th place finish at the Middlesex County Championships.  On a tough and hilly 12k circuit, Daire was always in the top fifteen and was delighted with a top ten finish.  This guarantees his selection for the Middlesex team at the 'UK Intercounties Cross-Country Championships' which take place in March.  Prior to Christmas Daire had the distinction of being on the Donegal team at the 'AAI Intercounties Cross-Country' at the Curragh where he finished as one of the scoring six.

07 Jan 2008 - Belfast International Cross Country After 31 years, one would have thought that there were few fresh reporting angles on the Annual Belfast international Cross-Country extravaganza. How wrong can one be!

06 Jan 2008 - Athletic Leader Course in Bundoran a Great Success Nineteen aspiring 'Athletic Coaches' took part in the one-day athletics leader course held in Bundoran on Saturday last.

03 Jan 2008 - Rose McCauley at Finn Valley 5k Rose McCauley, St John Bosco, ran a very fine 24.04 in the 'Finn Valley St Stephens Day 5k Road Race. Rose is pleased with her current winter form and training is going well. Rose is no. 1822 in centre of picture.

02 Jan 2008 - Tír Chonaill AC Club Training/Coaching Day The clubs “coaching/training,” day on Saturday 29th December at the Abbey School Gym in Donegal Town was a great success, with those that turned up enjoying some expert advice and encouragement.

02 Jan 2008 - New Years Day Run at Donegal A happy new year to you all. The successful New Year’s Day club walk/jog/run took place in Donegal Town, with all assembling at the Abbey Vocational School Gym and heading off for an hours run at 11.00am.  The refreshments were a welcome sight afterwards in the upper rooms of the Gym.

01 Jan 2008 - Maeve Kyle Receives an OBE in the New Years Honours List Congratulations to Athletics Ireland, Ulster Council, Chairperson, Maeve Kyle who was named on the New Year's Honours list to receive an OBE for services to athletics.

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