Ulster Novice 2009 Fintra
Sunday, 8th November 2009
Mark McGuinness leads Tir Chonaill with a Bronze Medal Performance
Mark Mc Guinness from Dunkineely joined Tir Chonaill AC twelve months ago and in the meantime has made remarkable progress both as track athlete and in cross country. In idyllic conditions in Fintragh on Sunday he put in an outstanding performance to finish 3rd in the Ulster Under 15 Boys race and qualify for the All Ireland’s which will be held in Coleraine in early December. Mark settled in over the opening lap and found himself in a top six position as the race entered the final 600m. Roared on by pone of the biggest crowds ever experienced at a CC in Donegal he responded and came into 3rd place as the race entered the final straight. Tom Magee, Lagan Valley and Glenn Willis North Down fought out a battle for the premier position with Magee just edging the verdict and the fast finishing Mc Guinness three seconds behind in 3rd place. Sean Kerrs, from Frosses joined the Tir Chonaill training group eight weeks ago and was delighted with his 15th place finish and was Donegal Town man Adam Enright in his first attempt at this distance in 47th place. 76 athletes finished the race.
Boys U15 L-R: Glenn Willis (North Down) 2nd, Tom Magee (Lagan Valley) 1st
and Mark McGuinness (Tir Chonaill) 3rd
Pic by Paul ONeill
Under 13 Girls finish 6th
The clubs Under 13 Girls put in an excellent performance to finish 6th out of 12 finishing teams. Eva McMullan, 18th, Derbhla Hoey, 22nd, Sarah Timoney 39th [all from the Ballyshannon area] and Niamh McGrory, 53rd [Donegal Town] can all be very pleased with their performances. 89 athletes finished the race. In the U11 Girls Maeve Rooney, 46th, Kelsay Warren 49th and Morgan Davitt 67th can all be happy with their performances while Brendan Gillespie, Martin Gillespie and Oisin Rooney all finished in the top 70 in the U13 Boys race
Mens Novice
Richard McCarthy, in 26th place led the clubs Novice Mens team to an 8th overall team finish. Over 6k on a very demanding course he was well supported by Noel Thomas 28th, Ollie Thomas 35th and Johnnie Ward 52nd.
