Welcome to Foyle Valley AC

Where runners make runners

                                       Ballineska 5k  

The final run of the 2010 six race Furey series took place on the Ballineska course on a very wet, windy night, where Richard Johnston outpaced Scott Rankin at the end to clinch both the race and the series. Congratulations to Scott, who was only just beaten into second place in his first season in the open category, and also to Gareth Ryan who finished second in the overall M20 category.

Once again Foyle Valley provided the greatest number of participants from a single club, with 32 from our ranks amongst the total of 137 runners braving the conditions. Scott headed the list with a time of 15.54, followed by Pius McIntyre 17.09, Chris McGuinness 17.22, Declan Doherty 17.47, Paddy Nicell 17.56, Joe MacCarthy 18.21, Billy Orr 18.22, Paul Slavin 18.52, Mark Linton 18.59, Teague Whoriskey 19.00, Ciaran Smith 19.08, Richard Gallagher 19.17, Ciaran Bradley 19.18, Kieran Dalton 19.27, Martin Dunleavy 19.51, Dessie McCourt 19.55, Delores Quinn 20.20, Martina McMullan 20.22, Tom Doherty 20.22, Rosie O’Brien 20.52, John Cartin 20.56, Daniel Meehan 21.05, Brian Killen 21.08, Sandra McKeever 21.37, Liam Toney 22.01, Denise Doherty 23.04, David Wylie 23.21, Rachel Sheehan 23.33, Kate Meehan 23.42, Sinead McDermott 23.56, Christina Doherty 24.42, and Danielle McGuinness 25.48.

Well done to everybody for taking part, congratulations to the huge number who are seeing their times over 5K improve, and thanks to City of Derry for organizing the whole series.

Furey Insurances Series moves to Carndonagh

Wednesday the 30th of June sees round 5 of the Furey Insurances 5k series move to the north Inishowen town of Carndonagh which is approx 30 mins from Derry City. This continues the cross border aspect of the series which branches out from the city into it's natural hinterland of the Inis Eoghain pininsula. The race is sponsored by local firm Atlanfish for whom Declan McCarthy is the accountant. Furey Insurances also have a branch there. This race is jointly organised with Inishowen AC and the race head quarters is Carndonagh Community School. Another great turnout is expected as the running boom continues. Overall the series battle looks to be between Foyle Valley's Scott Rankin and City of Derry's new recruit Richard Johnston but with only 4 races run nothing is decided. The open womens and vets isn't clear yet but plenty of scores will be settled in "Carn"!  Poster here 

Bank Holiday Monday runs

During the Bank Holiday weekend, Foyle Valley’s Ryan Snodgrass had an excellent run up in  the Newry Marathon crossing the line in 3 hours.,2 minutes;  Shaving  11 minutes of his previous best.  This considerable achievement came only weeks after his frustrating run in the London Marathon when he clocked 3 hour 25. Ryan aims to break the three hour mark in Dublin this coming autumn.  Foyle Valley’s Jackie Doherty clocked  3 hours 17 minutes in Newry- not to be sniffed at- while 101 marathon man Gerry McDaid treated himself to a “wee half marathon “ in Newry and went round in 96 minutes.

Meanwhile in London the same weekend, young Foyle Valley runner, Declan Doherty completed the Bupa London 10 k in 37 minutes and 15 seconds.  Gabriel Bell, Foyle Valley coach, is confident that, while runners continue to show the commitment they have so far demonstrated this year, results will continue to improve. “Our results are on the up and up.  But Foyle Valley is an all-ability club and we make sure we still make time to welcome runners of all abilities

Hillview Four Mile 2010

A record number of runners and walkers turned out on Wednesday night at Brooke Park Activity Centre to take part in what is becoming a very popular 4 mile race up and around the TV mast at Sheriffs Mountain.

Starting adjacent to Glenowen, the course weaves its way uphill for the first 2 miles to the TV mast before a welcome descent down Sheriffs Road and along Groarty Road before the climb back up to Park Avenue and the finish at Brooke Park. A very tough proposition for both seasoned runners, walkers and casual runners alike!

This year’s race was run in tribute to Foyle Valley runner Marty Gallagher who died tragically on Halloween night 2009. Marty had been the winner of the race in June last year. Over 40 of Marty’s Foyle Valley A.C. friends and running mates turned out for the event. They were accompanied by many of Marty’s friends, family and representatives from other running clubs to make the event a very impressive and fitting tribute to a much loved and respected young man.

Fittingly the race was won by the ever improving young Foyle Valley runner, Scott Rankin who covered the tough course in 21mins 31secs. He was followed by Pius Mc Intyre, 22mins 02secs and Chris Mc Guinness, 23mins 17secs, both of them Foyle Valley A.C.

Foyle Valley A.C. runners made up the first seven places with notable runs by vets, Paddy Nicell, Brian Kelly, and Paul Morton. Marty’s brother Ryan came 7th in 24mins 12secs.

City of Derry Spartan, Peter Lilburn continued his recent good form with 24mins 27secs to take the O/55yrs category.

Dawn Mc Daid came out of retirement to compete and was the first lady home in 27mins 39secs. Keeping it in the family, Dawn’s sister Rosie O’Brien of Foyle Valley made second place in 28mins 16secs with Carolann Dillon in third place in 28mins 59secs. In total 94 competitors crossed the finish line to make this the most successful race to date.

Race organiser Martin Mc Callion made a special presentation to Marty’s parents Martin Snr and Elizabeth after the race and he would like to thank all those who took part and gave of their time to make this year’s event a record turnout and a fitting tribute to Marty Gallagher.

Results & Race Photos

Buncrana 5k

The Buncrana 5k on 26th May was the third in the Furey 5k series and, with nearly 320 runners in total, the biggest turnout for any of the 5k runs so far. Credit must go to the City of Derry organisers who battled to cope with almost double the numbers that had competed in Buncrana last year. In close to perfect conditions, on a fast flat course, Joe McAllister set a new course record of 14m 40s, and Maria McCambridge won the womens race with a record time of 16m 9s. Our man Scott Rankin kept himself up at the top of the leader board finishing 4th overall with a time of 15min 34 s, and there were 34 Foyle Valley athletes in total who completed the race, many achieving their PB over this distance. The other Foyle Valley runners to finish were Pius McIntyre (16:06), Chris McGuiness (16:58), Eamonn Doherty (17:15), Paddy Nicell (17:17), Brian Kelly (17:38), Ryan Gallagher (17:56), Billy Orr (17:59), Paul Morton (18:07), Paul Slavin (18:33),  Teague Whoriskey (18:37), Mark Linton (18:37), Chris Ryan (18:52), Ciaran Smith (18:56), Seamus McCallion (18:56), Tom Doherty (18:59), Gareth Ryan (19:04), Jack Coyle (19:14), Michael Houston (19:21), Ciaran Bradley (19:38), Dessie McCourt (19:39), Mark McClintock (20:23), Packy Deehan (20:49), Rosie O’Brien (20:53), Sandra McKeever (21:46), Gemma McGinty (21:58), Derek Harkin (22:18), Jennifer Coyle (22:22), Jim McBrearty (22:32), Kevin O’Neill (22:45), Kate Meehan (22:54), Annette McCarron (23:35), Trish McClintock (23:37), Tony Morrison (25:07)

Wilkies Classic 5mile run / 5km walk

Foyle Valley’s popular annual run/walk in memory of their colleague Colm Wilkinson took place on Thursday along the usual course ‘out the line’ at the Brandywell. The scenic course along the River Foyle using the cycle path is a fast, flat and accurately measured test for the serious and not so serious runner alike.

This year’s event attracted a record entry of over 130 competitors. On a rather hot and humid evening for running the runners lined up at 7:30pm for the out and back five mile course.

 First across the line was Foyle Valley athlete Scott Rankin who is added to his recent success with an impressive debut run of 26mins 33secs. Scott had a comfortable cushion over the second place man Paddy Moore, and would have bettered that time no doubt if he had had a closer competitor.  This is not to take away from City of Derry A.C. veteran runner Paddy Moore who impressed those watching with a great run of 26mins 53secs. James Brown of Inishowen A.C made up the first three men in a time of 27mins 04secs.

The ladies race was a closer fought battle for the first two places. Cathy Mc Court, North Belfast Harriers took the honours from Helena Crossan, Inishowen Harriers. Times were 30mins 09secs and 30mins 15secs respectively. Cathy is the course record holder and both girls have won the Wilkies before. Abbey A.C. lady Gemma Turley was third woman in 32mins 31secs.  

The walk this year was not as well attended as in previous years but well done to all those who took part. All proceeds from the event will as is usual be donated to local charities in Colm Wilkinson’s memory. This year they will be, Foyle Hospice, Friends of Stradreagh and the Children’s Ward, Altnagelvin hospital. A presentation will take place soon.

Foyle Valley A. C. would like to thank once again all our sponsors of the event: Prime Decor, Oak Electrical, The Celtic Bar, Hugo Hegarty, Michael Clifford, Four Star Pizza and A. Mc Clean Bookmakers for their continuing support.  Also a big thank you to Brian Mc Menamin and his staff at the Long Tower Youth Centre especially Janice and her team who provide both the registration venue and the welcome refreshments for the competitors after the  events.

Last of all, well done and thanks to all those who turned out and made this a memorable year for ‘Wilkies’  

                                                     Results  Race Pictures  Race Video


Rankin wins Lisnagelvin 5k

Foyle Valleys Scott Rankin was the victor in an intense battle with City of Derry Spartan, Richard Johnston; at the second race of the Furey Insurance 5km series which was run on the Lisnagelvin course. Spectators were treated to an absorbing battle between these two young rivals as Scott shadowed Richard for the first 4km of the race. In the last kilometer he managed to edge in front and had to withstand a concerted sprint to the finish to win by a two second margin. Their times were 15m: 42secs and 15m: 44secs respectively.

Richard Johnston was second to Scott’s third place in the opening 5km at Bay road two weeks before. Then the margin was less than one second. It is looking good for a very exciting series of races over the summer months. Former Lisnagelvin winner, Ivan Toner from Letterkenny was third in 16m:16secs.

Gemma Turley, Abbey A.C, led the ladies in with a time of 19m:1sec followed by Margaret Kelly, Letterkenny, 19m:20secs and Theresa Doherty, Inishowen AC, in 19m:29secs.

With 21 Foyle Valley runners in total in the race there were many notable times. Results.

Of particular note is Sandra Mc Keever who took the ladies F35 category and Jenny O’Brien who was the first of the U20 female finishers.

Next up is Foyle Valleys “Wilkies Classic’ 5mile run/5km walk which takes place at the cycle path at Brandywell next Thursday, 20th May at 7:30pm.  Registration is from 6:00pm at the Long Tower Youth Centre at Brandywell.

                                                           

                                                                   London Marathon 2010

Twenty one Foyle Valley runners, many under the colours of the Foyle Hospice, were part of the record 37,527 runners who took part in the 30 th London Marathon on Sunday. In a fitting tribute to Marty Gallagher, both brothers Ryan and Richard had excellent first marathon efforts in times of 03:14 and 03:44 respectively.

First home for the club was Brian Kelly with a superb posting of 03:01, taking 11 minutes of his previous London Marathon time in 2009. Barry Smith came in second for the club with a PB of 03:03. Next home for Foyle Valley was Cathal McLaughlin in a solid first marathon time of 03:16 and was closely followed by seasoned campaigner Hugo Hegarthy with a terrific race to come under the 03:20 barrier with a posting of 03:19. Tom Doherty, who was competing in his tenth marathon, came in with a time of 03:25 and Ryan Snodgrass finished in a time of 03.25.

 Other notable performances on the day came from Teague Whoriskey with a PB of 03:25, Ciaran Smith completing his first marathon in an excellent time of 03:26. Just behind Ciaran was Jim McGuinness 03:28. Also runninghis first marathon was Nicholas Mullan in a handy time of 03:38. And two other PB’s for both Mark Linton (03:32) and Ciaran Bradley (03:51). Both Micky Clifford and Derek Harkin were pleased with their steady times of 03:44. Denise Doherty, Maura Henry and Martina McMullan all had very strong runs with the girls all finishing together in a brilliant time of 04:15. Well done also to Kevin Large running his first marathon in 04:27 and Kevin O’Neill completing the 26.2miles in a time of 04:52.

Finally, many thanks to all the Foyle Hospice Team with Noel McMonagle again playing a central role in the organisation of the event in what was difficult circumstances leading up to the trip.

 

Mens Silver Team NI 5k Championships

 Conditions were excellent for the first of the 2010 Furey 5k series held on the Bay Road. A large field tacked the flat three laps, with City of Derry’s Greg Roberts winning with a time of 15:15. First home from the purple vests was Scott Rankin, running a sub 16 minutes for the first time. Scott finished third overall, posting 15.34. The Mens team silver was secured with Pius McIntyre and Declan Doherty, pacing each other to both finish in 16.46. There were 171 runners in total, with a huge 27 of them from Foyle Valley. Chris McGuinness ran his debut 5k in 17.32 and Billy Orr improved on his Gransha time the previous week with 17.39. Other notable runs include PB’s by Jack Coyle (19.48) and Trish McClintock (23.28), and some great performances from the young Gareth Ryan (19.51), Eoin McIntyre (23.51), Jenny O’Brien (24.34) and Jack O’Brien (25.51). Other Foyle Valley runners were Garvin Doherty, Martin McBride, Chris Ryan, Dessie McCourt, Joe Pewtner, John Cartin, Mark McClintock, Phillip Hasson, Rosie O’Brien (21:33), Sandra McKeever, Liam Ryan, Kevin O’Neill, Rita McGlinchey, Gemma McGinty, Kate Meehan and Clare Harkin. Overall a massive turnout from Foyle Valley, with a lot of people seeing a general improvement and sense of achievement. Thanks go out to City of Derry for hosting the race.

 Results

 Next race Lisnagelvin Wednesday 12th May.

 

Archive March 09-10