On a wet and windy Wednesday evening, in the second of the Furey Insurance 5K series this time at Lisnagelvin, Foyle Valley’s Scott Rankin ran a well judged race under those difficult conditions to see off the challenge of City of Derry’s Noel Logan and Sperrin Harrier, Chris Mc Peake. Rankin , winning at Lisnagelvin for the second year in succession, looks set to be a major contender for this years Furey’s Insurance overall prize.

Rankin overpowered his main rival Logan in the final lap coming home a commanding fifteen seconds ahead of the Sparta runner in a gutsy 15.54. Noel Logan held on for second spot in 16.9. with the Sperrin runner, Chris McPeake just two seconds back in third. Spartans Kieran Hurley and James Brown clocked 16.22. and 16.23. respectively with Foyle Valley’s Chris Mc Guinness completing the top six in 16.51. Other leading Foyle Valley finishers were: Pius Mc Intyre who completed the 5k course in just 17. 06. with St Johnston man Dara Mc Nulty in good form for 18. 08. and Ciaran Graham close by on 18.13.

Foyle Valleys’ Seamus Mc Callion ran a sterling race to clock 18.57. registering a M50 win with Brian Baker second in that category with a time of 19.51. A cluster of Foyle Valley athletes finished between nineteen and twenty minutes- Brian Killan 19.05., Chris Ryan , 19.08., Colly Doherty .19.10., David Campbell ,19.12., Barry Dinsmore, 19.21., Declan Whoriskey, 19.42 , Alan Clarke, 19.58., with Billy Orr, still not yet back to full fitness, clocking 20 minutes bang on. Declan Daly- 22.05., Liam Clarke , 22.47., and, last but not least, Eamon Baker, 28.48. completed the course for Foyle Valley.

Coach Gabriel Bell pronounced himself well satisfied with the evening’s shift put in by Valley runners and had a particular word of praise for Kevin O Neill, 28.45. coming back positively from illness, who ran his second Furey insurance 5K of this year’s series and was warmly welcomed at the finishing line by team mates and fellow athletes alike.

SISTER ACT

In the women’s race, Foyle Valley sisters Dawn Mc Daid and Rosie O Brien figured prominently throughout with Dawn claiming fourth place overall and the F40 win in 19.25 and Rosie finishing sixth overall in a time of 19.56. The only other Foyle Valley woman competing, Kate Meehan, was content “to run her own race”, getting round in 23.56.

WILKIE’S CLASSIC Run/Walk

Foyle Valley AC looks forward to big numbers for its annual five mile run/walk out the line next Thursday evening, 19th May, with entries being taken at the Long Tower Youth and Community Centre as usual from 6 pm with race starting at 7.30. Beneficiary charities this year are Foyle Hospice, the Pink Ladies and Multiple Sclerosis (Foyle).

Foyle Valley A C thanks once again all the sponsors of the Wilkies Classic : Prime Decor, Home Service, Michael Clifford, Celtic Bar, C&C Ireland Ltd and A. Mc Clean Bookmakers for their continuing support.