April 2004

Inishowen athletes face best of British

Five Inishowen athletes are limbering up to represent Donegal in Birmingham this weekend against the cream of young British talent at the Reebok Sports Hall Athletics finals.

John McLaughlin from Clonmany, Stacey Cavanagh from Moville, Niamh Hegerty from Greencastle and Karen McLaughlin and Louise McConnell from Buncrana will be part of the 38 strong Donegal team travelling to the National Indoor Arena to compete in the multi-event finals after helping Donegal to the Ulster title in Belfast four weeks ago. Another local athlete, Roisin Neery, from Buncrana had been scheduled to take part but was forced to withdraw after suffering a broken ankle. Team coach, Neil Cullen says it's a great feat for Donegal to reach the finals and to bring back medals would be an achievement of real note.

"We will be competing against the elite young athletes in Britain. Five years ago I attended these championships with the Donegal boys team and Mark Lewis Francis was running for Birmingham. He is now in the Great Britain Olympic team. The Inishowen athletes will compete in events such as running, long-jump, relay, shot-put against teams from Birmingham, Greater Manchester, Surrey, Sussex and Kent as well as athletes from Scotland and Wales.

"When you think of the population of somewhere like Birmingham compared to Donegal it goes to show how tough it will be."

Donegal will have U13 and U15 boys and an U13 and U15 girls teams taking part.

Meanwhile one of those travelling to the English Midlands this week, Niamh Hegarty, made her debut for the Irish Schoolgirls U15 soccer team in a mini-tournament in Dublin last week. The Greencastle girl, who is also on the county U16 gaelic football team, played in the centre of midfield for two of Ireland's three games, a draw and a Defeat.

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