Reed takes the bronze

The City of Derry Spartans squads failed to strike gold but still came home with silver and bronze team medals from the four championship races at the Donegal venue.

Reed's individual bronze was a terrific effort by the Spartan. He was involved in a three way battle for honours for much of the 10k distance, finishing behind the St Malachys Belfast duo, Michael McKillop and Aiden McGowan. Winner McKillop got away approaching the 8k mark and McGowan edged clear of the Spartan inside the final kilometer of a very testing five lap course.

Missing seveal first choices the red vests did a great job to grab team bronze behind St Malachys and North Down AC. Reed's up front run was well supported by the impressive Brendan Murphy 10th, Kevin Carlin 21st, Gerry Duddy 25th, Michael Finnegan 26th, Philip Bradley 31st and Philip Donaghy 34th.

The Foyle Valley squad was led home by Scott Rankin in 24th, with Chris McGuinness and Declan Doherty finishing in the top 30 as well.

The Male Masters 8k saw Colin Roberts finish 5th overall and lead the Spartans to a surprise team bronze finish behind Annadale Striders and Letterkenny AC. Roberts missed a second lap surge from the top trio, Omagh's Steven Duncan, Pauric McKinney of Letterkenney and Annadale's David Morwood, but battled hard with another Letterkenney athlete. Ciaran Doherty just got home six seconds clear on the line.

Paul McCafferty 18th, Declan McCarthy 21st and Dermot Connolly 25th were magnificent in their efforts and combined with Roberts to give the Red Vests the team bronze medals, edging out North West Rivals and host club, Finn Valley AC in the process.

Former Spartan Cathy McCourt won the individual female masters 4k in the colours of North Belfast Harriers ahead of Dromore ACs Julie Turley and Catriona McGrannaghan of Finn Valley. The Belfast outfit took team Gold ahead of Finn Valley.

The local Spartans missed their top runner Anne Paul but Jacqueline McGinley led them home in fine style in 22nd spot, ably supported by Bridgeen Byrne 23rd, the injured but determined Hannah Shields 25th and Paula McGilloway 33rd. This was good eneough for team bronze and in the intermeidiate grade the Spartans went one better claiming team silver behind North Down AC.

Marina Campbell ran very well in 14th place to lead the Intermediates home. Jacqueline McGinley, Ciara Fraser and super vet Roisin Lynch completed the scoring quartet.

Roisin Lynch also claimed the F60 age category win and another of the Spartans top Masters, Christy McMonagle maintained his stranglehold on the M65 grade honours with yet another victory.

While this weekends competitive action centres on the National Indoor Championships at Belfast's Odyssey with a host of top Irish and overseas stars set to thrill the crowds.

Local High Jumper Simon Herron will be competing and has been showing good form at his Scottish base in recent weeks. A two metre plus jump will be his target this weekend as he build towards a significant summer season.

Several local young athletes will also be chasing under age honours and some success is anticiapted.