In pictures: Margins thin as Sean McGinley wins Finn Valley AC St Stephen's Day 5k

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Sean McGinley led a field of over 500 to win the St Stephen’s Day 5k at Finn Valley AC.

The margins were thin all over as Finn Valley AC athlete McGinley took the top prize on a day that saw 524 participants cross the finish line.

There was just a second between McGinley and Oisín Ó Gailín with McGinley edging a sprint finish while the leading women, Elsa Moore and Angeline McShane, had only three seconds between them.

McGinley, who won the National Novice Championship in Tramore at the start of December, took victory in 14 minutes and 39 seconds.

The Wyoming-based Ó Gailín, back on a flying visit for Christmas, crossed the line in 14:40. Ó Gailín opened his indoor season in fine fashion recently, setting a new Donegal record over 3,000m (7:52.14) and will be attempting to make the qualifying time for the European Indoor Championships in March on his return to the United States.

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Jon-Jo Doherty managed to shake off a fall as he came back into the Finn Valley campus to take third spot, finishing in 15:04.

Odhran McBrearty of Finn Valley and Waterford AC’s Declan Donaghy completed the top five.

Moore, the Lifford-Strabane AC teenager, won the women’s race in 18 minutes, coming 15th overall, with Spartans’ McShane following in 18:03, while Finn Valley AC’s Eimear McGinley was the third woman, going through in 18:30.

McGinley took the McArdle Cup, named in honour of the late Anne McArdle and awarded to the leading under-15 girl to finish the race.

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The Flanagan twins, Roisin and Eilish, eased around the course on a guest visit to a home event ahead of a race in London on New Year’s Eve with former world middleweight challenger Jason Quigley also among the competitors. 

Drumkeen man Mitchell McLaughlin, a Finn Valley AC athlete who competed as a tandem pilot at the 2024 Paralympic Games, was also in action.

Finn Valley AC Chairman Dermot McGranaghan said: "We are indebted to everyone who came out to support this popular annual event in our community. The St Stephen's Day 5k has become a social outing and a competitive race all at once and is fun for all the family as the event showed.

"Those who came out to watch were treated to a real race with Sean and Oisin out in front in style and the finish was memorable. 

"Our thanks to all of our own volunteers, sponsors, athletes, coaches and parents and anyone who helped to make it another St Stephen's Day to remember at Finn Valley."