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2004 News

 

December 28th: Bandon 5 mile Road Race

Bandon Athletic Club will be hosting its annual 5 mile road race on New Years Day.  Entries will be taken on the day in the G.A.A. pavilion until 2pm with the race getting under way at 2:30pm sharp. More information is available on the club web site www.bandonathleticclub.com.  

Also on New Years day are the Munster Masters Indoor Championships in Nenagh.  This will be the first competitive outing for many masters athletes since the summer and hopefully the Cork athletes will pick up a few medals here.  Events start at 1pm. 

Jeff Scott of Carrignavar won the Belgooly 4 mile RR on Monday while Carmel Parnell of Leevale won the ladies race.

Over €6500 was raised at the Goal mile in the CIT on Christmas Day.  Well done to the organisers and all who took part.  Fastest mile of the day was by John Shine of Leevale, his time was 4.46.

 

December 26th: Belgooly 4 mile Road Race Rescheduled

The Belgooly 4 mile road race was called off this morning due to the icy weather.  The race has been rescheduled for tomorrow (Monday, December 27th) starting at 1pm.  Race headquarters are in Belgooly GAA. 

 

December 22nd: All Ireland Cross Country Relay Trials

Trials for the Cork Teams for the All-Ireland Juvenile Cross Country Relays will take place at 12.30pm in Carrignavar on January 9th 2005.  Only athletes able to travel to the Relays in Athlone on Sunday January 23rd should take part.  First five in each trial will make up the team, the fifth athlete will be the sub and must travel on the day.

There will be trials for Boys and Girls born in 1991/1992 and 1993/1994.   A special thanks to the East Cork Board who are allowing this event be held with their Cross Country Championships.

 

December 20th: Christmas Road Races

There a number of events coming up during the Christmas holidays.  On Christmas Day the annual Goal mile takes place in the CIT Track and there is also a Goal mile taking place in Doneraile.  On Sunday (St Stephens Day) the Belgooly 4 mile Road Race will be held.  This is a very popular road race, always attracting a big crowd including many American based athletes home for Christmas.  Last year the race winners were Martin McCarthy and Carmel Parnell of Leevale but last years sadly will be remembered for the sudden death of Belgooly Athletic club president Dick Copithorne while watching the finish of the race.  His family are sponsoring the race this year and part of the entry fee will go to Bowel Cancer Research in the CUH.  Race headquarters are in Belgooly GAA and the race starts at 12pm.

Bandon Athletic Club will be hosting its annual 5 mile road race on New Years Day.  Entries will be taken on the day in the G.A.A. pavilion until 2pm with the race getting under way at 2:30pm sharp. More information is available on the club web site www.bandonathleticclub.com.   Also on New Years Day are the Munster Masters Indoor Championships which will be held in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

 

December 13th:  National Novice Cross Country Championships

The national novice cross country championships were held yesterday in Belvedere House, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.  Conditions for running were good but a tricky course certainly made the going tough for athletes.

The County Novice women’s team led home by County Champion Orla Touhy of Grange Fermoy in fourth place.  Martina Carver (Eagle) 21st, Jennifer Goggin (UCC) 24th, Maura Heffernan (Liscarroll) 36th, Marjorie Lynch (Togher) 65th, and Dawn Kelly (Belgooly) 72nd made up the rest of the team which won bronze.

The County Novice Mens team was led home by James McCarthy of East Cork in 19th place.  Close behind him was Sean McGrath of Midleton in 21st, Tim Murphy (Togher) 29th, Kieran Ryan (St Finbarrs) 33rd, Thomas Maunsell (Leevale) 34th, Frank Hayes (East Cork) 53rd, Tony Kelleher (Eagle) 68th, Damien Twohig (Skibbereen) 108th, Pat Murphy (Eagle) 126th.  The team here won bronze.

Well done to all who took part in County teams this year and also well done to County team manager Joe O’Flynn and his helpers who brought a lot of medals to the County this year.

 

December 13th:  National Juvenile Cross Country Championships

The second round of the juvenile cross country championships was held yesterday in Mullingar. County teams fared well.  There were bronze medals for the under 18 girls, silver for the under 16 boys and under 12 girls while the under 14 boys took gold.  The under 14 girls finished 4th.

 

December 12th: Silver at European Cross Country Championships

The European Cross Country championships were held today in Heringsdorf in Germany.  Cool conditions and a pretty challenging course made thing difficult for competitors.  Ireland had teams in all the events but the big hope was the junior mens team, which contained some of Ireland brightest young talents.  The race proved to be very close with Irish athletes always not far from the front.  During the last lap the Irish team all dug in, giving it their all and the team was rewarded for this gallant effort with silver.  Russia won the competition while Great Britain was 3rd. 

First home for Ireland was Mark Christie in 5th, Andrew Ledwith who competed with the North Monastery last year was 7th, Danny Darcy was 11th, Jamie McCarthy of Riverstick Kinsale was 21st, Joe Sweeney was 44th while Mark Hanrahan of Leevale was 56th.    Jamie McCarthy and Mark Hanrahan are well known local athletes.  They have been well rewarded for their hard work in training over the last few years representing Ireland internationally on numerous occasions as well as winning a number of important domestic races.  Just recently Mark and Jamie finished third and fourth in the All Ireland Junior Intercounty cross country championships in Dungarvan.  Both athletes are studying in the North Monastery in Cork this year. 

From a Cork point of view it is very encouraging to see two young athletes being rewarded  for their commitment to the sport.  Their clubs, Riverstick Kinsale and Leevale and their coaches also deserve special praise for helping these athletes win these silver medals toady.  Hopefully these athletes will inspire many of the talented young athletes in Cork to keep up the training and stay involved with the sport.

Fiachra Lombard took part in the senior men’s race today but unfortunately had a below par performance obviously still suffering from the effects of a recent illness.  The former national novice cross country champion finished 80th. Hopefully he will be fully recovered for the world cross country championships in the spring. 

 

December 5th: CIT Sports Bursaries for Cork Athletes

Well done to Carl McNamara & Paddy O’Gorman of Leevale and Liam O’Brien of Togher who received sports bursaries for the CIT recently.  Carl McNamara has impressed in the 100m and 200m events over the last few years.   Paddy O’Gorman and Liam O’Brien are 400m specialists and both were very impressive in this event last year. 

 

December 5th: Cork Teams for National Novice Cross Country

The national novice cross country championships take place on Sunday (December 12th) in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.  Strong Cork teams have been named for the event.  The women’s team includes the County and Munster Novice Cross Country champion as well while the mens team is led by county novice champion Thomas Maunsell of Leevale.  Also on with the novice races is the second round of the All Ireland Juvenile Cross Country Championships.  There will be many local athletes in action in these races and hopefully they will all do well at these championships.

Cork Teams For National Novice Cross Country, Mullingar, Sunday December 12th:

Women: Sharon McGarry, Elaine Keaty, Catherine O’Rourke, Margaret Dinan (St Finbarrs), Dawn Kelly (Belgooly), Orla Touhy (Grange Fermoy), Ger Mullaney, Martina Carver, Liz Hendersen, Niamh Rowe (Eagle), Marjorie Lynch (Togher). Men: Thomas Maunsell (Leevale), James McCarthy, Frank Hayes (East Cork), Pat Brown, Timmy Murphy, Fergal Tubridy, Kieran Hurley (Togher), Ger Dunlea, T Kelleher, Wieslaw Sosnowski, Pat Murphy (Eagle), Billy O’Brien, Damien Twohig (Skibbereen), Sean McGrath (Midleton), Kieran Ryan (St Finbarrs).

Anybody named who will not be taking part is asked to contact corkathletics@eircom.net.

 

December 5th: Munster Masters Cross Country Championships

The Munster Masters Cross Country championships were held today in Rathgormack, Co. Waterford today.  The course was testing but this only brought out the best in the Cork athletes.  The over 35 County women’s team led home by Mary Sweeney of St Finbarrs while Joan Hough of St Finbarrs led the county over 45 team to Gold.  St Finbarrs athletes were again to the fore in the over 50 county mens team with Eamonn McEvoy leading the team to gold.  St Finbarrs Women won the over 35 team competition while the St Finbarrs over 50 mens team also took gold.  West Cork won bronze in the over 40 men’s competition.

Willie Neenan of Millstreet won the over 70 race, John O’Leary of Leevale won the over 65 while Frank Cashman of East Cork won the over 55 while Eamonn McEvoy of St Finbarrs won the over 50 competition.  Joan Hough of St Finbarrs won the over

45 womens race.

Results

 

December 5th: Munster Juvenile B Cross Country

The Munster Juvenile B Cross Country Championships were held recently in Rathgormack, Co. Waterford.  County teams did very well in this event with the under 11, 13 & 17 County boys and girls taking gold in their races.  Duhallow, Midleton, Blarney Inniscarra and Skibbereen athletic clubs all won gold in the team competitions.  Nikita Savage of Youghal won the under 13 girls race coming through strongly over the last lap. 

Well done to the County under 12 girls and under 14 boys cross country relay teams who won took gold at the Munster Juvenile Cross Country Relays.  Pictures of the relay teams are available at www.corkathletics.org.

Results

 

December 1st: County Board Officers Meeting

A meeting of the officers of the Cork County Athletics Association of Ireland took place tonight.  Motions and nominations for the upcoming AGM were discussed.  Notice of the AGM will be sent out to clubs in the next few weeks.  

 

November 30th: Irish Teams for European Cross Country Championships

The Irish teams for the forthcoming European Cross country Championships were named last night.  There was good news for cork with two athletes on the men's junior team and on on the senior mens team.  Mark Hanrahan of Leevale and Jamie McCarthy of Riverstick Kinsale both had fantastic runs on Sunday in Dungarvan with Hanrahan 3rd and McCarthy 4th.  Both of these athletes will be on the junior men's team. This will be Jamie's second European Cross Country Championships.  Fiachra Lombard of Leevale who won an international cross country race in Margate in the UK recently but missed the race on Sunday due to illness is named on the Senior men's team.  Sonia O'Sullivan of Ballymore Cobh withdrew from these championships last night due to a recent injury which has interrupted her training.  Further details are available on www.athleticsireland.ie.  The European Cross Country championships take place in Germany on Sunday December 12th.

Pictures below: Mark Hanrahan of Leevale (left) and Jamie McCarthy of Riverstick Kinsale both of whom made the Irish Junior Team for the European Cross Country Championships:

 

 

November 29th: Munster Cross Country Championships

The Munster Masters Cross Country Championships will take place in Rathgormack, Co. Waterford on Sunday, December 5th.  Cork has traditionally done well in this event nearly always finishing in the medals in the intercounty competition.  Also on Sunday are the Munster Juvenile B Cross Country Championships, which take place at 12pm.  On Saturday, December 4th, there is a Schools coaching day in the CIT Track in Cork starting at 11.00am.  As usual there will be top coaches in attendance and with the indoor season coming up after Christmas, it is an event well worth attending.

Cork Teams for Munster Masters Cross Country Championships, Sunday December 5th, Rathgormac, Co. Waterford.

Men O40

Michael Murphy, Willie Hayes, Cathal O’Connell, Eamonn Carroll, Paul Dinan, Michael Dunne, J O’Flynn (St Finbarrs), Denis McCarthy, Dermot O’Sullivan (East Cork), Joe O’Sullivan (Bandon), Martin Drake (Clonmel), Patrick O’Brien (Skibbereen), Noel Curtin (Youghal), Pat Murphy, Joe Murphy (Eagle).

Men O50

Eamonn McEvoy, Liam O’Leary (St Finbarrs), J Murphy (Skibbereen), John O’Riordan (Rising Sun), Maurice Tobin (Grange Fermoy), Finbarr Long (West Muskerry), Frank Cashman, John Walsh (East Cork), John Quigley (Eagle), John O’Leary (Leevale).

Women O35

Mary Sweeney, Margo Dinan, Catherine O’Rourke, Angela McEvoy, Mary Murphy, Eileen Buckley (St Finbarrs), Carmel Crowley, Elizabeth Coomey, Grainne Caulfield (Bandon), Fiona Begley, Maria Hurley (Bantry).

Women O45

Carmel Parnell (Leevale), Joan Hough, Marion Lyons (St Finbarrs), Maggie Dunne (Grange Fermoy), Geraldine Curtin (Youghal).

 

November 28th: County AGM

Motions and Nominations for the County AGM must be with the county Secretary by Wednesday December 1st.  email corkaaisecretary@eircom.net. There will be no County Board meeting on Wednesday, there will be an officers meeting instead at 8pm in the SMA Hall in Wilton.

 

November 28th: All Ireland Inter-County Cross Country Championships

The All Ireland Intercounty Cross country Championships were held today in Dungarvan.  Condition were ideal for running with bright sunshine and only a slight breeze blowing.  Underfoot conditions were good throughout the course.

The Cork senior women did the County proud taking silver.  The scorers for Cork were Louise Cavanagh, Carmel Parnell, Rhona Lynch and Orla Touhy. Louise (UCC) and Carmel (Leevale) ran a controlled race moving up through the field after the first lap to finish 14th and 15th.  Carmel Parnell won a mjor international cross country race recently see - www.leevale.org.  Rhona Lynch ran solidly finishing17th while County Intermediate Cross Country Champion Orla Touhy of Grange Fermoy was 23rd (4th under 23 athlete).  Claire O'Brien (East Cork), Martina Carver (Eagle), Joan Hough (St Finbarrs) and Collette O'Riordan (West Muskerry) also ran well in this race for the county.  Pictured Left: Louise Cavanagh of UCC leading Carmel Parnell of Leevale at the finish of the Senior Ladies Inter County Race

 

The junior ladies were unlucky finishing 5th good runs here from Joyce Curtin of Glenbower, Louise Finn and Christina Broderick of Belgooly, Maire Heffernan of Liscarroll, Rose Twohig of Duhallow, Aoife McCarthy of North Cork, Margaret McCarthy of Blarney Inniscarra, Sarah O'Shea of Youghal  and Katie Fitzgerald of Ballincollig.

 The junior men were led home by Mark Hanrahan of Leevale in 3rd and Jamie McCarthy in 4th, both strong contenders for places on the Irish Junior team for the European Cross Country Championships.  Hanrahan ran a controlled race making up a lot of ground in the last lap finishing with a thrilling sprint between himself and McCarthy over the last 100 metres.  Timmy O'Donoghue of Glenbower was next in followed by  Kieran Ryan of St Finbarrs.  The other scorer for the cork team were John Shine of Leevale and Ian Tivy of Togher.  Other members of the team to run well were Stephen Lynch of Togher, Diarmuid Collins & Ronan McCarthy of Glenbower and Alec Daunt of Leevale.

The senior mens team were weakened by the withdrawal of Fiachra Lombard due to illness.  David Doherty of Togher had a good run finishing in 26th with Donnacha O'Mahony of East Cork in 27th.  Next home was Thomas Maunsell of Leevale who had his best run of the season.  The County Novice Cross country champion was the second under 23 athlete overall.  County senior champion Brian McMahon of Carraig na bhFear was next home with Des Casey of Millstreet just behind him.  Eric Meade of East Cork and Cillian Ó Tuama of Leevale were the remaining scorers for the county.  Eddie Coughlan of Clonliffe Harriers and Fergus Meade of East also did their best for the Cork team.

Well done and thanks to all the athletes who lined out for the County at this event.

Full Results see www.athleticsireland.ie.

 

November 23rd: County Teams for All Ireland Inter-County Cross Country Championships on Sunday

The Cork Teams for the upcoming All Ireland Intercounty Cross Country Championships taking place in St Augustines College Dungarvan have been named.  Cork did well in this competition last year with the senior men and women taking bronze and the county’s junior men and women taking silver and bronze.  The All Ireland Intercounty Cross Country Championships will take place on Sunday November 28th starting at 12pm with the juvenile uneven age cross-country races.

It would be appreciated if anybody named who is unable to take part would let it be known to corkathletics@eircom.net.   Best of Luck to the juvenile athletes taking part, there is a Cork team in every juvenile race.   

 

Cork Teams for All Ireland Intercounty Cross Country Championships, Sunday November 28th, Dungarvan:

Senior Men: Brian McMahon (Carraig na bhFear), Donnacha O’Mahony, Fergus Meade, Roy Fahy & Eric Meade (East Cork), Cathal O’Connell, Derek O’Leary & Trevor Woods (St Finbarrs), Des Casey (Millstreet), Cillian O’Tuama (Leevale), Alan O’Shea (Bantry), Eddie Coughlan (Clonliffe Harriers), Substitutes: Fiachra Lombard, Thomas Maunsell & Martin McCarthy (Leevale).

Junior Men: John Shine, Alec Daunt & Mark Hanrahan (Leevale), Diarmuid Collins  & Timmy O’Donoghue (Glenbower), Ian Tivy, Stephen Lynch & Stephen McCarthy (Togher), J McLoughlin (Dublin), James McCarthy (Riverstick Kinsale), Kieran Ryan (St Finbarrs), Substitutes: Tim Healy (Togher), Chris Horgan (Leevale).

Senior Women: Louise Kavanagh & Rhona Lynch (UCC), Carmel Parnell (Leevale), Orla Touhy (Grange Fermoy), Collette O’Riordan (West Muskerry), Anne Marie Healy (Eagle), Joan Hough (St Finbarrs), Claire O’Brien (East Cork), Substitutes: Margaret Dinan (St Finbarrs), Martina Carver (Eagle), Valarie Vaughan (Blarney Inniscarra).

Junior Women: Margaret McCarthy (Blarney Inniscarra), Louise Finn & Christina  Broderick (Belgooly), Joyce Curtin & Eileen Cleary (Glenbower), Maire Heffernan (Liscarroll), Rose Twohig (Duhallow), Aoife McCarthy (North Cork), Substitutes: Sarah O’Shea (Youghal), Eadaoin O’Neill (Glenbower), Katie Fitzgerald (Ballincollig).

 

November 21st: County Masters & Intermediate Cross Country

The Cork County Intermediate and Masters Cross Country Championships were held today in Bandon.  A special thanks to the West Cork Board, Bandon Athletic Club and landowner Denis Collins who may it possible for this event to go ahead.  Conditions were good with only a light breeze blowing and underfoot conditions ideal.

Orla Touhy of Grange Fermoy continued her good form in the intermediate ladies race.  She took the lead in the first hundred metres and opened a large gap on the rest of the field during the early stages of the race.  She crossed the line comfortably in front to claim another county title for herself.  Catherine O’Rourke of St Finbarrs was second while Martina Carver of Eagle was third.  St Finbarrs won the club title here ahead of Bandon with Eagle third.  The masters ladies race was won by Carmel McCarthy Crowley of Bandon.  Best Club were St Finbarrs with Bandon 2nd and St Finbarrs B third. 

The intermediate and master mens race was a very entertaining affair.  After the first lap the leaders were Frank Hayes (East Cork), Sean McGrath (Midleton) and Tim Murphy (Togher) with Cathal O’Connell (St Finbarrs) in 4th.  The lead was constantly changing for the next two laps.  The last lap saw Murphy fall off the pace and O’Connell join McGrath and Hayes up front.  As the pace increased Hayes dropped back leaving McGrath and O’Connell battle for the race lead.  Veteran O’Connell had that extra strength over the last few hundred metres and opened up a small gap on McGrath to cross line in first place overall.  McGrath in second place overall won his first County Title as he was the first intermediate athlete across the line.  Frank Hayes was 2nd intermediate while Timmy Murphy of Togher was 3rd.  Togher won the intermediate team competition with Eagle second and Skibbereen 3rd. 

Cathal O’Connell of St Finbarrs won the masters mens race, St Finbarrs won the team title ahead of Eagle and St Finbarrs B.  Results  Full Results

 

November 19th: Big Boost for Young Cork Athletes

Young athletes in Cork received a big boost from Flemming Construction recently with the announcement that they will be sponsoring Cork athletes who are members of the Irish Athletics Academy.  The Irish athletics academy was set up to aid young athletes in their athletic careers providing them with specialised coaching and advice.  The academy has already met twice and will meet again in the near future.  Cork has a produced some of the country’s greatest athletes and with the support of Flemming Construction of Corks young stars of the future the county can be confident of some great talents emerging in the next few years. 

The announcement was made at the International awards night and a special thanks to members of the academy who came along on the night and to County treasurer Pat Walsh for securing this sponsorship.

 

November 19th: County International Awards Night

The Cork County Athletics Association of Ireland International awards night took place recently in the Morans Silver Springs Hotel in Cork.  Over the past year 25 athletes have represented Ireland at either junior, senior or masters level in international competition.  AAI president Michael Heery announced that the CIT Track in Cork would be the venue for the All Ireland Junior and Under 23 Track and Field Championships in July next year.

Well known athletes like Sonia O’Sullivan of Ballymore Cobh, Mark Carroll and Derval O’Rourke of Leevale as well as Robert Heffernan of Togher who represented Ireland at the Olympics were given awards.  A number of Cork athletes were on the Irish team which competed at an under 23 international competition in Derby in the UK and these athletes also received awards, These athletes have excelled over the last year in their events.  Receiving awards for the Derby international were Ronan Foolkes of Togher, Dawn Kelly of Belgooly, Bryan Murphy of UCC, Deirdre Murphy, Mark Hanrahan, Aisling Maunsell and Niamh Cremin of Leevale.  Kathleen Fitzgerald and Amy Clarke of Leevale received awards for competing internationally for Ireland in indoor competitions in the spring.  The country’s top sprinters Jer O’Donoghue and Ailis McSweeney of Leevale who were members of the Irish team at the Europa Cup in Iceland also received awards.  Cross Country athletes Alan O’Shea of Bantry, Jamie McCarthy of Riverstick Kinsale and Brian McMahon of Carraig na bhFear received awards.  Orla Touhy and Michael Lyons of Grange Fermoy competed with the Irish Mountain Running team this year also received awards.  Many of the county’s young talents also received awards for competing internationally this year.  Imelda Morrison of Youghal, Linda and Anne Marie Cronin and Christopher Crowley of Belgooly received awards for competing in the Dublin International Track and Field meeting.  The captain of the Irish Masters Track and Field Team Daithi O Murchu of Liscarroll received an award.  Many of these athletes will be hoping for further recognition of their achievements at the Munster Sports Star awards in January 2005.

Also receiving awards on the night were members of the Athletics Association of Ireland who have given Trojan service to the sport over the last few years.  Ted Murray of Togher who is the County starter received an award.  Also receiving awards were former chairman of the County Board John Smyth of Leevale and Vice Chairman of the Board Dan McCarthy of East Cork.  Pictures to follow.

 

November 17th: County Masters & Intermediate Cross Country

The County Masters and Intermediate Cross Country Championships take place on Sunday in Bandon.  Directions to the course are available on the Bandon athletic club website http://www.bandonathleticclub.com/directions.htm.  The masters and Intermediate races will be held at 12pm and these will be followed by the West Cork Cross Country Championships.

 

November 14th: International Awards Night

The Cork county International Awards night will take place on Friday coming (November 19th) at 7.30pm in the Silver Springs Hotel.  Over 20 athletes who represented Ireland at either junior, senior or masters level will be receiving awards.  Also on the night Flemming Construction will be announcing some good news for athletes who are members of the Irish Athletics Academy.  Members of the athletics academy are invited to attend as well as anybody who helped at the mini-marathon

 

November 14th: All Ireland Intercounty Teams

The Cork Team for the upcoming All Ireland Intercounty Cross Country Championships taking place in St Augustines College Dungarvan has been named.  Cork did well in this competition last year with the senior men and women taking bronze and the county’s junior men and women taking silver and bronze.  The All Ireland Intercounty Cross Country Championships will take place on Sunday November 28th starting at 12pm with the juvenile uneven age cross country races.

Further details are available on www.corkathletics.org.

It would be appreciated if anybody named who is unable to take part would let it be known to corkathletics@eircom.net.

 

Cork Teams for All Ireland Intercounty Cross Country Championships, Sunday November 28th, Dungarvan:

Senior Men: Brian McMahon (Carraig na bhFear), Donnacha O’Mahony, Fergus Meade, Roy Fahy & Eric Meade (East Cork), Cathal O’Connell, Derek O’Leary & Trevor Woods (St Finbarrs), Des Casey (Millstreet), Cillian O’Tuama (Leevale), Alan O’Shea (Bantry), Eddie Coughlan (Clonliffe Harriers), Substitutes: Fiachra Lombard, Thomas Maunsell & Martin McCarthy (Leevale).

Junior Men: John Shine, Alec Daunt & Mark Hanrahan (Leevale), Diarmuid Collins  & Timmy O’Donoghue (Glenbower), Ian Tivy, Stephen Lynch & Stephen McCarthy (Togher), J McLoughlin (Dublin), James McCarthy (Riverstick Kinsale), Kieran Ryan (St Finbarrs), Substitutes: Tim Healy (Togher), Chris Horgan (Leevale).

Senior Women: Louise Kavanagh & Rhona Lynch (UCC), Carmel Parnell (Leevale), Orla Touhy (Grange Fermoy), Collette O’Riordan (West Muskerry), Anne Marie Healy (Eagle), Joan Hough (St Finbarrs), Claire O’Brien (East Cork), Substitutes: Margaret Dinan (St Finbarrs), Martina Carver (Eagle), Valarie Vaughan (Blarney Inniscarra).

Junior Women: Margaret McCarthy (Blarney Inniscarra), Louise Finn & Christina  Broderick (Belgooly), Joyce Curtin & Eileen Cleary (Glenbower), Maire Heffernan (Liscarroll), Rose Twohig (Duhallow), Aoife McCarthy (North Cork), Substitutes: Sarah O’Shea (Youghal), Eadaoin O’Neill (Glenbower), Katie Fitzgerald (Ballincollig).

 

November 14th: Munster Juvenile Cross Country

The second round of the Munster Cross Country Championships was held recently in Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary.  A good course brought out the best in the Cork athletes with the county winning a team prize in every age group.  Local athletes were to the fore in these teams.  Rachel O’Shea of Beara was an impressive winner of the under 10 girls race helping the Cork team win gold.  Maire O’Brien of Skibbereen was third in the under 16 race leading the Cork team to silver.  Bantry athletes Stacey O’Sullivan and Jennifer Mullins won silver medals with the Cork under 14 team.  Bandon Athletic club fared well winning bronze team prizes in the under 12 and under 16 boys races.  Many Bandon athletes featured prominently on County teams.  A full report on the success of Bandon athletic club is available on www.bandonathleticclub.com.  The West Muskerry under 14 boys won bronze in a very competitive race.  Michael O’Sullivan led the West Muskerry team home. 

Riverstick Kinsale athlete Orla Nash won a very exciting under girls race leading the County to gold and her club to silver.  Cliodhna Galwey of Belgooly athletic club won silver in this race. 

Liscarroll athlete Anthony O’Neill won silver in the under 10 boys race leading the County to silver.  Patrick Maher of Liscarroll featured prominently in the under 14 race winning silver with the County.  Duhallow athletes Carol Finn, Michelle Finn and Michelle Twohig all won medals with their county teams.  Frances O’Shea of North Cork won silver with the Cork under 14 girls team also on this Cork team was Michelle Hartnett of Grange Fermoy. 

Joyce curtin led Glenbower to gold in the under 18 girls race.  She also scored for the Cork team in this race.  The Youghal under 16 girls team won bronze in their race.  

Ciaran O Lionaird of Leevale was a very impressive winner of the under 18 boys race and will be the favourite for both the under 17 & under 18 All Ireland titles.  He lead the Leevale team to bronze in this race.  Laura Kelly was 3rd in the under 10 race helping the County win gold and her club win bronze.  Eric Curran of Leevale was 3rd in the under 14 race leading the Cork team to gold.  Togher athletic club who are having a very good year continued their good from with their teams taking bronze in both the under 14 and under 16 boys race.

These athletes will be in action again at the All Ireland Championships in Dungarvan on Sunday November 28th at 12pm.  Further details are available on www.corkathletics.org.

 

November 14th: Munster Intermediate Cross Country

The Munster Intermediate Cross Country Championships were held recently in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.  While the unusual venue for this a Munster Championships may have been unusual, the course and facilities were excellent and full marks to Carrick on Suir & Tipperary Co. Board for organising the event. Underfoot conditions were remarkable with not a speck of mud to be seen or found. 

There was an impressive performance in the ladies intermediate race by Orla Touhy of Grange Fermoy.  She was an impressive winner of this race taking the lead after the first hundred metres and holding on to win comfortably.  Orla, who only took up competitive running in the last year has had a very good year winning both the Munster and County Novice Cross Country titles in the last month.  There was also a good performance by Angela McEvoy of St Finbarrs in this race, which helped St Finbarrs win bronze in the inter-club competition.  The County team was unlucky here finishing fourth. 

There was disappointment in the men’s race as the county failed to field a team.  There were impressive runs here by Sean McGrath of Midleton and Frank Hayes of East Cork who finished 4th and 5th.

 

Cork Results Munster Intermediate Cross Country, Piltown, November 14th 2004:

Women: Individual: 1. Orla Touhy (Grange Fermoy), 7. Martina Carver (Eagle), 9. Angela McEvoy (St Finbarrs), 11. Jennifer Goggin (UCC), 12. Sharon McGarry (St Finbarrs), 16. Denise Twohig (St Finbarrs), 17. Liz Hendersen (Eagle), 22. Dawn Kelly (Belgooly), 35. Elaine Keaty (St Finbarrs).  Club: 3. St Finbarrs 72 pts (9, 12, 16, 35), County: 4. Cork 70 pts (1, 12, 22, 35).

Men: 4. Sean McGrath (Midleton), 5. Frank Hayes (East Cork), 45. Patrick O’Brien (Skibbereen).

 

November 7th: County Senior & Junior Cross Country

Pictures

 

November 7th: County Teams for Munster Intermediate X-Country:

The Munster Intermediate Cross Country championships will be held in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny on Sunday next - November 14th.  County Team manager has named the following athletes on the Cork Team.  It would be appreciated if any body named who is unable to run would let us know by contacting corkathletics@eircom.net.

Men: Derek O’Leary (St Finbarrs), Sean Whelan, Ger Dunlea, Ken Wyman (Eagle), Pat Browne, Stephen Macklin, Keiran Hurley (Togher), Frank Hayes, James McCarthy (East Cork), Billy O’Brien, Tommy Murphy (Skibbereen), Tom Maunsell (Leevale), Sean McGrath (Midleton), Michael Herlihy, Ger McAuliffe (North Cork).

Women: Sharon McGarry, Elaine Keaty, Catherine O’Rourke (St Finbarrs), Frances O’Regan (Skibbereen), Dawn Kelly (Belgooly), Maire Heffernan (Liscarroll), Orla Touhy (Grange Fermoy), G Mullaney, Niamh Rowe (Eagle), Barbara Harte, Collette Hurley Tuttle (Bandon).

Also on are the Munster juvenile even age cross country championships which start at 12pm. 

 

November 7th: County Junior & Senior Cross Country Championships

The Cork County Junior and Senior Cross Country Championships were held today in Dromtariffe.  Great credit must go to Duhallow athletic who organised the event and did an excellent job.  Special thanks also to Michael Daly and Dromtariffe for allowing the Hall and lands be used for this event. 

The senior mens race proved to be an enthralling race.  After the first few laps of the race the leading group of four was made up of Tim Hartley (North Cork), Brian McMahon (Carraig na bhFear), David Doherty (Togher) and Fergus Meade (East Cork).  Meade and Doherty were dropped with two laps to go and McMahon and Hartley battled it out over the remainder of the race.  Half way through the last lap McMahon, the Munster Under 23 cross-country champion, pulled ahead of Hartley and held out to cross the line in first position.  Tim Hartley, currently training for the Benidorm half marathon was second and third was last years champion Donnacha O’Mahony of East Cork.  East Cork athletic club retained the club title.  St Finbarrs were second while Togher were third.  Eagle won the B grade team competition.

The senior womens race was dominated by Louise Kavanagh of UCC, the current Munster senior cross-country champion.  She came to the front after the first lap and opened a sizeable gap on the rest of the field.  She crossed the line comfortably in front to become the 2004 champion, a title she won three years ago at the same venue.  Former world masters 5000m champion Carmel Parnell of Leevale finished second after working her way up through the field.  She will be competing for Ireland at the Home Countries International Veterans Cross Country later this month.  In third place was Rhona Lynch of UCC.  Club champions in this race were St Finbarrs with Eagle an impressive second while UCC were third.

The junior mens race was a very exciting affair with John Shine (Leevale), Ciaran Ó Lionaird (Leevale), Timmy O’Donoghue (Glenbower) and Kieran Ryan (St Finbarrs) running shoulder to shoulder for most of the race.  Ó Lionaird and Shine broke clear in the last lap with Ó Lionaird winning ahead of Shine with Munster Under 19 champion O’Donoghue third.  Leevale retained their club title in this race with Glenbower second and Togher third. 

Host club Duhallow Athletic Club had reason to celebrate in the junior womens race with Michelle Finn taking gold and her club mate Michelle Twohig taking silver.  Louise Finn of Belgooly was third.  Duhallow taking part for the first time in the junior ladies race for the first time won the team title, Glenbower were 2nd and Youghal, last years champions were third.

Full Results

 

November 3rd: County board Meeting.

A county board meeting was held tonight in the SMA Hall in Wilton.  A number of items were discussed.  Youghal athletic club and Skibbereen athletic club were praised for hosting the recent county championships.  Skibbereen athletic club were again praised for the great job they did on recently hosting the Munster Cross Country Championships.  Landowners Geraldine & Noel Curtin and Der O’Donovan were also thanked for allowing their lands be used for the recent Cross Country championships.  The chair of the board thanked all those who helped at the events.  Munster Competition Secretary thanked all for their help at the Munster Cross Country Championships.  Team manager Joe O’Flynn gave the results of the recent Munster Novice and Under 23 Cross Country Championships where Cork won three gold and one silver inter county team prizes.

The following fixtures were approved:  Mallow 10 mile January 9th, Eagle 5 mile February 27th and Riverstick Kinsale Open Sports May 2nd.

There is an introductory level coaching course on Saturday November 21st in the CIT Track.  Registration forms must be sent to the county coaching coordinator by November 12th.  There is a pole vault coaching course in Santry, Dublin on the weekend November 20/21. Further details for both of these events are available at corkathletics@eircom.net.   

The Cork County AAI International awards night will be held on Friday November 19th at 7.30pm in the Silversprings Hotel.  Over 20 athletes will be receiving awards on the night.  Anybody who helped out at the mini-marathon is welcome to attend.  There is some good news to be announced for members of the Irish Athletics Academy who are also invited to attend.

The Cork County AAI AGM will take place on Saturday January 15th starting 2pm in Bishopstown GAA.  Motions and nominations must be submitted by Wednesday December 1st.  Clubs can email or post their motions and nominations to corkathletics@eircom.net.  Clubs are asked to give careful consideration to motions they are submitting and be mindful that there will be no national congress next year to deal with national motions.  Clubs are requested to notify individuals they are nominating for the various positions.  Both Padraig Kelly and Tim Fitzpatrick have indicated that they do not want their names to go forward for their respective positions on the juvenile committee.   Nominations are invited for the following positions: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, PRO, Competition Secretary, Registrar, Team Manager, Recorder, Starters, Delegates to Munster Council, Representative on Munster Masters Committee, Representative on Munster Juvenile Committee, Juvenile Committee – Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Competition Secretary, PRO.  Notice of the AGM will be sent out to clubs along with venue details.

There was general agreement at the meeting that the AGM should be held on a Sunday to improve attendance, regrettably there simply is not a free Sunday that could be used.  Hopefully this can be addressed in the next year. 

There will be an officers meeting at 8pm on Wednesday December 1 st, there will be no county board meeting in January.  The next full board meeting will be Wednesday February 2nd 2005.

 

 

November 1st: County Cross Country Championships

The premier County Cross Country event of the year takes place on Sunday (November 7th) at 1pm in Dromtarriff where the Cork County Junior and Senior Cross Country Championships will take place.  Last years event proved to be very exciting with some of last years participants competing internationally since.  This years event being hosted by Duhallow Athletic Club promises to be just as exciting with a number of big names already entered.  Results of the races will be available on www.corkathletics.org.  The Cork County Juvenile B Cross Country Championships will be held at 12pm.

(in accordance with a motion passed at the AGM, guest will not be allowed participate in these championships)

 

November 1st: Munster Cross Country Championships

The first round of the Munster Cross Country Championships was held recently in Castlehaven.  Conditions were very good considering the deluge that fell in the week before the race and competitors and spectators enjoyed sunshine all through the event.  A special thanks to landowner Der O’Donovan and Skibbereen Athletic Club for hosting this event.  Venues and clubs willing to host these events are getting scarcer.  Thankfully in Cork there has always been a generous landowner and a club willing to host these events so we have never been stuck.  The venue and organisation were superb so well done to Der O’Donovan and Skibbereen athletic club on hosting this their second big cross country event in a fortnight. 

The ladies Novice race proved to be a very good race for Cork athlete Orla Touhy of Grange Fermoy who took gold.  This race was run in conjunction with the under 23 race in which Orla took gold.  She led the Cork under 23 team to gold and the Cork Novice team to silver.  Zara Murphy of UCC was third in the under 23 race helping her club retain its under 23 team title.  Bandon took bronze in the novice race with Collette Hurley Tuttle leading the Bandon team home. 

Mark Hanrahan of Leevale was an impressive winner of the Novice race.  Hanrahan took the lead after the second lap opening up a gap that never closed.  Cork were second in the inter county competition.  Host club Skibbereen were third in the inter club competition.  Brian McMahon of Carraig na bhFear successfully defended his under 23 title leading the Cork under 23 team to gold.

In the juvenile races there were very impressive wins for Joyce Curtin of Glenbower, Ciaran O Lionaird of Leevale and Michael O’Sullivan of West Muskerry.  The County teams did well winning medals in all the juvenile races.  The Cork under 13 girls, under 19 girls and under 11 boys all won gold.  In the inter club competition the Bandon under 11 girls took gold as did the Riverstick Kinsale Under 13 girls.

The next round of the Munster Cross Country Championships will take place on Sunday November 14th in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny starting at 12pm.

 

Munster Novice & Under 23 Cross Country Championships, Castlehaven, Sunday October 31st.

Women:  Novice: 1. Orla Touhy (Grange Fermoy)  Inter Club: 3. Bandon 71 pts.  Inter County: 1. Cork 25 pts (1, 6, 8, 10).  Under 23: 2. Orla Touhy (Grange Fermoy), 3. Zara Murphy (UCC).  Inter Club: 1. UCC.  Inter County: 1. Cork 10 pts.

Men:  Novice: 1. Mark Hanrahan (Leevale).  Inter Club: 3. Skibbereen 111 pts (11, 23, 25, 52).  Inter County: 2. Cork 81 pts.  Under 23: 1. Brian McMahon (Carraig na bhFear).   Inter County: 1. Cork 16 pts (1, 4, 5, 6).

Munster Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships, Castlehaven, Sunday October 31st:

Boys:  Under 19: 1. Timmy O’Donoghue (Glenbower), 5. John Shine (Leevale), 9. Peter Fennell (Togher), 11. Stephen Lynch (Togher).  Inter Club: 2. Togher 53 pts.  Inter County: 2. Cork 57 pts.

Under 17: 1. Ciaran O’Lionaird (Leevale), 9. Mark Fitzgerald (Glenbower).  Inter Club: 3. Leevale 99 pts.  Inter County: 2. Cork 90 pts.

Under 15: 4. Niall Griffin (Glenbower), 11. Thomas Allen (Carraig na bhFear).  Inter Club: 2. Togher 105 pts.  Inter County: 3. Cork 100 pts.

Under 13: 1. Michael O’Sullivan (West Muskerry), 2. Patick Maher (Liscarroll).  Inter County: 3. Cork 110 pts.

Under 11: 2. Brian O’Reilly (Fanahan McSweeney), 6. Ryan Lynch (West Muskerry), 11. Gearoid Finn (Riverstick Kinsale).  Inter Club: 3. Glenbower 97 pts. Inter County: 1. Cork 76 pts.

Under 9: 6. Sean O’Donovan (Skibbereen), 12. Ciaran Cronin (Youghal).  Inter Club: 3. Youghal 81 pts.  Inter County: 3. Cork 103 pts. 

Girls:  Under 19: 1. Joyce Curtin (Glenbower), 2. Margaret McCarthy (Blarney Inniscarra), 3. Christina Broderick (Belgooly), 4. Louise Finn (Belgooly), 5. Ciara Walsh (Glenbower), 6. Katie Fitzgerald (Ballincollig), 8. Sarah O’Shea (Youghal), 11. Emer Murphy (Carraig na bhFear).  Inter County: 1. Cork.

Under 17: 2. Michelle Finn (Duhallow), 6. Maire O’Brien (Skibbereen), 11. Michelle Twohig (Duhallow).  Inter County: 2. Cork 77 pts.

Under 15: 2. Francis O’Shea (North Cork).  Inter County: 2. Cork 102 pts. 

Under 13: 3. Orla Finn (Riverstick Kinsale), 6. Jessica O’Shea (Glenbower), 7. Jennifer Mullins (Bantry), 9. Alana Allen (Riverstick Kinsale), 10. Vivian Maher (Riverstick Kinsale).  Inter Club: 1. Riverstick Kinsale 39 pts.  Inter County: 1. Cork.

Under 11: 2. Rachel O’Shea (Beara), 10. Ciara Fenton (Riverstick Kinsale), 12. Helena Noonan (Grange Fermoy).  Inter Club: 3. Riverstick Kinsale 121 pts.  Inter County: 2. Cork 86 pts.

Under 9: 4. Aisling Everard (Bandon), 6. Cliona Hegarty (Leevale), 12. Aideen Caulfield (Bandon).  Inter Club: 1. Bandon 63 pts.  Inter County: 2. Cork 82 pts.

 

October 28th: International Awards Night

The Cork AAI International awards night will take place on Friday November 19th.  Any club that has not yet nominated athletes for the event is requested to do so quickly.  Athletes who have not been nominated cannot be recognised.  Athletes eligible are those who have represented Ireland internationally at junior, senior or masters level.  Details of nominations should be sent to corkaaisecretary@eircom.net.  

 

October 20th: County Teams for Munster Novice & Under 23 Cross Country Championships

County Team Manager Joe O’Flynn has named the Cork teams for the upcoming Munster Novice and Under 23 Cross Country Championships which will be held in Castlehaven on Sunday October 31st.  These races will be held after the juvenile races which will start at 12.00pm.  Anybody who is named on the team and is unable to take part is asked to. contact corkathletics@eircom.net.  Any club with more under 23 athletes who will run in this event is also asked to contact corkathletics@eircom.net.

Women:

Novice: Sharon McGarry, Catherine O’Rourke & Elaine Keaty (St Finbarrs) Frances O’Regan (Skibbereen), Fiona Begley (Bantry), Dawn Kelly (Belgooly), Maura Heffernan (Liscarroll), Orla Touhy (Grange Fermoy), Gail Mullaney & Niamh Rowe (Eagle), Barbara Harte (Bandon)

Under 23: Dawn Kelly (Belgooly), Maura Heffernan (Liscarroll)

Men:

Novice: Thomas Maunsell & Bernard Twomey (Leevale), James McCarthy, Frank Hayes & David Dywer (East Cork), Pat Brown, Tim Murphy & Fergal Tubridy (Togher), Ger Dunlea, Tony Kelleher, Padraig McDonnell & Kevin Sievewright (Eagle), Billy O’Brien & Damien Twohig (Skibbereen), Sean McGrath (Midleton).

Under 23: Thomas Maunsell (Leevale), James McCarthy & Fergus Meade (East Cork), Pat Brown (Togher), Brian McMahon (Carraig na bhFear).

 

October 17th: County Novice A and Even Age Cross Country Championships

The second round of the County Cross Country Championships was held today in Ballyhilty, Skibbereen.  The event hosted by Skibbereen Athletic Club on the lands of Der O’Donovan was a big success with some very entertaining races.  The Course was challenging and this brought out the best in athletes many of who have been training hard since early summer.  The weather was very good and spectators and athletes enjoyed a great view of the surrounding countryside. 

First race of the day was the Novice Ladies race.  Orla Touhy of Grange Fermoy came to the fore very early in the race and by the second lap had a very comfortable lead.  The county 10 mile champion held on to take gold comfortably in this race.  Second was Catherine O’Rourke of St Finbarrs, who was second last weekend at the Novice B race.  Third was Collette Hurley Tuttle of Bandon who gave it her all, crossing the line in a very tired state.  Bandon won the team competition ahead of Eagle.

The mens race was a very entertaining race with the Thomas Maunsell of Leevale and James McCarthy of East Cork battling it out to take the title, in a repeat of last weekend’s novice b race.  At the Novice B race last weekend Maunsell surrendered a lead in the last lap with McCarthy taking Gold.  This Sunday Thomas made his move in the last lap opening up a gap between himself and James that never closed.  He crossed the line comfortably in front with McCarthy taking silver.  Sean McGrath of Midleton worked his way up through the field to finish in a good third position.  East Cork were unlucky in the novice b cross country team competition finishing on equal points with Eagle athletic club but lost out on count back.  This weekend East Cork won the Novice A title with a few points to spare over second placed Eagle.  Togher were third team.  Full Novice A Cross Country Results

The juvenile races were very competitive.   The under 18 boys race was won in style by Ciaran O’Lionaird of Leevale who looks like he could be in line for another national title if his form and training continue to go well.  Leevale won the under 18 boys team competition ahead of Togher.  The girls race was won by Joyce Curtin of Glenbower who made a decisive move in the last lap to win the race.  She led her club to gold in this race.  Michelle Finn of Duhallow won the under 16 girls race while Eric Murphy of Togher won the boys race 

County Novice A & Even Age X-Country Results

The next big Cross country event is the Munster Novice, Under 23 and Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships which takes place in Castlehaven on Sunday October 31st. starting at 12pm.  The event is being held on the lands of Der O’Donovan and Skibbereen athletic club are again hosting the event.  

 

October 10th: County Novice B and Uneven Age Cross Country Championships

The first round of the County Cross Country championships was held today in Killeagh.  The event hosted by Youghal Athletic Club on the Lands of Noel and Geraldine Curtin was a tremendous success with some very exciting races. 

The first race of the day was the Womens Novice B race.  Martina Carver of Eagle came to the fore early in this race and was never really challenged and crossed the line to take gold and lead her team to the Novice B title.  St Finbarrs took silver while host club Youghal were third.  Catherine O’Rourke of St Finbarrs was second individual while Liz Hendersen of Eagle was third.

The men’s race was a closer affair with James McCarthy of East Cork and Munster 1500m champion Thomas Maunsell of Leevale battling it out to take the title. McCarthy held on to take gold with Maunsell taking silver while Sean McGrath of Midleton was 3rd.  The team competition was very close with East Cork and Eagle finishing on equal points but Eagle won on count back.  The third places team was St Finbarrs.  Full results of Novice B

The juvenile races proved to be very exciting.  This was the first day out for many taking part so well done to all who finished their first cross country race today.  The surprise result of the day was in the under 19 girls race where Christina Broderick of Belgooly, better known for her feats in the jumping events and hurdles came strong in the last 300m to take gold in this race ahead of club mate Louise Finn in second and Joyce Curtin of Glenbower in third.  The Boys Under 19 race was won by John Shine of Leevale.  Shine made his move after  the first lap opening a big gap which, despite a brave effort from Timmy O’Donoghue of Glenbower who was 2nd overall, never closed.  Ian Tivy of Togher in third led his team to gold.  Togher had a very good day with their Boys teams winnign the under 13, 15, 17 and 19 races.  Great credit must go to their coaches for this achievement.  Ciaran O’Lioaird of Leevale won the Boys under 17 race comfortably while Maire O’Brien of Skibbereen won the under 17 girls race. 

The County Novice A and Juvenile Even age Cross Country Championships take place on Sunday next in Ballyhilty, Skibbereen (same venue as last year) starting at 12.00pm.

 

October 6th: County Board Meeting

A county board meeting was held tonight in the SMA Hall in Wilton.  A number of items were discussed.  The county chairman Noreen Murphy sincerely thanked the clubs for their help with the recent Ladies mini marathon which was an outstanding success.  Clubs who have not yet received their entry forms for the Munster Juvenile Cross Country Championships are asked to contact Munster Cross Country Secretary John Harty.   Club with athletes for the Novice and Under 23 Cross Country Championships area asked to contact County Team Manager Joe O’Flynn so and under 23 team can be picked. 

The County hopes to hold it’s annual international awards night towards the end of November.  Clubs with athletes who represented Ireland at junior, senior or masters level are asked to forward their names along with details of their competition to the County secretary corkaaisecretary@eircom.net.  The County Board AGM will be most likely held in January.  The next County Board meeting will be held on Wednesday November 3rd.

 

 

October 3rd: County Cross Country Championships

The County Cross Country season gets underway on Sunday next (October 10th) in Youghal at 12pm.  The firast race will be the ladies Novice B Championship.  Frances O’Regan of Skibbereen Athletic Club won this race last year and went on to impress during the season.  Also winning medals in this race last year were Dawn Kelly of Belgooly and Susan O’Reilly of Leevale both of whom won had impressive track seasons during the summer.  The men’s Novice B race which will follow the ladies race was won last year by Kieran Hurley of Togher.  He also had a good cross country season last year winnign medlas with Togher in a number of events.  Kieran also came close to breaking the 2 minute barrier for the 800m in the recent track season.  Billy O’Brien of Skibbereen was 2nd in this race last year and was involved in a number of very exciting and close finishes in the recent Track season.  After the Novice B championships the County Juvenile Uneven age cross country championships will be held.  Entries for the county Novice B Cross Country Championships must be with the County competition secretary by Wednesday October 6th.  Entrants to the Novice B Championships should note that the races will start at 12pm before the juvenile races and not after as had been the case in previous years.

 

October 3rd: Mini Marathon Review

The Cork Ladies mini marathon committee had a meeting during the week to review this years mini marathon.  Overall the committee were very happy with the race and were very impressed by the big turnout from the clubs to help on the day.  Any competitor who was left short a medallion can expect their medallion in the post in the next few weeks.  The committee was again concerned by the number of people taking part who were not registered.  If this problem continues in future races, the race will most certainly have to be cancelled.  The race is very expensive to run and all the organising is done on a voluntary basis.  Any profit made goes back into athletics in Cork.

Anybody with suggestions or comments about the race is welcome to forward them to minimarathon@eircom.net.

 

September 26th: Avondhu X-Country Championships

INAUGURAL CROSS COUNTRY A MAJOR SUCCESS  The first Avondhu divisional Cross Country Championships were successfully held in Banteer on September 26th under the excellent stewardship of Duhallow A.C’s Jerry Twohig and team. This and other events in the pipeline should boost athletics in the member clubs : Abbey Striders, Duhallow, Fanahan McSweeney, Grange Fermoy, Mallow, Millstreet, North Cork, Old Abbey and Rising Sun.  Results

Seamus Fox, Avondhu Athletics.

September 19th: Cork Ladies Mini Marathon

The Cork Ladies Mini-Marathon was held today in Cork City.  The race was a spectacular success with over 7000 taking part.  The race is a big fundraiser for a number of local and national charities and this year it was estimated that over €1.5 million was raised for these charities.  A special thanks to the Gardaí, College of Commerce, Cork City Council, race sponsors Express Kitchens & Tiles and the Evening Echo, Tipperary Water and also the volunteers from athletic clubs all over Cork who helped out at the race.  As stated previously the race depends on the amount of help from the clubs on the day.  This year there was once again fantastic help and well done to all who came out and helped at the event.  Results will be published in a special Evening Echo Supplement.  Winner of the race was international athlete Valerie Vaughan of Blarney Inniscarra.  Results

 

September 12th: St Finbarrs Half Marathon

St Finbarrs Half Marathon was held today in Blarney.  The race was a fantastic success with over 400 competitors taking part.  Full results are available on www.stfinbarrsac.com.  The event also incorporated the County half Marathon championships so well done to Roy Fahy of East Cork and Mary Sweeney of St Finbarrs who won the County Championships event.

 

September 12th: Important Notice to Clubs:

The Cork Ladies Mini-Marathon will take place on Sunday September 19th at 2pm.  This event keeps the Board financially in the black, without it the board would have to cut back considerably on expenditure as well as increase competition entry fees.  For this event to run smoothly it is essential that there be enough help on the day of the race.  Every club must contribute at least four to help on the day.  Stewards should report to Copley street at 12.30pm on race day.  Help will be needed on Grand parade and Copley street from 11.00am to erect barriers.  Help will also be needed at the finish and cleaning up afterwards on Copley street.  To date there has been great help – a special thanks to the East Cork clubs for helping pack the goody bags and all who helped out at the office.  A big effort by clubs on Sunday to get out help will make the race the great success it has been for the last few years!    

For further information email corkathletics@eircom.net.   

 

September 12th: Mini Marathon News!

The Cork Ladies Mini-Marathon will take place on Sunday September 19th at 2pm.  The race organised by Cork County Athletics Association of Ireland and sponsored by the Evening Echo and Express Kitchens and Floors is one of the biggest in the county and is a major fundraiser for a number of local and national charities.

The mini marathon this year will be the biggest yet with an entry of 6500.   Only registered athletes will be allowed to participate.  Entry is now closed and no entries will be accepted on the day of the race.

The five mile race will start on Grand Parade in the City Centre and athletes should be lined up at 1.30pm.  The race will finish on Copley Street where there will be a street party.  Race numbers are to be worn in front.  Changing facilities are available in the College of Commerce. Further details are available in the Evening Echo or on www.corkathletics.org. 

 

September 5th: Busy Sunday Ahead!

This Sunday will be a busy one for Cork athletes.  The St Finbarrs Half Marathon sponsored by Avia takes place on Sunday (Sept 12th) in Blarney.  The race will incorporate the County and Munster Half Marathon Championships and some of the countrys top athletes will be taking part.  The race starts at 11.00am and race headquarters are in Blarney GAA.  Also on this Sunday is Riverstick Kinsale Open Cross Country.  There is a great programme of events and there will be team prizes.  The event starts at 12.00pm and will take place opposite Kinsale Rugby Grounds on the main Cork Kinsale road.  Athletes and spectators will be delighted to know this event and the half marathon will be over in plenty of time for the big match in Croke Park.

 

September 5th: Mini Marathon

The Cork Ladies Mini-Marathon Office will close on Saturday (Sept 11th) at 4pm.  Anybody who wants to run the race must register.  The office is located upstairs near the restaurant in Roches Stores, Patrick Street in Cork.  Further details are available on www.eveningecho.ie or www.corkathletics.org. 

 

September 5th: Field Events Coaching Day

A field coaching day was held today in the CIT Track.  Some of the countys top coaches helped out at the event and many athletes benefited from the day.  It is hoped that there will be more of these events in the Spring.  Feedback from the event would be appreciated.  Pictured below athletes in action at the event.

 

August 29th: Upcoming Events

Thousands of entries have already been received this week for the Cork Ladies Mini Marathon.  The race office is open until 4pm Saturday in Roches Stores Patrick Street.  To avoid disappointment get your entry in quickly.  Entry is €10, entry forms are in the Evening Echo and there are still a few goody bags left for entrants. 

This Sunday (September 5th) marks the beginning of the cross country season as Midleton Athletic Club hold their annual Cross Country meeting.  There is a new venue for the meeting this year.  The course is next to East Cork Oil on the Midleton Fermoy Road.  The course will be sign posted.  There are races for all ages at this event with prizes for the first ten in each race.  The event starts at 2pm.

Also on this Sunday is a field events coaching day in the CIT Track.  Clubs have been notified about the event at which top coaches will be in attendance. 

 

August 28th: Email!

The county secretary hopes to start using email to communicate with clubs rather than the post.  This change will improve the frequency and efficiency of communication between the county secretary and clubs.  It will also save some money and more importantly time.

If your club is willing to receive communications via email please forward two email addresses that are regularly checked to corkathletics@eircom.net.  The county secretary’s email address will be set up in the next few weeks.  Clubs that want assistance in setting up a club email address should contact corkathletics@eircom.net.  For clubs that do not have access to email postal communication will continue to be used.

 

August 15th: Mazda League Final

The Mazda League Final was held today in Tullamore.  Leevale athletic club took part in the premier division finals.  The Leevale ladies who teamed up with UCC for the event did very well finishing second overall.  The Leevale men finished 4th.

In the division 1 ladies final Belgooly were again involved in a close finish and were second overall.  Considering they were missing a few athletes this was a very impressive performance.  Avondhu took part in the men’s division final and finished 7th. Results

 

August 15th: Tracton Open Sports

Tracton Sports were held recently in Minane Bridge GAA.   There was a fine crowd and the event and there were some very exciting events.  One of the top performers of the day was Timothy Harrington of Courceys who won a number of events.

Host club Tracton did very well with a number of their young athletes winning medals on the track and in the field events.