News

Update December 5th - National Marathon Entries 2019

Athletics Ireland National Marathon Entries 2019

Dublin

Sunday October 27th 2019

Update 4pm, Wednesday December 5th

As of 4pm today, Wednesday December 5th, more than 18,100 of the 20,000 places available for next October's event have been sold.
It's just over 5 weeks since this year's event and, currently, there are less than 1,900 places left, and all of these are at the higher entry fee of €90.



On Thursday November 8th, entries had already reached 10,725. Having exceeded the €80 entry fee threshold of 14,000, a further rush of entries has come in, with around 300 to 400 entries coming in each day.

By November 28th, 15,800 places were gone

Yesterday, Tuesday December 4th, there were 2,750 places left. Following features on the 'Marathon Frenzy', in some of today's newspapers, there has been a flood of entries. The Marathon office said earlier this afternoon "This will probably sell out well before Monday!"

Enter KBC Dublin Marathon 2019

20,000 Limit

There is a cap of 20,000 on entries, and there is NO separate entry facility for Athletics Ireland National Marathon entry

This is critical for anyone thinking of entering the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championship.  In short, when the 20,000 limit is reached, That's It!! ...except ONLY for ELITES. There are no reserved places for Athletics Ireland members. If you miss out on the 20,000 limit, there is no 'back-door', unless you're lucky enough to be of Elite Status

NB: To reiterate....There is NO LATE ENTRY Dispensation for Athletics Ireland National Marathon entries

Runners competing in the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championship MUST enter in the normal fashion, the same as everyone else.  So, when entries close, that's it..... unless you're an elite athlete.

Elite Athlete Times

If you are an athlete with proven times in the above ranges, you should be ok for Late Entry...BUT, it's you're gamble as to wait or not!

Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championship

Entry for the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championship is not yet open. All National Marathon Championship entrants MUST have already entered for the Marathon via the normal route, as above.  The Championship entry form will appear on the Athletics Ireland website .....probably months down the road!

Cork Team Selections for Athletics Ireland National Novice Cross-Country Championships 2018

Cork Athletics Squads Named for National Novice Cross-Country Championships

Navan Racecourse, Navan, Co. Meath

Saturday December 15th 2018

 

Twenty five (25) athletes from ten (10) Cork Clubs, and one Limerick club, have been named on the Novice Women and Men's squad for the Athletics Ireland National Novice Cross-Country Championships, at Navan Racecourse, on Saturday December 15th.

Athletes whose status has changed should notify This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (085-1480725) IMMEDIATELY, as teams must be entered by Thursday next, Dec 6th.

If you CANNOT make it, please let Paddy Buckley know immediately. If you are doubtful, please let Paddy know - your place will be held, but replacements may be put on standby notice - Cork Athletics wants to field full squads in all events - please help us do that!

Anyone who has not been included in the listings, or who feels that they may have been inadvertently omitted, or who, having previously indicated that they did not wish to be considered, would now like to be considered for selection, should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (085-1480725) without delay

Novice Women - Start 14:40 - Distance 4km

Novice Men - Start 15:10 - Distance 6km

Cork Novice Womens Squad

Teams are eight (8) to run, with four (4) to score, all athletes on the panel run

All those named on the panel will be entered by Cork Athletics

Cork Novice Mens Squad

Teams are twelve (12) to run, with six (6) to score, all athletes on the panel run

Update Tuesday 4th, 10:45: Donal Coakley, Leevale AC, comes in for Nathaniel Hayward, Dave O'Connor, St Catherines AC added - Dave had been omitted in error earlier

Update Wednesday 5th, 14:30: Mark Walsh, Leevale AC, replaces Heywood Richardson (injured)

All those named on the Cork panels will be entered by Cork Athletics

Fergus O'Donovan Retires From Coaching

St Finbarr's AC Coach Fergus O'Donovan Honoured

Mardyke Pavillion

Wednesday November 28th 2018

Fergus O'Donovan presented with Stopwatch memento by Marion Lyons

Photo: Joe Murphy

 
Joe Murphy's Facebook Album

Decades-Long Coaching Career of Fergus O'Donovan Marked by St Finbarr's AC

Fergus O'Donovan's official 'retirement' from coaching was marked by a formal 'farewell', at a special function held in his honour, held by St Finbarr's AC, on the evening of Wednesday November 28th, in the Pavillion, at the Mardyke Area.  The function was attended by over 50 people from St. Finbarr's, and a host of others, including past club and team-mates, Cork Athletics officers, along with family and friends.

The inverted commas above are intended ....Fergus isn't retiring completely..just formally. He will continue to coach, on a small scale, for the foreseeable future, as he is coaching St Finbarrs 'icon' Flor O'Leary, who enters a new age category in the New Year. Flor is planning, under Fergus' tutelage, make an attempt on the Irish M85 200m record next year.  The current Irish M85 Outdoor 200m record of 46.68 is 22 years old and is held by Paddy Whelan, who set it in Durban, South Africa.  As Paddy Buckley put it "Fergus is not finished yet...In athletics, there's no such thing as retirement....Fergus is merely passing on the baton"

Fergus O'Donovan, with his wife Ita, son William, and daughters Julie and Mary

Fergus O'Donovan, surrounded by contemporary St. Finbarr's team-mates

Back Row L to R; Michael Joyce, Richie Crowley, Donal Burke, Michael Dunne, Paddy Buckley, Pierce McNamara,Reg Hayes and Flor O'Leary

Front Row L to R; Barry Looney, Jack O'Leary, Fergus O'Donovan, John Buckley, Pat Cashman and Jack Lynch

Fergus O'Donovan, surrounded by St. Finbarr's club-mates

The attendance at the function was treated to a slide-show outlining his career, interspersed by speeches from Michael Murphy, Eamonn McEvoy, Marion Lyons, and Paddy Buckley, Chairman of Cork Athletics County Board. The high-point of the proceedings was the presentation to Fergus, of a commemorative casting of a hand holding an 'old style' stopwatch. The evening was described by Dan Kennedy as one of 'Nostalgia and reminiscence'. Dan recalled one of his first memories of St. Finbarrs, in 1968, was of Fergus coaching and timekeeping, "with two stopwatches around his neck....one for 400's and one for the recovery"

Fergus has been a member of St. Finbarr's AC since the 1950's, almost since the foundation of the club, in 1951, and following his retirement from competitive athletics, has been coaching at the club for over 50 years.

Fergus O’Donovan’s athletics career began as a schoolboy, when he won the South Munster Schools Mile, in his first ever race, in a record time of 5:11.0. He followed this by taking Bronze in the Munster Schools, behind Tom O’Riordan (father of Irish Times columnist Ian O'Riordan) who went on to represent Ireland at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

Following study in Dublin, Fergus returned to UCC, and won varsity and county championships, on the track and in cross-country.  Fergus recalls modestly “I wasn’t a great athlete, I suppose I raced with local success winning around 40 races in all,”

When achilles tendon injury ended his track career, Fergus turned to the Marathon, in an attempt to break the 3 hour mark.  In all, he ran 11 marathons, in the ten years from 1966 to 1976, and returned times around the 3 hour mark.  The highlight of that period of Fergus' career was when he was a scoring member of St Finbarr’s team at the All-Ireland championship, in Thurles

Along the way, Fergus also served as Secretary of the Cork City Sports, for approx 10 years, and has contributed in a multitude of ways to the sport he loves, and, throughout, has selflessly and freely given his wealth of experience, not only to members of his beloved St Finbarr’s club, but also to the athletics community in general.

In the 1960's and 1970's, Fergus was one of a tiny band of Irish athletics 'aficionados' who travelled to major events around the globe. His first trip was to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Over the next 12 years he attended another three Olympic Games, four European Championships, along with the Commonwealth Games, and several International Cross-Country Championships.

Fergus' was renowned for 'forever stopping and talking' whilst coaching, and was at his best when telling people about meeting athletics 'giants' such as Jesse Owens, Emil Zátopek, Percy Cerutty, Bob Tisdall, Payton Jordan and Mary Rand, along with a host of others. Thoughout these stories, being told while he was actively coaching athletes on the track, Fergus would stop the tale momentarily to call out split times and/or give feedback and encouragement

Interspersed in the tributes to Fergus were lines such as "....(Fergus') words were Gospel". "Athletics (in Cork) wouldn't be in the shape it is except for Fergus"

One of Fergus' lasting achievements is the Cork Athletics Graded Leagues, which were his 'brainchild', the organisation of which he was actively involved in right up to last year. 

Enjoy your 'Retirement' Fergus!

We look forward to following it and seeing how you and Flor get in the coming months!

Location Details for Munster Intermediate and Juvenile B Cross-Country Championships 2018

Venue Details for Munster Athletics Intermediate and Juvenile 'B' Cross-Country Championships

Cork Athletics Grounds at Slieveroe, Riverstick

Slieveroe, Riverstick, Co. Cork

11:30am, Sunday 02 December 2018

Drone View of the Cork Athletics Riverstick Grounds

Location & Co-ordinates

The ground is 15.7 Miles from the Jack Lynch Tunnel, 12.8 Miles south of Cork City Centre, and 2.8 Miles east of Riverstick village

The LOC8 code for the grounds is WCL-86-5WN

GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 51.77715464079801 - Longitude: -8.440460764990235

Elevation above Sea Level: 112m

Directions 

Riverstick general location map

From Jack Lynch Tunnel

Continue through the Jack Lynch Tunnel and along the N40 South Ring Road, as far as the Kinsale Road Roundabout. Approaching the Kinsale Road Roundabout, take the slip-road to the Roundabout. At the then first left onto the N27 Kinsale Road (Airport Road). 

At the Airport Roundabout, continue straight through, onto the R600 and continue on to Riverstick village. At the cross-roads in Riverstick, by the village church, turn left and continue on until you meet the L2494, where you again turn left. Continue for another Mile. The Venue is then on the right.

From Cork City

Take the N27 South Link Road as far as Kinsale Road Roundabout. Continue directly through the Roundabout, towards Cork Airport and continue as above.

From Carrigaline

Take the R611 Belgooly Road and continue for 2.2 Miles, then turn right onto the L2494 and continue for another 2 Miles. The venue is then on your left.

From West Cork

Take the N22 and then continue on the N40, as far as the sliproad to the Kinsale Road Roundabout and, again, continue aonto the Kinsale Road, towards Cork Airport, and on, as above.

The grounds are approx. 2.8 miles east of Riverstick village

Cork Athletics Grounds

Cork Athletics grounds at Slieveroe, Riverstick consists of thirty six (36) acres of grasslands, and includes a densely wooded area.

Riverstick Course Map for Cork Athletics County Masters Championships 2017
NB: From time to time, courses may vary from above

Bus & Car Parking

There is a hard stand area, for buses, just inside the entrance to the site. Alongside this, there is an extensive parking area.

The cross-country 'track' comprises of the start and finish areas, close to the centre of the site, along with 10m wide tracts around the perimeter of the site. There are long rolling sections, steep(ish) downhill and, in the lower sections, several twists and turns, as the course skirts several drains from higher ground, between the wooded sections.

Cork Team Selections for Athletics Ireland National Juvenile Uneven-Age Cross-Country Championships 2018

Cork Athletics Squads for National Juvenile UnEven-Age Cross-Country Championships

Navan Racecourse, Navan, Co. Meath

Saturday December 15th 2018

 

NB This Event is on a SATURDAY

 The following athletes have been selected for Cork Teams at Athletics Ireland National Juvenile Uneven-Age Cross-Country Championships 2018

Please confirm your participation by

Thursday 29th November

Confirmations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0872966298

Please bring your own safety pins.

Please check in Cork Athletics County Team Manager 90 minutes before your race, and collect your singlet.

Singlets may be purchased for €15 each, but must be ordered by 7th December

Please note that this event is on Saturday 15th December

Under-19 Girls

Cork are short of ONE U19 Girl for National U19 Girls Team in Navan. If available, please contact Mary Meagher asap

Cork Team Selections for National Juvenile Uneven-Age Cross-Country Championships 2018

Cork Teams for Athletics Ireland National Juvenile Uneven-Age Cross-Country Championships

Navan Racecourse, Co. Meath

Saturday December 15th 2018

The parents of any Juvenile athlete selected, whose circumstances change, should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. without delay

Cork Athletics Registration Figures - November 30th 2018

Record Cork Athletics Registration Figures - November 30th 2018

November end-of-month registrations for Cork Athletics stand at 8,454, a new registrations record for Cork, surpassing the 2017 year-end figure of 8,264, with a month yet to go until the end of the year. However, given that we're now in the last month of the year, it's unlikely that there will be more than a handful registered during December.

 

Fifty six of Cork's fifty seven registered clubs registered athletes during 2018. Of all registered clubs, only Ballinacurra Villagers AC have failed to register a single athlete - and the club registered just a single athlete in 2017, so that club's future as an Athletics Ireland registered club looks to be in severe doubt.

Clubs are reminded that, even though most of the year has passed, all new members MUST be registered, or they will NOT be covered by Athletics Ireland insurance

Any athlete, coach, official, or any member acting in any capacity, who remains unregistered is NOT covered by Athletics Irelands insurance, for ANY purpose whatsoever, including training and/or competition.

The 2019 Registration facility is likely to open later this month

National Standings

Athletics Ireland are likely to issue the November end-of-month National registration figures in the coming days. Standing of Cork clubs in the various Top 50 National standings will be added to this page

Overall Registrations as at November 30th 2018

Leevale AC and Bandon AC head the table, both clubs exceeding the 600 mark, leading the other clubs by a significant distance. Five clubs: Togher AC, Ballymore Cobh AC, Midleton AC, Youghal AC and North Cork AC all have over 300 registered members.

A total of sixeen (16) clubs have over 200 registrations, while a further twelve (12) clubs have now exceeded 100 registered members, making a total of 28 clubs with 100 or more registerd members, so 50% of registered clubs currently have more than 100 registered members.

28 Largest Clubs, by Total Registered Members

Remaining 28 Clubs, by Total Registered Members

Total Registrations for Cork Clubs November 30th 2018

Juvenile/Junior Registrations as at November 30th 2018

Leevale AC, on 499, lead the table, marginally ahead of Bandon AC, on 473, while both clubs have of whom still have over double the Juvenile/Junior membership of third-placed North Cork AC, on 236, with Belgooly AC a further 12 behind.

Leading Cork Juvenile Clubs

Senior/Master Registrations as at November 30th 2018

Mallow AC have almost 50% more Registered Seniors & Masters than nearest rivals, Leevale AC, with Togher AC leapfroging Eagle AC since last month, while Midleton AC also swapped places with Ballymore-Cobh AC.

Top 28 Adult Registrations by Club - November 30th 2018

Next 28 Adult Registrations by Club - November 30th 2018

Senior Registrations as at November 30th 2018

Leevale AC surpass all others at the head of the Senior table, with 77 Seniors. New club Doneraile AC remain in clear second place, with 49 Senior members, behind Leevale AC. Togher AC come next, with with 39, followed by Mallow AC (30) and Bandon AC (30)

 Top 26 Senior Registrations by Club - November 30th 2018

Masters Registrations as at November 30th 2018

Mallow AC are way ahead of the rest of the field, with 237 Masters registrations. Eagle AC and Midleton AC have 163 and 154 respectively. Ballymore-Cobh AC and Togher AC follow next, while a total of 14 clubs top the 100 mark.

Top 28 Masters Registrations by Club - November 30th 2018

Cork Athletics - Events Week Ending Sunday December 9th 2018

Registered Cork Athletics Races & Events for Week Ending Sunday December 9th 2018

 

Friday December 7th, 1pm, Cork Athletics Grounds, Riverstick - South Munster Schools Cross-Country Champonships		Friday December 7th, 8pm, Clonakilty - Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon's Seminar with Catherina McKiernan	Saturday December 8th, 9am, Clonakilty - Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k	Cork Athletics CYDI & Winter Coaching Sessions	East Cork Division Cross-Country Championships Day 2

This Week: CYDI & Winter Coaching Sessions, South Munster Schools XC Chps, Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon, HM, 10k & Catherina McKiernan Seminar, East Cork XC Chps & National 20k & 30k Walks Chps 

Cork Athletics Race Calendar

Comprehensive Calendar of Registered Athletics Ireland events in Cork

Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - April 2014 - May 2016 (on Old Cork Athletics website)

Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - May 2016 to date

Cork Events This Week

Friday December 7th, 1pm, Riverstick - Cork Schools Cross-Country Championship

Friday December 7th, 8pm, Clonakilty - Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon's Seminar with Catherina McKiernan

Saturday December 8th, 9am, Clonakilty - Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k

Saturday December 8th, 1pm, CIT Track - Cork Youth Development Initiative - CYDI

Saturday December 8th, 2:30pm, CIT Track - Cork Athletics Winter Coaching Series

Sunday December 9th, 11:30am,  Kart World, Watergrasshill - East Cork Cross-Country Championships Day 2

NB: CANCELLED - West Cork Cross-Country Championships Day 2

National Events

Saturday December 8th, Dublin - Athletics Ireland National 20k and 30k Walks Championships

International Events

Sunday December 9th,Tilburg, Netherlands - SPAR European XC Championships 2018

Online Registrations

The Following Races currently have Online Entry or Online Registration open:
If your event is missing, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon, Half-Marathon & 10k, Saturday December 8th 

Newmarket Classic 5km, Sunday December 16th

Dick Copithorne Memorial 4 Mile, Wednesday December 26th

Togher AC Ryan's Supervalu 5km, Sunday December 30th

Kinsale 10 mile Road Race 2019, Sunday February 24th

Duhallow 10 Mile Road Race 2019, Newmarket, Sunday March 10th

Mallow 10 Mile Road Race, Sunday March 24th
Entries Open 4am Friday December 7th

Sonia O'Sullivan Great Island 10, Cobh, Sunday 9th April

Cork City Marathon, Sunday 2nd June

Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards 2018

Phil Healy, Alex Wright & Aidan Hogan Honoured at Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin

Thursday November 29th 2018

Thomas Barr Speaking at the Awards Ceremony

 Athletics Ireland Release - Darragh Browne

Thomas Barr Crowned Athlete of the Year at the 2018 Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards

Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) was named as the Athlete of the Year at the Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards which took place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown today (November 29).

Barr got the top honour with his magnificent bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the European Athletics Championships in Berlin last summer.

This also saw him collect the Track and Field Athlete of the Year award holding off quality opposition in Phil Healy (Bandon) who was named inspirational performance for her 200m record exploits at the Cork City Sports and European finalist Leon Reid (Menapians) and Ciara Mageean (UCD)

Sommer Lecky was named Junior Athlete of year, she soared to a sensational silver medal in the High Jump with a national U20 record of 1.90m at the IAAF World U20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, Finland.

The followed the silver medal-winning exploits of the U20 women's 4x100m relay team. The relay squad of Molly Scott Gina Akpe-Moses, Ciara Neville and Patience Jumbo-Gula and Rhasidat Adeleke were named team of the year.

Mary Purcell was inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2018. She was the dominant figure in women's athletics in Ireland throughout the 1970's.

While the Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards is a celebration of the many successes of our international and national it also commemorates the association’s exceptional volunteer base. Paddy Marley was named as the Lifetime Achievement Award recipient – the pinnacle volunteer award while Sean Callan won the Outstanding Official of the Year. Both stalwarts of Clonliffe Harriers, they are very popular people on the athletics scene. Frank Greally, editor of the Irish Runner magazine for over 30 years was a very worthy recipient of a Special Recognition Award.

Liz Rowen, Head of Marketing for Irish Life Health commented. “Irish Life Health is delighted to once again support the National Athletics Awards. These awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Ireland's athletes, as well as recognising the contribution from the athletics community in what has been an outstanding and exciting year for the sport”.

CEO of Athletics Ireland, Hamish Adams: “The awards not only allow us to celebrate the great performances of our athletes over the course of the year, but it also gives Athletics Ireland the opportunity to formally acknowledge our coaches, officials and clubs for their enormous contribution to the success of our sport.

We wish all our athletes success at the forthcoming European Cross Country Championships, and we look forward to ensuring that we too deliver a world class experience for both athletes and spectators when we play host to the event in 2020.”

President of Athletics Ireland, Georgina Drumm, added: “Our talented athletes gave us great performances in a year to remember, with medal success at European U18, World U20 and European Senior Championships with National senior records also achieved along the way.

These awards gives us the opportunity to acknowledge, not only the athletes, but coaches, clubs and long serving members of our athletic community who give enormously to our sport in what was a stunning year for Irish Athletics.”

CEO of Athletics Ireland, Hamish Adams: “The awards not only allow us to celebrate the great performances of our athletes over the course of the year, but it also gives Athletics Ireland the opportunity to formally acknowledge our coaches, officials and clubs for their enormous contribution to the success of our sport. We thank our Sponsor Irish Life Health for their continued support of Irish Athletics and our National Awards.

We wish all our athletes success at the forthcoming European Cross Country Championships, and we look forward to ensuring that we too deliver a world class experience for both athletes and spectators when we play host to the event in 2020.”

Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards

Award Winners

Hall of Fame: Mary Purcell

It was on a bleak night, in front of a sparse attendance, that Purcell emerged on the national scene at Morton Stadium running 2:04.2 for 800m to qualify for the Olympic Games in Munich in 1972. From there Purcell went on to excel across the range of middle-distance events including two Olympic Games and two European Championships

Lifetime Services to Athletics: Paddy Marley

 Paddy has served as a highly respected official & administrator at the highest level in the country. He is currently a member of the Athletics Ireland competition committee & has served previously as National Competition Secretary for 14 years. He has been Irish Team Manager for many International Competitions including being Irish Team Manager for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Athlete of the Year: Thomas Barr (Ferrybank)

Thomas won a historic bronze in the 400m hurdles, ending the 84-year wait for an Irish male sprint medal at a major championships.

Endurance Athlete of the Year: Alex Wright (Leevale)

Alex Wright (Leevale) had a tremendous year and was in the shake-up for much of the men’s 20km race walk at the European Championships in Berlin back in August, setting a season’s best of 1:22:18.

U20 Athlete of the Year: Sommer Lecky (Finn Valley)

Sommer Lecky soared to a sensational silver medal in the High Jump with a national U20 record of 1.90m at the IAAF World U20 Athletics Championships in Tampere, Finland.

U23 Athlete of the Year: Matthew Behan (Crusaders)

 Matthew started the year with a bang and continued his great form throughout the season, taking the men’s national 60m hurdles title in a big personal best of 7.84 seconds.

Track & Field Athlete of the Year: Thomas Barr (Ferrybank)

Performance Club of the Year: Clonliffe Harriers

The performance club of the year is decided over the results of the national senior, under-23 and junior championship from the national cross country in November 2017 to the Dublin marathon in 2018.

This year was the closet of all the competition’s, the leading club going into the Dublin marathon, finished in third place, in fact just 10 points separated the top two clubs.

And to add further amazement, the bronze medal in the men’s national marathon secured the award. Sergiu Ciobanu’s bronze medal over Mark Kirwan’s fourth place finish see’s Clonliffe Harriers land the club of the year award.

Clonliffe were winners of the men’s National indoor and outdoor leagues, the men’s marathon title and were the strongest preforming club at the National senior outdoor championships

Services to Coaching: Eamon Harvey

Eamon is an active member of Athletics Ireland High Performance and C&D committees as well as coach to a number of International athletes. He is also heavily involved in working with a team of coaches at Tir Chonaill AC mentoring juveniles across a range of disciplines.

Official of the Year: Sean Callan

 Congratulations to Sean Callan on his award as recognition for all of the great service over the years.

Team of the Year: Women’s U20 4x100m Relay Team

Our silver medal-winning U20 women's 4x100m relay team of Molly Scott, Gina Akpe-Moses, Ciara Neville and Patience Jumbo-Gula who struck silver at the IAAF World U20 Athletics Championships.

Inspirational Performance of the Year on Irish Soil: Phil Healy

Phil set a blistering new Irish 100m record of 11.28 and further cemented her status as Ireland’s fastest woman by following it up with a new 200m record of 22.99.

Development Club of the Year: West Waterford A.C.

A club continually evolving and progressing to the needs of the athletics community exemplified by an increase in adult club membership of 42% over the last 4 years.

Signature event John Treacy 10 mile race with 3000 entries and now in its 28th year – a must run race on the Irish road running calendar.

Mountain Runner of the Year: Sarah McCormack (Clonliffe Harriers)

Sarah is currently ranked number 3 in the WMRA World Cup Rankings and had a fantastic year with numerous top 5 finishes including 3rd place in the Smarna Gora World Cup race in Slovenia, 4th place in Hochfelln-Berglauf World Cup race in Bergin, and topped off by coming home in 1st place in the Stellina Classic in Susa Italy.

Master Athlete of the Year: Joe Gough (West Waterford)

Joe won double gold M65 at European Masters Indoor Champs back in Madrid in March over 800m (2.22.36) & 1500m (5.05.16). Double gold also at World Masters Outdoor Champs in Malaga in Sept, 800m (2.16.38) & 1500m (4.49.63)

Joe also set a World Indoor Masters record in Abbottstown on 22/2/2018 with a 2.16.65 over 800m, plus also currently holds the M60 800 Indoor WR with a time of 2.14.06 set in Athlone on 9th Feb 2014.

Ultra-Athlete of the Year: Aidan Hogan (Rising Sun)

 Aidan Hogan is a member of Rising Sun AC in Cork and is also an active member of the Marathon Club of Ireland running Marathons most weekends

Schools Athlete of the Year: Sarah Healy (Holy Child Killiney/Blackrock), Aaron Sexton (Bangor Grammar/North Down)

Best School Girl – Sarah Healy (Holy Child Killiney)

It was success in the mud in March for Sarah Healy winning the Senior Girls All Ireland Schools Cross Country in Waterford, a very mature race by the student in very testing conditions. Next up for Sarah was a shot at the 1,500m record at this year’s Schools Track & Field Championships in Tullamore. Winning gold in a very professional manner and in the process setting a new Championship Best Performance of 4.18.32, a record set previously by Ciara Mageen back in 2010 of 4.19. The Holy Child Killiney athlete is in a league of her own and the future is bright for the student.

Best School Boy – Aaron Sexton (Bangor Grammar School)

In one of the most exciting races of the day at this year’s Schools Track & Field Championships in Tullamore held on the first Saturday of June, the Senior Boys 100m was decided on a photo finish with Aaron Sexton winning gold in a time of 10.52, setting a new Championship Best performance which was previously held by Marcus Lawlor set back in 2013. With 6 Senior Boys finishing within at time of 10.74 sec, this was a highly competitive field. Aaron continued his good form and also picked up another gold medal in the 200m Senior Boys race. A superb year for the talented sprinter.

University Athlete of the Year: Elizabeth Morland (DCU/Cushinstown)

Elizabeth excelled this season, winning National Senior and U23 titles in the Sprint Hurdles, Long Jump and Javelin.

Special Recognition Award: Frank Greally

A man synonymous with Athletics in Ireland and a well deserved recipient of the Special Recognition Award, @FrankGreally1

European Coaching Awards: Niall Wilkinson and Karen Kirk

In recognition of their valuable contributions and service to our sport through excellence in coaching and after consideration by an appointed jury, the European Athletics Coaching Awards go to Niall Wilkinson and Karen Kirk.

Niall is the Coach of Sommer Lecky who came 2nd in the High Jump in the World U20 Championships in Tampere.

Karen who coaches the Womens U20 Relay team , finished 2nd in the womens 4x100 relay in the World U20 Championships in Tempere.
Their example has been an inspiration for their peers and they helped demonstrate the highest values of athletics.

Update November 28th - National Marathon Entries 2019

Athletics Ireland National Marathon Entries 2019

Dublin

Sunday October 27th 2019

Update 4pm, Wednesday November 28th

As of 4pm today, Wednesday November 28th, almost 16,000 of the 20,000 places available for next October's event have been sold.
It's just 31 days since this year's event and, currently, there are just 4,200 places left, and all of these are at the higher entry fee of €90.

Just 20 days ago, on Thursday November 8th, entries had already reached 10,725. Having exceeded the €80 entry fee threshold of 14,000, a further rush of entries has come in, with around 300 to 400 entries coming in each day. Today was described, by the Marathon Office, as being "a bit slower", with 'just' 255 entries.  At the current rate of entries, the remaining 4,200 entries are expected to sell out within two weeks. In other words, all available places will be gone by Friday December 14th - 10 and a half months before the event!

Enter KBC Dublin Marathon 2019

20,000 Limit

There is a cap of 20,000 on entries, and there is NO separate entry facility for Athletics Ireland National Marathon entry

This is critical for anyone thinking of entering the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championship.  In short, when the 20,000 limit is reached, That's It!! ...except ONLY for ELITES. There are no reserved places for Athletics Ireland members. If you miss out on the 20,000 limit, there is no 'back-door', unless you're lucky enough to be of Elite Status

NB: To reiterate....There is NO LATE ENTRY Dispensation for Athletics Ireland National Marathon entries

Runners competing in the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championship MUST enter in the normal fashion, the same as everyone else.  So, when entries close, that's it..... unless you're an elite athlete.

Elite Athlete Times

If you are an athlete with proven times in the above ranges, you should be ok for Late Entry...BUT, it's you're gamble as to wait or not!

Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championship

Entry for the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championship is not yet open. All National Marathon Championship entrants MUST have already entered for the Marathon via the normal route, as above.  The Championship entry form will appear on the Athletics Ireland website .....probably months down the road!

2018 National Marathon Problems

Entries, Club List and Wave Starts for Championship Participants

At its November Board Meeting, Cork Athletics County Board resolved to write to Athletics Ireland about 'hiccups' for the 2018 Championship, where some Cork clubs (along with clubs in other counties) were not listed in the drop-down on the entry form, and many Championship participants were assigned to Waves 2, 3 or 4, rather than Wave 1, to ensure that these issues are resolved for 2019

Athletics Ireland Meeting with Dublin Marathon Organisers

Athletics Ireland is scheduled to meet with Dublin Marathon Organisers in the next week or two. While the context and aganda are not known, it is hoped that the 2018 issues of Championship entrants being compelled to start in Waves 2 to 4, as outlined above, should be looked at.

In addition there have been issues, in past few years, with the drop-down club listing in the KBC Dublin Marathon Entry Page.  The problems arose primarily from older club listings supplied to the Marathon Organisers, resulting in some, mainly newer, clubs being omitted, with consequential on-going problems

Hopefully, the National Championship entry issue will also be discussed. It is, to say the least, highly unsatisfactory that National Championship entry is likley to be closed almost a year ahead of the event.  If this issue isn't addressed, it is likely to have a detrimental effect on the Championship

Hopefully we will see these issue addressed soon

Nominations Sought for Cork Teams in Athletics Ireland National Novice Cross-Country Championships 2018

Nominations for National Novice Cross-Country Championships

Navan Racecourse, Navan, Co. Meath

Saturday December 15th 2018

 

NB This Event is on a SATURDAY

Clubs are invited to nominate athletes for Cork Novice Men & Women Teams at Athletics Ireland National Novice Cross-Country Championships 2018

Clubs must confirm nominations by

Monday 3rd December

Confirmations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0851480725

Five Cork Athletes selected for European Cross-Country Championships 2018

Large Irish Contingent Selected for European Cross Country Championships

Tilburg, Netherlands

Sunday December 9th 2018

Five Cork Athletes, Michelle Finn, Leevale AC, Darragh Mcelhinney, Bantry AC, Stephanie Cotter, West Muskerry AC, Sophie O'Sullivan, Ballymore-cobh AC and Laura Nicholson, Bandon AC have been selected to represent Ireland at next month's European Cross-Country Championships

A thirty nine (39) strong team of Irish athletes has been selected for the 25th edition of the SPAR European Cross Country Championships, taking place in the Dutch city of Tilburg, on December 9th.

Tilburg has already played host to the European Cross Country Championships in 2005, however there is a different, purpose-built, venue for next month's event, which will take place on a challenging course, at the Beekse Bergen Safari Park, situated just to the south-east of Tilburg.

Ciara Mageean (UCD) and Kevin Dooney (Raheny Shamrock) will lead the senior teams, both having won respective titles at the Irish Life Health National Cross Country Championships, yesterday, at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus. The same venue will host the European Cross Country Championships in 2020.

Mageean is looking forward to the challenge: "I've had a really good winter and I'm looking forward to putting in a good showing at the European Cross."

National U23 champion Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock) and American-based Ryan Forsyth (Newcastle) will lead a strong U23 men’s team having finished 11th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships last week.

The U20 women’s team will also be in a strong position to challenge for medals led by Sarah Healy (Blackrock) who won double gold over 1500m and 3,000m at the European U18 Athletics Championships last summer. Also in the ranks in Sophie O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh) who won silver over 800m at that same event.

It is an exciting proposition to have such a large team, with a view to Dublin 2020. This will provide the perfect platform for them.

High Performance Director Paul McNamara said:“We’re excited about this team’s prospects for Tilburg, both in terms of making an impact here and now, but also as it’s an important stepping stone on the road to Abbottstown 2020.

“This season has demonstrated improved depth and quality in the under age categories, and as a result we’ve selected both U23 teams for the first time since 2014. Both U20 teams look strong and can certainly build on their solid showing in Slovakia last year. Some of our leading senior women are unavailable but the selected team has a lot of experience and ability and will look to make an impact, while the senior men will look to build on a very positive result last year. The mixed relay is an exciting addition to the squad and should be capable of adding some value to Team Ireland’s prospects”  

European selection policy

Team selections for European Cross Country Championships

Tilburg, Netherlands

Sunday December 9