Valencia, Spain
March 24th 2018
Claire McCarthy (Leevale AC) pictured with Liam O'Brien at Cork City Sports award ceremony 2017 | Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC) pictured with her parents at Cork City Sports award ceremony 2016 |
Claire McCarthy and Lizzie Lee, both Leevale AC, have been selected by Athletics Ireland for the World Half-Marathon Championships, which will be held in Valencia, Spain, in two weeks time. Claire is coached by Ronan Boland (Eagle AC), while Lizzie is coached by Donie Walsh (Leevale AC)
Women | Club | Coach |
---|---|---|
Lizzie Lee | Leevale AC | Donie Walsh (Leevale AC) |
Claire McCarthy | Leevale AC | Ronan Boland (Eagle AC) |
Laura Shaughnessy | Dundrum South Dublin AC | Terry McConnon |
Fionnuala Ross | Armagh AC | Dermot Kerr |
Laura Graham | Mourne Runners AC | Ryan Maxwell |
Men | Club | Coach |
---|---|---|
Stephen Scullion | Clonliffe Harriers AC | Stephen Haas |
Kevin Dooney | Raheny Shamrock AC | Jerry Kiernan |
Kevin Seaward | St Malachy's AC | Andy Hobdell |
Paul Pollock | Annadale Striders AC | Andy Hobdell |
Sergiu Ciobanu | Clonliffe Harriers AC | Jerry Kiernan |
Blarney Inniscarra AC's Dean Cronin Makes Automatic Qualification for NCAA Chps
Pittsburg, Kansas
23-25th February 2018
Dean "Decano" Cronin earned the first Fort Hays State University automatic place at the MIAA Indoor Championships, in Pittsburg, Kansas, last weekend, where the three-day Conference Championships Meet took place.
Cronin captured the biggest mark of the meet as he claimed the 800-meters win, in a time of 1:49.95. This time not only gave him an automatic mark in Division II, but also set both Fort Hays State University and meet records. Dean was also a member of the Fort Hays men's 4x400 relay, which also set a new Fort Hays State University record and earned a provisional Championship spot, after placing fifth place in a time of 3:16.6.
800m: 1 Decano Cronin (Irl) 1.49.45; 2 Thomas LaRoche 1.50.53; 3 Noah Larsen 1.50.58. Runner-up Thomas LaRoche was aiming to win his third straight men's 800m title and set an MIAA record of 1:51.56 in the preliminaries, but Decano Cronin of Fort Hays State ran an automatic qualifier and meet record of1:49.45 to take the championship.
The NCAA Div II Championships will be held next weekend, from March 9-10th, in Pittsburg, Kansas, at the Robert W. Plaster Center. The championships will be streamed live on NCAA.com
60 Meters – Juante Baldwin, Pittsburg State – 6.65
60 Meter Hurdles – Justice Burks, Pittsburg State – 7.90
400 Meters – Taysean Goodwin, Emporia State – 47.22
800 Meters – Decano Cronin, Fort Hays – 1:49.45
4x400 Meter Relay – Emporia State – 3:11.44
Triple Jump – Kennan Harrison, Missouri Southern – 15.56 meters
Triple Jump – Sedeekie Edie, Lincoln – 15.49 meters
Shot Put – Bryan Burns, Missouri Southern – 18.50 meters
Shot Put – Bo Farrow, Pittsburg State – 18.05 meters
Shot Put – Nathan Cummings, Central Missouri – 18.01 meters
The previous week, on Feb 24th, Youghal AC's Fearghal Curtin, helped Charleston Southern's men's track & field team to third place overall at the 2018 Big South Indoor Track & Field 2018 Championships, in Lynchburg, Virginia
Fearghal Curtin added Charleston Southern University's fifth or six podium finishes of the day, in the men's 3,000m race. Fearghal crossed the line in 8:17.47, for third place, just 0.41 seconds shy of equaling his own Charleston Southern University record, set at the Commodore Invitational.
3,000m Result: 1 Amon Kemboi (Ken) 8.13.15; 2 Lawrence Kipkoech (Ken) 8.13.36; 3 Fearghal Curtin (Irl) 8.17.47; 4 Houcine Bouchrak (Esp) 8.31.63; 5 Alejandro Juan (Esp) 8.35.24
February end-of-month registrations for Cork Athletics stand at 5,084. This is down on the February 2017 figure of 5,299 and ahead of the corresponding 2016 figure of 4,689, while the February 2015 figure was 4,189.
To date, forty nine of Cork's fifty six registered clubs have registered athletes, leaving seven clubs yet to register any athlete.
These clubs, and their athletes, are reminded that the insurance dispensation, whereby the 2017 insurance cover continued until the latter weeks of January, is no longer in force - unregistered athletes, coaches, officials and other club members are NOT covered by Athletics Ireland insurance for any purpose whatsoever, leaving those athletes and clubs in a precarious position.
An additional consequence of failing to register a club and the minimum registration requirement of ten (10) registered members, is that permit applications from such clubs will, as has already happened this year, be declined, pending registration.
With respect to registrations, some clubs have been very quick 'out of the starting blocks', while others are still just 'getting out of bed'
Some of the newer clubs have only very recently received their new Registration Log-in details, so they should complete their registrations as soon as possible.
Clubs are reminded that 2017 registrations should be completed as soon as possible. There was a "grace period" of a few weeks, to allow sufficient time for re-registrations, whereby insurance cover continued, pending registration. This "grace period" does NOT extend beyond the later end of January, and did NOT include competition.
Therefore 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.
Clubs are urged to register their athletes without further delay.
Related Articles
Record Cork Athletics Registration Figures - February 14th 2017
Athletics Ireland Registration Figures - February 2017
Updated AAI Registered Membership Figures for February 2016
As per previous years, Bandon AC and Leevale AC head the list, as usual, by a distance, with both clubs having over 400 registered members, a further five more clubs have over 200 registrations, while another ten clubs exceed 100 registered members.
Total Registrations by Club - February 2018
Club | Juvenile | Junior | Masters | Senior | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bandon A.C. | 378 | 2 | 67 | 23 | 468 |
Leevale A.C. | 284 | 5 | 83 | 42 | 409 |
Togher A.C. | 153 | 5 | 97 | 28 | 278 |
Ballymore Cobh A.C. | 123 | 1 | 139 | 14 | 276 |
Midleton A.C. | 128 | 1 | 116 | 8 | 252 |
West Muskerry A.C. | 177 | 2 | 49 | 4 | 230 |
Youghal A.C. | 105 | 0 | 100 | 17 | 222 |
St. Catherine's A.C. | 129 | 0 | 59 | 6 | 194 |
North Cork A.C. | 128 | 2 | 49 | 11 | 188 |
Belgooly A.C. | 154 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 178 |
St. Nicholas A.C. | 73 | 0 | 83 | 15 | 171 |
Mallow A.C. | 0 | 0 | 137 | 15 | 152 |
Carraig-Na-Bhfear A.C. | 95 | 1 | 39 | 7 | 141 |
Ballincollig A.C. | 103 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 140 |
Clonakilty Road Runners | 107 | 0 | 23 | 4 | 134 |
Grange/Fermoy A.C. | 58 | 0 | 71 | 4 | 133 |
Eagle A.C. | 0 | 0 | 118 | 15 | 133 |
Fanahan Mc Sweeney A.C. | 75 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 91 |
Ballintotis Fit4Life | 3 | 0 | 71 | 11 | 85 |
Courcey A.C. | 66 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 81 |
Liscarroll A.C. | 54 | 2 | 19 | 2 | 75 |
Aghada Running Club ARC | 0 | 0 | 68 | 6 | 74 |
St. Finbarrs A.C. | 1 | 0 | 63 | 8 | 72 |
Bweeng Trail Blazers | 1 | 0 | 57 | 9 | 67 |
Watergrasshill A.C. | 0 | 0 | 57 | 9 | 66 |
Durrus A.C. | 44 | 1 | 18 | 1 | 63 |
Dromahane Road Runners A,C, | 0 | 0 | 49 | 11 | 60 |
Bantry A.C. | 7 | 0 | 35 | 13 | 55 |
Millstreet A.C. | 29 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 52 |
Doheny A.C. | 45 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 51 |
Tracton A.C. | 0 | 0 | 50 | 1 | 51 |
Blarney/Inniscara A.C. | 31 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 45 |
Buttevant R.C. | 1 | 1 | 29 | 12 | 42 |
Old Abbey A.C. | 25 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 36 |
Churchtown Road Runners | 1 | 1 | 20 | 13 | 34 |
Carrigtwohill A.C. | 0 | 0 | 24 | 9 | 33 |
Rosscarbery Steam Runners A.C. | 0 | 0 | 25 | 4 | 29 |
Skibbereen A.C. | 10 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 27 |
East Cork A.C. | 0 | 0 | 14 | 12 | 26 |
Riverstick/Kinsale A.C. | 16 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 24 |
Donoughmore A.C. | 0 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 24 |
Galtee Runners A.C. | 1 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 21 |
Rising Sun A.C. | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
Carrigaline Road Runners A.C. | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 | 19 |
Shandrum A.C. | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 18 |
Cork Mental Health A.C. | 0 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 16 |
Duhallow AC | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | 14 |
Abbey Striders A.C. | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
Cork Varsity A.C. | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Total | 2610 | 27 | 2094 | 380 | 5084 |
Registrations for Cork Clubs February 28th 2018
Juvenile/Junior Registrations as at February 28th 2018
Bandon AC lead the pack, by nearly 100 Juvenile/Junior members, with second placed Leevale AC themselves over 100 memebrs ahead of third-placed West Muskerry AC.
Club | Juvenile | Junior | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Bandon A.C. | 378 | 2 | 380 |
Leevale A.C. | 284 | 5 | 289 |
West Muskerry A.C. | 177 | 2 | 179 |
Togher A.C. | 153 | 5 | 158 |
Belgooly A.C. | 154 | 0 | 154 |
North Cork A.C. | 128 | 2 | 130 |
Midleton A.C. | 128 | 1 | 129 |
St. Catherine's A.C. | 129 | 0 | 129 |
Ballymore Cobh A.C. | 123 | 1 | 124 |
Clonakilty Road Runners | 107 | 0 | 107 |
Youghal A.C. | 105 | 0 | 105 |
Ballincollig A.C. | 103 | 0 | 103 |
Carraig-Na-Bhfear A.C. | 95 | 1 | 96 |
Fanahan Mc Sweeney A.C. | 75 | 1 | 76 |
St. Nicholas A.C. | 73 | 0 | 73 |
Courcey A.C. | 66 | 0 | 66 |
Grange/Fermoy A.C. | 58 | 0 | 58 |
Liscarroll A.C. | 54 | 2 | 56 |
Durrus A.C. | 44 | 1 | 45 |
Doheny A.C. | 45 | 0 | 45 |
Blarney/Inniscara A.C. | 31 | 0 | 31 |
Millstreet A.C. | 29 | 0 | 29 |
Old Abbey A.C. | 25 | 0 | 25 |
Riverstick/Kinsale A.C. | 16 | 0 | 16 |
Skibbereen A.C. | 10 | 0 | 10 |
Bantry A.C. | 7 | 0 | 7 |
Abbey Striders A.C. | 5 | 2 | 7 |
Ballintotis Fit4Life | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Buttevant R.C. | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Churchtown Road Runners | 1 | 1 | 2 |
St. Finbarrs A.C. | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Bweeng Trail Blazers | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Galtee Runners A.C. | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 2610 | 27 | 2637 |
Senior Athlete Female Ratio
The ratio of senior women is interesting. Discounting those clubs at the top and bottom of the table, due to relatively small numbers, giving disproportionately high and low ratios, the figures for some of leading clubs, by numbers, show remarkable differences, with the majority having over 50% senior women members, however a small number have less than 30% senior women.
Club | Total | Women | Men | Ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ballincollig A.C. | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100.00% |
Carrigaline Road Runners A.C. | 3 | 3 | 0 | 100.00% |
Courcey A.C. | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100.00% |
Durrus A.C. | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100.00% |
Fanahan Mc Sweeney A.C. | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100.00% |
Liscarroll A.C. | 2 | 2 | 0 | 100.00% |
Tracton A.C. | 1 | 1 | 0 | 100.00% |
Dromahane Road Runners A,C, | 11 | 10 | 1 | 90.91% |
Carrigtwohill A.C. | 9 | 8 | 1 | 88.89% |
Midleton A.C. | 8 | 7 | 1 | 87.50% |
Ballintotis Fit4Life | 11 | 9 | 2 | 81.82% |
Galtee Runners A.C. | 5 | 4 | 1 | 80.00% |
Churchtown Road Runners | 13 | 10 | 3 | 76.92% |
Buttevant R.C. | 12 | 9 | 3 | 75.00% |
Grange/Fermoy A.C. | 4 | 3 | 1 | 75.00% |
Mallow A.C. | 15 | 11 | 4 | 73.33% |
Ballymore Cobh A.C. | 14 | 10 | 4 | 71.43% |
Youghal A.C. | 17 | 12 | 5 | 70.59% |
Bweeng Trail Blazers | 9 | 6 | 3 | 66.67% |
Shandrum A.C. | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.67% |
Skibbereen A.C. | 3 | 2 | 1 | 66.67% |
Bantry A.C. | 13 | 8 | 5 | 61.54% |
Carraig-Na-Bhfear A.C. | 7 | 4 | 3 | 57.14% |
Cork Mental Health A.C. | 7 | 4 | 3 | 57.14% |
Watergrasshill A.C. | 9 | 5 | 4 | 55.56% |
North Cork A.C. | 11 | 6 | 5 | 54.55% |
Bandon A.C. | 23 | 12 | 11 | 52.17% |
Donoughmore A.C. | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50.00% |
Duhallow AC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50.00% |
Millstreet A.C. | 2 | 1 | 1 | 50.00% |
Old Abbey A.C. | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50.00% |
Rosscarbery Steam Runners A.C. | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50.00% |
St. Catherine's A.C. | 6 | 3 | 3 | 50.00% |
West Muskerry A.C. | 4 | 2 | 2 | 50.00% |
St. Nicholas A.C. | 15 | 7 | 8 | 46.67% |
East Cork A.C. | 12 | 5 | 7 | 41.67% |
Cork Varsity A.C. | 5 | 2 | 3 | 40.00% |
St. Finbarrs A.C. | 8 | 3 | 5 | 37.50% |
Aghada Running Club ARC | 6 | 2 | 4 | 33.33% |
Leevale A.C. | 42 | 12 | 30 | 28.57% |
Togher A.C. | 28 | 8 | 20 | 28.57% |
Eagle A.C. | 15 | 4 | 11 | 26.67% |
Abbey Striders A.C. | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% |
Blarney/Inniscara A.C. | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.00% |
Clonakilty Road Runners | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0.00% |
Doheny A.C. | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% |
Senior/Master Registrations as at February 28th 2018
Ballymore-Cobh AC top the list, with 153 adult registrations, just one registration ahead of Mallow AC, with Eagle AC on 133
Total Adult Registrations by Club - February 2018
Top 20 Clubs by Adult Registrations - February 2018
Top 20 Clubs by Masters Registrations - February 2018
Club | Masters | Senior | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Ballymore Cobh A.C. | 139 | 14 | 153 |
Mallow A.C. | 137 | 15 | 152 |
Eagle A.C. | 118 | 15 | 133 |
Leevale A.C. | 83 | 42 | 125 |
Togher A.C. | 97 | 28 | 125 |
Midleton A.C. | 116 | 8 | 124 |
Youghal A.C. | 100 | 17 | 117 |
St. Nicholas A.C. | 83 | 15 | 98 |
Bandon A.C. | 67 | 23 | 90 |
Ballintotis Fit4Life | 71 | 11 | 82 |
Grange/Fermoy A.C. | 71 | 4 | 75 |
Aghada Running Club ARC | 68 | 6 | 74 |
St. Finbarrs A.C. | 63 | 8 | 71 |
Bweeng Trail Blazers | 57 | 9 | 66 |
Watergrasshill A.C. | 57 | 9 | 66 |
St. Catherine's A.C. | 59 | 6 | 65 |
North Cork A.C. | 49 | 11 | 60 |
Dromahane Road Runners A,C, | 49 | 11 | 60 |
West Muskerry A.C. | 49 | 4 | 53 |
Tracton A.C. | 50 | 1 | 51 |
Bantry A.C. | 35 | 13 | 48 |
Carraig-Na-Bhfear A.C. | 39 | 7 | 46 |
Buttevant R.C. | 29 | 12 | 41 |
Ballincollig A.C. | 36 | 1 | 37 |
Churchtown Road Runners | 20 | 13 | 33 |
Carrigtwohill A.C. | 24 | 9 | 33 |
Rosscarbery Steam Runners A.C. | 25 | 4 | 29 |
Clonakilty Road Runners | 23 | 4 | 27 |
East Cork A.C. | 14 | 12 | 26 |
Belgooly A.C. | 24 | 0 | 24 |
Donoughmore A.C. | 22 | 2 | 24 |
Millstreet A.C. | 21 | 2 | 23 |
Liscarroll A.C. | 19 | 2 | 21 |
Galtee Runners A.C. | 15 | 5 | 20 |
Rising Sun A.C. | 20 | 0 | 20 |
Durrus A.C. | 18 | 1 | 19 |
Carrigaline Road Runners A.C. | 16 | 3 | 19 |
Shandrum A.C. | 15 | 3 | 18 |
Skibbereen A.C. | 14 | 3 | 17 |
Fanahan Mc Sweeney A.C. | 15 | 1 | 16 |
Cork Mental Health A.C. | 9 | 7 | 16 |
Courcey A.C. | 14 | 1 | 15 |
Blarney/Inniscara A.C. | 11 | 3 | 14 |
Duhallow AC | 12 | 2 | 14 |
Old Abbey A.C. | 5 | 6 | 11 |
Riverstick/Kinsale A.C. | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Doheny A.C. | 5 | 1 | 6 |
Cork Varsity A.C. | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Abbey Striders A.C. | 3 | 1 | 4 |
Total | 2094 | 380 | 2474 |
Masters Female Ratio Breakdown
The ratio of masters women is equally interesting. As with the Senior figures, the ratios for some of leading clubs, by numbers, show remarkable differences, with the vast majority having over 40% senior women members, however a small number, including some of the largest clubs overall, have less than 30% masters women.
Club | Total | Women | Men | W-M Ratio |
---|---|---|---|---|
Courcey A.C. | 14 | 13 | 1 | 92.86% |
Riverstick/Kinsale A.C. | 8 | 7 | 1 | 87.50% |
Carrigaline Road Runners A.C. | 16 | 13 | 3 | 81.25% |
Bantry A.C. | 35 | 27 | 8 | 77.14% |
Dromahane Road Runners A,C, | 49 | 34 | 15 | 69.39% |
Buttevant R.C. | 29 | 20 | 9 | 68.97% |
Bandon A.C. | 67 | 45 | 22 | 67.16% |
Bweeng Trail Blazers | 57 | 38 | 19 | 66.67% |
Durrus A.C. | 18 | 12 | 6 | 66.67% |
Aghada Running Club ARC | 68 | 45 | 23 | 66.18% |
Tracton A.C. | 50 | 33 | 17 | 66.00% |
Ballymore Cobh A.C. | 139 | 89 | 50 | 64.03% |
Churchtown Road Runners | 20 | 12 | 8 | 60.00% |
Doheny A.C. | 5 | 3 | 2 | 60.00% |
Old Abbey A.C. | 5 | 3 | 2 | 60.00% |
Ballintotis Fit4Life | 71 | 42 | 29 | 59.15% |
Belgooly A.C. | 24 | 14 | 10 | 58.33% |
Duhallow AC | 12 | 7 | 5 | 58.33% |
St. Nicholas A.C. | 83 | 47 | 36 | 56.63% |
Rosscarbery Steam Runners A.C. | 25 | 14 | 11 | 56.00% |
North Cork A.C. | 49 | 27 | 22 | 55.10% |
Carrigtwohill A.C. | 24 | 13 | 11 | 54.17% |
Shandrum A.C. | 15 | 8 | 7 | 53.33% |
Youghal A.C. | 100 | 53 | 47 | 53.00% |
West Muskerry A.C. | 49 | 25 | 24 | 51.02% |
Midleton A.C. | 116 | 59 | 57 | 50.86% |
St. Catherine's A.C. | 59 | 30 | 29 | 50.85% |
Clonakilty Road Runners | 23 | 11 | 12 | 47.83% |
Liscarroll A.C. | 19 | 9 | 10 | 47.37% |
Watergrasshill A.C. | 57 | 27 | 30 | 47.37% |
Ballincollig A.C. | 36 | 17 | 19 | 47.22% |
Fanahan Mc Sweeney A.C. | 15 | 7 | 8 | 46.67% |
Donoughmore A.C. | 22 | 10 | 12 | 45.45% |
Togher A.C. | 97 | 44 | 53 | 45.36% |
Mallow A.C. | 137 | 62 | 75 | 45.26% |
Skibbereen A.C. | 14 | 6 | 8 | 42.86% |
Grange/Fermoy A.C. | 71 | 30 | 41 | 42.25% |
Carraig-Na-Bhfear A.C. | 39 | 16 | 23 | 41.03% |
Galtee Runners A.C. | 15 | 6 | 9 | 40.00% |
St. Finbarrs A.C. | 63 | 25 | 38 | 39.68% |
Blarney/Inniscara A.C. | 11 | 4 | 7 | 36.36% |
Abbey Striders A.C. | 3 | 1 | 2 | 33.33% |
Cork Mental Health A.C. | 9 | 3 | 6 | 33.33% |
Eagle A.C. | 118 | 34 | 84 | 28.81% |
Millstreet A.C. | 21 | 6 | 15 | 28.57% |
Leevale A.C. | 83 | 21 | 62 | 25.30% |
Rising Sun A.C. | 20 | 3 | 17 | 15.00% |
East Cork A.C. | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0.00% |
Cork Athletics Events Cancelled due to Weather Red Alert
Thursday - Saturday, March 1st - 3rd 2018
Severe Weather - Red Alert |
Met Eireann has issued a Red Alert for severe weather due to hit Ireland, and, in particular, the South Coast, from tomorrow afternoon. Government advice is for everyone to be indoors from 3pm tomorrow afternoon.
The Height of Storm Emma is due between Midnight and 3am on Friday morning, with blizzard conditions, accompanied by 100kph winds and NIL visibility, from tomorrow afternoon, to accompany the storm.
The following Cork Athletics events have been cancelled, on Health & Safety Grounds, due to impending severe weather over the next 48 hours or so.
CANCELLED - Cork Athletics Annual International Awards Night 2018
CANCELLED - Cork Youth Development Initiative (CYDI) - March 2018
These events will be rescheduled for a later date
CIT Track is CLOSED until Monday next
Cork Athletics is waiting on word on the status of other events scheduled for the next few days
Update 12 noon, Thurs - CANCELLED - GloHealth National Masters Indoor Championships
Rescheduled for Saturday March 10th
CANCELLED - IUAA Cross-Country Championships 2018
The IUAA XC Chp has been postponed, with a provisional date set for Sat March 10th
CANCELLED - Munster Athletics Annual Awards Night 2018
Rescheduled for Friday March 16th
This weekend's Coach education courses have been cancelled. They will be re-scheduled for later dates.
CANCELLED - Endurance Running Course
CANCELLED - Assistant Coach Course - Kilworth
Duhallow 10 Mile - RACE POSTPONED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER
Following a course inspection this evening, and consultation with relevant authorities, Duhallow AC regrets that the race has been unavoidably postponed. A new date is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday or Thursday next, following confirmation with Cork Athletics County Board, Emergency Services, Gardai, and Timing Company, along with re-arrangement/consideration of many other critical factors.
Killeagh GAA Club 4 Mile - RACE POSTPONED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER
A new date is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday or Thursday next
Please pass on the word!!
Registered Cork Athletics Races & Events for Week Ending Sunday March 4th 2018
This week - An action packed week, with something to suit everyone: Indoor Chps, from National to World, Coach Education & Coaching, Cross-Country & Road Races:
IAAF World Indoor Chps, Endurance Running Course, IUAA XC Chps, Cork & Munster Athletics Awards Nights, Assistant Coach Course (Kilworth), National Masters Indoor Chps, Killeagh 4 Mile & Duhallow 10 Mile Road Races
Thursday March 1st, 18:45pm, Birmingham, UK - IAAF World Indoor T&F Championships - Day 1
Friday March 2nd, 10am, Birmingham, UK - IAAF World Indoor T&F Championships - Day 2
Friday March 2nd, 8pm, Cork - Cork Athletics Annual International Awards Night
Saturday March 3rd, 9:30am, Douglas, Cork - Endurance Running Course
Saturday March 3rd, 10am, Birmingham, UK - IAAF World Indoor T&F Championships - Day 3
Saturday March 3rd, 11am, Santry, Dublin - IUAA Cross-Country Championships
Saturday March 3rd, 10am, CIT Track - Cork Youth Development Initiative (CYDI) - March
Saturday March 3rd, 10am, Ennis, Co. Clare - Munster Athletics Annual Awards Night
Sunday March 4th, 10am, Kilworth - Assistant Coach Course - Kilworth March
Sunday March 4th, 11am, - GloHealth National Masters Indoor Championships
Sunday March 4th, 11am, Athlone IT - GloHealth National Masters Indoor Championships
Sunday March 4th, 11am, Killeagh - Killeagh GAA Club 4 Mile
Sunday March 4th, 13:30pm, Newmarket - Duhallow 10 Mile
Sunday March 4th, 15:00pm, Birmingham, UK - IAAF World Indoor T&F Championships - Day 4
Cork Youth Development Initiative (CYDI) - Invitation to Athletes born 2003 - 2006
CIT Track, Bishopstown, Cork
1pm, Saturday March 3rd 2018
The first meeting of the Cork Youth Development Initiative (CYDI) will take place at 1pm, at CIT Track, on Saturday March 3rd
Meet outside red brick building on the South west side of the Stand
CIT Track Meeting Rooms
Cork Athletics invites all registered Athletes born between 1/1/2003 and 31/12/2006, their parents and coaches to attend the initial session, on March 3rd. Jacqui Freyne, Phil Kearney, Event Lead Coaches, and members of Cork Athletics County Board Development Committee will be in attendance.
Jacqui Freyne, Performance Development Manager, Athletics Ireland High Performance Division
"I am passionate about skill acquisition, and inspiring the next generation of sport scientists and coaches to apply the core principles of skill acquisition in the development of athletes. A Fellow of the Higher Education Authority, I am committed to excellence and innovation in teaching. My research focuses on developing coaches and athletes, and enhances my practice as a sport scientist and the quality of my teaching."
Dr. Phil Kearney, PhD
Phil earned his PhD at the University of Limerick under the supervision of Dr PJ Smyth and Dr Ross Anderson. He spent eight years as a lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology at the University of Chichester, UK, specialising in skill acquisition, where he was coordinator of the BSc Sport Science and Coaching programme. Phil returned to the University of Limerick in September 2017. He is also an athletics coach working in the youth participation context. His current research interests lie in exploring the extent to which players and coaches from a range of domains understand and apply core principles of skill acquisition in their practice
Event | Coach |
Hurdles | Colette Kelly |
High Jump | Martin O'Sullivan |
Shot | Dave Frattaroli |
Javelin | Tom Galvin |
Discus/Hammer | Finbarr McCarthy |
Sprints | Derek Coffey |
Long Jump/Triple Jump | Joe Cusack |
Middle Distance/Long Distance | Colette O'Riordan & Frank Hayes |
Following on from the March 3rd session, a further session will be held later in April. The scheme will then resume in the autumn. There will be no sessions during May or June, due to the demands of competition for the relevant age group, and the state exams in June
1) To provide coaching and event peer training groups to aid achievement of qualification standards for EYOF competition in 2019 and 2021 (age dependant).
2) To provide a pathway to the National High Performance Junior squad
Provide information on qualification standards and selection policy, and how they are determined - Jacqui Freyne Athletics Ireland High Performance
To organise workshops around the area of physical development and the young athlete, and its impact on performance. - Mary Gleasure BSc SMISCP (Specialist in Sports Medicine, DIP Sports Psychology, DIP Nutrition).
To organise workshops on training pian towards achievement of standards, and to understand competition peaking. - Athletics Ireland High Performance
To hold regular coaching sessions in the events with selected athletes
Registered Cork Athletics Races & Events for Week Ending Sunday March 11th 2018
Last week was labelled "An action packed week, with something to suit everyone" - Little did we know!!
This week - Munster Schools Indoors, Coaching & Crosshaven 5k & 10k Road Races, with, Nationally, All-Ireland Schools XC Chps, IUAA XC Chps & National Masters Indoor Chps
Tuesday March 6th, 11am, Nenagh - Munster Schools Indoor Games
Wednesday March 7th, 8pm, Meeting Rooms, CIT Track - County Board Meeting
Saturday March 10th, 10am, Ballinaspittle - Assistant Coach Course
Sunday March 11th, 11:30am, Crosshaven - Scoil Bhride Crosshaven 5k and 10k Road Races
Saturday March 10th, 11am, WIT, Waterford - GloHealth All Ireland Schools' Cross Country Championships
Saturday March 10th, 11am, Santry, Dublin - IUAA Cross-Country Championships
Sunday March 11th, 11am, AIT Athlone - GloHealth National Masters Indoor Championships
Friday 9th & Saturday March 10th, USA - NCAA Indoor Championships
Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th March, Leiria, Portugal - European Winter Throws
Triple World Indoor 1,500m Champion in 45 Minute Interview
Marcus O'Sullivan - Photo: Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport
February 25th, just a few days ago, saw the 20th anniversary of Marcus O'Sullivan's remarkable 101st, and final, sub-4 minute Mile, which he set in Melbourne, Australia. He was interviewed, on Off the Ball, on the occassion, speaking on how he 'got into coaching', and outlined some of his approach and philosophy.
Leevale AC's Marcus O’Sullivan is one of only three athletes to run 100, or more, sub-4:00 miles. He joined American Steve Scott (136 sub-4:00 miles) and New Zealander John Walker (124 sub-4:00 miles), on that list on February 13th, 1998, when he ran 3:58.10, at the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games.
His final sub-4:00 mile -- his 101st -- took place 12 days later, in Melbourne, Australia. In that final sub-4 performance, O'Sullivan came third behind Kenyans Daniel Komen (3:53.63) and Noah Ngeny (3:56.06). He also ran the metric equivalent of the sub-4:00 mile (i.e., sub 3:42.2, over 1500 meters) an additional 83 times in his career, to produce a staggering level of consistency.
As Marcus explain's in the interview below, each Mile had to meet minimum criteria, and had to be fully documented, hence he ran his 101st sub-4, "just to be sure", in case one of the first 100 was 'scratched', for not meeting the criteria. In the event, all 100 sub-4's stood, along with the 'insurance run'.
Marcus O’Sullivan is a three-time World Indoor 1500 meter Champion; In 1987 (Indianapolis), 1989 (Budapest), and 1993 (Toronto). He set championship records in each of his 1987 and 1989 victories. He was also 4th in the 1991 Seville world indoor championships.
He represented Ireland at four Olympic Games: 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996, at both 800 meters and 1500 meters and reached the 1500 meter finals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
He won the prestigious Wanamaker Mile in Madison Square Garden's Millrose Games five times (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1992).
His PB for the mile is 3:50.96, which he set indoors, in East Rutherford, NJ, on February 13, 1988, and his PB for 1500 meters is 3:33.65, which he set in 1992.
He set an indoor 1500 meters world record of 3:35.4, on February 10, 1989.
He was one of a quartet of Irish runners, along with Ray Flynn, Eamonn Coghlan, and Frank O'Mara, who set the still standing world record in the 4 by 1 Mile relay, at the UCD Belfield track, in Dublin, on August 17, 1985, runing 15:49.08.
Cork City Sports 1988 - Mardyke Arena
Outdoor
Discipline | Performance | Wind | Place | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
800 Metres | 01:45.9 | Berlin (GER) | 23-Aug-85 | |
1000 Metres | 02:19.2 | London (GBR) | 22-Aug-87 | |
1500 Metres | 03:33.6 | Monaco (MON) | 10-Aug-96 | |
One Mile | 03:51.6 | Oslo (NOR) | 01-Jul-89 | |
2000 Metres | 04:55.1 | Nice (FRA) | 10-Jul-96 | |
3000 Metres | 07:42.5 | London (UK) | 14-Jul-89 | |
5000 Metres | 13:27.3 | Berlin (GER) | 04-Jul-90 | |
5 Kilometres | 13:45 | Carlsbad (USA) | 29-Mar-92 | |
4x800 Metres Relay | 07:12.3 | Philadelphia (USA) | 24-Apr-82 | |
4x1500 Metres Relay | 14:52.8 | Philadelphia (USA) | 28-Apr-84 |
Indoor
Discipline | Performance | Wind | Place | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
1000 Metres | 02:20.2 | New York (USA) | 25-Jan-85 | |
1500 Metres | 03:35.4 | East Rutherford (USA) | 10-Feb-89 | |
One Mile | 03:50.9 | East Rutherford (USA) | 13-Feb-88 | |
3000 Metres | 07:50.5 | Birmingham (UK) | 23-Feb-97 |
No | Date | Venue | Time | Indoors (i) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jan. 22, 1983 | Chapel Hill, NC | 03:58.8 | (i) |
2 | Jan. 28, 1983 | New York, NY | 03:59.1 | (i) |
3 | July 13, 1983 | Cork, Ireland | 03:56.7 | |
4 | July 20, 1983 | Luxembourg | 03:59.6 | |
5 | July 3, 1984 | Cork, Ireland | 03:56.1 | |
6 | July 21, 1984 | Oslo, Norway | 03:55.8 | |
7 | Jan. 19, 1985 | Johnson City, TN | 03:57.1 | (i) |
8 | Feb. 9, 1985 | East Rutherford, NJ | 03:57.1 | (i) |
9 | June 9, 1985 | Villanova, PA | 03:54.1 | |
10 | June 24, 1985 | Belfast, N. Ireland | 03:56.7 | |
11 | July 9, 1985 | Cork, Ireland | 03:52.6 | |
12 | July 23, 1985 | Edinburgh, Scotland | 03:56.4 | |
13 | Aug. 2, 1985 | London, England | 03:57.3 | |
14 | Aug. 30, 1985 | Brussels, Belgium | 03:59.3 | |
15 | Jan. 17, 1986 | Los Angeles, CA | 03:58.4 | (i) |
16 | Feb. 1, 1986 | Dallas, TX | 03:57.4 | (i) |
17 | Feb. 8, 1986 | East Rutherford, NJ | 03:57.3 | (i) |
18 | Feb. 14, 1986 | New York, NY | 03:56.0 | (i) |
19 | Feb. 21, 1986 | Inglewood, CA | 03:57.2 | (i) |
20 | Feb. 28, 1986 | New York, NY | 03:57.3 | (i) |
21 | June 30, 1986 | Belfast, N. Ireland | 03:58.5 | |
22 | July 8, 1986 | Cork, Ireland | 03:53.5 | |
23 | July 11, 1986 | London, England | 03:54.6 | |
24 | Aug. 6, 1986 | Dublin, Ireland | 03:58.5 | |
25 | Sept. 12, 1986 | London, England | 03:54.1 | |
26 | Jan. 30, 1987 | New York, NY | 03:56.5 | (i) |
27 | Feb. 14, 1987 | East Rutherford, NJ | 03:57.7 | (i) |
28 | Feb. 21, 1987 | Inglewood, CA | 03:56.9 | (i) |
29 | June 4, 1987 | Madrid, Spain | 03:59.4 | |
30 | July 4, 1987 | Oslo, Norway | 03:54.3 | |
31 | July 7, 1987 | Cork, Ireland | 03:58.8 | |
32 | July 15, 1987 | Barcelona, Spain | 03:56.3 | |
33 | July 20, 1987 | Belfast, N. Ireland | 03:59.3 | |
34 | Aug. 19, 1987 | Zurich, Switzerland | 03:52.8 | |
35 | Jan. 22, 1988 | Johnson City, TN | 03:57.8 | (i) |
36 | Feb. 5, 1988 | New York, NY | 03:56.9 | (i) |
37 | Feb. 13, 1988 | East Rutherford, NJ | 03:50.9 | (i) |
38 | Feb. 26, 1988 | New York, NY | 03:59.8 | (i) |
39 | July 16, 1988 | Gateshead, England | 03:57.8 | |
40 | Aug. 17, 1988 | Zurich, Switzerland | 03:52.5 | |
41 | Aug. 26, 1988 | Berlin, Germany | 03:57.2 | |
42 | Jan. 27, 1989 | Johnson City, TN | 03:57.6 | (i) |
43 | Feb. 3, 1989 | New York, NY | 03:54.3 | (i) |
44 | Feb. 5, 1989 | Fairfax, VA | 03:58.1 | . |
45 | Feb. 10, 1989 | East Rutherford, NJ | 03:51.7 | (i) |
46 | Feb. 24, 1989 | New York, NY | 03:59.2 | (i) |
47 | July 1, 1989 | Oslo, Norway | 03:51.6 | |
48 | July 22, 1989 | New York, NY | 03:53.6 | |
49 | Sept. 15, 1989 | London, England | 03:56.7 | |
50 | Feb. 2, 1990 | New York, NY | 03:59.3 | (i) |
51 | Feb. 9, 1990 | East Rutherford, NJ | 03:58.4 | |
52 | Feb. 16, 1990 | Inglewood, CA | 03:57.0 | (i) |
53 | Feb. 23, 1990 | New York, NY | 03:57.3 | (i) |
54 | July 29, 1990 | New York, NY | 03:55.5 | |
55 | Jan. 25, 1991 | Johnson City, TN | 03:59.0 | (i) |
56 | Feb. 1, 1991 | New York, NY | 03:55.2 | (i) |
57 | Feb. 8, 1991 | East Rutherford, NJ | 03:56.7 | (i) |
58 | Feb. 22, 1991 | New York, NY | 03:58.6 | (i) |
59 | July 21, 1991 | New York, NY | 03:56.2 | |
60 | Jan. 25, 1992 | Johnson City, TN | 03:57.4 | (i) |
61 | May 24, 1992 | New York, NY | 03:59.0 | |
62 | Aug. 25, 1992 | Copenhagen, Denmark | 03:57.7 | |
63 | Jan. 15, 1993 | Hamilton, Ontario | 03:59.3 | (i) |
64 | Jan. 23, 1993 | Boston, MA | 03:58.3 | (i) |
65 | Jan. 30, 1993 | Johnson City, TN | 03:59.6 | (i) |
66 | Feb. 5, 1993 | New York, NY | 03:55.4 | (i) |
67 | Feb. 19, 1993 | Portland, OR | 03:57.6 | (i) |
68 | Feb. 26, 1993 | New York, NY | 03:54.9 | (i) |
69 | June 25, 1993 | Indianapolis, IN | 03:54.5 | |
70 | July 9, 1993 | Cork, Ireland | 03:58.0 | |
71 | Aug. 27, 1993 | Berlin, Germany | 03:52.8 | |
72 | Sept. 3, 1993 | Brussels, Belgium | 03:55.5 | |
73 | Jan. 16, 1994 | Montreal, Canada | 03:59.7 | (i) |
74 | Jan. 22, 1994 | Johnson City, TN | 03:59.2 | (i) |
75 | Feb. 4, 1994 | New York, NY | 03:58.8 | (i) |
76 | July 26, 1994 | St. Petersburg, Russia | 03:53.9 | |
77 | Jan. 13, 1995 | Hamilton, Ontario | 04:00.0 | (i) |
78 | Jan. 29, 1995 | Johnson City, TN | 03:59.1 | (i) |
79 | Feb. 3, 1995 | New York, NY | 03:57.1 | (i) |
80 | Feb. 17, 1995 | Cleveland, OH | 03:59.1 | (i) |
81 | Feb. 25, 1995 | Fairfax, VA | 03:56.5 | (i) |
82 | June 2, 1995 | Haverford, PA | 03:59.9 | |
83 | Aug. 27, 1995 | London, England | 03:57.1 | |
84 | Sept. 1, 1995 | Berlin, Germany | 03:54.3 | |
85 | Oct. 21, 1995 | Hong Kong, China | 03:59.7 | |
86 | March 2, 1996 | Atlanta, GA | 03:59.0 | (i) |
87 | May 18, 1996 | Atlanta, GA | 03:56.9 | |
88 | May 26, 1996 | Eugene, OR | 03:53.8 | |
89 | July 5, 1996 | Oslo, Norway | 03:52.8 | |
90 | Aug. 30, 1996 | Berlin, Germany | 03:54.9 | |
91 | Jan. 25, 1997 | Boston, MA | 03:57.5 | (i) |
92 | May 14, 1997 | Haverford, PA | 03:57.5 | |
93 | May 25, 1997 | Eugene, OR | 03:53.9 | |
94 | June 4, 1997 | Haverford, PA | 03:57.4 | |
95 | June 29, 1997 | Sheffield, England | 03:57.5 | |
96 | July 4, 1997 | Oslo, Norway | 03:52.6 | |
97 | July 16, 1997 | Nice, France | 03:52.8 | |
98 | Aug. 26, 1997 | Berlin, Germany | 03:52.0 | |
99 | Jan. 25, 1998 | Haverford, PA | 03:58.6 | (i) |
100 | Feb. 13, 1998 | New York, NY | 03:58.1 | (i) |
101 | Feb. 25, 1998 | Melbourne, Australia | 03:56.3 |
Marcus O'Sullivan (born 22 December 1961) is a retired Irish middle distance runner. Although he wasn't planning to go to any of Ireland's universities, O'Sullivan's running encouraged him to go to Villanova University at 19. After four years of education at Villanova, O'Sullivan graduated with a degree in accounting and later attained an MBA and a CPA.
Career
O'Sullivan quickly became a world class runner, and took part in four summer Olympic Games. He won three gold medals at the World Indoor Championships over 1500m. He is third all-time (trailing Steve Scott, at 137 and John Walker, at 127) with total sub-4 minute miles, at 101.
The three World Indoor 1500 metre Championships won by O'Sullivan were in 1987 (Indianapolis), 1989 (Budapest), and 1993 (Toronto). In his victories in 1987 and 1989, he set championship records. He was 4th in the 1991 Seville world indoor championships.
At the 1985 European Athletics Indoor Championships, O'Sullivan won a silver medal in the 1500m.
O'Sullivan qualified for four Olympic Games for Ireland: 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996, at both 800 metres and 1500 metres. He reached the 1500 metre finals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
He set an indoor 1500 metres world record of 3:35.4 on 10 February 1989, and was generally regarded as a better competitor running indoors. This is evidenced by the fact that O'Sullivan won the prestigious Wanamaker Mile in Madison Square Garden's Millrose Games six times (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1996).
His personal best for the mile, which was set indoors in 1988, is 3:50.94. His personal best for the 1500 metres, which was set outdoors in 1996, is 3:33.61.
O'Sullivan, along with Irish runners Ray Flynn, Eamonn Coghlan, and Frank O'Mara established the still standing world record in the 4 x 1 mile relay, when they combined in Dublin on August 17, 1985 to run 15:49.08.
O'Sullivan now runs the RunningWorks cross country camp during the summer, and is the head coach of Villanova cross country and track and field. He was coached by Tom Donnelly of Haverford College and advised Bob Kennedy in the later years before Kennedy's retirement.
In addition to his ties to American record holder Bob Kennedy, O'Sullivan has coached elite professional runners such as Canadian indoor world silver medalist Carmen Douma-Hussar, and New Zealander Adrian Blincoe.
Birmingham UK
Friday March 2nd 2018
Irish in Action on Day 2
Cork interest in these championships focuses on Bandon AC's Phil Healy, who runs in the women's 400m heats, at lunchtime today. Phil goes in Heat 5, at 12:38pm, and has been drawn in lane 6.
Phil qualified, as fastest of the fastest losers, for tonight's semi-final, at 20:32pm.
First up for Ireland, is Ciara Neville, who runs shortly, in Heat 1 (Lane 7) of the Women's 60m, at 10:35am. She's followed immediately, in Heat 2, Lane 1, by Amy Foster, the irish record-holder, who runs at 10:42
Ciara Mageean rounds off the evening for Ireland, running in Heat 3 of the women's 1,500m, at 7:58pm
Coverage Live on BBC 2
Athletics Ireland Report - Feidhlim Kelly
Phil Healy leads the charge coming around the final bend!
Phil Healy (Bandon) had a brilliant run to advance to the semi-final of the women’s 400m with a third place finish in heat 5 in 52.75 at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Arena Birmingham today (March 2nd).
Healy created history by becoming the first Irish woman to advance to the semi-final of a 400m at a world indoor championship and was suitably pleased.
“It was going to be a testing first 200m,” said Healy starting in lane 6 who split a swift 24.03 at the break to lead. “I ticked the first box and I’m happy with how I ran out there today.”
The Bandon athlete will compete later this evening at 8:32pm.
The 18-year-old Ciara Neville (Emerald) kicked off the Irish campaign in the first heat of the women’s 60m where she clocked 7.47 seconds for seventh. ‘I wanted to do better but it will help to build confidence for the future,” said the Limerick teenager afterwards.
Amy Foster (City of Lisburn) was next up and she finished fifth in heat 2 of the 60m in 7.35. “It’s not a bad run. It’s just not what I was looking for.”
Foster has been in scintillating form this year with an Irish record of 7.27 seconds to win the national senior championships.
She can now go to Berlin in August for the European Athletics Championships with ambitions of a coveted spot in the 100m final.
Ciara Mageean (UCD) will also be in action this evening in the women’s 1500 heats at 7:58pm.
Phil Healy Speaking after her 400m Heat
Athletics Ireland Report - Feidhlim Kelly
Phil Healy (Bandon) bowed out of the IAAF World Indoor Championships with a brave run from lane 1 to finish third in her semi-final in 53.26 in Birmingham this evening (March 2nd).
It was a great effort by Healy who qualified in the morning as a fastest qualifier with a 52.75 clocking after blazing through the first 200m in 24.02.
“I said I was going to go out there and die fighting and I’m proud of my performances at these championships,” said Healy afterwards who finished an excellent 12th overall.
Phil Healy speaking after her World Championship Semi-Final
Ciara Mageean (UCD) was the other Irish athlete in evening action on day 2 in the Arena Birmingham and she was disappointed, but not despondent, with her 7th place finish in heat 3 of the 1500m in 4:11.81.
“I’m disappointed but I know I’m running better than that,” said Mageean afterwards.
Ben Reynolds (North Down) is the final Irish competitor in action tomorrow evening (March 3rd) in the heats of the 60m hurdles at 6:37pm.
This article by, John Walshe, appeared in the February 21st 2018 issue of Midleton & Dist News
To win a National Championship medal at any level in sport is a significant achievement, but for two members of the one family to come home with a total of four National Championship medals from one day’s competition is a story worth telling.
Such was the accomplishment of the Ballyandreen father-and-son combination of Phil and Sean McGrath, at last Sunday week’s Irish Life Health National Masters Cross-Country Championships, which took place in Clarinbridge, in County Galway. Sean McGrath has been to forefront of Cork running for the past decade or so, be it on road, cross-country or track. He won a National Silver medal, at intermediate level, behind East Cork clubmate James McCarthy, 11 years ago. Then last summer, having reached the M35 category, Sean took the Gold medal at the National Masters Track & Field Championships, over 5,000m at Tullamore.
This winter, although he won the Munster M35 title, he has been suffering from injur, so his third place in Galway was all the more noteworthy. There was a Cork clean sweep with Paul Moloney from Mallow AC taking first, in 26:03, ahead of Alan O’Brien, of Eagle AC, 26:17, with Sean not too far behind, on 26:51. “It was a tough race; it was also my first since December. I was happy to beat Tim Twomey, Leevale AC, who was ahead of me in the county championship, I pulled away from him over the last half-lap,” admitted Sean.
With the first three finishers, Cork easily won the Inter-County Championship, as they finished over 40 points clear of second placed Donegal, guaranteeing a National Gold medal for Sean, to go with his individual National Bronze medal.
If Sean McGrath needed any motivation going into his race, he certainly should have been inspired by the earlier achievement of his father Phil. While travelling to Galway, with maybe a hope of scoring on the Cork M65 team, finishing in the top three was the furthest thing from Phil's mind. Incredibly, this was his first cross-country race in over 30 years. “Back in the 1980s I ran an East Cork race in Carrignavar. After that day I said I’d never run cross-country again,” he explained.
But the ability was always there. In 1973, Phil was a scoring member of the Midleton AC team, that included future Olympian Liam O’Brien, that won both the Cork County Novice and Intermediate cross-country titles. Through John Reidy at FMC, where Phil worked at the time, he started back running in the Cork BHAA races during the 1980s and in the last couple of years Phil has been a regular prize-winner on the local circuit, where he also reached his goal of breaking 20 minutes for the 5km distance.
“The course in Galway was tough, it was over two laps,” said Phil. “I was watching Richard Piotrowski, who, in turn, was watching another runner from Northern Ireland, but with half the race gone I realised we weren’t going anywhere, so I started chasing the leaders. I passed a number of people and, coming into the finish, I was told by Denis McCarthy I had a chance of silver but I was out on my feet at that stage, and so was delighted to get third.”
First place went to Martin McEvilly, of Galway City Harriers, in 17:24, from JJ Murphy of Tinryland AC, in Carlow, in 18:13, with Phil third in 18:20. Both McEvilly and Murphy are long-time campaigners on the running scene, not alone in Ireland, but also in London where they have competed against some of the top British runners over the years.
Polish-born Piotrowski, Eagle AC - a good friend of Phil’s – won the M70 category. He too was an outstanding International athlete in his younger days. Backed up by Dan Kennedy of St. Finbarr’s, the Cork trio again easily won the team contest making it, like Sean, a double day of Bronze and Gold for Phil.
Reflecting on his national success, Phil says that he hasn’t any plans for the year ahead – “I’m just happy to be able to go for a run,” he says in his usual modest manner. But there is the British & Irish Masters Cross-Country next November where, on his current form, he would be a strong contender for an Irish vest. Sean ran for Ireland a year ago at the Antrim International so, who knows, there could be a second International in the McGrath household.
Conor, another member of the family, also runs but he has a number of years yet to go before he reaches the masters’ category. However, if their sister Niamh – who was the most talented of the three at juvenile level – gets over her recurring injury problems come next winter you could see three of the McGrath family challenging for National medals.
And let’s not forget wife and mother Kay, who keeps in the background but who makes sure the hungry runners are fed with best of grub, their muddy gear is washed and the moral support is there as this remarkable family continue their athletics success on cross-country, track and road at local and national level.
Related Articles
Cork Results from National Intermediate Masters and Juvenile B Cross-Country-Championships 2018
Cork Athletics Senior Junior and Juvenile Uneven-Age Cross-Country Championship Results October 2017
East Cork Division Acclaims it's 2017 Stars at Annual Awards Function
Midleton Park Hotel
Friday February 23rd 2018
101 Photos on Cork Athletics Facebook Album
A large gathering of athletes and their families, along with many, many supporters and friends gathered in the Midleton Park Hotel last Friday, for the East Cork Athletic Division's Annual Awards Night. The evening was introduced by MC John Cashman, of Midleton AC, and 96 & 103 FM, who and conducted the proceedings with panache, making the occasion all the more special for all who attended.
Guest of Honour was ParaOlympian, Orla Barry, who addressed the gathering, before presenting the initial awards. Orla had to leave early in the evening, as she had an early morning National training session in Dublin, early on Saturday morning.
Following on from Orla, East Cork Chairman, Martin Drake presented many awards, before handing over for the Senior Awards, to Cllr. Susan McCarthy, Chair of East Cork Municipal District.
The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements, at National level, of members of clubs in the East Cork Athletics Divisional area, namely Youghal AC, Ballintotis Fit4Life AC, East Cork AC, Midleton AC, Carrigtwohill AC, Ballymore-Cobh AC, St Nicholas AC, Carraig na bhFear AC and St. Catherine's AC, and a record number of awards were presented this year. The majority of the awards were presented to Juvenile athletes, and, in keeping with juvenile enthusiasm and exuberance, each presentation being met with typical unrestrained acclamation, with the reception for some recipients almost seeming to bring the house down!
The final award of the night was the closely guarded secret - probably more 'hush hush' than the Oscars - which was preceded by silence and bated breadth, before urupting into loud cheers when the nomination went to Carraig na bhFear AC's Daire O'Sullivan, who, judging by the reception, was a polular and endorsed choice.
Dan McCarthy presenting Daire O'Sullivan, with the Kathleen McCarthy Memorial Shield for East Cork Division's Athlete of the Year
There is a choice of several diverse Coaching programs during March 2018, from Coach Education to Endurance Running. In particular there is the innovative Cork Youth Development Initiative (CYDI), which has the primary of helping athletes achieve EYOF Qualification Standards for EYOF competition, in 2019 and 2021
Endurance Running Course, Douglas - Saturday March 3rd
Cork Youth Development Initiative (CYDI), CIT - Saturday March 3rd
Assistant Coach Course, Kilworth - Sunday March 4th
Assistant Coach Course, Ballinaspittle - Saturday March 11th
Endurance Running Course, Douglas - Saturday March 3rd
Cork Youth Development Initiative (CYDI), CIT - Saturday March 3rd
Registered Athletes born between 1/1/2003 and 31/12/2006, their parents and coaches are invited to attend the initial session - just turn up for 1pm on the day
Assistant Coach Course, Kilworth - Sunday March 4th
Assistant Coach Course, Ballinaspittle - Saturday March 11th