Autumn Cross-Country Fixtures - September 2016

Updated Cross-Country Fixtures Listing for Autumn 2016

NB - These details are provided for guidance purposes only. Munster and National Championships, in particular, are subject to change outside Cork Athletics control.  In all cases, please check before travelling

Specific venue details have, in many cases, yet to finalised, and starting times are shown as a guide only.

Entry Forms for Cork Athletics Cross-Country Championships Autumn 2016

Online Entry for Munster & National Cross Country Championships 2016/7

Further information on entering Munster events, on Munster Athletics website

Sun Sep 18th, 11:00 - East Cork Division Cross-Country Championships – Day 1
Sun Sep 18th, 11:00 - West Cork Division Cross-Country Championships

Sun Oct 2nd, 12:00, Conna - Cork Athletics Novice Cross-Country Championships
Sun Oct 2nd, 12:00, Conna - Cork Athletics U23 Cross-Country Championships
Sun Oct 2nd, 13:00, Conna - Cork Athletics Juvenile Even-Age Cross-Country Championships

Sun Oct 9th, 12:00, Carrigadrohid, West Muskerry - Cork Athletics County Junior Cross-Country Championships
Sun Oct 9th, 12:00, Carrigadrohid, West Muskerry - Cork Athletics County Senior Cross-Country Championships
Sun Oct 9th, 13:30, Carrigadrohid, West Muskerry - Cork Athletics County Juvenile Uneven-Age Cross-Country Championships

Sun Oct 16th, 14:00, Abbottstown, Dublin - Athletics Ireland Autumn XC, inc Masters Trials (aka Gerry Farnan XC)

 Sun Oct 16th 12.00  Carrig na bhFear Cork Athletics Intermediate Cross Country Championships)
Sun Oct 16th, 12:30, Carraig na bhFear - Cork Athletics Juvenile B Cross-Country Championships

Sun Oct 23rd, 11:00, Carrig na bhFear - Munster Juvenile Even Age Cross-Country Championships
Sun Oct 23rd, Carrig na bhFear - Munster Athletics Novice Cross-Country Championships
Sun Oct 23rd,  Carrig na bhFear - Munster U23 Cross-Country Championships

Online Entry Only.  Closing date is midnight on Friday 14th October 2016

Sun Nov 6th, Riverstick 1:00 - Cork Athletics Novice B Cross-Country Championships
Sun Nov 6th, Riverstick 12:00 - Cork Athletics Masters Cross-Country Championships

Sun Nov 6th, Carraig na bhFear, 11:30 - East Cork Cross-Country Championships

Sat Nov 12th, Tolcross Park, Scotland - British & Irish Masters XC

Sun Nov 13th, Limerick Racecourse - Munster Athletics Senior Cross-Country Championships
Sun Nov 13th Limerick Racecourse Munster Athletics Junior Cross country Championships
Sun Nov 13th, 11:30, Limerick Racecourse - Munster Athletics Uneven Age Cross-Country Championships

Online Entry Only.  Closing date is midnight on Friday 4th November 2016

Sun Nov 20th, 11:30, Augustine's Dungarvan, Co. Waterford - Munster Athletics Masters Cross-Country Championships
Sun Nov 20th, 13:00, Augustine's Dungarvan, Co. Waterford - Munster Athletics Juvenile Inter-Club Cross-Country Championships

Online Entry Only. Closing date is midnight on Friday 11th November 2016

Sun Nov 27th, 10:00, Abbotstown, Dublin - Athletics Ireland National Inter-Club Cross-Country Championships
Sun Nov 27th, 11:30, Abbotstown, Dublin - Athletics Ireland National Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships
Sun Nov 27th, 11:30, Abbotstown, Dublin - Athletics Ireland National Juvenile Even-Age Cross-Country Championships

Sun Dec 4th, 11:30, Clarecastle GAA Club, Clarecastle, Co Clare - Munster Athletics Intermediate Cross-Country Championships
Sun Dec 4th, 11:30, Clarecastle GAA Club, Clarecastle, Co Clare - Munster Athletics Juvenile 'B' Cross-Country Championships

Online Entry Only. Closing date is midnight on Friday 25th November 2016

Sun Dec 11th, 11:00, Chia, Italy - SPAR European XC Championships

Sun Dec 11th, 11:30, Dundalk IT - Athletics Ireland National Juvenile Uneven Age Cross-Country Championships
Sun Dec 11th, 14:45, Dundalk IT - Athletics Ireland National Novice Cross-Country Championships

Sun Jan 22nd 2017, TBC - Athletics Ireland National Intermediate Cross-Country Championships

Sun Jan 22nd 2017, 10:00, TBC - Athletics Ireland National Juvenile Inter-Club Cross-Country Relays

Sun Feb 12th 2017, 10:00, Waterford IT - Athletics Ireland National Masters & Juvenile B Championships 2017 Cross-Country

Cork Athletics Cross-Country Championship Entry Forms 2016

Athlete Transfers August 2016

Athletics Ireland Approved Transfers August 2016

The Summer Transfer Window closed on Wednesday August 24th.  Transfer forms may be submitted at any time but will not be dealt with until the next Transfer Window closes, on March 24th 2017.


Thirty Nine (39) athlete transfers were approved at the September meeting of Cork Athletics County Board, on Wednesday September 7th. Six (6) transfers were held back, pending discussions with one of the clubs involved, and one (1) transfer was declined, as not being in order.

Approved Transfers

Approved Inter-County Transfers

There may be other Inter-County transfers being processed by other Counties that have not yet been presented to Cork Athletics.

Athletics Ireland Sets Qualification Standards for London 2017

 Athletics Ireland Sets Performance Standards for London 2017 IAAF World Championships

Performance Standards set by Athletics Ireland for selection consideration

Athletics Ireland has set its own Qualification Periods in which the Performance Standards must be achieved. Selection will be based on performances during the Qualification Periods from 1 January 2015 to 24 April 2016 for the Marathon.

Cork Athletics Editorial Note: The Qualification Periods mentioned above appear to be out of line with the 2017 event - the qualification period cited has closed. I have been reliably informed that the Qualification period should be Jan 1 2016 to 24 April 2017. Awaiting official confirmation/update.

The complete selection policy and performance standards will be released by Athletics Ireland when official 2017 World Championship information is available. Any questions please contact Kevin Ankrom or Paul McNamara

* Performance Standards set by Athletics Ireland for selection consideration

Registered Cork Athletics Events Week Ending Sun Sept 11th 2016

Registered Cork Athletics Events for Week Ending Sunday September 11th 2016

Cork Athletics Homepage

Cork Athletics Facebook Page

This Week's Registered Events

Cork Athletics Race Fixture List / Calendar

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

Four Evening Races this week - Then it's all over for the evening races until April 2017!

Wed, Sep 7th, 19:00, Glountaune - GCA/Fitzpatrick's Glountaune 4 Mile Road Race

Wed, Sep 7th, 20:00, CIT Track - Cork Athletics County Board Monthly Meeting, September

Thurs, Sep 8th, 19:00, Mahon - St. Luke's Home 5k Road Race

Fri, Sep 9th, 19:00, Doneraile - Buttevant Running Club 5k Road/Trail Race

Sat, Sep, 08:00 - Munster Paralympic Championships / Grand Prix 2016

Sat, Sep 10th, 18:00, Cork - John Buckley Sports Cork City 10 Miler

Fit4Class Primary Schools Initiative Comes to Cork

Athletics Ireland's Fit4Class Primary Schools Initiative is Open to Applications

Closing October 7th, unless already full

Fit4Class Passes the Test

Athletics Ireland Report on the Pilot Scheme

Fit4Class is Athletics Ireland's new 10 week athletics programme that introduces primary school children aged 5-10, from junior infants to fourth class to athletics in a fun, engaging and non-competitive environment. It focuses on the use of games to develop fitness whilst enhancing agility, co-ordination and balance, all fundamental to longer term physical athletic development.

Daniel Kilgallon Athletics Ireland RDO and Fit4Class coordinator said “Fit4Class has been very well received. The pilot gave us a great insight into how well this athletics programme works in a busy primary school environment where a multi-sport approach is adopted”.

Fit4Class Registration

The Fit4Class scheme is only open to DEIS schools, but is limited to 300 schools in total, with over 160 schools already registered nationwide - only 140 or so places are left.

Athletics Ireland is specifically offering Fit4Class to DEIS Schools nationwide from September to December. 

Athletics Ireland has emailed all DEIS Primary Schools inviting them to register for 300 free class places. To date 160 classes have registered. Athletics ireland is confident that the 300 places will be taken up before registration closes, on October 7th. 300 packs have been ordered from the printer, the 160 classes registered have already been posted their packs, and are ready to start.

A number of classes from Cork Schools have already signed up. Active School Flag has included a short piece for their newsletter.

Invitation from Athletics Ireland RDO, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"Dear Principal,

I would like to inform all DEIS Primary Schools about Fit4Class , Athletics Ireland’s new 10 week teacher led programme that introduces primary school children from junior infants to fourth class to athletics in a fun, engaging and non-competitive environment. It focuses on the use of games to develop fitness whilst enhancing agility, balance and co-ordination, all fundamental to longer term physical athletic development. Fit4Class rewards students for participating with colourful wristbands for classes that complete the 10 week programme.

For your information I have attached the Fit4Class programme outline and encourage you to read about the pilot programme

To kick start Fit4Class, Athletics Ireland would  like to invite 300 DEIS primary school classes nationwide to register free and take part in Fit4Class. Upon registration the easy to follow Fit4Class booklet , Class tracker and wristbands will be posted directly to the class teacher at the school’s address provided.

Registration is free to 300 classes as follows:

•             50  x  Junior Infant

•             50  x  Senior Infant

•             50  x  First Class

•             50  x  Second Class

•             50  x  Third Class

•             50  x  Fourth Class

Registration for each class must be made by the class teacher. Registration is now open and will close on October 7th or when the registration capacity has been met -  Registrations for all classes can be made through the following link 

I would be grateful if you could inform all teachers in your school about Fit4Class.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., RDO East Coast, Athletics Ireland

M: 085 8084864  W: www.athleticsireland.ie "

Cork Deis Schools should contact David Matthews

Cork Athletics / Athletics Ireland Regional Development Officer, Cork

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Regional Development Officer, Cork, Athletics Ireland, c/o Sports Department, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork

Tel: 087-0516430

Registered Cork Athletics Events Week Ending Sun Sept 4th 2016

Registered Cork Athletics Events for Week Ending Sunday September 4th 2016

This week's Registered Athletics Ireland Events

With the evenings drawing in, we have just one registered evening event this week, on Friday.

Monday August 29th, 20:30 - East Cork Division of Cork Athletics hold its AGM in the Two Mile Inn, Midleton.
Friday, September 2nd, 19:00 - Grange Fermoy AC's Annual 4 Mile Road Race
Sunday, September 4th, 11:00 - Kinsale RFC's 5 Mile Road Race

	20:30, Monday August 29th   East Cork Division's AGM, Two Mile Inn, Midleton
	Grange-Fermoy 4 Mile Road Race 19:30pm, Friday September 2nd 2016 Organised and hosted by Grange-Fermoy AC
	Kinsale 5 Mile Road Race 11:00am, Sunday September 4th 2016 Organised and hosted by Kinsale Rugby Club, in association with Riverstick-Kinsale AC

Coach Education Matters - Autumn 2016

Coaching Matters and Upcoming Coach Education Courses

(David Matthews, Cork Athletics/Athletics Ireland Regional Development Officer)

Coach Education Courses Autumn 2016

Munster Junior Performance Squad - Autumn 2016

Completing a Coaching course doesn’t mean that you HAVE to coach for life

Level 1 Coach Course starts Weekend of 30th September
Athletics Leader Course - 29th October
Assistant Coach Course - 12th November
Endurance Course - November - Date tbc

Level 1 Course Syllabus

Athletics Leader Course Syllabus

Assistant Coach Course Syllabus

All courses will be held at CIT Track, and are open to new aspiring coaches, along with existing coaches who wish to upskill.

Following these, the next courses are scheduled for Spring 2017.

Level 1 Coach Course - Fri 30th September

There is always clamour for Level 1 courses in Cork - This course is filling up fast, so don't miss out - There wont be another Level 1 course in Cork until late 2017

Sign up now for Level 1 course

FIT 4 Class

New Primary School initiative (yet to be officially launched)

What is Fit4Class?

• Fit4Class is Athletics Irelands new 10 week athletics programme. It introduces primary school children aged 5-10, from junior infants to fourth class, to athletics in a fun, engaging and non-competitive environment.
  
• Fit4Class focuses on the use of games to develop fitness whilst enhancing agility, co-ordination and balance, all fundamental to longer term physical athletic development.
• Fit4Class rewards students for participating and having fun.
  
• The Students will be rewarded with wrist bands on completion & includes a Class tracker.
   

What is the aim of Fit4Class? 

Athletics Ireland, anticipates that Fit4Class will not only encourage primary schools to incorporate athletics into their PE class, but will also encourage students to try athletics outside school with their local athletic club.

It is expected that Fit4Class will also help promote the benefits of regular physical activity to the wider school community.

Athletics Ireland has invited All DEIS Primary Schools to register for 300 free class places. To date 160 classes have registered.
Registration closes on October 7th.

Schools should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 087 0516430 for further information.

• The Programme was developed by Daniel Kilgallon, who is National co-ordinator for Fit4Class
• Schools must register through the Atheltics Ireland website, in the same way as for any Coaching Course
• There are 32 DEIS School in Cork City/County & all have been contacted and a number of classes from Cork Schools have already signed up.
• Its hoped that Fit4Class will be rolled out to Every Primary School in the Country next year.
  

 Fit4Class Poster (PDF file) - Further information

Collective Coaching in CIT - Weekly Middle Distance/Distance sessions

David Matthews is hoping to facilitate group training for Juvenile Athletes,  aged 13-17 years , (and their Coaches) who are not on;

• Munster Junior Squad or
• Munster Development Squad

At this stage of their development, these Athletes need encouragement,  to ensure that they remain in the Sport.  (if Athletes on the Munster Squads would like to attend, they’re more than welcome  -  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will be there to facilitate them)

• It will be a Weekly Session, in blocks of 4-6 weeks, held on Thursday evening at CIT Track - Time TBC
• David Matthews hopes to upskill existing Club Coaches, through Collective learning, and is open to all suggestions
• There are huge benefits to Group Training at this age
• Further information will be published after the next Cork Athletics County Board meeting (Oct 5th)
• It is hoped that something similar like this may be feasible for other events, e.g. Throws/Jumps Sprints

David Matthews is working on this, and contact has been made with several coaches specialising in these areas, addressing the needs of this age: Group 13-17 years.

Little Athletics - Volunteer Coaches from Secondary Schools

David Matthews has canvassed all the Clubs in Cork with regard to Little Athletic programmes. 

• A number of clubs are at full capacity - which is a good complaint!! - and has received daily emails from parents asking for details of participating clubs.
• Club officials report that availability of Little Athletics Coaches (Athletic Leader) is the biggest problem facing them.
• David Matthews is looking at the possibility of Training up 5th year/ TY Students, who have an interest in Coaching, to help out in Local Athletic Clubs.
• This may fall under the GAISCE programme or TY, however that would be School dependent.

While the plan is in its infancy, Athletics Ireland has agreed to support the cost of training up the Students.

Contact David Matthews

David Matthews, Regional Development Officer- Cork
Cork Athletics/Athletics Ireland, c/o Sports Department, Cork Institute of Technology, Rossa Avenue, Bishopstown, Cork
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel: 087-0516430

Autumn/Winter Technical Coaching Days

Cork Athletics is planning to hold its annual, however, while several coaches have already come forward, at present, the program is short of 2 to 3 coaches. If you are a coach and are available on some Saturday afternoons, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible. 

These sessions have proved invaluable in bring on Juvenile Athletes.  Let's continue the good work!

Last year's series was highly successful

Technical Areas Covered:

•     Hurdles
•     High Jump
•     Shot
•     Discus
•     Hammer
•     Javelin
  

Rio Paralympics Opening Wednesday September 7th 2016

Irish Athletes Rio Paralympic Schedules - Athletics

Rio de Janeiro, Wednesday September 7th - Sunday September 18th

Paralympics Ireland Website

Paralympics Ireland Facebook Page

Paralympics Ireland's Twitter Page

Paralympics Ireland's Rio Livestream & Media Site

Paralympics Ireland's Rio Media Guide (PDF File), inc Athlete's Bios

Rio Paralympics Website

List of Rio Paralympics TV Broadcasters

Rio Paralympics Livestream

WATCH the Rio 2016 Paralympics live by paralympics

Live Coverage of the Opening Ceremony, on RTE 2, at 10pm, Wednesday 7th September

ATHLETICS

Noelle Lenihan (North Cork AC) 

Noelle Lenihan Interview on RTE Radio 1 Drivetime Program, Tuesday September 6th 2016

The interview is at approx. 2 hour & 11 min into the podcast, and lasts approx. 5 mins.

Noelle competes in the Discus, F38 category. This is her First Paralympic Games.

The 16-year old, from Milford, one of the youngest members of the team, is the world record holder in her category. She was a silver medallist at the IPC Athletics World Championships (2015), and is the European champion. Noelle burst onto the world stage when she took the Silver at the IPC World Championships, in Doha, in late 2015, where she also set a world record. She followed this with success at the IPC Grand Prix where she placed third in the world. 

Cork schoolgirl Noelle has been named as one of IPC’s ‘Athletes to Watch’ for Rio 2016. The promise shown by finishing third at the IPC Grand Prix last year was underlined when she made her international championship debut at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha and won silver and set a new world record. She has continued that trend by winning  gold at this year’s European Championships in Italy (June 2016), landing another world record with her very first throw of 32.14m. She is coached by her dad Jim and Dave Sweeney.

Noelle Lenihan wins Gold and sets new World Record

Noelle Lenihan - Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month - September 2015

Interview with Noelle Linehan - Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month October 2015 from Webmaster - Cork Athletics on Vimeo.

Niamh McCarthy (Eagle AC)

Twenty two year old Niamh, from Carrigaline, competes in the Discus, F41 category. This is her First Paralympic Games

Niamh first emerged onto the paraathletics scene in 2013 and has made quick progress since then. The IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha last year was her first major championship and she won a bronze medal. She started this year by setting a new Personal Best of 24.98m in France and then smashed that PB at the European Championships in June, where her 27.05m throw won silver in a combined F40/41 competition and also set a  new European record for her class. She goes to Rio ranked third in the world in her event. John McCarthy is her life-long coach but she moved to Dublin after Christmas to train full-time and is now under the guidance of Dave Sweeney.

Orla Barry

Orla (Discus, F57). The 25-year-old, from Ladysbridge, has twice competed at the Paralympics, finishing fifth in Beijing (2008) and winning Bronze medal at the 2012 LondonParalympics. She is the current European champion. Third games A bronze medal winner at London 2012, Orla's atheltic career started at the age of 16 in 2006. She placed fifth at Beijing 2008 while following the London Paralympics, Orla broke the world record for F57 discus while securing a silver meal at the IPC Athletics World Championships. She then went on to win bronze at the World Championship in Doha in 2015 and gold at the IPC Athletics European Championships.

Orla took up Athletics at the age of 16 in 2006 and  has  since  represented  Ireland  at  two Paralympic Games, finishing fifth in Beijing in 2008 and  winning  bronze  at  London  2012.  In  2013,  she  broke the world record for the F57 Discus and won a silver medal at the IPC Athletics World Championships that year. She has shown great form ahead of Rio by winning bronze (later upgraded to silver) at the 2015 World Championships in Doha and she also secured gold at the recent European Championships in Grosseto, Italy (June 2016), clinching the title with a Personal Best throw of 31.18m on her final throw.
She is coached by Pat Furlong.

Other Irish Athletes competing in the Athletics

Orla Comerford (Athletics, T13): She has just completed her Leaving Certificate at Loreto, St Stephen's Green and wants to go to Art College. Turning 19 in Rio this is her first Paralympics.

Paul Keogan (400 metres, T37): He played Gaelic football and soccer with his school, St Pat's, Navan, but at 17 got a knock in a match that caused him to have a brain haemorrhage. A former 100/200 metre sprinter, he won three medals at the Cerebral Palsy World Games in Nottingham last year.

Michael McKiltop (1500 metres, T37): The triple Paralympics gold medallist - 80 metres in Beijing and 800 and 1500 metres in London - is also the world record holder at both distances. There is no T37 800 metres in Rio.

Patrick Monahan (800 metres, Marathon, T53): Took up wheelchair racing in 2013, won the Dublin Marathons in 2014 and 2015 and is the Irish record holder at 1.29.44.

Deirdre Mongan (Shot Putt, F53,54): She won a bronze medal at the IPC Worlds in Doha (2015) and a bronze at the recent European Championships in Grosseto, Italy. She works for the Health Research Board in Dublin.

Jason Smyth (100 metres, T13); Double Paralympics gold medallist at the Beijing and London games in the 100 and 200 metres, he was crowned "The Fastest Paralympian on the Planet" when he won the Rio One Year to Go celebration. Double world record holder, his PB, 10.22 is the second fastest time run by an Irishman.

Greta Streimikyte (1500, T13): One of triplets, she moved to Ireland from Lithuania five years ago, she won a bronze at the Europeans and then knocked almost six second s off her personal best atthe AAI National Championships.

Athletics - Irish Athletes Schedules

Times update 21:15, Thurs 8th Sept

Day 1 Schedule - Thursday September 8th

Day 2 Schedule - Friday September 9th

Day 3 Schedule - Saturday September 10th

Day 4 Schedule - Sunday September 11th

Day 5 Schedule - Monday September 12th

Day 6 Schedule - Tuesday September 13th

Day 7 Schedule - Wednesday September 14th

Day 8 Schedule - Thursday September 15th

Day 9 Schedule - Friday September 16th

Day 9 Schedule - Saturday September 17th

Aidan Hogan of Rising Sun AC added to Irish Squad for European 24-Hour Championship

Athletics Ireland Name Team for 24-Hour European Championships

Aidan Hogan running in Energia 24-Hour Championship

Athletics Ireland Release - European 24 Hour Championship

UltraRunning Ireland Website

Selection Criteria

The 24-hour European Championships for 2016 will take place in Albi, France on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd October.  The Irish Team selected for this event will include participants in both the mens and womens races.

Eoin Keith

The Men’s Team will be captained by the current National Champion Eoin Keith of Sportsworld, Dublin, who has a PB of 244.664k, and includes regulars Eddie Gallen of Finn Valley AC, Donegal, with a PB of 230.136k, and John O’Regan of Le Cheile AC, Kildare with a PB of 227.286k.

Eddie Gallen

New additions to the squad are Aidan Hogan of Rising Sun AC, Cork, who recently ran an incredible 238.132k in his 24-hr debut, in Belfast, and Daragh O’Loughlin of Dublin Bay Runners, Dublin with a PB of 225.871k.  This Men’s Team has the experience and strength to do well in the Team Competition.

Amy Masner

Competing in the women’s race will be Amy Masner of Parnell AC in Wexford with a PB of 217.608k.  Amy, a native of Canada, has recently declared for Ireland, and has the experience and potential to challenge for a podium position.

The Squad will be aided and supported by Gary McConviille (Team Manager), Kevin Belton (Physical Therapist & Support) and Louis Byrne (Support)

Cork Athletics Registration Figures - August 31st 2016

Cork Athletics Registration Figures - August 31st 2016

The Athletics Ireland Monthly Registration Report for the month of August is due in the next few days.

August figures include new clubs Buttevant Running Club and Churchtown Runners, with Shandrum AC being listed for the first time.  There are now 6,926 registered athletes, from 49 Cork clubs.  The August total is just 10 registrations short of the year-end total for 2015.  With the expected surge in registrations for the Cross-Country season, the 2015 figure seems certain to be shattered.

Overall Cork Registrations

There are now five clubs with more than 300 members, Bandon AC, Leevale AC, Ballymore-Cobh AC, Midleton AC and Youghal AC, and two others, North Cork AC and Togher AC, within striking distance of that figure.

Note: Glanmire AC, with just two registered athletes, does not meet the Athletics Ireland required minimum of 10 registrations.

Cork Juvenile Registrations

Bandon AC top the listing, with Leevale AC a distance behind, but well ahead of third place. Nineteen clubs have more than 100 Juvenile members

Cork Adult Registrations

Mallow AC lead the adult standings, followed by Ballymore-Cobh AC and Eagle AC. Twelve clubs now have over 100 registered adult members

Coach Education Autumn 2016

Coach Education, Training and Networking - Autumn 2016

Athletics Ireland National Coach Education Listing

Outline details for upcoming Coaching events, including Level 1, Athletics Leader and Assistant Coach Courses, in Cork, over the coming two to three months.

Endurance Coaching Network (ECN) Day 3 Saturday 1st October

Athletics Ireland is pleased to announce the details for the 3rd meeting of the Endurance Coaches Network (ECN) on Saturday 1st October at Athlone IT. The theme for this event will be "Endurance Training- Insights into development and high performance athletes programs". The event program will focus on giving coaches’ practical information that they can take away and use to help improve their own coaching practice and will be delivered through plenary presentations and breakout sessions. There will be time for question & answers at all sessions also. If you are a club coach, development coach or a performance coach then this event has something to offer you. The (ECN) will bring the coaching community together to gain & share knowledge and more importantly to network with each other. It will be hosted in the excellent surroundings of Athlone IT and run from 9am-5.30pm.

Steve Macklin, Athletics Ireland Coach Education Lead for Endurance said:
"I am really looking forward to this final event for 2016 as we have a superb line up of speakers and these coaches will share all. It should be a fantastic days sharing and learning and I encourage every endurance coach in Ireland to attend and make that investment in themselves and their athletes. For this last event we have given more time to the breakout sessions and have also introduced our first practical workshop on running mechanics. I am also delighted to announce our international keynote speaker Andy Hobdell who has masterminded the success of Irish international senior athletes Paul Pollock and Kevin Seaward who compete in Rio Olympics this week. ”

Coaches can now register at the online link below for the low cost of €30 and the full finalised timetable will be released shortly. Registration for this event will close on Friday 16th September or when capacity is reached and places are limited to 140 coaches only. Register now to avoid disappointment

Ballycotton 5 Where It All Began

40th ANNUAL BALLYCOTTON ‘5’ (1977-2016)

August 11th, 1977… WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Guest Article By John Walshe

John O'Leary of Leevale AC, who, last night, ran in his 150th consecutive Ballycotton 5 Series Race, pictured with Donie and Kathleen O'Connell

Ballycotton 5 Mile Road Race 2016

In March of next year, the famous Ballycotton ‘10’ will celebrate its 40th birthday. But let us not forget the race that started it all, and without it it’s unlikely that road running in this region would have attained the huge popularity it now has.

       The date was Thursday August 11th 1977 and it was another age as far as road running was concerned. From January to August of that year, only six events on the road took place in the Cork region – the well-known Cork to Cobh ‘15’, two four-milers in Ballymore (where 26 ran), and Ballyhooly, a five-mile race in Mallow, a six-mile in Kildorrery (16 runners), and the popular relays around the Lough organised by St. Finbarr’s AC. 

       August 11th was a week after that Ballymore Festival race, and commitments had been received there from most of the runners to come to Ballycotton, including winner Ray Treacy. The work in organising the race had started some weeks before, with the local shops and business people being approached for donations. One of the few firms in the area at the time contributed five pounds, as did three of the businesses. Two more gave two pounds and one pound each, and even the 50p from another was appreciated. The total came to £28.50.

      Trophies and plaques were purchased as prizes, costing £29.75. Entry fee was either 20p or 30p, and no race numbers were issued. Instead, as each runner finished he was handed a card with his finishing position on it, and he then gave his name to the recorder. We say ‘he’ deliberately, for at that time no women ran such a long distance as five miles!

      The race started at the old Post Office (just above where the race now finishes), and the course was the same as is used at present, although the finish was outside the School Gate. As measuring techniques were not as advanced as nowadays, it was slightly short of five miles.

     Local interest was a mixture of curiosity and bemusement. Some people asked what a road race was – “is it a cycling race, or what?” When Phil McGrath and John Walshe went out to mark the road, one local person told them that County Council would object, as they considered painting on the road graffiti!

      First to enter was Michael Healy from Youghal, one of the top cross-country runners in Cork at the time. Tens of thousands of entries for a myriad of events have been received since, but Michael can take pride of place as the first runner to have ‘No. 1’ alongside his name in a Ballycotton race. BLE County Board Chairman, the late Paddy Hartnett, sent the 34 runners on their way. John Murray from Ballybraher (who has also passed away) was a spectator on that fine August evening and he was asked to act as lead car, which he duly did, accompanied by reporter Joe Duggan (also now deceased) from the ‘News and Star’.

       Michael Long of Leevale, along with his girlfriend Ellen, volunteered to time the runners. It is worth noting that virtually no races in those days did this, apart from maybe taking the winners’ time. In fact, in his newspaper report Joe Duggan stated that, “the time of all the competitors was taken, a rare feat in Cork in athletics.” At the finish line the numbered cards were handed out by Seamus Hartnett, there to se the race with his parents, and who would go on to be the area’s top runner in the years to come.

       The other locals involved were John Walshe and Dan Donovan (who both ran the race), along with Phil McGrath and his brother Fr Tom, home from England. At the prize-giving in the local hall the trophies were presented by the late Fr Bertie Troy, C.C., Ballycotton.

THE RACE…

The race itself saw Ray Treacy, then based in Cork and running for Leevale, wining easily in a time of 23:46, well ahead of Richie Crowley and Donie Walsh. As Joe Duggan’s report put it, “at four miles he was close on 500 yards ahead of the bunch and in parts was travelling at 14 miles an hour, timed on the speedometer of Mr John Murray’s car.”  In fact, both Richie and Donie could have been even further back as a herd of cows came out on the road (after Ray had passed) with over a mile to go and almost brought them to a standstill.

      In fourth position and first novice was Noel Shannon, while Liam O’Brien could only manage fifth on the night. Murt Coleman of Liffey Valley, who had ran internationally for Ireland in the marathon and Kevin Treacy from Loughrea, both working in the Cork area at the time, finished sixth and seventh respectively. In eight was another well-known marathoner, Jerry Murphy of Leevale.

      At the end of this article we publish the names of the 34 runners. Sadly, Dave Ainscough, Joe O’Flynn, Jerry Martin, Liam Horgan and Dan Donovan have passed away, but the remainder are still around and some still running, although their times (along with their hairstyles) have receded somewhat. A few have gone on to foreign lands and bigger things, such as winner Ray Treacy who is now Head Track Coach at Providence College in the USA.

THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED…

The following year, the race date was moved to June. Only 24 ran, with victory going to Richie Crowley. Of course that was his second local victory in 1978, as in March he had won the inaugural Ballycotton ‘10’. Ray Treacy returned to win in 1979 and the following year Liam O’Brien won the first of his 14 Ballycotton ‘5’ titles. 1981 saw Marcus O’Sullivan, later to become World Indoor Champion on three occasions, take the Ballycotton honours.

     In 1985, Liam O’Brien established the present course record of 23:41, but the previous year of ’84 was also special. Just four days after qualifying for that year’s LA Olympics when setting a new Irish 3000m steeplechase record at Crystal Palace, Liam showed his loyalty and commitment to the sport by turning out and winning yet another local race.

     At this stage the Ballycotton Summer Series, comprising of four races, was well established. Although the Ballycotton ‘5’ had been held in June since 1978, in 1985 it was decided to swap the August date with Shanagarry, as it seemed more appropriate to finish off the yearly proceedings where it had all started from.

     Women ran for the first time in 1979, with just two taking part, Ellen Whelan of Leevale and the winner, one Mary Dempsey from Youghal. She may be better known nowadays as Mary Sweeney and is still a regular prize-winner. Like Liam O’Brien, her enthusiasm and support of local events, as well as her love of the sport, is an example to all.

     Numbers taking part continued to increase, reaching 124 in 1982 and topping the 200 mark the year after. Of course in the past few years we have reached a new level with 500/600 now the norm for each of the Summer Series events. In 1993, 92 runners finished under the 30-minute barrier at Ballycotton and it is a reflection on present day standards that less than half that number (42) did so last year, although the number of participants had doubled.

THIRTY NINE YEARS ON…

Nobody involved in that first race could have imagined what lay ahead. The Dublin Marathon was still three years away, with London following six months later. Nowadays, the popularity of the Ballycotton ‘10’ is only too evident to all who try to enter and the numbers taking part in races – especially in the Cork area - along with the variety of events, is at an all-time high.

     A total of 190 five and ten mile races later, the statistics show in excess of 91,000 finishers. With the participation of international stars and Olympic medallists, it can be safely assumed that the Ballycotton events have now reached a global audience.

     August 1977 is also remembered for another very different reason entirely. Five days after that Ballycotton race, the world was shocked to hear of the sudden death of Elvis Presley. It was, one could say, the end of a legend; although of course his music still lives on.

     In its own small way, that Ballycotton race five days before was the catalyst of a movement which in the intervening years has also gained a legendary status, albeit of a very different nature.  

     The ‘King’ may be dead, but road running is certainly alive and well. However, it may never have transpired but for those pioneering men (below) who turned up in Ballycotton village to run five miles on an August evening all of 39 years ago. Yes, that’s WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.

 Results of the First Race - August 11th, 1977