News

Marion Lyons is This Weeks EchoLive Character of Cork

Character of Cork Marion Lyons: ‘I love to get the best out of people’

This article appeared in EchoLive on Tuesday May 3rd 2022

Marion Lyons - Character of Cork

Personal trainer and president of St Finbarrs Athletics this Cork woman loves getting the best out of people, regardless of their age. This week’s Character of Cork Marion Lyons

A PERSONAL trainer at the age of 67, Marion Lyons is a beacon of hope to those who believe in the benefits of sport and she is an example to all who advocate for the importance of a balanced lifestyle with plenty of laughter

A track and cross-country runner, who represented Ireland at an international level, Marion won the Cork City Marathon in 1986 and went on to achieve a sub three-hour marathon in Dublin the same year

“Representing Ireland in the senior cross country and winning the Cork City Marathon, and achieving under three hours in Dublin. It was a dream come true to represent my country,” she says

A woman who enjoys sport and all the rewards it brings, Marion volunteers with a number of organisations, sharing her time and expertise with athletes of all levels

The accomplished athlete has worked with people with disabilities and addictions, and refugees

Marion has been involved in St Finbarr’s Athletics Club for the past 50 years and is the current president of the club, which she and her husband Pat both give time to

The mother of two also spent a number of years working in childcare, which is another big part of her life

“I love kids, I did childcare for years. You have to give it 100%. It’s very important, you have to come down to their level. They are only small for a short time and you have to enjoy them.”

A stalwart believer in the positive attributes of sport, Marion enjoys helping people reach and surpass their goals in the athletic arena

“I love getting the best out of people. A lot of people need the ‘one to one’ and a bit of encouragement. It’s important to be careful with people — some people want to achieve everything in a month and it doesn’t happen like that. You have to be very measured.”

While she has a long and impressive record of sporting achievements, the Cork woman said she always understood the importance of being modest and accepting the highs and lows of sport

“You must also be graceful about things and modest about your achievements. You work hard for what you get, but there are always highs and lows.”

Marion, who hails from Fair Hill but has been living in Blarney for some years, spoke of the family pet dog Chico, who was with them for 16 years and who died recently.

“We always had dogs, we had a Maltese. He would nearly talk to you. We were devastated. There was a funeral and all. He was gorgeous, beautiful. We even took him on holidays one time — he was like a child.”

Marion said the past two Covid years presented some challenges in terms of providing adequate support to her athletes, but she also said there was some organisational good from the pandemic

“We started using pods, which was a great idea, because you have beginners in one lane, up-and-coming athletes in another, and the elites in another lane and they can all be seen and get the attention they need.”

Still a strong runner, Marion takes to the roads every day, covering anything from 5km to 10 miles (16km) in her daily exercise

“I enjoy going for a run everyday — I always feel like I’m after winning the lotto! I just love it.”

In terms of what sport brings her, Marion said over the years, all the training had made her a resilient character, ready to take on any challenge, but it also taught her to embrace balance and encouraged a measured approach to things

“Fitness comes in peaks and you have to remember to give your body a break. If you continue training you will just get worse — you need to rest and we are only human. I’m always telling people that.”

Related Articles

Cork Marathon Magic in 1986 as Marion Lyons Wins - Guest Article by John Walshe

Looking Back - 25 Years of BLE in Cork (Marion Lyons)

Cork City Sports 2022 - 4 x 200m Inter-Firm Relay

Teams Sought for Cork City Sports 4 x 200m Inter-Firm Relay

MTU Track

Tuesday July 6th 2022

Cork City Sports Flyer 2022	European Athletics Continental Tour Bronze label

Presentations for Cork City Sports 4x200m Relays 2019

Cork City Sports are seeking Men's and Women's 4x200m Relay Teams for it's 69th Meet, which will be held at MTU Track, on Tuesday July 4th

This year the Meet has been awarded the prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Label

Teams can comprise of members from combined businesses.  Entries and enquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Events Week Ending Sunday May 1st 2022

Cork Athletics Event Listing - Week Ending Sunday May 1st 2022

Week 18 2022

This Week's Events - Week Ending Sunday May 1st 2022

This Month's Events - April 2022

Next Month's Events - May 2022


Plenty of activity all around Cork, and the counties immediately adjacent to Cork, this week. Locally Thursday's MTU Track Night starts the adult T&F season in Cork. On the same night, the East Cork Road Championships take place in Ballynoe. Nine Parkrun 5k's take place around the County on Saturday. The week is rounded off by Day 1 of the County Juvenile T&F Championships, at MTU Track, on Sunday

18:30 Wednesday April 27th  - Colligan League Week 5 (Waterford Race)

Colligan Woods, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford

Events Week Ending Sunday April 24th 2022

Cork Athletics Event Listing - Week Ending Sunday April 24th 2022

Week 17 2022

This Week's Events - Week Ending Sunday April 24th 2022

This Month's Events - April 2022

Next Month's Events - May 2022

 18:30pm Wednesday April 30th - Colligan League Week 4 (Waterford Race)
Colligan Wood, Dungarvan

19:00pm, Wednesday April 20th - Clonmel 6k Series - Race 3 (Tipperary Race)

Clonmel, Co. Tipperary

20:00pm Thursday April 21st - Ballintotis 4 Mile Road Race 2022

Online Entry Closes Tuesday 19th April. Walk-up entries Wed & Thurs

19:30 Friday April 22nd - Ballyneale 5k (Tipperary Race)

Ballyneale, Co. Tipperary

Raheny, Dublin

Boston Marathon Silver for Vivian Foley

Vivian Foley Wins M50 Silver in Boston Marathon

Monday April 18th 2022

 Vivian Foley Closing in on the 2017 Dublin Marathon finish

Some 26 Cork athletes were listed to start today's 126th Boston marathon, sadly some didn't make the start line. Twenty five (25) of them completed the distance (with apologies to anyone missed)

Pride of place, and, indeed, the honours go to Eagle AC's Vivian Foley, who not only led the Cork contingent home, but also secured the M50 Silver medal, in a time of 2:33:32


Another notable achievement today was St Finbarrs AC's John McCann's completion of the Abbott World Marathon Majors: Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, London, Berlin and New York

Abbott World Marathon Major Medal

Vivian Foley's Boston Marathon 2022 Splits

Cork Finishers in 126th Boston Marathon 2022

A delighted St Finbarr's AC duo Dave Butler and Padraig Mullins, after finishing today

Update on Juvenile Track and Field Championships - Officials Sought

Cork County AAI Juvenile Track & Field 2022 Championships - Update on Appeal for Help

MTU Track

Sunday May 1st - County Juvenile U12-19 T&F Championships - Day 1

Sunday May 8th - County Juvenile U12-19 T&F Championships - Day 2

Sunday May 15th - County Juvenile U9 - 11 & Relays T&F Championships - Day 3

Sunday May 22nd - County Juvenile B & Combined Events T&F Championships - Day 4

Message from Frank Hayes

"Thank you to all the clubs that have responded with names of people to help at the upcoming Co. Juvenile track and field championships. There are four Sundays to plan for, so as much cooperation as possible will be appreciated

Unfortunately a number of clubs have yet to respond. Now that the details of the order of events and entry forms are available, could clubs please send names to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as soon as possible

We will try to place officials at their preferred event, but this will not always be possible. Helping out is also a good way to learn more about a particular event. Lack of skill or experience is not a problem"

Related Article

Preparation for Juvenile Track and Field Championships - Officials Sought

Cork Open Track and Field Meet 1 2022 - Monday May 8th

Cork Open Track & Field Evening Meet 1 2022

(Incorporating the Cork County T&F Championships)

MTU Track

 19:30pm, Monday May 9th 2022

Sponsored by John Buckley Sports

Action from Cork Athletics Graded leagues Round 4 2019

Facebook Event Page - Meet 1


The first round of four Cork Athletics Open T&F Meets takes place at MTU Track on Monday next, May 8th, starting at 7:30pm

Several of the events at each meet will incorporate the County Senior, Junior and Masters T&F Championships, with the relevant Title being won by the leading Cork athlete (if not the outright event winner)

Guest Athletes

All registered Athletics Ireland athletes are eligible to take part in these meets.  Guest athletes are very welcome, but MUST be Athletics Ireland registered, or, if from outside Ireland, must be members of another World Athletics member Federation.  Guest athletes from abroad, e.g. visitors and summer students, are very welcome, but must be registered members of a World Athletics member Federation

 
These events will, as far as practical, be graded on the basis of the highest calibre athletes being grouped in each race, with the leading Cork athlete entered in each Championship competition declared the County Champion, and so on

Cork County Championships events for Junior/Senior/Masters will be 100m, 800m, 3000m (Women/Masters Men), 400m hurdles (Juniors/Seniors), Long Jump, and Shot Put (age related weights shall be used)

Entry Form

Meet 1 Entry Form (Online Google Form)

Entries

Entries will be accepted on the day, by 7pm, however Championship entries must be received by 8pm on Friday May 6th

If you are not entering the Championships, or are coming as a Guest Athlete, please complete the form in any case... so that we know that you are coming <Smile>

Entry Fee is €5 per event, payable on the night

Championship Medals

Senior and Junior Championship Medals will be presented on the night. Masters Medals will be presented at the next scheduled Meet

Meet Schedule

100m

800m

3000m (All Women & Masters Men)

400m hurdles (Juniors & Seniors)

Long Jump

Shot Put (age related weights shall be used)

3000m (Senior Men) (non-Championship)

Triple Jump (non-Championship)

Hammer (non-Championship)

Cork Open Track & Field Evening Meet Schedule 2022

7:30pm Monday April 9th - Meet 1

7:30pm Wednesday May 25th - Meet 2

7:30pm Friday June  10th - Meet 3

7:30pm Thursday June 30th - Meet 4

MTU Track is scheduled to be relaid following Cork City Sports (Tuesday July 5th). If track relaying is delayed or postponed, up to two further Open Meets may be held

Notes

All Events

• Track events may be divided into separate races on the basis of performance, or numbers participating
  
• Some races may be mixed male and female
• Club colours must be worn
• The entry fee per event is €5, payable on the night
  
• Electronic timing/Photo finish will be used for all track events

Championship Entries

• Pre-entry is essential for ALL Championship events
• Entry fee €5 per event
  
• Track events may be divided into separate races on the basis of performance, or numbers participating
  
• Some races may be mixed male and female
• Club colours must be won
• Electronic timing/Photo finish will be used for all track events
• Age-related weights will be used for all Championships
  
• Medals will be awarded on the night

Non-Championship Entries

• Entries online, with limited entries on the day, at the track, from approx. 7pm
• Track events may be divided into separate races on the basis of performance, or numbers participating
• Some races may be mixed male and female
• Club colours must be worn
• The entry fee per event is €5
  
• Electronic timing/Photo finish will be used for all track events
• Throws - All athletes throw senior weights, except only ParaAthletes
• Entries will be taken, on the day, at the track, from approx. 7pm

Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month of March 2022 - Maeve O'Neill

Maeve O'Neill is Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for March 2022

River Lee Hotel

Wednesday April 27th 2022

Maeve O'Neill, Doheny AC, is Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for March 2022

Maeve O'Neill, with her parents, Anna and Tony


The award was presented to Maeve at a function at the River Lee hotel, on Monday March 14th 2022

Maeve O'Neill with Cork City Sports representatives and sponsors

The Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month Award is sponsored by 96FM/C103FM, The Echo, The River Lee, Cork Crystal and Leisureworld

Cork City Sports Homepage

Cork City Sports - Awards Archive

Cork Athletics Homepage

Cork Athletics Facebook Page

The Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for March 2022 is Maeve O'Neill, Doheny AC

Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month - March 2022 - Award Citation

Maeve O'Neill, Doheny AC, is Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for March

On two successive weekends of National Indoor Championships in Athlone, Maeve struck Gold on both occasions.

At the Junior Championships, she won a very competitive 800m race in a time of 2:11.89.

A week later Maeve took the Under 19 800m title with a Championship best performance of 2:08.80. This sets her up nicely for the upcoming outdoor track and field season to build on the string outstanding performances last summer, where Maeve qualified for, and competed with distinction, at the European Junior Championships in Estonia, reaching the semi-final of her specialist event, the 800m
 

Maeve O'Neill receiving her award from Cllr. Joe Carroll, Deputy Mayor Cork County

Maeve O'Neill, Doheny AC is the March recipient of the Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month award

Photos

Photos on Cork Athletics Facebook Page

Video

Maeve O'Neill interviewed by Trevor Welch, 96FM, and John Walshe

Watch Cork Athletics Videos on Vimeo

Cork City Marathon 2022 - Volunteer Stewards Required

Call for Volunteer Stewards - Cork City Marathon 2022

Sunday June 5th 2022

Apart from all the fine details that go into organising any event, no race can go ahead without two essential elements:

Runners and Stewards

Record numbers have entered for this year's Marathon, Relay and Half-Marathon, however there is a shortfall in volunteer stewards

Cork Athletics manages and stewards some 60% of the course, from the Start Line to Tivoli (0 to 5 Miles), then from the Marina to the Finish line (15 Miles to 26.2 Miles), incorporating the Victoria Road and Model Farm Road relay changeover stations, and all road junctions along those sections. Effectively, the County Board covers Relay Legs 1, 4 and 5

There has, as always, been a tremendous response from Athletes and their Clubs, nevertheless there is still a shortfall in requirements.  If you can spare a few hours on Sunday June 5th, please contact Pat Walsh, Cork Athletics - contact details below

Incentive to Clubs Providing Stewards for Marathon

Cork Athletics expects to need about 105 stewards, to cover its areas of responsibility in the Marathon
For the more recent live Cork City Marathons, we were about 20 people short. Consequently, Cork County Board has decided to offer member clubs a financial fundraising incentive, similar to that of the Grant Thornton, for each steward that a club provides

Pat Walsh, Acting-Chairman, Cork Athletics County Board:

"We are very grateful to the very loyal stewards who have helped out at every one of the past thirteen 'in person' marathons

We need more volunteer stewards on Sunday, June 5th, to get us over the line

Stewarding can be a very rewarding experience, and is a great way to see the event, while, at the same time, giving something back to the sport and the community"

Please ring or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or TEXT 0872354836 , if your club can help out

Cork Athletics Website

Cork Athletics Facebook page

Cork Athletics Webmaster's Facebook page

Notes for Cork County Juvenile Track and Field Championships 2022

Notes relating to County Juvenile T&F Championships 2022

These notes Apply to Cork Athletics County Juvenile T&F Championships, May 2022


Entry Notes

1.    Entry Fee for individual events is €2 per event.  Relay Teams €5 per team

2.    There is no limit to the number of events an individual may enter, however no event will be held up unreasonably if an athlete is taking part in another event. Please check the Order of Events carefully when choosing your events

3.    Entry Fees must be paid in full by Sunday 22nd May. Entries can be paid  online, with cash or by cheque (cheques made payable to "Cork County Board AAI")

4.    On the day of competition Club numbers will be given to a club official/coach/parent who will be responsible for distributing the correct number to their club athletes

5.    In individual events, athletes are confined to their own age group

6.    In relays, athletes may move up 1 age group, but 2 of the 4 athletes running must be the correct age, except in Under 17 4x400 relay, where ALL athletes MUST be Under 17

7.    Only those born in 2014 may compete Under 9

8.    No new entries will be accepted on the day of competition

Points to Note

1.    All athletes MUST be registered Athletics Ireland Members

2.    ONLY competing athletes and officials are permitted on the track and infield

3.    Athletes MUST wear Club singlets. Numbers are to be worn on front of singlet, (except pole vault competition)  5mm spikes only

4.    Field Events commence at 10:30am. Practice jumps/throws must be completed before 10:20am. Competition starts 10:30am sharp

5.    Once a competition has started, no practice jump/throw will be allowed

6.    In Shot, Hammer, Discus, Javelin/ Turbo Javelin, Long Jump & Triple Jump,  each athlete will be allowed 3 attempts

7.    High Jump opening heights, as per Munster Competition Booklet (see appendix), with the bar rising by 5cm, until 3 athletes remain, then by 3cm

8.    Athletes are NOT permitted to carry or use electronic devices in the competition area at any time. (Earphones, ear pods, I-phones, smart phones, tablets etc)

9.    Photographers: All cameras must be registered on the way into the track, in accordance with Athletics Ireland Photography and Film Guidelines

10.    Please respect all property at M.T.U.

11.    Clubs are responsible for keeping their areas clean of litter.  Please bring your litter away with you. There is a substantial clean-up charge levied on Cork Athletics, if the venue is littered. Please ‘Pull’ anyone you see littering the venue – if the venue is littered, we will all ‘Tarnished with the One Brush!’

12.    Dogs - Dogs are not permitted inside MTU grounds, with the sole exception of REGISTERED Guide and/or Assistance Dogs

Queries: Please direct all queries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 0861713500

Event Pages

Day 1 - Sunday May 1st


Day 2 - Sunday May 8th

Day 3 - Sunday May 15th

Entry Forms

Entry Forms may be downloaded form links on the above Event pages or on the Forms page via the Main Menu

Fearghal Curtin Runs 13-35 5000m PB - April 2022

Fearghal Curtin, Youghal AC & Charleston Southern Runs 13:35.06 at Bryan Clay Invitational

Azusa, California, USA

Thursday, April 14th 2022

Fearghal Curtin, Charleston Southern University and Youghal AC

Fearghal Curtin, Charleston Southern University and Youghal AC, ran a 14 second 5,000m PB of 13:35.06 for third place, in last night's Bryan Clay Invitational, in Azusa, California, USA.  Fearghal's previous PB was 13:49, set outdoors in UK, last Summer.  He has now qualified for the NCAA finals in May, having already qualified in the 10,000m

Last night's result raises Fearghal from 10th to 7th in the Irish All-Time Men's 5000m Indoor Standings

 A speedy finish from Fearghal last night

Scoreboard

First 10 Results

Full Men's 5k Results

Charleston Southern University Report - CURTIN'S SCHOOL RECORD

The Irishman who represented the Bucs at the NCAA National Cross Country Championships in the fall has continued his solid all-around season by establishing his second outdoor school record this spring. He clocked a 13:35.06 in the 5000 meters in Azusa, California, late Thursday night, bettering his own previous top time by nearly 30 seconds of 14:02.88 set at the 2018 Florida Relays

In an event with 277 total runners across five open sections and four invite sections, he placed fourth out of 23 runners in his Invite Section 2. His time topped all the competitors in each of the five open sections as well as every one of the 55 runners in the Invite Section 3 and 4 races

Curtin's time is not only a personal record and school record but it also is the fourth fastest in Big South history. His section was the most competitive of the entire event, as Notre Dame's Andrew Alexander placed first at 13:34.50 but just over a half-second separated the top-four finishers. It will certainly land Curtin among the Top 50 times nationally once all the weekend times are compiled, joining three of his CSU teammates listed in the country's best in their respective events

Related Articles

Fearghal Curtin Runs 28-25 10000m PB - March 2022

Fearghal Curtin Named on USTFCCCA All-SouthEast Regional Team

Fearghal Curtin Qualifies for NCAA Division 1 Cross-Country Final - October 2021

Fearghal Curtin Leads Charleston Southern to Big South Victory - October 2021

Fearghal Curtin Named Big South Runner of the Week - October 22nd 2021

Fearghal Curtin 21st in FSU Pre-Nationals Cross-Country - October 2021

Fearghal Curtin Named Big South Runner of the Week - Sept 22nd 2021

Second Place Finish for Fearghal Curtin in Arizona Cross-Country - February 2021

Massive 8-02 3000m for Fearghal Curtin in Arkansas - February 2021

1-54 800m for Fearghal Curtin in Texas - January 2021

4-04-15 Mile PB for Fearghal Curtin in Columbia USA - December 2020

13-57 5k for Fearghal Curtin in LA - December 2020

Youghal Double with Stirling Silver for Emma Landers and 800m win for Fearghal Curtin

Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month June 2019 Fearghal Curtin

3:42 1500m PB for Fearghal Curtin at Portland Games 2019

13:53 5000m for Fearghal Curtin at Bryan Clay Invitational 2019

Sub-14 for Fearghal Curtin at Iowa State Classic 2019

Fearghal Curtin First Collegiate Athlete at UW Invitational 2019

Fearghal Curtin has Massive 5000m PB at Florida Relays

Big 3000m PB for Fearghal Curtin

Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month November and December 2017 - Leevale Womens Team and Fearghal Curtin, Youghal AC

Cork Athletics County Track & Field Championships 2022

County Track & Field Championships 2022

Entry Forms for each meet are available via the links below. Please check these calendar entries periodically for updates

 Juvenile T&F Championships Entry Forms

Cork Athletics County Juvenile Under 12 - Under 19 T&F Championships Day 1

MTU Track, 10am Sunday May 1st 2022 - Entries Close: Monday April 25th

Cork Athletics County Juvenile Under 12 - Under 19 T&F Championships - Day 2

MTU Track, 10am Sunday May 8th 2022 - Entries Close: Tuesday May 3rd

Cork Athletics County Juvenile Under 9 - Under 11 T&F Championships - Day 3

Cork Athletics County Juvenile Relays T&F Championships - Day 3

MTU Track, 10am Sunday May 15th 2022 - Entries Close: Tuesday May 10th

Details, including Order of Events on Calendar Event Pages

Event Pages

Day 1 - Sunday May 1st


Day 2 - Sunday May 8th

Day 3 - Sunday May 15th

Entry Forms

Entry Forms may be downloaded form links on the above Event pages or on the Forms page via the Main Menu

Junior, Senior & Masters T&F Championships

The Junior, Senior & Masters T&F Championships will be incorporated into four Open Track Meets; on Monday May 9th, May 25th, June 10th & June 28th

Meet 1 Entry Form

Meet 1 - Monday May 9th

Meet 2 - Wednesday May 25th

Meet 3 - Friday June 10th

Meet 4 - Thursday June 30th