News

Stephanie Cotter and Charlie O'Donovan to run 1500m at European U23 Championships 2021

Stephanie Cotter & Charlie O'Donovan on Irish U23 Team for Tallin

European U23 Championships, Tallinn, Estonia

Thursday July 8th - Sunday July 11th 2021

Stephanie Cotter, West Muskerry AC	Charlie O'Donovan, Leevale AC

Stephanie Cotter, West Muskerry AC and Adams State University, and Charlie O'Donovan, Leevale AC and Villanova University, have both been selected to represent Ireland at next month's European Under-23 T&F championships, in Tallin, Estonia. Both will run in the respective Women's and Men's 1500m

European Athletics Championships Page

Athletics Ireland Squad Announcement

Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month of November 2020 - Fr Liam Kelleher

Fr. Liam Kelleher is Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month for November 2020

Cobh

Tuesday June 22nd 2021

Fr. Liam Kelleher, is Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month for November 2020

The award was presented to Fr. Liam at a ceremony in Cobh, Co. Cork, on Tuesday June 22nd 2021

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

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Fr. Liam Kelleher with representatives from Cork City Sports, Frank Walley, Tony'OConnell and Liam O'Brien

Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month - November 2020 - Award Citation

Fr. Liam Kelleher is the November 2020 recipient of the Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month.

The Cork City Sports Athlete for the month of November 2020 goes to Fr. Liam Kelleher, Cobh, for his tireless work for Athletics over many decades

Press Release 

With activity curtailed during the Covid pandemic, the Cork City Sports Committee decided to present the November 2020 award to Fr Liam Kelleher, for his active involvement in the sport, as well as many other sports, for the past 50 years.

Fr. Liam Kelleher and Liam O'Brien

On Tuesday June 22nd, the award was presented to Fr Liam. Present were Frank Walley, President Cork City Sports, Chairperson Tony O'Connell and Technical Director Liam O'Brien, Cork City sports. Regrettably the prestigious Athletic event will not be held this year because of Covid, however the situation is improving slowly, and the National Track and Field Championships are down for decision on June 26th and 27th, at Morton stadium, Santry, Dublin.

Ironically it was at that venue that Liam O'Brien, coached by Fr Liam, won the first of his numerous National steeplechase titles. It was there that the first Juvenile steeplechase event ever held at National level run. Liam went on to gain his first International in the Irish schools singlet. Liam went on to win a total of 11 National Senior Steeplechase Titles and his crowning glory came in the Steeplechase at the 1984 Olympic games, in Los Angeles, when he reached the semi-finals. He was a regular on the Irish team for many years, and a testament to his longevity in the sport was the fact that when he was over 40, he represented his Ireland in the Europa Cup, winning in 8:47, ahead of the Russian favourite.

Fr Liam made reference to Liam's glorious career, and complimented him on his achievements, and his continued involvement in the sport, at East Cork level, and as chief organizer of Post Primary Athletics. A nice touch from Fr Liam, he thanked Liamo for bringing his own name to the fore for his coaching ability. Now the wheel has turned full circle and both men are still actively involved.

Fr Liam also thanked Frank Walley, a former National Sprint Champion, for his commitment to the sport through the Cork City sports, and for the wonderful work he has done in Cobh, helping restoring the iconic St Colman's cathedral. In fact the presentation was made outside the cathedral. He also complimented Tony O'Connell, who has played many roles in the Cork City Sports, including Chairperson and PRO.


In reply, Cork City Sportsl thanked Fr Liam for his many years of dedication. From the grassroots during his time in Midleton, in the early 70's, when hundreds of young people were helped in the sport. The successes were amazing, including taking 1st and 2nd team places in 2 ages in the All-Ireland Cross-Country Championships. At schools level coaching St Mary's Cross-Country team to both Junior and Intermediate All-Ireland Schools Titles, on the same day, taking 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the Junior under 15 race.

He organized trips to Donegal and the West of Ireland In 1972, to Scotland in 1977, and to Crystal Palace, London, on a coaching course - Liam O'Brien was on those trips. Another trip is worthy of mention, was when both headed off (uninvited) to an Olympic coaching course, at Louvain, Belgium, where Steeplechase Olympic Champion and World Record holder, Gaston Roelants, was present. He was a huge inspiration to both Liam and Fr Liam, who was then National steeplechase coach.

The Midleton days ended in 1977, with transfer to Tullylease, a small village on the Limerick border, with just 39 children in  the primary school. Within the year, 4 athletes he coached, with Christy Brosnan at  nearby Dromcollogher, won the first 4  races on the programme at the Munster Cross-Country. They needed a track to train on, and that gave rise to a 400m all weather track in Tullylease. The International Sports drew world class athletes like Olympic Champions John Walker and Steve Ovett, and world champions Eamon Coghlan, John Treacy and Frank O'Mara, and many other internationals including Liam O'Brien. Fr Liam was a founding member of West Limerick AC.

Dromina

Dromina was the next port of call, where the Adidas Dromina 10 attracted the cream of Irish athletes. The course record was set by the late Jerry Kiernan at 46:30. While there, he set up North Cork AC, still a powerful force in the sport, with Michael Herlihy director of operations.

North Cork produced many champions including Olympians, Barbara Johnson (400m hurdles) at the Seoul  Olympics, in 1988, and 3 time Olympian Peter Maher who, after winning the Munster Senior Cross-Country, won the National 10 mile road race. Peter emigrated to Canada, the country of his birth, coming to Ireland when he was one year old. His career blossomed in Canada, in making 3 Olympics in the Marathon and 3 World Championships, and, famously, in 1987 in Rome,  he led the worlds best and was half a mile ahead at 19 miles on a scorching hot day.  With temperatures hitting 35C, his drinks mysteriously disappeared, and he became dehydrated and struggled to finish. He broke the world 25k record, won 18 Marathons, with a best time of 2:11. 

Staying with the marathon, Fr Liam coached the Curtin sisters to first and 2nd woman in the Cork City Marathon. The club produced numerous scholarship athletes including Anita Philpott, who won the US National Junior Cross-Country title during her first year there, while on Scholarship at Providence colleg. Before that her arch rival here was Sonia O'Sullivan and both were on the Irish Junior 3,000m team, managed by Fr Liam, at the European championships, in Birminghamin 1987. Both had come back injured from the USA, but both went. Sonia had to opt out, as the injury not sufficiently recovered.  Anita was not fully recovered but easily qualified for the final, where she finished a creditable 6th behind subsequent world champion, Fernando Ribero of Portugal. Injury dogged the rest of Anita's short career which ended when she reached the final of the European Senior 3,000m, a race which Sonia O'Sullivan won.

Add in the Stack brothers, Kieran and Brian, from Doneraile, Garret Barry and Cormac O'Riordan from Buttevant. The Charleville trio the late Ger Twomey, Geoffrey Sheehan and Finbarr Egan, and Michael Cotter from Macroom, and that is an insight into the huge contribution Fr Liam brought to the sport in North Cork. There are so many others who did not emigrate, like the Kennedy's of Buttevant, the Collins brothers from Ballydesmond, the Casey brothers from Milstreet, Doneraile's Seanad Roche and Ann O'Kearney Flynn, Eileen Curtin. Buttevant, etc

East Cork

It was back to East Cork, in 1988, to Inch, in the parish of Killeagh, which led to another athletic dynasty. He spent a year going around about 30 National Schools, marked out an 800m circuit, and gave every pupil a run at this distance, now through the efforts of Frank Greally it's the "Daily mile" for schools. It worked! After spending a year trying to set up Glenbower AC, called after the wood in Killeagh, the club got permission to trade. He unleashed his charges in the County Cross-Country, and they took 12 team prizes, and went on to become the leading Juvenile club in Ireland at track and Cross-Country

Whiitechurch 

Another move took place in 1994, this time to Whitechurch, from where he continued to return to Midleton to coach Glenbower athletes, with Liam O'Brien, at Midleton CBS. The National Cross-Country Championships were awarded to Blarney AC, in conjunction with Whitechurch Community Council, and they were another huge success.

In Whitechurch a new phase in sport took his interest, when the girls in the school wanted football, he reluctantly agreed, and that culminated with as much success as the athletics. First Sciath na Scoil titles were garnered. Rockban club was formed, and the County Under 12 team title came, and the club followed up the line to All Ireland success at Junior and Intermediate level.

Then Cork came calling and the County had not even a Senior team. Fr. Liam took on the Intermediate team, with Charlie McLaughlin, and duly won the All-Ireland. Looking to the future they established a School of Excellence and Summer camps.

In 1999, Fr liam was transferred to Grenagh, as Parish Priest, and contemplated retiring from sport. But training for the under 14's would take place in Grenagh. Winning the Munster 'B' title in 1999, defeating Tipperary by a point. As Team Manager he led them to an 8-34 to 0-0 victory over Tipp in the first round of the Munster championships in 2000, before going on to win the All-Ireland. Three more followed under 14, 3 under 16 titles, 2 minor titles, all in the space of 6 years, and the rest, as they say, is history. After a stint in the USA he came back in 2013, got involved with John Cleary and the County and won 3 minor titles. He encountered his first loss with Cork in 20 years in an all-Ireland final losing the final to Galway by a point  and called it a day.
It is well to remember that all these happened while  managed by Fr liam attending to his priestly duties. Being Co PRO  and at National for athletics and Ladies football.

Fr. Liam edited and produced the Marathon athletics magazine for 21 years.  He also established the Imokilly People newspaper for East Cork, and founded and co-edited, Peil, a National magazine for ladies Football. Throw in the attendance at 8 Olympics, numerous world and European athletes championships, Manager of Irish teams at World and European Championships. Many years were spent at management level of the National Executive of Irish Athletics. While officially retired from parish duty at 76, he is still as active as ever at local level at football and athletics. Since the start of the pandemic he has live-streamed mass every day on his Facebook page which has 5,000 followers. Is it any wonder the Cork City Sports presented this award.   

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Startlists - MTU Track Night June 18th 2021

Schedule, Startlists & Instructions for MTU Track Night

MTU Track

Friday June 18th 2021

Entries for this Meet have SOLD OUT

This meet will be held subject to, and in compliance with HSE and Athletics Ireland guidelines in force at time of meet

Meets of a maximum of 100 people, inc all event officials and support personnel, are permitted since Monday June 7th.

Note: Spectators are not permitted at this time

*****Please wear a mask at all times when you are not running*****

******Only athletes and Event Officials will be allowed enter the facility******

******For the 800m and 3000m races a maximum shoe stack height of 25mm will apply******

Numbers On Site

Spectators are NOT permitted - Only Athletes and Event Officials may enter the facility, and total numbers on site at any one time will be limited to 100 maximum

Instructions from MTU Meet Organisters (To Be Updated!)

Thank you for entering the ‘MTU Athletics Track Night’. In these unusual times we are implementing the following protocols in order to keep you and our officials as safe as possible.

 

Covid Check-In

Step 1: Checking in

You are being asked to fill out an online COVID questionnaire where you will self-declare your fitness to attend the track meet. This questionnaire will also act as an acknowledgement that you are checking in for your event(s). This questionnaire will be made available at 2pm on Thursday June 17th and will be available until 2pm on Friday June 18th

This link will bring you to the COVID questionnaire

Traditionally there is a certain amount of wiggle room on the day of an event in terms of checking in late and swapping between races etc. Unfortunately, we will not be in a position to facilitate such changes for this meet. This inflexibility is to minimise the interactions between our officials at the meet and to allow officials to print out the required documentation in their own homes prior to arriving at the meet

So in short…….complete the check in/COVID questionnaire in good time!

Step 2: Arrival and passage through the stadium

Step 2: Arrival and passage through the stadium

Again for your safety and ours, it is our intention to minimise the amount of time that you spend in the facility. To that end you will all arrive at the facility at a time that is specific to your event in line with the table below. You have received a separate email with start lists so be sure to check which particular heat you are in

Your passage through the facility is detailed below

Zone 1: Entry to the stadium

Entry to the Stadium

While waiting to gain entry to the facility please observe social distancing and wear a mask

Athletes should report here no later than 30 minutes prior to their race time. This ensures a steady flow of athletes through the facility. Race number pick up will be close to the entry gate. Pins will be provided

Pre-Race

We have two field events on the timetable so unfortunately athletes cannot warm up on the infield at this meet. You can warm up on the track but must take care t;

(1) not impede any races and

(2) not cross the finish line at any point

Post-Race

Athletes should vacate the finish area as soon as they can stand up after their race. Please avoid post-race hugs and high fives etc. as you celebrate your excellent achievements! Collect your warm-up gear and head for the facility exit. Resist the urge to hang around and watch the next race. We are delighted to have you on the track but we need you to leave the facility as soon as you are able!

Meet Schedule

Track Schedule

Field Schedule

Startlists

Womens Javelin - 6pm

6 participants: Javelin (600g) (Weight: 0.6kg, Senior Women)

Mens Javelin - 6pm

7 participants: Javelin (800g) (Weight: 0.8kg, Senior Men)

Mens Long Jump - 7pm

3 participants: Long Jump Men (Senior Men)

Long Jump - Women - 7pm

9 participants: Long Jump Women  (Senior Women)

Shot Put - Women - 8pm

4 participants: Shot Put (4kg) (Weight: 4kg, Senior Women)

Shot Put - Men - 8pm

3 participants: Shot Put (7.26kg) (Weight: 7.26kg, Senior Men)

200m - Men -6pm

8 participants: 200m Race A (Senior Men)

200m - Men - Race B - 6:10pm

7 participants: 200m Race B (Senior Men)

200m - Men - Race C - 6:20pm

8 participants: 200m Race C (Senior Men)

200m - Women - Race D - 6:30pm

6 participants: 200m Race D (Senior Women)

200m - Women - Race E - 6:40pm

6 participants: 200m Race E (Senior Women)

800m - Men - 7:50

9 participants: 800m Race A (Senior Men)

Seedings based on submitted estimated times sub 1:58

800m Race B - 7:55pm

10 participants: 800m Race B (Senior Men)

Seedings based on submitted estimated times between 1:59 and 2:05

800m - Race C - 8pm

11 participants for event 12: 800m Race C (Senior Men)

Seedings based on submitted estimated times between 2:06 and 2:13

800m - Race D - 8:05pm

7 participants: 800m Race D (Senior Men, Senior Women)

Seedings based on submitted estimated times between 2:14 and 2:19

3000m - Race A - 6:50pm

21 participants for event 6: 3000m Race A (Senior Men, Senior Women)

Seedings based on submitted estimated times under 9 minutes

3000m - Race B - 7:05pm

21 participants: 3000m Race B (Senior Men, Senior Women)

Seedings based on submitted estimated times between 9:20 and 9:45

3000m - Race C - 7:20pm

18 participants: 3000m Race C (Senior Men, Senior Women)

Seedings based on submitted estimated times between 10:00 and 10:30

3000m - Race D - 7:35pm

16 participants: 3000m Race D (Senior Men, Senior Women)

Seedings based on submitted estimated times between 10:55 and 13:00

Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month of May 2021 - Lizzie Lee

Lizzie Lee is Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for May 2021

River Lee Hotel

Monday June 14th 2021

Lizzie Lee, Leevale AC, is Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for May 2021 - Photo: Tony O'Connell Photography

The award was presented to Lizzie at a function at the River Lee hotel, on Monday June 14th 2021

Lizzie Lee with sponsors and representatives from Cork City Sports - Photo: Tony O'Connell Photography

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

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Tony O'Connell and Lizzie Lee

The Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month of May 2021 is Lizzie Lee, Leevale AC - Photo: Tony O'Connell Photography

Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month - May 2021 - Award Citation

Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC) is the May recipient of the Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month.

The Cork City Sports Athlete for the month of May goes to Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC). At a specially arranged Micro Meet for Irish elite athletes, at the MTU track, Lizzie won the 10,000m event in a time of 34:14.26. Subsequently she was selected as the sole female Irish representative  for the European Cup in Birmingham.

Lizzie Lee and her father Gearóid Ó Laoi - Photo: Gearóid Ó Laoi

Excerpt from Article by John Walshe

CORK CITY SPORTS ATHLETICS PERSON OF THE MONTH AWARD

A multi-winner of the award in the past, Leevale’s Lizzie Lee is the Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month for May.

At a specially arranged Micro Meet for Irish elite athletes at the MTU track, Lizzie – in her only her second 10,000m on the track – covered the 25 laps in a time of 34:14.26. This gave her selection as the sole female Irish representative over the same distance for the European Cup in Birmingham.

“I honestly thought my days of awards and international vests were over, so I’m absolutely delighted,” said Lizzie at the award ceremony in The River Lee Hotel. “I must put my hand up in the air to Athletics Ireland and to the likes of Ian O’Sullivan in MTU, Donal Murnane, Ina Killeen and Liam O’Brien for putting the meet on. When you have the likes of that behind you in Cork, it’s something you don’t get anywhere else, and so it all fell together.”

The object was to run 82-second laps and this she did in the lashing rain, her finishing time of 34:12.26 well inside the standard and giving her 25 seconds to spare over Meghan Ryan of DSD. Lizzie then went to Birmingham where she recorded a personal best of 33:04.50 for 17th place in the star-studded field. “It was amazing pulling on that Irish singlet again. I’m now going on 11 years as a senior international athlete, I’m 41 with three small kids and I’m standing on start line with the best in Europe.”

One thing that Lizzie appreciated during the pandemic was the pure joy and love of running. “With three small kids and a husband working from home, to get out and run for 10 miles first thing in the morning just kind of saved my head for the day.”

Six years ago, Lizzie captained the Irish team to the bronze medals at the European Cross-Country and with the re-scheduled championships set for Santry this December, it’s something that’s already in her sights. “I would run over hot coals in the National C-C to make the team, Leevale women will be going for four-in-a-row to win the club title and that puts fire in my belly.

“But the competition to get on that [Irish] team is going to be insane, they’ll all going to want to run in Dublin but that will be the head-down goal and we’ll see what happens.”

Wha...??? .....2M!  This is 2M!!

Trevor Welch, 96FM interviewing Lizzie Lee - Photo: Gearóid Ó Laoi
  

Related Articles

PB for Lizzie Lee at European 10000m Cup - June 2021

Lizzie Lee Selected for European 10000m Cup - June 2021

Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month October 2018 Lizzie Lee

Clohisey and Lee win National Marathon Championship 2018

Lizzie Lee and Claire McCarthy Selected for World Half-Marathon Championships 2018

Lizzie Lee and Claire McCarthy Selected for European Championships Marathon Championships - Berlin 2018

Lizzie Lee Awarded Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Year - 2016

Leevale's Lizzie Lee Runs in World Half-Marathon Championships, Cardiff, Sat March 26th 2016

Cork City Sports - Athlete of the Month Award February 2015 - Lizzie Lee

Watch Cork Athletics Videos on Vimeo

Olympic Qualification Time for Michelle Finn - Paavo Nurmi Games 2021

9:29.25 Olympic Steeplechase Qualification Time for Michelle Finn at Paavo Nurmi Games

Turku, Finland

Monday June 7th 2021

Michelle Finn - Photo: Irish Times

Michelle Finn, Leevale AC, ran 9:29.25, for second place at today's Day 1 of the Paavo Nurmi Games, in Turku, Finland.  The race was won by Winfred Yavi, who set a stadium record of 9:17.55. Michelle's time knocked over twelve seconds off her 9:38.04 PB and, more importantly, was inside the 9:30.00 Olympic Qualification time for the Women's 3000m Steeplechase

Stadiun Record for Steeplechase Winner Yavi

Photofinish - Womens 3000m Steeplechase

Michelle also goes into second place on the All-Time Irish rankings, overtaking Fionnuala McCormack, and she is now less than a second outside Róisín McGettigan's National Record of 9:28.29

All-Time Irish Womens 3000m Steeplechase Standings
 

Paavo Nurmi Games 2021 - Women's Steeplechase Results

Womens 3000m Steeplechase Results - Paavo Nurmi Games 2021




Louise Shanahan Runs 2:01.99 800

Louise Shanahan, Leevale AC

Elsewhere, Louise Shanahan, Leevale AC, ran 2:01.99 for third place at today's Memoriál Josefa Odložila meet, in Prague, with Ireland's Georgie Hartigan fourth on 2:02.13

Results Women's 800m

PB for Lizzie Lee at European 10000m Cup - June 2021

33:04 PB for Lizzie Lee at European 10,000m Cup

Birmingham, UK

Saturday June 5th 2021

Lizzie Lee, Leevale AC - Photo: Getty Images


Full Results

Lizzie Lee, Leevale AC,  ran a 33:04.50 PB, for 17th place at this evening's European 10,000m Cup Women's 'A' race, at Birmingham University, UK.  The event combined as the European 10,000m Cup, the British 10,000m Championship, Commonwealth Games Qualifier, and for most of the field, an Olympic qualifier, with 31:25 being the target there.

Lizzie Lee was Ireland's sole women's representative in the race, however her clubmate Michelle Finn was one of the two Pacers, leading the field through 3k

Michelle Finn, Leevale AC Paces Field

Israeli athlete Teferi set the early pace and was only overtaken in the finishing straight, when Eilish McColgan came through to pip her by the narrowest of margins, 31:19.21, to Teferi's 31:19:25. Teferi held off Briton Jessica Judd, third, who also PB'd on 31:20.84, with all three inside the Olympic qualifying time.

Womens 'A' Results
 

All-Time Irish Women's 10,000m Standings

 Lizzie's time of 33:04.50 elevates her from 25th to 19th in the All-Time Irish Women's 10,000m standings, with her Leevale AC clubmate, US Based Dylan Hassett now in 20th place, on 33:06.92

Mens 'A' & 'B' Races

In the Men's 'B' race, there was disappointment, with Ireland's Paul O'Donnell and Cormac Dalton recording DNF's, meaning that Ireland only Michael Power, 31:11.77, and Hiko Tonosa, 12th in the Men's 'A' race, on 28:12.93. Clonmel AC's Sean Tobin was the early Pacer in the 'A' race.

Mens 'A' Results

 Mens 'B' Results

AAI National Marathon Championship 2021 - Update June 25th

Decision on Dublin Marathon Deferred Until July 15th

The National Marathon Championship is held in conjunction with the KBC Dublin Marathon, but a decision due today, June 25th, has been further delayed by the event organisers.  The Government are due to make further decisions on the Covid Re-Opening in the coming days, so a deferral is probably not all that unexpected, particularly in light of the Delta variant.



Statement from Dublin Marathon Organisers (Fri June 25th 2021)

KBC Dublin Marathon Extend Period Before Making Final Decision

We had planned to be able to make the official announcement today on whether the event could go ahead. However, we are still in the process of engaging the relevant stakeholders.

We therefore now are pushing the date of when you will receive official confirmation of whether the real race can go ahead on Sunday 24th of October, from Friday 25th of June to no later than Thursday 15th of July.

Our priority is to bring the Marathon back to the streets of Dublin safely for all involved and we would ask for runners’ patience and support at this time while we endeavour to make this a possibility.

Death of Billy Good - Bandon AC

Billy Good R.I.P. - Condolences

June 19th 2021

Billy Good R.I.P.

The Officers and Officials of Cork Athletics County Board extend their condolences and deepest sympathy to the Good family; Billy's wife Matilda, sons Mervyn, Clive and David, and his extended family, on the death of our esteemed colleague Billy Good, President and founding member of Bandon AC.

Billy's lifetime contribution to athletics has been enormous and leaves a lasting legacy

 
Notice on RIP.ie

The death has occurred of William (Billy) Good, Bandon, Cork

  William (Billy) Good

Good (Oliver Plunkett St, Bandon and late of Callatrim) on June 19th 2021 peacefully at Marymount Curraheen. William (Billy), beloved husband of Matilda (nee Wood) and dear father of Mervyn, Clive and David, and brother of the late Richard.

Sadly missed by his loving wife, sons, daughter-in-law Nuala (Donnelly), grandsons Josh and Alex, brother Eric, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, niece, extended family, neighbours and friends.

In line with Government and H.S.E. Guidelines, Billy's Funeral will take place privately.

Billy's Funeral Cortege will leave Gabriel and O'Donovan's Funeral Home on Monday at 2.15pm approx. en route to St. Peter's Church, Bandon for a Private Service at 2.30pm which will be livestreamed on http://funeralslive.ie/william-billy-good/. After the Funeral Service, Billy's Funeral Cortege will travel via South Main St, Oliver Plunkett St, pausing at his home, Station Road, Glasslyn Road, Kilbrogan Hill, Kilbrogan St, pausing at the Town Park, Macroom Road and Allen Square en route to Killowen Cemetery.

The family would welcome condolences and these can be left on the Condolence link

Bandon AC Notice

It is with great sadness that we have lost one of Bandon AC’s original founding members and esteemed President Billy Good who passed away earlier today.

Our sympathies to Matilda his wife and his sons Clive, Mervyn, David and extended Good family.

As a mark of respect the West Cork uneven ages due to be held in MTU tomorrow have been POSTPONED until a future date.

Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dílis

Related Articles

Southern Star - Bandon AC legend Billy Good will enter the West Cork Sports Star Hall of Fame

Ger McCarthy Column (Southern Star): Not just a Good man, Billy’s a great man for Bandon AC

Aoife Cooke and Alex Wright among First Seven Selected for Tokyo Olympics

Cooke and Wright Officially Selectedfor Sapporo

Aoife Cooke, Eagle AC	Alex Wright, Leevale AC

 
Aoife Cooke, Eagle AC, and Alex Wright, Leevale AC, are among the first seven athletes to be officially selected for Team Ireland at next month's postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The remaining team members will be selected in the coming weeks, after final qualification deadlines have passed

Athletics Marathon Men

Paul Pollock (Rio Olympian)

Stephen Scullion

Kevin Seaward (Rio Olympian)

Athletics Marathon Women

Aoife Cooke

Fionnuala McCormack (Beijing, London, Rio Olympian)

Athletics Men’s 50km Race Walk

Brendan Boyce (London, Rio Olympian)

Alex Wright (Rio Olympian)

TEAM IRELAND TOKYO ATHLETICS ANNOUNCEMENT

Seven Team Ireland athletes selected to compete in Sapporo at Tokyo 2020

Team Ireland has officially selected seven athletes to compete across the Marathon and 50km Race Walk events in Sapporo at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. An experienced team of five marathon runners and two race walkers will compete across four days in Sapporo from the 5 – 8 August.

In the Marathon, Fionnuala McCormack is heading into her fourth Olympic Games, she first became an Olympian in Beijing 2008. She is joined by Aoife Cooke in the Women’s Marathon, and Paul Pollock, Kevin Seaward and Stephen Scullion will compete in the Men’s Marathon. Brendan Boyce is approaching his third Games, and was the first Irish athlete across all sports to achieve an Olympic qualification time, he will compete in the Men’s 50km Race Walk alongside Rio Olympian Alex Wright.

These events were originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo but were moved to the more northern city of Sapporo where the temperatures were considered more suited to endurance events. Sapporo additionally holds a special place in Olympic history, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972. Olympic Federation of Ireland Sports Director Martin Burke will be heading up the Irish delegation in Sapporo.

This is the first of two Team Ireland Tokyo announcements for athletics, with the second one scheduled for early July, and which will name the track and field athletes who will be selected, as well as athletes in the 20km Race Walk. Team Ireland has currently 10 officially selected athletes, and at the moment 79 athletes have achieved qualification spots, with many more waiting on final ranking confirmation.

Speaking about his selection Marathon runner Paul Pollock said,

“It is a real honour to compete in the Tokyo Olympics for Team Ireland. Having already competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, I am looking forward to pulling on the Irish vest once more. I'm excited about being based in the city of Sapporo, which is that extra bit special for having already hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, and I'm looking forward to the welcome that we will get. It will be a very different experience of course, without any spectators, but we are there to perform to our best and I am extremely proud to be part of the team.”

Olympic Federation of Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle said,

“We are delighted to officially announce a strong and experienced Athletics Marathon and 50km Race Walk team. Between the team they have eight Olympic Games experiences already, with Fionnuala McCormack heading into her fourth Games. This is an exciting team, with an immense amount of talent and resilience, and we are looking forward to seeing them compete this summer.”

Paul McNamara, Athletics Ireland Performance Director said,

“This has been a unique, protracted and challenging qualifying campaign for these athletes with postponement, change of venue, limited qualifying opportunities, and the vagaries of the new qualification system, but these athletes have risen to the many challenges and now are primed to put in their very best performance on the greatest of stages”.

Rio Olympian Paul Pollock will be available for interview – please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to arrange.

Team announcements will come more frequently over the coming weeks, with the final team announcement scheduled for the beginning of July. The Olympic Games in Tokyo will run from the 23rd July to 8th August 2021.

TEAM IRELAND TOKYO ATHLETICS ANNOUNCEMENT:

Athletics Marathon Men:

Paul Pollock (Rio Olympian)

Stephen Scullion

Kevin Seaward (Rio Olympian)

Athletics Marathon Women:

Aoife Cooke

Fionnuala McCormack (Beijing, London, Rio Olympian)

Athletics Men’s 50km Race Walk:

Brendan Boyce (London, Rio Olympian)

Alex Wright (Rio Olympian)

Athletics Ireland Release

Seven Strong to Compete in Sapporo for Team Ireland

Athletics Marathon and 50k Race Walk Team Announcement for Tokyo 2020

Team Ireland has officially selected seven athletes to compete across the Marathon and 50k Race Walk events in Sapporo at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer. An experienced team of five marathon runners and two race walkers will compete across four days in Sapporo from the 5 – 8 August.

In the Marathon, Fionnuala McCormack is heading into her fourth Olympic Games, she first became an Olympian in Beijing 2008. She is joined by Aoife Cooke in the Women’s Marathon, and Paul Pollock, Kevin Seaward and Stephen Scullion will compete in the Men’s Marathon. Brendan Boyce is approaching his third Games, and was the first Irish athlete across all sports to achieve an Olympic qualification time, he will compete in the Men’s 50km Race Walk alongside Alex Wright.

These events were originally scheduled to take place in Tokyo but were moved to the more northern city of Sapporo where the temperatures were considered more suited to endurance events. Sapporo additionally holds a special place in Olympic history, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1972. Olympic Federation of Ireland Sports Director Martin Burke will be heading up the Irish delegation in Sapporo.

This is the first of two Team Ireland Tokyo announcements for athletics, with the second one scheduled for early July, and which will name the track and field athletes who will be selected, as well as athletes in the 20km Race Walk. Team Ireland has currently 10 officially selected athletes, and at the moment 79 athletes have achieved qualification spots, with many more waiting on final ranking confirmation.

Speaking about his selection Marathon runner Paul Pollock said,

“It is a real honour to compete in the Tokyo Olympics for Team Ireland. Having already competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, I am looking forward to pulling on the Irish vest once more. I'm excited about being based in the city of Sapporo, which is that extra bit special for having already hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, and I'm looking forward to the welcome that we will get. It will be a very different experience of course, without any spectators, but we are there to perform to our best and I am extremely proud to be part of the team.”

Olympic Federation of Ireland Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020, Tricia Heberle said,

“We are delighted to officially announce a strong and experienced Athletics Marathon and Race Walk team. Between the team they have eight Olympic Games experiences already, with Fionnuala McCormack heading into her fourth Games. This is an exciting team, with an immense amount of talent and resilience, and we are looking forward to seeing them compete this summer.”

Paul McNamara, Athletics Ireland Performance Director said,

“This has been a unique, protracted and challenging qualifying campaign for these athletes with postponement, change of venue, limited qualifying opportunities, and the vagaries of the new qualification system, but these athletes have risen to the many challenges and now are primed to put in their very best performance on the greatest of stages”.

Team announcements will come more frequently over the coming weeks, with the final team announcement scheduled for the beginning of July. The Olympic Games in Tokyo will run from the 23rd July to 8th August 2021.

*20km Race Walk athlete(s) are selected with Track & Field athletes after Jun 27th.

MTU Athletics Track Night - June 8th 2021

MTU Athletics Track Night 2021 

MTU Track

18:00 - 21:00, Tuesday June 8th 2021

Meet Program

 

NO "Magic" Shoes with a stack height greater than 25mm

Numbers On Site

Spectators are NOT permitted - Only Athletes and Event Officials may enter the facility, and total numbers on site at any one time will be limited to 100 maximum

Instructions from MTU Meet Organisters

Thank you for entering the ‘MTU Athletics Track Night’. In these unusual times we are implementing the following protocols in order to keep you and our officials as safe as possible.

Step 1: Checking in

You will be asked to fill out an online COVID questionnaire where you will self-declare your fitness to attend the track meet. This questionnaire will also act as an acknowledgement that you are checking in for your event(s). This questionnaire will be made available at 9am on Tuesday June 8th and will be available until 3pm on Tuesday June 8th.

Traditionally there is a certain amount of wiggle room on the day of an event in terms of checking in late and swapping between races etc. Unfortunately, we will not be in a position to facilitate such changes for this meet. This inflexibility is to minimise the interactions between our officials at the meet and to allow officials to print out the required documentation in their own homes prior to arriving at the meet.

So in short…….complete the check in/COVID questionnaire in good time!

Step 2: Arrival and passage through the stadium

Again, for your safety and ours, it is our intention to minimise the amount of time that you spend in the facility. To that end you will all arrive at the facility and transfer to the warm-up zone at times that are specific to your event in line with the table below:

Your passage through the facility is detailed below

Zone 1: Entry to the stadium

While waiting to gain entry to the facility please observe social distancing.

Athletes should report here no later than 30 minutes prior to their race time. This ensures a steady flow of athletes through the facility. Upon entry to the facility, athletes should wait in the ‘top bend’ area until called to enter the pre-race warmup area via the track entry point [2]. While waiting to enter the pre-race warm up area  athletes should ensure social distancing is observed.

Race number pick up will also be in zone 1. All numbers will have pins attached.

Zone 2

Athletes will be allowed to enter the pre-race warm up area via the gate adjacent to the 100m start 30 minutes before their race time. Please be vigilant crossing the track and follow the instructions from the officials located at the crossing point. Note there is a Discus event on the night so the infield grass area is off limits for warm up purposes.

Zone 3

Athletes will remain in the pre-race warm-up area until they are called to their race start. Athletes should leave their warm-up gear in the finish line area (mile/400m) or beside the ‘track shed’ (5k) where it can be collected after your race. No ‘back tracking is allowed’. If you have forgotten something, ask an official to help you out. You will be called to your race start from the pre-race warmup area.

You may carry out strides etc on the back straight/top bend of the track but please be vigilant and don’t impeded your fellow athletes during their races.

Zone 4

Athletes should vacate the finish area as soon as they can stand up after their race. Please avoid post-race hugs and high fives etc. as you celebrate your excellent achievements!

Zone 5

Athletes in the mile and 400m events should gather their gear from the finish line area and vacate the track by the gate adjacent to the 1500m start line. Athletes in the 5000m should vacate the track by the gate adjacent to the 1500m start line and pick up their warmup gear by the ‘track shed’ building as they exit the facility.

Zone 6

Resist the urge to hang around and watch the next race. We are delighted to have you on the track but we need you to leave the facility as soon as you are able!


The timetable is designed to allow for the distance race participants to warm up (not warm down) on the infield prior to their races. Competitors in the Discus will begin warming up at 7:30pm and, from that point onwards, the infield will be off limits to all athletes.

Athletes in the 100m and 400m can warm up on the track but will need to make sure that they don’t get in the way of races!

Start Lists

Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month of April 2021 - Aoife Cooke

Aoife Cooke is Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for April 2021

River Lee Hotel

Friday June 4th 2021

Aoife Cooke, Eagle AC, is Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for April 2021 - Photo: Tony O'Connell Photography

The award was presented to Aoife at a function at the River Lee hotel, on Friday June 4th 2021

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 of April 2021 is Aoife Cooke, Eagle AC - Photo: Tony O'Connell Photography

Cork City Sports Athletics Person of the Month - April 2021 - Award Citation

Aoife Cooke (Eagle AC) is the April recipient of the Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month.

After a prolonged spell without competition, due lockdown restrictions, Aoife fulfilled a lifetime's ambition by securing a qualification standard for the Olympic Marathon to be held in Japan this summer.

Her time at the Cheshire Elite Marathon in the UK was 2:28:36 which was a comforable one minute inside the Olympic Marathon qualifying time, and moves her to 4th in the All-Time list of Irish Marathon performances

 

Excerpt from Article by John Walshe

"The story of that brilliant performance at the Cheshire Marathon in April can be seen below and speaking at the presentation at The River Lee Hotel, the Eagle AC athlete expressed her delight at receiving the monthly award for the third time: “I received one in 2016, when I won the All-Ireland novice cross-country, and then I got it in October 2019, when I became the National Marathon champion.

“But I suppose the pinnacle of the sports of athletics is to have made it to the Olympics, so that’s a huge deal for me. The last year or year-and-a-half everything was uncertain, with all the races cancelled and everything like that, so it feels like it was a long time coming, so it was a huge relief, and a huge joy, when I crossed the finish line and got the time.”

After a few weeks of recovery, Aoife is now back in full training and leaves, on Sunday next, for an extended period of preparation in the USA at Kaysville, Utah. “It’s at 7,000 feet and my coach coaches a number of people over there, so I’ll link in with them. I won’t race between now and the Olympics, I’ll just focus on the training.”

No doubt it will be good for Aoife to get away, as since her Cheshire triumph, she has been much in demand. “Yes, we celebrated to the extent that we are allowed to at the moment, I went back home to Youghal and did my quarantine there, and they had a little cake and a few celebratory drinks,” she explained.

Apart from a Sport Ireland grant, Aoife is entirely self-funded, so she was delighted to receive some recent sponsorship. “Coming up to Cheshire I suppose I was by myself, but now I’m receiving a nice bit of help from the people of Cork and the people of Youghal.

“The Youghal Business Alliance gave me a little bit of funding, as did Youghal Credit Union, and then Ger Flanagan, who used to coach me in Youghal, is helping me out as well, as I’m now an ambassador for Boardwalk Coffee.”

Related Articles

Olympic Qualification Time for Aoife Cooke - Cheshire Elite Marathon 2021

Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month October 2019 - Aoife Cooke

Scullion and Cooke win National Marathon Championship 2019

Aoife Cooke Runs 55:17 in Mallow 10 2019 – Guest Article by John Walshe

Youghal AC's Aoife Cooke Takes First Senior Woman Place in Lisbon Half-Marathon 2018

Cork City Sports - Athlete of the Month Award November 2015 - Michael Harty (East Cork AC) and December 2015 - Aoife Cooke (Youghal AC)

Watch Cork Athletics Videos on Vimeo

European Gold for Niamh McCarthy at Para Athletics Championships 2021

Niamh McCarthy Retains European F41 Discus Title

Bydgoszcz

Saturday June 5th 2021

Niamh McCarthy Heading for her Final Throw

Niamh McCarthy - Leader of the Pack

Niamh McCarthy Throws for F41 Discus Lead

Niamh McCarthy Throws 31.03m for F41 Discus Gold

Niamh McCarthy took F41 discus gold, when she decimated the field at the World Para Athletics European Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland today.

Niamh started with a throw of 10.45m, which left her in 5th place, and outside the medal positions - her throw was taken before video coverage of the event started.  She 'got into gear' with her second throw of 27.96m, which, as it turned out, would have been good enought to win the championship. However she then threw 30.03m wit her third throw - her best of teh Championships, and 28.37m for her penultimate throw. Any of her final three valid throws would have been sufficient to take Gold, as Silver Medalist, Renata Sliwinska, Poland, threw 24.77m - a World Record for her, as she is in the F40 category.

F41 Final Standings

Women's F41 Discus Final Standings

Women's F41 Discus Performances

Final Championships Medal Table

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Niamh McCarthy among 6 Irish Athletes for European Para Athletics Championships - June 2021

Echo Feature on Paralympian Niamh McCarthy - August 2020

European Gold and European Record for Niamh McCarthy at Para Athletics Championships 2018

Silver for Niamh McCarthy at ParaAthletics World Championships

Silver for Orla Barry at ParaAthletics World Championships

Cork Athletes Compete in World ParaAthletics Championships 2017

Noelle Lenihan in Final Day Paralympic Action

Layman's Guide to Paralympic Classification (PDF File)

Cork Athletics Homepage

Cork Athletics Facebook Page

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

Race Calendar / Fixtures List - Athletics Ireland Registered Events

Cork Athletics Race Calendar

Comprehensive Calendar of Registered Athletics Ireland events in Cork

Leaderboard for Registered Athletics Ireland Road Races in Cork - August 2018