News

Cork Athletes Medal at British and Irish Masters XC 2019

British and Irish Masters Cross-Country International

Aintree, UK

Saturday, November 16th 2019

 

Eamonn McEvoy, St Finbarr's AC, (second left) flanked by his Irish M65 colleagues

Mallow AC duo, Breda Gaffney and Paul Moloney

Ken Higgs (M70) and Alan O'Brien (M40), both Eagle AC...as they like to show!

According to Athletics Weekly "Famous Aintree racecourse sees English veteran cross-country runners get the best of their rivals at the British and Irish Masters International on Saturday

With home and population advantage, as expected England dominated at Aintree taking 12 of the 17 team titles at the annual British and Irish Masters International cross-country event, although the other nations had their moments as England struggled in a few younger age groups.

England won 10 of the 18 individual titles on offer and some of the best ever and current top masters such as Nigel Gates, Tim Hartley, Andrew Leach, Clare Elms and Angela Copson were among their winners"

Full Results - (PDF File)

 Summary (based on info available to date)

 
With England dominating across the boards, there were few Irish wins, however the Irish M40 team, which included two Cork athletes on the podium; Paul Moloney (Mallow AC - Silver) and Alan O'Brien (Eagle AC - Bronze), took Gold with 16 points, well ahead of England, on 27.

On the Women's side, Annette Kealy (F50) was Ireland's sole individual winner on the day. Mallow AC's Breda Gaffney (F45), in 6th place, scored on the Irish team winning Silver.

Awards - PDF File

Extracted Team Results (Absolute race position in brackets)

• M35 team Silver for Conor McCauley (11th), Leevale AC.

• F35 Team Silver for Michelle Kenny (10th), Leevale AC.

• M40 Team Gold for Paul Moloney (4th), Mallow AC, Alan O'Brien (4th), Eagle AC and Tim Twomey, Leevale AC

• F45 Team Silver for Breda Gaffney (26th), Mallow AC

• M65 Team Bronze for Eamonn McEvoy, St Finbarr's AC

• M70 Team Bronze for Ken Higgs (45th), Eagle AC

Men

M35: 1 Mark McKinstry (NIR) 24:51; 2 Stuart Gibson (SCO) 25:24; 3 Richard Mair (SCO) 25:26. TEAM: 1 SCO 22; 2 IRL 29; 3 NIR 45

M40:  1 Matt Barnes (ENG) 25:21; 2 Paul Moloney (IRL) 25:25; 3 Alan O’Brien (IRL) 25:27. TEAM: 1 IRL 16; 2 ENG 27; 3 SCO 46

M45:  1 Terry Scott (ENG) 25:37; 2 Scott Brember (SCO) 25:54; 3 Andrew Grant (ENG) 26:02. TEAM: 1 ENG 14; 2 IRL 25; 3 SCO 44

M50: 1 Tim Hartley (ENG) 26:06; 2 Eamon White (NIR) 26:26; 3 Steve Cairns (NIR) 27:08. TEAM: 1 NIR 20; 2 ENG 27; 3 SCO 57

M55: 1 Andrew Leach (ENG) 26:58; 2 Tommy Hughes (IRL) 27:26; 3 Ben Reynolds (ENG) 27:36. TEAM: 1 ENG 9; 2 IRL 13; 3 SCO 32

M60:  1 Alastair Walker (SCO) 28:18; 2 Robert Atkinson (ENG) 28:19; 3 David Clarke (NIR) 28:33. TEAM: 1 ENG 14; 2 SCO 22; 3 Wales 23

M65:  1 Nigel Gates (ENG) 22:28; 2 David Butler (ENG) 22:42; 3 Paul Elliot (IRL) 23:02. TEAM: 1 ENG 9; 2 SCO 17; 3 IRL 19

M70: 1 Terry Eakin (NIR) 25:05; 2 Alex Sutherland (SCO) 25:17; 3 Mick Casey (ENG) 25:26. TEAM: 1 ENG 12; 2 SCO 17; 3 IRL 33

M75: 1 Peter Giles (ENG) 25:22; 2 Bobby Young (SCO) 27:19; 3 Emyr Davies (WAL) 27:31. TEAM: 1 ENG 10; 2 SCO 21; 3 WAL 25

Women

W35: 1 Michelle Sandison (SCO) 21:35; 2 Fiona Kehoe (IRL) 21:33; 3 Claire McGuigan (IRL) 21:37. TEAM: 1 IRL 9; 2 SCO 12; 3 NIR 29; 4 WAL 40; 5 ENG 46

W40: 1 Kirsty Longley (ENG) 21:00; 2 Teresa Doherty (IRL) 21:11; 3 Elizabeth Renondeau (ENG) 21:58. TEAM: 1 ENG 8; 2 IRL 16; 3 SCO 33

W45: 1 Claire Martin (ENG) 22:02; 2 Emma Stepto (ENG) 22:27; 3 Jennifer MacLean (SCO) 22:44. TEAM: 1 ENG 8; 2 IRL 18; 3 SCO 26

W50:  1 Annette Kealy (IRL) 22:49; 2 Susan McDonald (ENG) 23:09; 3 Wendy Chapman (ENG) 23:13. TEAM: 1 ENG 11; 2 IRL 18; 3 SCO 25

W55: 1 Clare Elms (ENG) 22:31; 2 Kay Byrne (IRL) 22:53; 3 Niamh O’Sullivan (IRL) 23:21. TEAM: 1 ENG 10; 2 IRL 16; 3 SCO 23

W60: 1 Sue Cordingley (ENG) 24:42; 2 Pauline Moran (IRL) 25:09; 3 Jane Davies (ENG) 25:53. TEAM: 1 ENG 8; 2 IRL 16; 3 SCO 24

W65: 1 Ann White (SCO) 27:18; 2 Jane Waterhouse (SCO) 27:35; 3 Dot Kesterton (ENG) 27:39. TEAM: 1 SCO 7; 2 ENG 21; 3 IRL 22

W70: 1 Angela Copson (ENG) 27:24; 2 Penny Forse (ENG) 27:59; 3 Margaret Glavey (IRL) 28:02. TEAM: 1 ENG 7; 2 Ireland 18; 3 Wales 21

W75: 1 Brigid Quinn (NIR) 33:50; 2 Elaine Statham (ENG) 34:10; 3 Lesley Bowcott (ENG) 34:20 (no team competition)

Stephanie Cotter Continues in Winning Way - NCAA Div II Regional 2019

Another Fine Win for Stephanie Cotter in NCAA Div II Regional Cross-Country

Canyon, Texas

Saturday November 9th 2019

 Stephanie Cotter leads the pack in the early stages

In her second cross-country race of the season, and following on from her RMAC Cross-Country Championship win, Stephanie Cotter, Adams State university and West Muskerry AC, won the Regional Championships, in Canyon, Texas, in equally fine form. Running 20:53.50 for the 6k course, Stephanie had a margin of over 8 seconds over fellow ASU athlete Eilish Flanagan, in 21:01.75, and led Adams State University to team honours.

 Not your average Irish Cross-Country setting! Stephanie leads team-mate Eilish Flanagan

Stephanie Cotter Interview

Adams State Report

CANYON, Texas – The Adams State University Men's and Women's Cross Country teams traveled out to Canyon, Texas this weekend with high hopes of what was to come at the Regional Meet. They now come back to Alamosa with some hardware to show off, as well as a feared reputation nationally. The Women's team in its second straight dominant performance head back to Alamosa the undisputed Southwest Regional Champions. This was due in part to huge performances from their studs across the board, as the Grizzlies had five finishers in the top 10 of the race, including the winner, Stephanie Cotter.

Cotter, who finished with a time of 20:53.50, took home the Regional Campion crown in the Women's 6k. Stephanie was followed by a melee of Grizzlies, as her teammate Eilish Flanagan came in right behind her, in second place, in a time of 21:01.75. This is the second straight race that Cotter and Flanagan have gone one and two, and both are among the top runners in nation.

Following Cotter, in first, and Flanagan, in second, were Haleigh Hunter-Galvan, in fourth, with a time of 21:33.67, Tiffany Christensen in seventh, with a time of 21:43.40, and Kaylee Bogina, in tenth with a time of 21:52.46, to round out the top five Grizzlies. Notable performances for the Women also included Piper Meuwissen in 32nd with a time of 23:04.15, and Brianna Robles in 41st with a 23:22.22. Unless anything changes, these top-seven finishers should be the team that the Grizzlies take to Nationals, as they came home with the NCAA Southwest Regional Crown Saturday. They compete next at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Sacramento, California two weeks from Saturday.

For the Grizzlies, Sacramento awaits as they load up to make another run at National Titles. For the women, it has been smooth sailing all year long, and they really have not been tested by another team all season. They have stayed atop the polls as the number one team in Division II since the first week of the season, and they look to close out their dominant season with another National Crown.
Stephanie Cotter of Adams State (Colo.) placed first individually with a time of 23:53.5.

Adams State finished first, with a team score of 24. Colorado School of Mines came in second, with a team score of 51, and Western Colorado placed third, with a team score of 69. The top three teams advance to the NCAA Division II Championship, in Sacramento, California, in two weeks time.

NCAA Report

The women’s cross country team from Adams State is keeping the pedal to the floor. After sweeping the top five spots in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference race two weeks ago, they placed five runners in the top 10 in the South Central Regional in Range Canyon, Texas to easily qualify for the NCAA Division 2 championship race next Saturday in Sacramento. Leading the way once again for the Grizzlies was Stephanie Cotter. The sophomore out of Cork broke the tape in 20:53.5 for 6,000 meters. Next in, at 21:01.8, was teammate Eilish Flanagan, a senior from Gortin, Co. Tyrone, and running with Carmen Runners AC.

Results

Juvenile Squad and Senior Cross-Country Training Session November 15th 2019

Cross-Country Squad Training Session

Riverstick Grounds

11am, Saturday November 16th 2019

A training session will be held in the Cork Athletics grounds, at Slieveroe, Riverstick, at 11am on Saturday next, November 16th.

This session is open to Juvenile athletes named on the teams for next week's National Juvenile Even-Age Cross-Country Championships, at the National Sports Complex, in Abbotstown, Dublin, on Sunday November 24th. The Juvenile teams are listed further down the page.

The session is also open to all Senior athletes, whether running in Abbotstown or not

This is a FREE session - there is no charge for attending

Volunteers

Volunteers to help on the day would be greatly appreciated - Just turn up!

This is a great chance for the athletes to get to know the other athletes on the respective Cork teams. Support from club coaches would be greatly appreciated. The more athletes, coaches and volunteers that attend the session, the more successful it will be for all involved. It also means that more selective coaching can be achieved.

Cork and Munster singlets will also be handed out on Saturday.


Location, Directions & Maps

Cork Juvenile Teams for National Even-Age Cross-Country Championships

Cork Athletics - Events Week Ending Sunday November 17th 2019

Registered Cork Athletics Races & Events for Week Ending Sunday November 17th 2019

Saturday November 16th, 1pm, CIT Track - Cork Youth Development Initiative - CYDI Day 6	Saturday November 16th, 2:30pm, CIT Track - Cork Athletics Winter Coaching Series - Day 6	Sunday November 17th, 9:30am, Cloyne - Cloyne Commons 4k Road Race Series - Race 1 2019/20	Sunday November 17th, 11:30am, Beaufort, Co. Kerry - Munster Masters & Juvenile Inter-Club Cross Country Championships

 Weeks Summary:

w/e Sun November 17th - British & Irish Masters XC Chps, IUAA Road Relays, Cork Youth Development Initiative - CYDI & Winter Coaching Series Day 6, Cloyne Commons 4k Series - Race 1, Munster Masters & Juvenile Inter-Club XC Chps

Cork Athletics Race Calendar

Comprehensive Calendar of Registered Athletics Ireland events in Cork

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

Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - May 2016 to date

Cork Events This Week

Saturday November 16th, 1pm, CIT Track - Cork Youth Development Initiative - CYDI Day 6

Saturday November 16th, 2:30pm, CIT Track - Cork Athletics Winter Coaching Series - Day 6

Sunday November 17th, 9:30am, Cloyne - Cloyne Commons 4k Road Race Series - Race 1 2019/20

Munster

Sunday November 17th, 11:30am, Beaufort, Co. Kerry - Munster Masters & Juvenile Inter-Club Cross Country Championships

National

Saturday November 16th, 12:45pm, Maynooth, Co. Kildare - IUAA Road Relays

International

Saturday November 16th, Aintree, UK - British & Irish Masters Cross Country Championships

Online Registrations

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

Skibbereen 10 Mile, Sunday November 24th

Skibbereen 5 Mile, Sunday November 24th

Great Glenville Run, Sunday November 24th (SOLD OUT)

Newmarket 5k Classic, Sunday December 15th (500 Entry Limit)

Kinsale 10 Mile, Sunday February 23rd 2020

Duhallow 10 Mile, Sunday March 8th 2020

Death of Dermot McCarthy - Tracton AC

Dermot McCarthy R.I.P. - Condolences

The Officers and Officials of Cork Athletics County Board extend their condolences and deepest sympathy to the family of our esteemed colleague Dermot McCarthy. 

(From Tracton AC) We regret to inform you that Mr. Dermot McCarthy, Nohoval, has gone to his rest. Dermot devoted years of his life to the juvenile athletes of Tracton, as some of us will remember with fond memories. In 2017 he received the Hall of Fame award from Tracton AC. His wife Carrie received the award on his behalf as he was not in a position to attend. His daughters Kate & Shelley were also present. 

Anyone who grew up in Tracton parish, and did athletics during the 80’s & 90’s were very familiar with Dermot McCarthy. Dermot was the main Track, Field and Cross Country coach for Tracton AC during this time. He was also the PRO for Tracton AC. He was gifted when it came to training juvenile athletics, he had a natural flare for coaching and a talent for understanding athletic ability, and he was very kind and considerate to everyone he came in contact with. During this time the club grew to over 80 children, and was awarded most Improved Club” by the County Board.

Tracton scooped up a high number of trophies and medals in the relay section. as Dermot had a great skill in positioning runners to get the best result. Dermot was artful at seeing an athlete’s potential, steering kids towards their strengths and the right event, whether it was running, jumping or throwing. His ethos wasn’t all about the glory of winning, it was primarily about participation, teamwork and long term healthy activity.

Sadly, another Tracton legend gone to his rest, but will never be forgotten. Tracton AC will be forever indebted to him for all he did for the club down through the years.

We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to all of Dermot's family & friends at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Rest in Peace Dermot
From all your friends at Tracton AC.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis

Notice from RIP.ie

The death has occurred of Dermot McCarthy
Dunbogue, Nohoval, Cork
    

McCarthy (Dunbogue, Nohoval) on November 9th 2019, peacefully in the presence of his loving family. Dermot, late of Dunbogue, Nohoval, devoted husband of Carrie, and adored father of Dan, Joe, Shelley and Kate and grandfather of Rachel, Daniel, Evan, Emma, Dermot, Kaiya, Ellie, Gavin and Baby Leo. Sadly missed by his loving wife, family, sister Shiela, many relatives and friends.

Lying in repose at Gabriel and O'Donovan's Funeral Home, Kinsale on Saturday from 4pm followed by removal at 5pm to St. Patrick's Church, Nohoval. Requiem Mass on Sunday at 2pm, funeral afterwards to St. Patrick's Cemetery, Nohoval. Donations in lieu of flowers to The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland.

May Dermot Rest in Peace

Cork Athletics - Events Week Ending Sunday November 10th 2019

Registered Cork Athletics Races & Events for Week Ending Sunday November 10th 2019

Wednesday November 6th, 8pm, Meeting Room, CIT Track - Cork Athletics County Board Monthly Meeting	Saturday November 9th, 2:30pm, Eyeries, Beara - Eyeries 5 Mile Road Race	Sunday November 10th, 11am, Castlelyons - St Nicholas AC Thomas Kent Memorial 10k	Sunday November 10th, 11:30am, Conna - Munster Juvenile Uneven Age & Senior Cross Country Championships

 Weeks Summary:

w/e Sun November 10th - County Board Monthly Meeting, Eyeries 5 Mile (Race 3 of Beara AC Series), Thomas Kent 10k and Munster Juvenile Uneven Age & Senior Cross-Country Chps

Cork Athletics Race Calendar

Comprehensive Calendar of Registered Athletics Ireland events in Cork

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

Results of Athletics Ireland Registered Events - May 2016 to date

Cork Events This Week

Wednesday November 6th, 8pm, Meeting Room, CIT Track - Cork Athletics County Board Monthly Meeting

Saturday November 9th, 2:30pm, Eyeries, Beara - Eyeries 5 Mile Road Race

Sunday November 10th, 11am, Castlelyons - St Nicholas AC Thomas Kent Memorial 10k

Sunday November 10th, 11:30am, Conna - Munster Juvenile Uneven Age & Senior Cross Country Championships

National

Saturday November 9th, AIT Athlone - Irish Schools Combined Events Championships 2019

Online Registrations

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

Eyeries 5, Saturday November 9th

Thomas Kent 10k, Sunday 10th November (Race Full - Entries Closed)

Skibbereen 10 Mile, Sunday November 24th

Skibbereen 5 Mile, Sunday November 24th

Great Glenville Run, Sunday November 24th

Newmarket 5k Classic, Sunday December 15th (500 Entry Limit)

Duhallow 10 Mile, Sunday March 8th 2020

Cork Juvenile Teams for National Juvenile UnEven-Age Cross-Country Championships 2019

Cork Team Selections for Irish Life Health National Juvenile UnEven-Age Cross-Country Championships 2019

Cow Park, Dunboyne, Co.Meath

Sunday December 15th 2019

The following are the Cork team selections for the Athletics Ireland National Juvenile UnEven-Age Cross-Country Championships, to be held in Cow Park, Dunboyne, Co.Meath on Sunday December 15th

Can all athletes selected please confirm their availability, as soon as possible, with John Copithorne, 0861713500, by phone or by text, asap.

Athletes who have NOT confirmed their place by 6pm Monday November 18th, may be replaced by the next athlete in line.

Please note that Cork Athletics Competition Secretary, Mary Meagher, is not available, so confirmation must be made only with John Copithorne, 0861713500, by phone or by text

Ninety Seven Athletes to Represent Cork

Ninety seven athletes, from 20 clubs, have been selected to represent Cork at next month's National Juvenile UnEven-Age Cross-Country Championships, in Cow Park, Dunboyne, Co.Meath on Sunday December 15th.  Leevale AC have the highest representation, with twenty athletes named on the squads, while Midleton AC and Youghal AC are next, with ten representatives each.

Cork Teams

Cork Athletics Newsletter

Cork Athletics Newsletter

Cork Athletics are happy to present the first Cork Athletics Newsletter. This first installment covers the September/October period and includes a general 'round up' of all the news from the Cork Athletics scene. We hope that you enjoy this first edition and will continue to follow upcoming newsletters. However, as always, we need your help. If anybody would like to contribute any news, articles or has any other ideas on how to add to this newsletter, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Click here to View or Download the September/October 2019 Newsletter

For future issues, Cork Athletics would love to hear from YOU.

• Is your club doing something special?

• Is your club developing facilities?

• Have you an unsung hero that you'd like to mention?

• Is there something (athletics related) that you'd like to talk about? 

The newsletter is NOT intended as a mirror-image of the website, but as a complement to it, including material and articles that are not necessarily 'mainstream' news.  YOUR contribution may be the highlight of the issue!

Final Cork Teams for Athletics Ireland National Juvenile Even-Age Junior Under-23 and Senior Cross-Country Championships 2019

Cork Athletics Team Entries for National Senior, Under 23, Junior and Juvenile Even-Age Cross-Country Championships

National Sports Campus, Abbottstown, Dublin

Sunday November 24th 2019

Can any late withdrawals please notify This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (085-1480725),

or John Quigley, 0876261178

asap, so that Substitutes may be arranged

 The following are the various Cork team entries for the Athletics Ireland National Senior, Under-23 and Junior Cross-Country Championships, at the National Sports Campus, Abbottstown, Dublin, on Sunday November 24th

Senior Team Selection Basis

Team selections were made on the basis of:
Men - First 6 Men in County Senior and first 6 Men in the Munster Senior
Women - First 6 Women in County Senior and first 2 Women in the Munster Senior


Please note that restrictions with the Entry System limited Cork to entering 12 athlete, instead of the previous 15, in both Senior and Junior Men, and to 8 athletes, instead to the normal 12, in the corresponding women's events.

The 3 Senior men, 3 Senior Women and 1 Junior Man on the original squad nominations whave been entered separately by their clubs. In addition, nominations for the Men's & Women's Under-23 have been entered by their respective clubs.

Significant issues were experienced by Cork Athletics when entering teams on the new system.  Athletics Ireland and Entry4Sports have been made aware of these issues.

The closing date for entries was 23:59 tonight, however, in view of the problems experienced by many, Athletics Ireland has stated:

"We have delayed the late entry until midnight Friday (15th), and also cheque payment will now close tomorrow (Wednesday) night."

With regard to athletes that are not appearing in the entry lists (there were many), Athletics Ireland said:

"Please send us in all athletes that are not appearing – their name, Athletics Ireland Reg no. & event they are trying to enter and then we can try resolve issue, either way we will get them entered."


Senior Teams

Juvenile Teams

Cork Teams for Athletics Ireland National Junior under-23 and Senior Cross-Country Championships 2019

Cork Athletics Squad Nominations for National Senior Under 23 & Junior Cross-Country Championships

National Sports Campus, Abbottstown, Dublin

Sunday November 24th 2019

Can any late withdrawals please notify This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (085-1480725),

or John Quigley, 0876261178

asap, so that Substitutes may be arranged

 The following are the Cork team selections for the Athletics Ireland National Senior, Under-23 and Junior Cross-Country Championships, to be held in National Sports Campus, Abbottstown, Dublin on Sunday November 24th

Call for Nominations for National Senior Junior and U23 Cross-Country Chps 2019

Urgent - Nominations Sought for Cork Teams for National Senior, Junior & Under-23 Panels

National Sports Campus, Abbottstown, Dublin

Sunday November 24th 2019

 

Can Clubs and Individuals please nominate athletes for the Cork Junior, Under-23 and Senior Men's and Women's teams at the upcoming National Cross-Country Championships, in Abbotstown, Dublin, on Sunday November 24th

Please don't be afraid to nominate yourself!

Nominations, by Text, or by email,

must reach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 0861713500

by 4pm, Saturday November 9th 2019

Please pass on/share/communicate to anyone you think may be interested

The Cork County teams will be drawn from the Panels

Apologies for the short notice, however this was already disclosed to Club Delegates at last Wednesday's County Board Meeting

Sonia O’Sullivan to be Honoured with Hall of Fame Award

Sonia O’Sullivan to Enter Hall of Fame at Irish Life Health Athletics Awards 2019

Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin

12 Noon, Thursday November 28th 2019

Sonia O’Sullivan, arguably Ireland’s greatest ever athlete, will both celebrate her 50th birthday and be honoured with the Hall of Fame award' at this year’s Irish Life Health National Athletics Awards, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown, Dublin, on Thursday November 28th

Sonia, who turns 50 on the day, already has so many accolades that it’s easy to forget, with each passing year, how good she really was. She sprang to prominence as a 17-year-old in Killenaule, when she won the BLE Women's National Senior Cross-Country title. Asked that day what her ambitions in the sport were, she answered shyly: “to make the Olympics.”

She more than achieved that, in hindsight, rather modest ambition, running in four Olympic Games, and winning a famous Silver Medal, in the 5,000m, in Sydney, in 2000. Among her achievements are three World Championship titles; in the 5,000m, on the track in Gothenburg, in 1995, double World Cross-Country Gold, in Marrakech, Morrocco, in 1998, and three European Gold Medals on the track. Her star was truly global, having also won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year, and the Golden League, now known as the Diamond League.  

The nominations have also been announced for the Irish Life Health Awards. The Awards ceremony is a celebration of the many successes of Irish athletes during 2019 year, and also recognises the exceptional volunteer base, who are the bedrock of the sport.

Two Cork Athletes: Darragh McElhinney (Bantry AC & UCD) and Alex Wright (Leevale AC) are among those nominated in the respective sub-categories.

Darragh McElhinney (Bantry AC & UCD)	Alex Wright (Leevale AC)

The overall Athlete of Year will be selected from the Nominated Athletes who are, in turn, awarded the accolade of Athlete of the year in the  Under-20, Under-23, Endurance, and Track and Field categories.

The youth continue to inspire and grab the attention of the media and the nation:

Under-20 Category

 Kate O’Connor (St Gerard’s Dundalk), Sarah Healy (Blackrock) and Darragh McElhinney (UCD/Bantry) all won medals in their respective events, at the European Under-20 Championships, in Boras, Sweden. O’Connor and Healy both won silver in the heptathlon and 1500m respectively, while McElhinney won bronze in the 5,000m.

Under-23 Category

The European Under-23 Athletics Championships brought home two more medals for Ireland, with Eilish Flanagan (Carmen Runners, Omagh) winning Silver in the 3,000m steeplechase, and Nadia Power (Dublin City Harriers) winning Bronze in the 800m.

Athletics continues to highlight its gender balance naturally on the competitive stage with the women holding equal footing with their male counterparts.

Track & Field Category

Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn) had one of her finest seasons to date, with a 10th place finish in a red hot 1500m final, at the World Athletics Championships, in Doha, and a Bronze medal at the European Indoor Championships, in Glasgow, in March.

Thomas Barr (Ferrybank) and Mark English (UCD) are also in the running for track athlete of the year – Barr was 11th overall, in the 400m hurdles standings at the World Championships, while English won Bronze, over 800m, at the European Indoor Championships.

Endurance Athlete Category

On the endurance end Brendan Boyce (Finn Valley) put in an inspirational performance to finish 6th in the men’s 50km race walk, at the World Championships, in Doha, in the searing heat along the Corniche. Fionnuala McCormack (Kilcoole) finished 18th in the World Cross-Country Championships, and also showed some of her true potential over the marathon distance, finishing fifth in Chicago, in 2:26:47. Both are in the category for Endurance Athlete of the Year.

Other awards that will be presented on the day include, Club of the Year, Services to Coaching, Lifetime Services to Athletics, Official of the Year, and many more.

Athletics Ireland CEO Hamish Adams said: “The National Athletics Awards provide the association with an opportunity to acknowledge the clubs and the volunteers who play a vital role in to the development of athletes and the sport in Ireland. I would like to congratulate all the award nominees, and also offer a big thank you to all our athletics family who contribute so much and so often.”

Liz Rowen, Head of Marketing of Irish Life Health commented: “Irish Life Health is delighted to once again support the National Athletics Awards. The awards give us the opportunity to celebrate sporting excellence in Athletics, as well as recognise volunteers who work tirelessly to give both children and adults the chance to take part in athletics and be active.”

Under-20 Athlete of the Year Nominations

Under-23 Athlete of the Year Nominations

Endurance Athlete of the Year Nominations

Track & Field Athlete of the Year Nominations

The Irish Life Health Athletics Awards 2019 will take place on Thursday November 28th 2019, at 12 noon, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin. Purchase Tickets; €50 per individual, or €450 for a table of 10 people