Cork City Sports July 1987 - Irish Runner Report
Irish Runner Magazine's Report on Cork City Sports July 1987
From the August 1987 Edition of Irish Runner Magazine - P40, Vol 7 No 6
CORK CITY SPORTS, July 7, By Frank Greally
Frank O'Mara turned in perhaps his best ever performance over the distance when he handed Steve Ovett a rare defeat in a thrilling Harp Lager Mile.
This magnificent effort from O'Mara came just a few days after the Limerickman had set a new 5,000m record (13.13.02) at the Bislett Games in Oslo. And the manner in which he defeated Ovett was further proof of just how much the world indoor 3,000m champion has matured as a top line international competitor.
The spectator turnout was most disappointing for this year's sports, which also served as a homecoming for our two indoor world champions. All Cork hopes were firmly pinned on Marcus O'Sullivan to win the mile, but he never looked sharp enough to mount a serious challenge as the race unfolded.
Liam Looney was the designated pacemaker, but this arrangement certainly did not work to plan. The pack never took the bait, and the leaders reached halfway in a very substandard time of 2 minutes 1 second. The bell was reached in 3.02 and it was obvious at this point that it would be a race for fast finishers. Ovett made his move with 300m remaining, but O'Mara stuck doggedly on the Olympic gold- medallist's shoulder and turned on the extra power in the home straight to win in a time of 3.56.69. Ovett finished in 3.57.03; Tommy Maloney of Thurles ran an impressive third in 3.58.06.
It was not to be a night of celebration for Marcus O'Sullivan, who could only manage fifth in 3.58.84. "The form just was not there on the night — and that is a pity as I would have dearly loved to run well here at home," was his summing up.
There was, however, some consolation for the local fans when Sonia O'Sullivan (Cobh) displayed her enormous talent in the women's 3,000m. Overhauling both Mary O'Donohoe (Clonliffe) and Melissa Watson (England) on the final lap, she sprinted to a stylish victory in 9 minutes 1.52 seconds. Incredibly, this was almost half-a-minute faster than her previous best for the distance and well and truly shattered Carol Meagan's Irish junior record.
Aidan O'Regan (Leevale) also raised Cork spirits by winning the junior 800m. But there was disappointment when his winning time (1.51.70) was again just outside the qualifying time for the European Junior Championships.
The 5,000m was also an absorbing contest, but the Irish challengers here played right into the hands of John Walker, as the early pace was never sufficient to burn off the former Olympic gold medallist at 1,500m.
John Treacy threw in a few 65- second laps early on; and John Woods and Paul O'Callaghan made an attempt to break away in the closing stages. However, it was the great New Zealander who kicked decisively off the back straight and came home in a time of 13.30.51.
Dave Taylor (Clonliffe) left his challenge late but was rewarded with a fine second place in 13.32.83. Paul O'Callaghan (Tipton) also ran splendidly and finished third.
lifetime best 400m of 53.37 — and just missed the Irish record.
Other highlights of the meeting were the 400m, where the Soviet Olga Vladykina ran 50.81 sees, an all-comer's record, and the open mile, where Frank Conway (Killorglin) Seamus McCann (Cavehill Duncairn) and Connie Lynch (DCH) fought to the line and finished in that order.
Patrica Walsh (Puma) ran alifetime best 400m 0f 53.37 - and just missed the Irish record.
The hammer had been billed as another possible world record but never lived up to expectations. Yuri Syedikh, who set a new world record at the Mardyke in 1984, suffered a rare defeat by his compatriot Sergey Litvinov.
This year's sports was most enjoyable — but the organisers must be disappointed with the attendance.
If one is to make a constructive criticism, then some better promotion and public relations would be top of the list. The PA commentary on the night also left a lot to be desired. I believe that a sports of this calibre needs a specialist commentary team - such a team could do wonders in terms of spectator participation.
Summary of Results - Cork City Sports July 1987
Bank of Ireland hammer — 1. Sergey Litvinov (USSR) 82.2m; 2. Yuri Sedykh, (USSR) 80.34m; 3. Ken Flax, (USA) 74.38.
Miliplant 800 junior men — 1. A. Regan (Leevale) 1.51.7; 2. D. Kennedy, (DCH) 1.52.0; 3. B. Peppard, (Raheny Sham.) 1.52.95.
John A. Wood 100m women — M. Carroll (Crusaders) 11.84; 2. M. Ammond (St. Laurence Toole) 12.11; 3. O. Burke (Limerick) 12.15.
John A. Wood 100m — 1. S. Baird (Ballymena and Antrim) 10.69; 2. K. Finn (Raheny Sham) 10.85: 3. P. Flanagan (Waterford City) 10.99.
Irish Pension Trust 400m women — 1. O. Vladykina (USSR) 50.81; 2. A. Jackson (USA) 52.69; 3. P. Walsh (Team Puma) 53.37.
Shandon Travel women's long jump — 1. T. Horgan (Mallow) 5.84m; 2. K. Glavin (Midleton) 5.81m; C. Scott (Belfast) 5.71m.
Mayfield Fruit and Veg open mile — 1. F. Conway (Providence) 4.07.17; 2. S. McCann (Cave Hill and Duncairn) 4.07.31; 3. C:'Lynch (DCH) 4.07.88.
Triple jump — 1. E. McCalla (Birchfield Harriers) 16.38; 2. J. Hayes (Waterford) 14.28; 3. J. Naughton (Nenagh) 13.45.
Barry's Tea 200m — 1. S. Baird (Ballymena and Antrim) 21.18; 2. A. Bennett (Birchfield Harriers) 21.43; 3. E. Iluz (Israel) 21.88.
Cleanaways men's 400m — 1. A. Kurockkin (USSR) 46.21; 2. C.C. Jenkins Jnr, (USA) 46.44; 3. E. Forde (Barbados) 46.79.
Cleanaways women's 800m — 1. B. Nicholson (Sale Harriers) 2.04.82; 2. A. Malloy (Lough Ree) 2.07.17; 3. E. Maguire (Raheny Shamrocks) 2.08.62.
Harp Lager Mile — 1. F. O'Mara (Limerick) 3.56.69; 2. S. Ovett (Phoenix) 3.57.03; 3. T. Maloney (Thurles) 3.58.06.
Mech Con women's 3,000m — S. O'Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh) 9.01.52; 2. M. Doriohoe (Clonliffe Harriers) 9.03.15; 3. M. Watson, (Swindon) 9.03.25.
Imperial Hotel men's high jump — 1. H.Conway (USA) 2.28m. 2. S. Malichenko. (USSR) 2.25m; 3. Manderson (Annadale) 2.15m.
Woodchester Bowmaker 800m — 1. M. Steel (Longwood) 1.49.75; 2. Chris Sylvester (England) 1.50.46; 3. R. Shanahan (Leevale) 1.51.01.
Dairy Gold 5,000m — 1. J. Walker (New Zealand) 13.30.51; D. TayJor (Clonliffe Harriers) 13.32.8; 3. Paul O'Callaghan, England, 13.33.74
