Cross-Country Back in the Day – When Men Were Men
Now That's What You Call Cross Country!
Water Jump - East Cork Cross-Country League, October 1972
The picture above illustrates how far cross-country has moved on from 'yesteryear'. These days, it is doubtful, with all the Health & Safety rules, risk assessments, etc, if cross-country would be staged over such obstacles and terrain. These obstacles certainly made things 'interesting', for both athlete and spectator. No doubt the press photographer, (John?) Sheehan of Cork's Evening Echo, chose the location because of likely 'photo opportunities'
John Walshe writes: "Liam O’Brien took many water jumps and barriers in his stride during a long steeplechase career, which brought him 11 national titles, and Olympic representation. However, it’s unlikely he encountered anything quite like the obstacle in this picture from an East Cork Cross-Country League, held at Carrigtwohill, back in October 1972.
A few days before his 18th birthday, Liam is pictured, in the Midleton colours, at the very bottom of the dyke in the novice/senior race. This was won by Tim Greene, of the Ballymore-Cobh club, from Albert de Cogan, Midleton AC, and Donal Duggan, Carraig na bhFear AC"
Other 'Interesting' Cross-Country Events from the Past
John Walshe's piece made me think about a few 'scary' Cross-Country moments I've come across:
Munster Intermediate and Masters Cross-Country, Kilworth, 1999
The 1999 Munster Intermediate andMasters XC was run over the old Army grounds at Kilworth, with changing in the defunct camp - I don't recall there being any running water, except that running down the road, and there certainly were no hot showers. The course was on the western side of the camp, adjacent to what is now the M8 motorway. I don't remember how many laps we had, but the meet was held in heavy rain.
Down at the bottom of the course, well away from prying eyes was a dump area, with heaps of all manner of debris, from domestic waste to building materials, with deep, water-filled, ruts, clearly from large Shawnee-Poole type heavy machinery. Not knowing what was under the water, nor how deep the ruts were, we all had to hurdle these obstacle. I don't think anyone was injured that day....but I was livid that athletes were put in danger. Some time later the Dept. of Defence lost a presecution, brought forward by the EPA, for running an illegal dump on the site.
BHAA Cross-Country, Curraheen (Sometime around 2000)
For several years, Cork BHAA ran very popular Cross-Country events on grounds adjacent to the former ESB Sports and Social Club, in Curraheen, Cork.
The grounds were, at the best of times, soft and boggy. In wet weather, it quickly became waterlogged. Running thjrough the grounds was a, generally placid, stream. On this particular Sunday morning, it was raining torrentially, but that didn't stop any of the 150, or so, hardy souls - we all knew that there were hot showers in the Sports Club, followed by the usual tea/coffee, sandwiches and cream buns (carbo-loading!) ...or the bar, if you needed some thing stronger!
As start time approached, the rain became heavier and heavier, with water lodging on the course, eventually forming virtual 'lakes'. Water level in the stream rose rapidly. Before we started, we had a briefing about the course, water, the bit thro the stream, and off we squelched.
The first lap was fairly OK, without much bother, or so it seemed, getting across the stream. Water level in the stream had risen sharply, with heavy run-off from the surrounding hills, and the torrent and the pounding that both banks were receiving was taking its toll, so on the second lap, the river jump was, between slip, trips, or just hesitation by those ahead, a matter of luck whether you made it across, or maybe not.
On the third and final lap, the gentle stream was now a, reletive, raging torrent, and the banks at the crossing point were 'gone', so everyone had to ford it. However one enterprising individual, decided to go 'off course', and attempt to jump the stream a few metres to one side. Things didn't work out sop well for him. He made it across, but, as he landed, the bank underneath gave way completely, and he fell backward, into the deluge, and washing him downstream. Unfortunately for him, good Samaritans were on a day off, and everyone continued on their way. I don't know how he fared afterwards...but there were no reports afterwards of anyone missing, so, preseumably everyone went home safely!
Meantime, further ahead, I was running my own race, looking out whenever I could, for my peers. During the race, I was 'going well' despite conditions, and had been pleased to get well ahead of Tadgh Crowley, among others. However the finish section was through what was now a lake, and everyone ahead of me was skirting this - I think we were all worried about what was under the water, and how deep it was. The detour probably added another 30/40/50 metres to the course. While out on the curve around 'the lake', I looked to my left and, charging through 'the lake', taking the 'racing line' was the said Tadgh Crowley, with a grossly exaggerated knee lift. He had set out the course the previous day, so knew what was what.
We had a good laugh afterwards - In our personal duel, he had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Other Guest Articles by John Walshe
Grange International Cross-Country of 1980 Recalled 40 Years On - Guest Article by John Walshe
Youghal AC's London Emer Casey 10k Exploits
30 Years Ago - Liam O'Brien Wins Cork County Senior Cross-Country Championship
50 Years Ago - When John Buckley Beat The Olympic Champion
40 Years Ago - Jerry Murphy Wins Munster Marathon Championship
Aoife Cooke Runs 55:17 in Mallow 10 2019
Steeplechase Legends Meet at Antrim International
Unique National Double for McGraths
Dick Hooper Speaks at St Finbarrs AC Function
