Cork Athletics Novice Cross-Country Championships 2019, Knockardbane, Licarroll

This year’s Cork County Novice, U23, Junior & Juvenile Even-Age Cross-Country Championships took place on Sunday 06th of October last. Hosted by Liscarroll AC & Churchtown Road Runners AC, this was the opening event of the 2019 Cross Country season. On a near perfect day for racing, hoards of feisty adults, teenagers and juveniles descended on the lands of the O’Brien family, at Knockardbane, Licarroll. Watched over by somewhat puzzled and bemused residents of the local Donkey Sanctuary, athletes young and old competed vigorously in their respective age categories. The course was compact, relatively flat and the going firm. And with several mid-course U-turns, athletes often found themselves running towards each.

Orla Byrne - Cork Athletics Novice Cross-Country Champion 2019

In the Novice Ladies race, Orla Byrne from the BARRS notched up a commanding victory. Running Cross Country for the first time, Orla lead from the start and maintained her lead all the way to the finish. The Novice Ladies team with Orla Byrne, Marie Kelly, Rebecca McEvoy, Fiona Verling and Sinead Noonan finished in fourth spot with a 1, 22, 24, 26 team score. In the Novice Men’s race, the BARRS Men took on a very competitive field and finished in third spot with a 13, 20, 23, 36 team score.

The BARRS' bronze medal Men's team at the Cork Novice XC Champs 2019

Some of the BARRS athletes at the start line for the 800m heats

Like the first swallows, the County Track & Field Championships is a harbinger for the arrival of summer. No more need for layered clothing. Time to soak up some sunshine and let the kids run amok. This year’s Juvenile and Masters events were held in tandem offering a contrasting blend of wily experience and exuberant youth.

Coach Fergus O'Donovan with his young protégé Flor O'Leary

Pride of place must go to BARRS veteran Flor O’Leary who ran 1:37.7 for the 400m knocking almost 25s off the M85 record previously held by Gerry Ward. Unphased by events of the track, the unflappable Flor stalked the grass like a leopard on the prowl. When the 400m gun went, Flor quickly found his groove and it was soon clear to all and sundry that the record was in mortal danger. As he hit the home straight, Flor’s coach Fergus O’Donovan became ever more animated beating his fists in the air. The pair had clearly done their homework well! Flor’s new 400m record performance ranks as the second fastest M85 run for the year to date.

Flor O'Leary with some BARRS colleagues after his record-breaking run

Other notable performances on the day; in the Field events Dan Kennedy was 1st O/65 in the LONG JUMP while Sandra Hickson scored a 1st O/35 in both the SHOT PUT and WEIGHT for DISTANCE throws.

In the Track events, the BARRS quartet of Dermot Woods, Enda Kiernan, Stephen Geoghegan and Paul Duggan combined fleet of foot with deft baton work to win the 4X100m RELAY in a time of 56.2s.

BARRS Relay Team - Stephen Geoghegan, Paul Duggan, Enda Kiernan & Dermot Woods

Anita Murphy was 1st O/35 in the women’s 200m and 2nd O/35 in the 100m. In the Men’s 400m, Dermot Woods was 1st O/40, Paul Duggan 1st O/50 and Flor O’Leary 1st O/85.

In the Men’s 800m, Dermot Woods was 1st O/40, Stephen Geoghegan 3rd O/45, Paul Duggan 1st O/50 and Michael Murphy 1st O/60. In the women’s 800m, Margaret Lillis was 1st O/35, Anita Murphy 2nd O/35 and Marion Lyons 1st O/60.

In a very competitive 1500m race, Dermot Woods was 1st O/40, Enda Kiernan 2nd O/45, Paul Duggan 1st O/50 and Michael Murphy 1st O/60. Margaret Lillis was the 1st woman O/35.

In the 3000m, Pat Murphy was 1st O/55, Eamonn McEvoy 1st O/60 and Dan Kennedy 1st O/65. Marion Lyons was the 1st woman O/65.

A chill wind awaits the large field of men assembled for the start

This year’s Masters 4 Mile Road Championships were held in the Tipperary village of Dundrum just a few miles down the R505 from Cashel. A diary entry for Sunday the 3rd of March 2019 might have gone something along the lines of “Day started off well and progressed steadily from bad to poo!”. Indeed, as folks headed north towards Tipperary, the weather went south and the needle began to dip from the mid teens towards single digits. By the time the women hit the start line, the wind, rain, sleet and snow were battling for supremacy on one of the harshest days in recent race day memory.

Joe Cunningham among the leaders in a very competitive men's race

In the Novice Men’s race, the BARRS team finished 2nd behind Leevale A.C. John Meade (10), Michael Corbett (16), Rory O’Sullivan (18) and Michael Morgan (20) were the top four BARRS followed by Joe Cunningham, Padraig Sheehan, David O’Connor, Enda Kiernan and Donal Murray. John Meade was the fourth place finisher for Cork County team which took the Gold medal.

In the Senior Men’s race the BARRS team was 7th overall. Once again, Cork was the Gold medal winner with John Meade (16) contributing as a 5th place finisher.

In the Masters Men’s race, the notable performances in the individual categories were a 3rd place for Joe Cunningham at M45, 1st and 3rd places respectively for Eamonn McEvoy and Willie Hayes at M60 and 1st for Michael Dunne-Snr at M70. In the M40 category, Michael Corbett, Rory O’Sullivan and Michael Morgan finished 4th, 5th and 6th respectively.

In the M35 team category, the BARRS scored a fantastic 2nd behind An Riocht A.C. John Meade (7), Michael Corbett (12), Rory O’Sullivan (13) and Michael Morgan (15) were the top four BARRS. Once again the Cork team was the M35 Gold medal winner with John Meade, Michael Corbett and Rory O’Sullivan contributing as 3rd, 5th and 6th place finishers.

Sorcha Kearney on her way to a top four finish in the women's race

In the Novice Women’s race, the BARRS team finished 4th. The Cork Novice ladies took the Gold medal with Niamh Cronin contributing as a 3rd place finisher.

In the Senior Women’s race the BARRS team was 6th overall. Cork was again the Gold medal winner with Sorcha Kearney (4) contributing as a 2nd place finisher. Indeed, Sorcha had a fantastic run finishing 4th woman overall and showing her class across all levels.

In the Masters Women’s race, the notable performances in the individual categories were 1st and 2nd places respectively for Sorcha Kearney and Niamh Cronin at F40 and a 3rd place for Margo Dinan at F50.

In the F35 category, the BARRS team was 3rd while the Cork ladies took Gold with Sorcha Kearney and Niamh Cronin contributing to the team as 1st and 4th place finishers.

A wintery scene as snow swirls around the Rock Of Cashel

Despite all the hardships, the Munster Roads was a great day out for the club especially the F35 and M35 club teams. However, credit to ALL our club members who made the journey to Dundrum on a day that was destined to test the mettle of even the most hardly athlete. And last but not least, a big thanks to Dundrum A.C. for keeping us fed and sheltered from the elements.