by Richard Hawkins
MTU hosted the final Counties on Sunday 22nd, the U20, U23, Senior and Masters Track & Field Championships on Sunday 22nd with Carraig Na BhFear AC fielding a strong squad. A stiff breeze hampered fast times but didn’t detract from some great racing. Emma Akinkoulie secured gold in the women’s U23 100m in 13.44. The re was a technical malfunction on the timing system during the women’s 200m but in results, Lucy Lynch secured silver U20 in her season opener following exams and Isobel O’Meara was 1st U23. Emma (62.26) and Isobel (66.58) were 1st and 2nd respectively in the women’s U23 400m following a short turnaround after the 100m. Katie Walsh got her season underway with a solo effort of 67.52 in the U23 400m hurdles. The wind was at telling factor in the distance races but Laura Moore (12.06.53) put in a fine effort in winning bronze in the Junior women’s 3000m. Timmy Hawkins put in a battling performance to secure a PB of 4.17.86 and a silver medal in the men’s U23 1500m, holding off the challenge of St. Finbarrs’ Cian Kelly. However, the performance of the day has to be Christy Murphy, on the week of his 70th birthday Christy cruised to a fast time of 82.49 to finish 1st M65 in the men’s 400m, holding off the challenge of World Masters champion Michael Kiely, renowned for his finishing ‘kick’. Congratulations to Christy, nothing left out there and going better than ever! There was a bonus medal in field competition also, Lucy Lynch jumping 1.45m in the U20 high jump. Well done to all who competed and a very successful day for Carraig Na BhFear AC.
Munster ‘B’ Track & Field Championships: This event in Templemore provided an ideal opportunity for a good standard competition in a relaxed atmosphere. Travis De Souza took full advantage finding his best form of the season by winning a competitive U14 boys long jump competition with his first effort of 4.47m, a timely boost ahead of the ‘A’ Nationals as Travis has already qualified. Travis also ran 12.04s in the boys U14 80m. Harry Ryan finished in 2nd place in heat 2 of the boys U10 60m before finishing 6th in the final in 10.38. Harry also went on to finish 9th in the boys U10 500m.
Tailteann Games: One of the major competitions in Schools athletics took place at SETU campus in Carlow on Saturday 21st June. The competition is for the Intermediate age group with the first two finishers in each event securing a coveted Irish singlet for the SIAB games which will be held in Moorways Stadium, Derby on the 19th of July. A lot of pressure but the experienced Aoife Martin (Colaiste An Chroi Naofa) completed the 3000m racewalk in a superb time of 15.58 to comfortably secure the silver medal and a place in the Irish squad! Robyn Maher (Loreto Fermoy) also had a fine race competing up in age to finish 7th overall in 16:50. Well done to both girls!
BHAA: A very warm night and a tough, hilly course didn’t deter a big field of 436 runners participating in the BHAA Apple 5k on the aptly named Hollyhill course! Super running from Timmy Hawkins (16.36) finishing 5th overall, Brian Hawkins (17.42) was 13th, Richard Hawkins (20.22) was 3rd in age category and Rachel O’Callaghan ran a creditable 24.36.
IMRA: Some excellent results from the latest IMRA race in Curabinny Woods on the 6.88km course. Faye O’Riordan was 3rd female and 1st Junior in a time of 34:37. Dave O’Riordan (37.14) was 1st in age category with Rachel O’Callaghan also 1st in category and 7th female overall in 41.03.
Look ahead: Locally, the East Cork Track and Field Championships will be held on the grass tracks in Carraig Na BhFear on Tuesday 24th, a great job done by Willie, Ger and helpers to prepare the tracks which are in immaculate condition. Day 4 of the Cork graded leagues will be held in MTU on Wednesday 25th and the National outdoor Juvenile Championships Day 1 will take place in Tullamore on 28th June.