Bandon had a men’s and women’s team in action in the 2nd round of the National League in Athlone on Sunday.
The men were contesting the first division and paired up with Abbey Striders to form Bandon Striders. After a good 1st round, the team were in a great position and consolidated that with some more great results and qualified comfortably for the final which will be held in Tullamore on the Aug bank holiday weekend.
The women’s team were contesting the Premier division and needed to pull out all the stops to make the final. Some great performances and some athletes taking on events they wouldn’t normally do resulted in a good points total, but it appears as if the women will narrowly miss out on a final spot but the experience will stand them well and will be back stronger next year.
Best of luck to the men’s team in the final.

Performances on the day included:
The mens’s team:
Patrick McSweeney won the Shot Putt and the Hammer, Bobby Smith won the Javelin, Shane Howard won the High Jump and also placed 5th in the Discus.
Promise Okafor won the Long Jump and was 2nd in the Triple Jump. Danny Allen was 2nd in the 200m and 3rd in the 400m.
Joey Henchy was 4th in the 100m. Mark O’Sullivan was 3rd in the 1500m. Ronan Duggan was 4th in the 800m. Both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams were 2nd.
Damien Hickey from Abbey Striders was 3rd in the 400m Hurdles while Saran Malangalashthira was 2nd in the Pole Vault.

The womens team;
Phil Healy won the 100m. Laura McSweeney was 2nd in the Shot and in the Hammer. Rachel Roche was 2nd in the Javelin. Fiona Everard was 3rd in the 1500m and 4th in the 800m.
Kate Bernard was 4th in the 200m and 5th in the High Jump. Carmel Crowley was 3rd in the 3000m. Fiona Duggan was 3rd in the Discus. Carla Hicks was 3rd in the Pole Vault. Eva Stack was 5th in the Long Jump and in the 400m. Amy Crowley was 4th in the 400m Hurdles and 6th in the Triple Jump. The 4x100m team were 5th.