Sunday 29th November, saw 20 athletes travel to Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary, for the Munster Bs cross country event. The conditions and weather were shocking to say the least but this did not deter our young athletes, who braved the elements and brought back 3 team Golds, 4 Cork medals & 6 individual medals.
First up was Doireann Kelly in the u9 race. Doireann ran a great race and earned herself an individual medal and a cork bronze medal, coming in 5th place. The u9 boys team of Eoin O Callaghan, Jack Twomey, Sean Hales, Glen De Burca & Dylan Looney, all gave a terrific effort and won the team Gold.
Eoin got himself in a great position from the start and finished in 2nd place overall, wining an individual medal plus a Cork gold team medal along with Jack. The u11 girls team of Niamh Quinn, Ciara O Sullivan, Ciara White, Molly O Callaghan & Aoibheann Cotter and the u11 boys team of Dara McCarthy, Joseph Buttimer, Sean Deasy, Ciaran Brady & Dara Ryan, both won Gold in the team event. Again, While the rain poured, kids fell and kids lost shoes in the muck, these young Bandon athletes put in a super effort
and had great performances. Niamh, Dara McCarthy & Joseph also won
individual medals finishing in 5th, 4th & 8th position respectively, with Niamh also winning a cork Gold team medal. Next up was the u13 girls race and they were the first group to take on a steep enough and long hill. This team of Saoirse O Neill, Roisin De Burca, Laura Bateman & Brid Desmond are actually all u12 and they did extremely well, considering they had to endure that hill along with all the muck patches and run out of age. Well done
girls, especially Brid who got a stitch early on in the race but battled away right through the race. A great example of a team player! Last up on the day for Bandon in the juvenile races, was John Muckian in the u17 race.
He ran extremely well, especially since now the course was even muddier, if that’s possible and finished in 2nd place. Two master Ladies also braved the elements and conditions. Ronnie Barry finished in 7th place overall and 3rd place in O40 category & Carmel Crowley finished 4th overall and in 1st place in O45 category. Well done Ladies!
Well done to all the athletes and a big thank you to all the parents. It was a real team effort “in the field” on the day also, with everyone chipping in to help. From walking the course, to holding umbrellas & providing extra safety pins! It all helps to make the day run smoothly.

Report by Susan McCourt