Last Sunday at the 2nd round of the National League was a very nervous time for Bandon athletes and coaches alike.
Womens’ team were in the Premier Division and needing a good day to make the league final in August, the Men’s team who were partnered with Abbey Striders to form Bandon Striders looked in better position in the First Division but still knew they could take nothing for granted.
The early omens’ for the womens side didn’t look good, illness and injury meant a few late withdrawals which mean the team had to be redone and athletes asked to cover events they wouldn’t normally do. The team was strengthened by the availability of Phil and Joan Healy who were back after competing in the European Athletics Championships the weekend before. Phil won the 200m in a new personal best time and Joan won the 100m, Phil and Joan then formed part of the 4x100m relay team with Kate Bernard and Aoibhin O’Connor and recorded a good win. Another win came from Laura McSweeney in the Shot Putt and she also placed 3rd in the Hammer. Rachel Roche was 2nd in the javelin and 5th in the Discus. Coach Liz Commey braved stepped up to take on the 1,500m walk and finished in a vital 2nd place. Aoibhin O’Connor was one of the busiest athletes of the day, she was 6th in 400m, the High Jump and Long Jump and was also part of both relays. Amy Crowley was 5th in the 100m hurdles and 6th in the 400m hurdles. Alison Hathaway was 5th in the Triple Jump. Heading into the last event of the day the 4x400m, the team knew it was still too close to call and every point would matter. the team of Phil, Amy, Alison and Aoibhinn put in a brave race and finished in 6th place.
The men’s team good off to a good start in the first event of the day with Patrick McSweeney placing 2nd in the Hammer and he later placed 2nd in the Shot Put. There was win’s in the Javelin for Bobby Smith and Ronan Duggan in the 800m. Abbey Striders also provided wins for Ben O’Donovan in the High Jump and Diarmuid Clancey in the 400m Hurdles while Saran Malangalashthira was 2nd in the Pole Vault and 4th in the 100m Hurdles.
Shane Howard was 2nd in the Long Jump. Dave McInerney was 2nd in the 200m and 5th in 400m. Promise Okafor was 2nd in the Triple Jump with a new personal best. Colin Kingston was 3rd in the Discus and Gavin Hicks finished 5th in the 56Lb for Distance in a new personal best. Great to see some of the younger members get stuck in also and future looks bright with some brave running by John Muckian (6th in 1,500) and Naoise Ó Flaithertaigh (5th in the 5km).
However things were not all going our way, the 4x100m team of Daniel Hathaway, Scott Gibson, Dave McInerney and Shane Howard finished 2nd but Scott picked up an injury in the process and would see no further action for the day. Thomas McCarthy felt unwell in the SteepleChase and had to withdraw about halfway and then more drama in the 100m. Shane Howard lined up in the blocks with hopes for a win, but when the gun went, so did the blocks and Shane found himself on the ground. A faulty start should have been the outcome but not called by the officials, so instead of the hoped for 9 points for a win, it was zero and things were suddenly looking too close for comfort!
The final event was the 4x400m and some points needed to be won, and the team of Ronan Duggan, Daniel Hathway, Dave McInerney and Ben O’Donovan finished in 4th place and it looked like it would be enough.

With the points totaled, both teams seemed to be in position for the final, but all depended on results in the the other venue. As the results came through and the maths were checked and double checked, confirmation! Both team make the final after finishing in 8th place, womens team had just 4 points to spare over 9th place while the mens team had 12 points to spare. So job done and if full strength teams are available for the final, there is no reason why both teams can’t contest for a podium place so wishing them the best of luck.