The Bandon women’s team had made the final of the Premier Division for the 1st time in 3 years and had hope of contesting for a podium finish, despite missing athletes due to injury and international duty. First in action on the track was Roisin Howard in the 100m Hurdles where she finished in 4th place, coach Liz Coomey once again contested the walk and finished in 7th place, Amy Crowley finished 6th in the 400m Hurdles. In the 4x100m the team of Phil Healy, Joan Healy, Ella Nicholson and Kate Bernard finished in 2nd place. In the field events Laura McSweeney won the Shot Put and then followed up with another win in the Hammer for a maximum points return. Carla Hicks finished 4th in the Pole Vault and Ella Nicholson finished 4th in the Long Jump and 6th in the High Jump, Roisin Howard was 3rd in both the discus and javelin and Alison Hathaway was 7th in the Triple Jump. Back on the track Alison Hathaway finished 7th in the 400m, Clare Roche finished 7th in the 800m and Catriona O’Leary finished 8th in the 3,000m. Big points were won in the sprints with Phil Healy winning the 200m and Joan Healy winning the 100m. The final event of the day was 4x400m relay, the team of Phil Healy, Joan Healy, Ella Nicholson and Kate Bernard finished in 6th place.
So all done and just the waiting for the official results more in hope than expectation, so when a 4th place finish was announced athletes and coaches alike were satisfied with the return from the day.
Lots of “if’s and but’s” in the bus on the way home as could be expected, but the reality is this was a decent performance from a team missing a few athletes and with some walking wounded.
Lessons will be learned from the campaign this year and a podium place next year will be a realistic aim.

So well done to everyone involved, 4th place in the top division of a National club competition is not to be sneezed at!