Laura McSweeney and Eric Stam have been selected for the Irish Schools Athletics team who will be competing at the forthcoming Schools International to be held in Cardiff On 21st February.

Laura representing Coláiste na Toirbhirte will compete in the shot. Her selection was on the back of her excellent performances during the season last year, winning three national titles. She won the All Ireland Indoor and Outdoor titles at U15 level and also won the Junior girls shot at the All Ireland Schools in May. Laura has also won All Ireland medals in discus and hammer and has competed in the prestigious English Triple A’s National Championships, winning a bronze medal in the shot. Eric Stam attends Coláiste Cholm in Ballincollig and will compete in the high jump and shot putt. Eric has won numerous medals representing Bandon AC at both indoor and outdoor All Irelands at U16. He has also competed at the English Triple A’s Indoor Combined Events, winning a silver medal. In the All-Ireland Schools representing Coláiste Choilm he won medals in the long jump and javelin as well as winning gold in  the All-Ireland combined events in both clubs and schools competitions.  He competed in the javelin on the Irish U16 team in Wales in August and was  on the Irish Schools teams for the Combined Events international in Glasgow in December. Well done to both Laura and Eric.
Carmel Crowley had a superb sliver medal winning performance finishing, behind Senior International athlete Siobhan O’Doherty at Senior level at the Munster Senior and Junior Cross Country Championships in Carrig na bhFear on 17th January. Carmel is currently in training for the All Ireland Masters Cross Country Championships due in Roscommon on February 21st.
Joan Healy won her 100m sprint and came second in the 200m at the AAI Junior Indoor Championships on January 16th. Phil her younger sister competing out of age at Junior level, finished fourth in the long jump. Timmy Harrington won bronze in the long jump, with Tracey Bradfield finishing in sixth position in the shot. Eric Stam competed in high jump and 60m sprint.
Ronan Duggan was the only Bandon athlete competing at the AAI Indoor Games in Nenagh on 17th January where he won the third Senior Men 1,000m race.
Upcoming events include the Goal Mile which will be held on Saturday 30th January at the CIT track from 2 to 4pm. This is a fundraiser for the charity Goal who are involved at the frontline in the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Haiti. The event is being supported by the Athletics community in Cork and the CIT Track is being given free of charge. Every cent raised will go to Goal. The event is open to all ages and abilities.
The Mallow 10 mile Road Race, cancelled due to weather, has been rescheduled for 7th February. The County Road Championships due to be held on this date in Ballinhassig have now been moved to coincide with the Paddy Desmond Memorial Road Race on 17th March. The Bantry 10 mile will be held on 14th February. Indoors, the Munster Juvenile Championships take place in Nenagh on Saturday 6th and 7th February. The Woodies DIY Senior Indoor Championships take place in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast the same weekend.
Registration continues at the club and all athletes, whether competing or not should ensure that their membership is renewed for the year. Application forms can be downloaded from the club website or obtained on training nights.