The arrival of the cooler days of autumn always heralds the start of the Cross Country Season and the West Cork Championships is the first event on the calendar. The Championships will take place on Sunday 18th September in the Showgrounds in Clonakilty with a 12 noon start. For Juveniles the races are for even ages from U10 to U16. The events for Juniors (U20) and Seniors are open and there will also be a Masters race. All West Cork Clubs are urged to encourage as many of their juvenile athletes as possible to participate. The Championships is also the final event in the inaugural West Cork Race Series which included a number of road races in the past few months. The following athletes who competed across the series are all now in contention for the top positions, Senior Women, Liz Barry, Bandon, Anna Collins, Dunmanway, Geraldine O’Sullivan, Bantry. Senior Men, John Collins, Skibbereen, Kevin Wilmot, Bandon, Alan O’Shea, Bantry. Junior Men, John Harrington, Bantry, Daragh O’Donovan, Bandon and Thomas McCarthy. A number of additional athletes are also closely in contention ahead of this remaining race. The West Cork Athletic Board will present prizes to the top three athletes from West Cork Clubs in the above categories following the completion of the series.

The West Cork Schools Cross Country Championships will be held in Dunmanway Showgrounds on Wednesday 21st September starting at 11am. This event is open to all Secondary Schools in the West Cork area and all schools have been notified by the West Cork Athletic Board. For further information contact Declan Coakley on 083 407 8424.

The Bandon Ladies team put in a fine performance at the final of the National League at the Woodies DIY National League Championships held in Tullamore on 20th August. The team captained by Liz Coomey, who were up against stiff opposition in the Premier Division, finally managed to capture the silver medal. There was jubilation all round as they stepped up to the podium to receive their medals. The Bandon Senior Ladies finished fourth at Premier Division on a previous occasion and have won the Division One Championships. Effectively this silver medal finish today makes them the second best Senior Ladies Club team in the country which is no mean achievement. Had they won the competition at the weekend, they would be moving on to compete at European level. There is often a perception of athletics being a purely individual sport; however this is far from the truth. The performances of every team member at this level were vital in order to bring up the points to this runner up position on the day. The team consisted of the following; Laura McSweeney (1st Shot, 3rd Hammer), Joan Healy (2nd 200, 3rd 100), Róisín Howard, (2nd 100m Hurdles, 4th High Jump, 2nd Long Jump), Gráinne Moynihan (3rd 400m, 6th 800m) Orla Finn (2nd 400m H, 6th Triple Jump) Carmel Crowley (6th 1500m, 4th 3000m), Collette Tuthill (3rd 1500m Walk), Helena Murphy (4th Pole Vault), Rachel Roche (2nd Javelin) Lynn Bradfield (4th Discus) and Priscilla O’Sullivan.
While the relay teams consisted of 4*100m (Phil Healy, Joan Healy, Lynda O’Donovan, Gráinne Moynihan) and 4*400m Relay (Phil Healy, Joan Healy, Gráinne Moynihan, Róisín Howard).

In addition to her success at the weekend, Róisín Howard has been selected as part of the Irish team to compete in the Home Counties International which will take place in Stoke in the UK on 3rd and 4th of September. This is an International competition between Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Róisín will compete in the U23 Women’s Heptathlon. Well done to Róisín on this achievement.

Bandon Athletic Club had three athletes representing Ireland recently at the Celtic International Games held in Antrim on 13th August. All three produced impressive performances at the event and they brought home five medals in total. Phil Healy won the Girls U18 100m sprint and finished third in the 200m. Phil was also in action on the Irish 4 x 100m relay team which finished second. Colin Kingston competing in the U16 Shot Putt threw 15.11m which earned him a bronze medal. Bobby Smith, a relative newcomer to the Javelin, had a fantastic personal best throw which also won him the U16 bronze medal. The Celtic Games is an international competition between athletes from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and it is a huge achievement for the competing athletes and the Club to bring home five medals from the Championships. The three athletes were selected on the basis of their performance at the All Ireland AAI Track & Field Championships in July.

At the National Senior Athletic Championships in Santry on 6h August, Joan Healy finished third in the 100m sprint with her sister Phil following in sixth place. Laura McSweeney came fourth in Shot Putt competition with Lynn Bradfield also competing.

Club training will resume on Monday 22nd August at the Town Park. Fit 4 Life continues meeting at Kelleher’s in Bandon at 8pm every Tuesday. Runners and walkers at all levels welcome. The Bandon AC ladies team is currently in third place going in the final of the National Senior League which takes place next weekend. Details of all fixtures, training can be found on www.bandonac.org

Celtic International