West Cork Track & Field Sun 9th and Sun 30th.
This is a great introduction to outdoor season and a great competition for the new athlete.

Only clubs from West Cork attend this event and most kids find it a worthwhile experience as this competition gives them an opportunity to put into practice what they are doing at training.

There is no need to register for this, just turn up on the day and pay the entry on the door (everyone pays, athletes and non-athletes, €3 per person, €10 per family of upto 2adults + 3 child)

Athletes have to compete in the correct age group.
For example on Sun 9th, an athlete who is u11 can not do the u13 shot put. An athlete who is u10 in 2017 (born 2008) can compete in the u11 age group.
If in doubt, ask an official.

Just make sure you listen to the public address to hear the events being called.
Also, make sure you are familiar with the running order of the events, but note this can change to facility the smooth running of the event on the day.

The last track events on the day is usually the relays which are always a great event, so even if you are finished and thinking of heading homeward, it might be worthwhile waiting for the relays. The club’s can enter more than 1 team per race.

For the field events, its expected that athletes will have practiced the events at training, so while the West Corks is a lower level than County/Munster it is still a competition and not a training day, so if an athlete has never done the event beforehand, then competing in that event is West Corks is not fair on the other children or the officials.

There will be a small shop at the back of the stand on the day selling tea/coffee and a selection of sandwiches and snacks.

First event on Sun is the adults 3,000m followed by the sprints, so all athletes taking part in the sprints should be at the track by 11:30 to allow time for warm up etc.

Please note…
All athletes are advised to wear spikes for Long Jump, TurboJavelin and High Jump events. In the event of wet conditions participation may be refused on the interests of safety if spikes are not used.
Club singlets or t-shirts must be worn

Please remember that that most of the officials are parents, just like yourself who volunteer their time in order that the events run as smoothly as possible. If you are willing to help out then please make yourself known to the officials.

All efforts must be encouraged and all efforts must be applauded. The athletic community are known for cheering on everyone from first to last, regardless of what club they represent.

The child standing beside your child, could be the child they will be competing with in their adult life. Please encourage your child to be pleasant and make friends, a competitive spirit is encouraged, but good manners must be observed at all times

Encourage the children to enjoy victory but remember to be gracious in defeat.

The club is holding its annual Awards Night on Monday 11th at 7:30pm in Bandon GAA Pavilion. As well as acknowledging the achievements of athletes, its also a great opportunity to allow members interact outside of the usual training nights, so hope to see a big number in attendance.

Timetable and order of events for the upcoming West Cork T&F Championships in CIT is now available here

12 noon start on April 9th and April 30th..

Couple of upcoming events organised by West Cork Athletics.

Next West Cork Athletics event is the West Cork Road Races on Sun 2nd April in Dunmanway at 12 noon.

Under 9: 500m
Under 11: 1000m
Under 13: Girls 1200m, Boys 1500m
Under 15: Girls 1500m, Boys 2000m
Under 17: Girls 2000m, Boys 3000m
Junior/u20 : 3,000m

1st race of the day will be girls u9 then boys u9, then u11 etc
Singlets or club t-shirts required

Cost to compete: €2, Pay on the day, no need to pre register.

Trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each race. Medals for all finishers.
The races will start and finish near the entrance to Droumleena Lawn which can be used for parking.

West Cork Track & Field Program is now available here
Dates are 9th & 30th April so hoping for a good turnout as these are ideal preparation of County Championships in May.

Running order of events should be available on West Cork site in a few days.

The National Senior Indoor Championships was held for the first time in the new Abbotstown Indoor Arena. On the Saturday first club athletes in action were Laura McSweeney and Roisin Howard in the Shot Put. Laura who was in a medal position for most of the competition eventually finished just outside the medals in 4th with Roisin in 6th place. In the 400m heats Phil Healy won her heats and qualified for the final on Sun. Ronan Duggan contested the 800m heats but didn’t progress past the first round. On Sun Joan Healy qualified for the 60m final where she won Silver in a close race. The 400m final was also a close affair with Phil Healy winning Gold and in a time inside the required standard for the European Indoors.

Well done to Liz Coomey who was the club’s only representative in the All-ireland Master’s Indoor Championships in Athlone. She certainly had a busy day as she contested a number of events, results included
3rd in High Jump, 3rd in 60mHurdles, 4th Shot Put, 4th Long Jump and 6th in 60m sprint.

Well done to everyone

Best of luck to the Bandon athletes who will be in action at the National Senior Indoor Championships in Abbottstown in Dublin next weekend.
Among those in action will be Phil Healy, Joan Healy, Laura McSweeney, Roisin Howard, Shane Howard and Ronan Duggan.

In Tuam at the All-Ireland Juvenile Cross Country relays, the Bandon Girls U14 team were just outside the medals in 4th place after a great team effort. Team was Jane Buckley, Nicola Tuthill, Clare Flynn, Ava Crowley and Kate O’Neil.

In Athlone at the All-Ireland Juvenile Indoor Combined Events Diarmuid O’Connor had a comprehensive win in the Boys U16 with over 300points to spare over 2nd place.

Well done everyone.