Liscarroll

ATHLETIC CLUB NOTES

JOHNNY MURPHY WINS IN STYLE – Another good day’s cross country was enjoyed by parents and athletes alike at White’s Cross near Cork on Sunday last. Having poured rain all day on Saturday, there was a weather surprise for all, with a dry, sunny warm day, which was enjoyed by both runners and spectators.

Johnny Murphy under-13 was in exceptionally good form in his race, when he literally ran the rest into the ground by taking the lead from the start, extending this lead to 150 metres, he held this all the way and only slowed down coming in to the finish to take the gold medal.

In the boys’ under-15 race Bill Collins, up an age, improved his performance, from the previous Sunday to finish in eighth place over a longer course. This was a very positive run on the second day out. The under-nine girls of Clara Whelan, 17th, Emma O’Connell 21 st, Grace Murphy 33 rd and Louise Flynn finished in sixth team place overall, just 10 points behind third place bronze medallists.

The big disappointment was the injury sustained by Emma O’Connell. Hopefully she will recover quickly. Jack Hennessy under-nine was our only runner in his race and he did not disappoint. Girls’ under-11 found the going tough but all of them finished happy but tired. They were Aoibhinn O’Reilly, Shona Murphy, Ella Butler and Niamh Hennessy, all of whom were running against girls a year older.

Boys’ under-11 were also up an age, but all finished in the following order, Jack O’Connell, Fionn O’Sullivan, Conor Blastland and Evan Murphy. Girls’ under-13 Olivia Flynn and Orlaith O’Sullivan did not have a team, but in the right spirit finished their race.

Girls’ under-15 on their first day out, had a tough baptism to cross country but finished the race in good spirits and in the following order, Aoife O’Brien, Aoibh Hogan and Irene Kelleher.

There is great credit due to all the athletes who competed in and finished their races. Hopefully they will continue, especially to see how they progress and they should remember that not everyone can win, or be in the medals, all the time. It takes several races to get used to the pace and build up strength and stamina. The best training is competition whether you finish first or last.

MUNSTERS – This coming weekend cross country steps up one level as athletes travel to Beaufort, Co Kerry for the even age juvenile championships. To anyone wondering about this level, the distances are the same, numbers will be greater, but the course will fairly level. The juvenile races will be first on the programme commencing at 11.30 a.m. Everyone should be there no later than 10.30 a.m.

SINGING TALENT – Liscarroll AC were represented last Saturday night in the LiscarrollGAA organised ‘We have Talent’ event at Churchtown Community Centre. We congratulate and thank them for their participation. Those involved were Aoife O’Sullivan, Sophie Perrott, Vickie Cusack, Orlaith O’Sullivan, Fionn O’Sullivan, Isobel Kellegher, Irene Kellegher and Aoife O’Brien.

CHURCH GATE COLLECTION – We wish to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to our church gate collection last weekend. Thanks to all.

TRAINING – 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. each night. Mondays: All athletes under-nine and older at Liscarroll. Thursdays: Little athletics up to under-eight at Liscarroll. Friday: All athletes under-nine and older. At the time of doing these notes, a decision had not been made as to the venue for the remainder of the year. This Friday, October 19, is taking place at Doneraile Park, but due to darkening evenings and change in putting back the clock, we will no longer be able to do this. An email will be sent to everyone giving full training details, as soon as possible.

FIXTURES – Cork County Cross Country Championship Dates. Monday, October 29; Juvenile B and intermediate hosted by St Catherine’s AC Friday, November 2; Cork Airport Runway 5K at 23.59.

Munster Cross Country Dates. Sunday, October 21; Juvenile Even Age, Novice and under-23 at Beaufort, Kerry. Sunday, November 11; Juvenile Uneven Age and senior at Turnpike, Two Mile Borris Co Tipperary, Sunday, November 18; Juvenile Relays and Masters at Clarecastle, Clare. Sunday, December 2; Intermediate, junior, and Juvenile B. at Riverstick, Cork.

National (all-Ireland) Cross Country Dates. Sunday, November 25: Senior, junior and Even Age Juvenile at Abbotstown. Saturday, December 15, ; Novice and Juvenile Uneven Age Juvenile, at Navan Adventure Sports, Navan Racecourse. This is a change of Date; it takes place on the Saturday, instead of Sunday.