East Cork track and field
Our latest report comes from the East Cork Athletics Division juvenile track and field (TandF) championships day two which was held in MTU last Sunday. This was the first opportunity that the vast majority of juvenile athletes in East Cork have gotten to compete on a tartan track at this level in over two years due to the impact on organised events of the Covid pandemic.
The last time a divisional or county TandF for underage athletes was held in MTU was May 2019, which is a crippling blow to most clubs trying to keep their athletes motivated to train. That said credit again has to go to the officers and working members of the East Cork Divisional Athletics board who put together this limited championship on the first available date.
STAND OUT PERFORMANCES
It’s at these types of events that we discover who the potential stars of the future may be and the kids get to try events they are unfamiliar within a relaxed and supportive environment. Their absence for the last two years has hopefully not stunted the development of the next generation. Nearly all of our 64 registered competitors from ages under 12 up to 19 attended and had a wonderful day in warm dry conditions. Some of the stand out performances on the day were from Laila Olotu who took three medals in under 12 girls 80 meters (gold), long jump (gold) and turbo javelin (silver).
Dylan Mulcahy took medals in every event in the under 14 boys 1500m (gold), 100m (bronze), high jump (bronze) and long jump (bronze) to show what a strong, talented and versatile athlete he hopefully will become. Faye O’Riordan like Dylan took medals in all her under 14 events also. Faye who seems to have been around for years already hasn’t lost any of her enthusiasm or range over every distance to display her strengths by taking 1,500m (bronze), 100m (silver), high jump (silver) and long jump (bronze).
Lucy Lynch contributed greatly to the team score by taking home four medals also. Lucy like her club mates before her medalled in every one of her events to take home two bronze (Under 15 1,500m and under 16 high jump), one silver (Under 16 long jump) and one gold (Under 15 100m). Our Under 17 to 19s turned out in force as usual and had a great return taking 19 of the 24 medals on offer to that age group and had great crack doing so.
WILLIE HARTE TROPHY
After all those wonderful performances and the 48 medals taken we fell short in the overall team competition and lost our grip on the Willie Harte Trophy for this year to a very strong Midleton team. We will endeavour to redouble our efforts to bounce back and wrestle the title back next season.
Thank you to all the athletes, parents, coaches and officials who made the day what it was, an enjoyable, cheap (€10 per family) day out.
OTHER BUSINESS
Congratulations to our club vice captain Tony Dunne who completed the Hardman Half Ironman Triathlon in Waterville, Co Kerry last Saturday. Tony doubled up on his “hardman” credentials by spending Sunday on his feet in MTU at the East Cork’s cheering on the kids.
LOOK FORWARD
Day 3 and 4 of the Munster under 12 to 19 TandF championships takes place this Saturday and Sunday in MTU, and we have 23 athletes entered in 31 individual events hoping to take home precious medals and qualify for the prestigious national championships. The very best of luck to all.