Ballymore AC News

It took more than the inclement weather conditions to dampen the spirit of athletes and spectators who came out in force to pay tribute to Sonia O’Sullivan on August 25th.

With four separate races taking place over 3000m, the same distance which Sonia raced to European Championship gold twenty years ago, there was a rare opportunity for boys, girls, men and women to race amongst their own age/gender category.

In addition, many of Cobh’s younger athletes got to show what the future has to offer with a well supported mini fun race for under 10’s takingplace before the main events got under way.

Ruari Casey (9.57) of Togher AC was an extremely impressive winner of the boys race with an effort that seemed to suggest he will have plenty more to offer as he continues his comeback from a recent injury. Locally based athletes Darragh Kelleher (10.36) and Jaco Bronkhorst (10.52) filled the remaining places on the podium.

Pádí Kearney (11.14) was first home of the Ballymore Cobh AC boys when finishing in sixth place and just ahead of club mate Thomas Stafford (11.29).

Current Irish Schools Intermediate Cross Country champion Rhona Pierce (10.44) of Skerries AC showed the girls field a clean set of heels to come home in front with close to two minutes to spare over her closest pursuer Sinead Brieney (12.36). Filling third place and picking up the bronze medal was local athlete Sinead Pierce (14.21).

To consider that both winners of the juvenile races have already represented Ireland on the international stage gives an indication of the calibre of athlete that this event was able to attract.

The mens race also saw a number of elite contenders lining up, with Leevale AC’s Mark Hanrahan (8.37) proving the pick of the bunch. Tim O’ Connor (8.59) from An Riocht AC made it in to second place with James Grufferty (9.00) hot on his heels in third place.

First home in Black and Amber was Trevor Cummins (10.12) who was followed soon after by the impressive debutant Barry Breen (10.59) with Shane Meyler (11.06) putting in a good run just behind.

The womens event was won by Laura Crowe (9.56) of An Riocht AC – Laura is another of the athletes competing on the night who have represented Ireland on the international stage. Michelle Finn (10.00) and Sinead O’Connor (10.17) filled the second and third positions, both representing Leevale AC.

Orla O’Rourke (12.42), Fiona O’Sullivan (12.58) and Eimear Taft (13.01) filled the places of the fist three local club runners home, with strong runs elsewhere from Sinead Daly (13.18), Mairead Kearney (13.37) and Yvonne Allen (13.44), amongst others.

The after race ceremonies, staged in The Commodore Hotel, saw Sonia fondly recall moments from her illustrious career as well as finding time to give words of encouragement to the younger members of an attentive audience.

Pat O’Shea of The Commodore was on hand to present Sonia with a piece of work by local artist Jack Hickey which depicts her winning the Cross Country Championships in Killenaule in 1987. Catherine Hickey, mother of the artist and treasurer of the club, represented Ballymore Cobh AC during the presentation.

Overall, the event was a great success and we look forward to welcoming an even bigger crowd next year with the attraction of the 3km distance drawing in every type of athlete from beginner to elite.

The event could not have taken place without the help of those who contributed by means of sponsorship + volunteering and we thank each and everyone of the business’ and community members who played their part.

Later in the same week, a large number of club members made the summers last visit to Ballycotton for the final round of the 5mile Road Race Series.

The evergreen and ultra consistent Orla O’Rourke (34.28) made it on to the podium when finishing third on the night in her age category.

Sinead Daly (37.56) continued her excellent form of late to ensure she
finished inside the Top 30 in the women’s field on the night.

Trevor Cummins (30.00) stepped into six minute mile territory with a huge performance that lifted him to 34th in the overall series standings.

Ken Hickey (34.02), Stephen Pender (34.14) and James Donovan (34.32) all crossed the line in sub 35minute times and in doing so ensured they all registered personal bests for the distance. Carl Pender (35.37) and Terry Murphy (38.58) also put in their best performance of the season over the distance.

There was a huge amount of personal records throughout the field and a number of the clubs athletes collected plaques afterwards to recognise their achievement of completing the four races in this memorable series.

All of those who participated in the four races saw an improvement in their times over the four months, with special mention going to James Donovan who improved by close to seven minutes over the course of the series. Majella Tarbatt enjoyed a similar leap in progress with an improvement of four minutes.

The nine athletes to complete all four races in the Ballycotton Series were;

James Donovan
Majella Tarbatt
Avril Hastings
Sinead Daly
Terry Murphy
Carl Pender
Tom O’Riordan
Stephen Pender
Trevor Cummins