The first Cork juvenile track and field championships under the new Athletics Ireland flagship were held at the Cork IT track over the weekend. The event produced some wonderful competition, with some brilliant performances, as well as a number of upsets. One of the biggest upsets came in the boys under 17 1,500m. Here the strong favourite was Shane Lehane of Bandon, a member of the Irish schools cross country team that competed in Scotland. Taking the lead early on, the Bandon youth was tracked all the way by Leevale’s Sean Casey, who took over the lead with 500m to go, building up a good lead. Lehane closed fast in the closing 100m, but Casey held on for a deserving win. Bandon’s Kieran Ryan came from way off the pace in both the under 15 800m and 1500m races to quite literally steal both titles on the line, while Leevale’s Ian Donovan repeated the double at under 18 level. In the shorter distances Kieran Hennessey of Togher scored a good treble in the under 17 100m, 200m and 400m, repeated by Aisling Maunsell of Leevale, and Dawn Kelly of Belgooly. Sprint doubles were recorded by Darren Coughlan of Bandon, Avril Kelly of Leevale, Darren O’Donovan of Leevale, John O’Sullivan of Leevale, Orla McSweeney of Leevale, and Orla Coughlan of Bandon. Leevale won nine of the eighteen sprint relays on offer, with Riverstick/Kinsale and Ballincollig winning two and one each going to Liscarroll, Fanahan McSweeeny, and Bandon. Athletes to impress in the field events included Fionnuala Lombard and Deirdre Murphy of Leevale.