| The Cork County Board of Athletics Ireland held a function in The Market Tavern tonight to honour the achievement of Mark Carroll in winning the 3,000m gold medal at the European indoor championships. With generous sponsorship from Beamish and Crawford / Miller Group Sales, a big representation from Cork clubs gathered to pay tribute to one of the leading athletes in the world. Joint Chairmen of the County Board, John Smyth and Tim Fitzpatrick made a presentation to Mark. John Smyth said that Mark had done us proud, and we are all proud of you. He also wished him luck for the Olympics, saying that he would be there to cheer him on. Tim Fitzpatrick, Leevale Chairman Joe O’Flynn and Market Tavern proprietor Mick O’Shea also spoke in praise of Mark. In reply Mark quipped that he could only wish that all his races were as easy as the European race. He said that he was delighted to be the one to bring home the gold medal, to bring that kind of excitement to Leevale, to Cork. “What club, what County Board can boast to be the first to win a gold medal in the new Millennium” he said. “I said a couple of years ago when I was here in 98 that I hoped we would get to do this (presentation) again, and now I say I hope we will be back again after the Olympics” Presentations were made on behalf of Cork County Board, Leevale, and The Market Tavern to Mark, while Leevale also made a presentation to Mark’s mother Ann who took the opportunity to thank everyone who made the evening possible. |