 Castleisland was the venue this weekend for the Munster juvenile track and field championships, with under 14 to under 18 athletes in action. The brilliant sunshine really showed the track in it’s best light, and great tribute is due to the Riocht athletic club for building such a magnificent complex, complete with public address and flood lighting. By this time next year the club hopes to have a groundsman and coaches employed, as well as a new club house, and machinery to clean the track. None of the sprinters in action can have had any complaints about the weather for the weekend. It was just perfect for them. Doubles were the order of the day, with Leevale athletes, in particular, in superb form. Darren O’Donovan continued his run of success by easily winning the under 18 100m and 200m, a feat repeated by John O’Sullivan (far right) under 17. Leevale girls were in treble winning form with Sharon Kelly leading the way with a 100m/200m and 100m hurdles treble of wins at under 18 level. Aisling Maunsell (right) repeated with 100m/200m/300m success under 17, while Donna Hosford completed a 100m/80m hurdles/long jump trio under 15. Dawn Kelly of Belgooly won both 400m and 400m hurdles under 18, while Nicole O’Regan of Togher did the same over 300m under 16. The middle distance events saw Timmy O’Donoghue of Glenbower record good wins in the under 15 1,500m and 3,000m, with Mark Lehane of Bandon a good winner of the under 17 3,000m, and Jamie McCarthy of Riverstick Kinsale easily won the under 16 3,000m. In the field events Deirdre Murphy of Leevale won both under 17 shot and discus, while Catriona De Paor of Glenbower was in record breaking form in the under 15 triple jump. John Dilworth of Blarney Inniscarra recorded a treble of wins in the under 16 shot, discus and hammer. Next stop is the All Ireland championships for which most of the Cork athletes will travel in confident mood. |
