I usually don't bother with cross country races as there isn't much interest in them. However, someone sent me an email to draw my attention to the Munster Intermediate Cross Country Championships which were held last Sunday.
Normally these Munster XC events are reasonably small events and it's normal for say 3 to 4 of the 6 Munster counties to appear in the adult races. Usually, they're made up mainly of runners from the host county with a smattering from the other counties.
This year, the Munster Intermediate Cross Country Championships were held near Riverstick in Co Cork. Results HERE
In the women's race, there were just 18 participants from all of Munster. Despite the fact that Cork was hosting the event, not one single club from Cork City or County managed to field a team of 4 women.
Clonmel AC and Ennis Track managed to fill the Gold and Silver team positions with no team finishing 3rd for Bronze.
The person that sent me the email noted that the Cork Athletics Board have spent well in excess of €300,000 for a dedicated cross country course that grows grass for silage for most of the year. When there is an event on, they can't even get the local clubs to turn out to support it.
Imagine if that money had been used instead to help develop proper track facilities around the county by way of grants. There have been quite a number of new 400m tracks around the country being completed which can be used by adults and children all year round.