16 year old Noelle Lenihan wins Bronze at Paralympic Games

At the Rio Paralympic Games on Friday, 16 year old Noelle Lenihan from North Cork won a Bronze medal in the F38 Discus.

The results of the top 4 are shown below...

Results of the Shandrum Road Runners 5k in Doneraile Park...Sat 12th Mar 2016

A total of 202 runners turned out for this 5k in Doneraile Park on Saturday the 12th of March 2016. The 5k was organised by Shandrum Road Runners who are based in North Cork.

1 Kevin O'Shea    M    n/a    18.12
2 Nicholas Moloney    M    North Cork    18.36
3 John Cooke    M    An Bru A/C    18.51
1 Carol Finn    F    Leevale A/C    18.52
2 Mei Ming    F    Liscarroll    20.42
3 Annette O'Reilly    F    Kilfinane    22.59

The full results can be seen HERE

Notice...Charleville Half-Marathon - Sun 20th Sept 2015

The Charleville Half-Marathon is coming up on Sunday, the 20th of September and it is widely recognised as being one of the fastest courses in the country.

Proceeds from the race go towards the development of North Cork Athletic Club and St.Josephs Foundation where the race is hosted.

The entry fees are as follows…
Normal Early Bird Entry Fee Rate from Monday April 20th 12 pm: 31.50 €
Standard Entry Fee Rate from Monday July 20th 12 pm: 37 €
Late Entry Fee Rate from Monday Sept 7th 12 pm: 42 €
No Race Day entry available.

Late online entry will close on Saturday 19th September at 6 pm.
Entry fee includes all processing fees.

You can enter online for the Half-Marathon here until the 19th September http://www.charlevillehalf.com/registration/

Course Preview......You can see a preview of the course HERE

Results of the Ghostbusters 5k, Doneraile Park...Sat 1st Nov 2014

This charity 5k in Doneraile Park attracted 161 runners on what a pretty wet day.

1 16:10    O'CONNOR, Tim    RIOCHT    M 05:13
2 19:09    LARKIN, Shane    DONEEN AC    M 06:11
3 20:01    CREMIN, Michael    DROMINA    M 06:27
6 20:50    EGAN, Grainnne    NORTH CORK    F 06:43
10 21:38    SWEENEY, Mary F 06:59
28 24:33    MURPHY, Mary F 07:55

The full results can be seen HERE

Event notice....Mallow 10 mile road race - Sun 23rd March 2014

Now that entries to the Dungarvan '10' and the Ballycotton '10' are closed, the next big ten mile race in Munster after that is the Mallow 10 mile road race on Sunday, the 23rd of March 2014 at 12:30pm.

Sponsored by The Edge Sports Shop and SKINS and organised by Mallow AC, there is a limit of 1200 entries to this race. In 2013, entries were sold out before the race and there were no entries on the day itself. It's likely to be the same again this year so enter asap.

Located in north Cork, Mallow is within easy reach of runners in all of the counties in Munster.

If you are living say closer to Dublin, Mallow isn't the long slow trip that it would have been before. It's now motorway all the way to Mitchelstown and you then turn off for Mallow. The Mallow '10' is a reasonably fast 10 mile course with a wide start so if you are looking a fast time, this is as good as they come....for Ireland anyway! ;o)

Entries.......It costs just €18 to pre-enter this race (Online €19.26) (until the 31st of Jan when the price goes up to €20). Note that entries are coming in fast already so don't wait for the last moment to enter. If you are going to do it then enter online asap. There will be the usual chip timing, a dry fit top and a €5,000 prize fund with prizes in all the usual categories.

From the organisers Mallow AC...
Our race this year is being sponsored by Skins and The Edge Sports...€5,000 Prize Fund...Top 5 Men & Women...Top 3 in all categories from junior upwards...Chip Timing, T-Shirts,

€500 for Course Records...Male, 49:40, Gerry Ryan, Galway City Harriers, 2005 / Female, 56:53, Fiona Roche, Raheny Shamrocks, 2013

Postal Entries - Entry Form 2014 - Will be valid until Jan 30th. Entries are now open and will close once the limit of 1,200  entrants has been reached.

Further Details at http://mallowac.ie/10-mile-race-2014/

Entries open at Precision Timing, to enter click HERE

Course Preview...A preview of the course with maps, directions and photos can be seen HERE

Results of the Doneraile Park Fit4Life 5 km...Sat 23rd Nov 2013

Results of the Doneraile Park Fit4Life 5km - Hosted by North Cork AC

Pos Race No. Name Surname Club Gender Age Time
1 John O'Flynn North Cork AC M 10 19:55
2 Ursula Bluett North Cork AC F 12 20:18
3 Eimear Lenihan North Cork AC F 14 20:51
4 Peter Butler Charleville M 28 21:37
5 Tim Finnen Mallow AC M 47 21:52
6 Nicholas Moloney North Cork AC M 33 22:15
7 Patrick Myers N/A M N/A 22:16
8 Aoife Carroll Mallow AC F 33 22:25
9 939 Mark Riordan North Cork AC M 9 22:44
10 905 Cody Kok North Cork AC M 8 22:46
11 946 Grainne Egan North Cork AC F 11 23:16
12 943 Jerry O'Connell Mallow AC M 56 24:37
13 945 Paul Egan Doneraile M 47 25:13
14 909 Chloe Morrissey North Cork AC F 13 25:39
15 931 Lisa Barrow Mallow AC F 34 25:50
16 949 Patrick O'Flynn North Cork AC M 9 27:02
17 926 MaryJane Coughlan North Cork AC F 14 27:03
18 951 Siobhan Coakley N/A F N/A 27:22
19 952 Jerry Mullane N/A F N/A 27:33
20 927 Debbie Moran Freemount F 41 27:36
21 907 Shane Browne Duhallow AC M 40 28:38
22 944 Emer O'Connell Mallow AC F 28 28:50
23 924 Lisa Guerin Mallow AC F 33 28:52
24 911 Megan O'Regan North Cork AC F 14 29:10
25 913 Rowena O'Neill Duhallow AC F 38 29:35
26 941 Michelle O'Donoghue Mallow AC F 29 29:55
27 942 Jamiee Barrow Doneraile F 27 29:56
28 934 Claire Ryan Galtee Runners F 30 29:57
29 906 John Brady North Cork AC M 58 30:03
30 953 Marie Lombard North Cork AC F 30 30:17
31 904 Elaine Maher Charleville F 31 30:18
32 932 Sarah Buddle Mallow AC F 34 30:20
33 935 Lorraine Walsh Mallow AC F 33 30:21
34 950 Anne O'Connor Dromina F 32 30:56
35 921 Susan Walsh Charleville F 17 31:08
36 933 Margaret Ryan Galtee Runners F 58 32:13
37 928 Joan O'Connor Galtee Runners F 51 32:14
38 901 Maighread Finn F 37 32:20
39 902 Norma O'Brien F 35 32:21
40 925 Grace Browne North Cork AC F 14 32:27
41 940 Marjie Riordan North Cork AC F 42 32:48
42 923 Aoife Meade Charleville F 17 33:22
43 947 Catriona O'Mahony Mallow AC F 39 33:36
44 930 Elaine Harold Mallow AC F 31 33:38
45 937 Mary O'Sullivan North Cork AC F 56 34:10
46 936 Una Daly North Cork AC F 33 34:29
47 919 Jack Hogan North Cork AC M 7 34:54
48 918 Liam Hogan North Cork AC M 32 36:05
49 920 Jessica Hogan North Cork AC F 8 36:06
50 929 Rebecca Perrott North Cork AC F 20 37:16
51 922 Michelle Higgins Liscarroll F 17 37:29
52 910 Abbie Moloney North Cork AC F 14 39:40
53 917 Eileen Henrony F 50 40:15

Results of the Doneraile 5 km race...Sat 14th Sept 2013

A total of 124 people turned out for this new 5km Steeple to Steeple race in Doneraile in N.Cork. This was the 6th race of 7 in the Ballyhoura Cork Series.

1 Eric    Curran    Leevale  16.34
2 Alan    Whitaker    St. Finbars 16.35
3 Martin    McCarthy Leevale  16.44
1 Carol    Finn    Leevale    19.31
2 Grainne    O' Callaghan    An - Riocht    19.40
3 Niamh     Moore    UCC    21.11

The full results can be seen HERE

Preview of the Doneraile Park 5 km race...Fri 31st May 2013

This 5k race in Doneraile in North Cork is the first race of 7 in the Ballyhoura Cork Road Race Series. While it's described as a trail race, it is in reality mostly on narrow roads and paths within Doneraile Park. It would be wrong to think that it's some sort of cross country race and that you need to run through mud or long grass.

Doneraile is located just to the north-east of Mallow so access is very easy from the N20 Cork to Limerick road.

If you are coming from say South Tipperary, then it's just off the N73 Mitchelstown to Mallow road.

Sign-on for the race is at the Doneraile Community Centre. This is right alongside the RC church in the south of the town.
 

Intructions from the organisers..Mallow AC... 
Registration will be in Doneraile community centre from 6.30pm.  Close at 7.50. Race starts at 8pm sharp. Entry fee 5 euro. 

Park gates close at 8pm. Do not park inside the park as your car will be locked in overnight.

No earphones allowed.

Doneraile Park is a beautiful venue for your supporting friends and family to enjoy on the evening. There is a great childrens playground in the park which is open until 7:30pm.

The race starts at 8pm just inside the park.

The 5km course is on small roads and trails with the grounds of the park. You should treat this the same as you would an ordinary road race...i.e. wear your normal running shoes. The only thing you may need to watch out for is exposed roots but again, theses are a minor affair. There are a few pulls out along the course but they're small. Expect to set a reasonably fast time.

Full preview.....A full preview of the course with photos can be seen HERE

As for Doneraile Park itself, it really is a lovely spot. It's basically an old country estate and is now a grassland park with some small forested areas. If you have never been here before then you soon see that Doneraile Park is really an outstanding spot, especially if the sun is shining.

Overall...Doneraile is a stunning spot for a race. If you are taking part in the Cork City Marathon or Half-Marathon next Monday then it would be best to use it as an easy slow run. Great race to kick off the series.

Results of the Doneraile 5k Trail Race...Fri 3rd May 2013

A total of 210 runners turned out for this 5k trail race in Doneraile Park.

Awbeg Valley 03 May 2013 Doneraile Park 5k
PositionNumberTime Name Club M/F CategoryPace
1  17:25 BLACKBURN, Tom MOORE ABBEY MILERS M M40 5:37
2  17:29 CLIFFORD, Patrick KILLORGLIN M MS 5:38
3  17:36 O'CONNOR, Kealan GRANGE M M40 5:41
8  18:14 O'CONNOR, Sinead LEEVALE F FS 5:53
15 19:05 FINN, Carol LEEVALE F FS 6:09
25 19:54 O'CALLAGHAN, Grainne AN RIOCHT F FS 06:25

The full results can be seen HERE

Results of the Munster Senior and Novice Road Race Championships - Sun 10th Mar 2013

The Munster Senior and Novice Road Race Championships were held in Newtownshandrum in North Cork on Sunday, the 10th of March.

In the Senior mens race, East Cork AC made it a 1-2 with the club also taking the first team prize. The Cork team also took gold.

Senior Men...1 James McCarthy East Cork Cork / 2 Tim O’Donoghue East Cork Cork / 3 Michael Maher Ennis Track Clare
Team Points...1 East Cork 1, 2, 6, 12 21 / 2 Ennis Track 3, 8, 13, 20 44 / 3 Limerick AC 15, 23, 27, 29 94
County Team Points...1 Cork (1, 2, 6, 7, 12, 18) 46 / 2 Clare (3, 5, 8, 9, 13, 17) 55 / 3 Limerick (10, 11, 15, 19, 23, 32) 110

In the Novice race, West Limerick AC were the first team while Cork won the Novice title.

Novice Men...1 Tim O’Donoghue East Cork Cork / 2 Niall O’Callaghan West Limerick Limerick / 3 Julio Cesear F Castro Kilmurry Ibrickane/N. Clare Clare
Club Team Points...1 West Limerick (2, 7, 22, 29) 60 / 2 St. Finbarr's (9, 16, 27, 28) 80 / 3 Ennis Track (11, 18, 20, 32) 81
County Team Points...1 Cork (1, 4, 5, 9, 10, 14) 43, 2 Limerick (2, 7, 8, 13, 17, 21) 68, 3 Clare (3, 6, 11, 15, 18, 19) 72

In the womens Senior race, Lizzie Lee took the title comfortably leading the Cork Senior team to a silver medal. In the novice section, Anna Doris of Midleton AC took the title helping the club take first team prize as well as the Cork county team to take gold as well.

Senior Women...1 Lizzie Lee Leevale Cork, 2 Angela McCann Clonmel Tipperary, 3 Maria McCarthy Farranfore Main Valley Kerry
Club Team Points...1 Farranfore Main Valley (3, 8, 12, 29) 52, 2 Midleton (6, 14, 17, 19) 56, 3 Ennis Track (5, 15, 18, 20) 58
County Team Points...1 Kerry (3, 4, 8, 9) 24, 2 Cork (1, 6, 7, 14) 28, 3 Clare (5, 15, 18, 20) 58

Novice Women...1 Anna Doris Midleton Cork, 2 Denise Twohig St. Finbarr's Cork, 3 Caitriona Barry Farranfore Main Valley Kerry
Club Team Points...1 Midleton (1, 7, 15, 19) 42, 2 Ennis Track (8, 16, 21, 22) 67, 3 West Limerick (9, 14, 23, 24) 70
County Team Points...1 Cork (1, 2, 7, 10) 202,  Kerry (3, 4, 6, 11) 24, 3 Clare (8, 16, 21, 22) 67

The full results can be seen HERE 

Photos...
1) Gearoid O Laoi has a gallery of photos HERE

Preview of the Liscarroll 10k road race - Fri 31st Aug 2012

The 10th race in the Ballyhoura Active Series is coming up in the town of Liscarroll on Friday, the 31st  of August at 7pm. Located in the north of County Cork, it is only 10 kms west of the N20 Cork-Limerick road.

Race details...... Liscarroll AC 'Tom Fitzpatrick Memorial' 10 km Road Race
Date : On Friday September 2nd. Commencing @ 7.00 pm Sharp.
No Walking Section for Safety Reasons due to short evenings
Entries/Changing/Showers @ Community Centre beside G.A.A. Pitch
Entry Fee €10.00
Entries Taken at Community Centre from 5.30 p.m. up to 6.45 p.m. 
Course:- Flat & Fast 10Km............Out & Back Loop.
Only 17m change in elevation over whole course.

If you are coming from the direction of Cork City or Mallow, the easiest spot to turn off is at Buttevant. If you are coming from Limerick, then turn off for Churchtown.

The map below is of the town showing the Community Hall (inset) and the start / finish points. If you are coming from the direction of Buttevant on the R522 road, then you will drive down a long straight section of road as you enter the town. At the end where there is a bend in the road, take the right here and the Community Centre and GAA Hall is just up this road. Please note that the start point is approx 800 metres from the hall so give yourself plenty of time.

The course.......Basically, it is in the shape of a spoon. The race starts and finishes on a long straight flat section of road....

After several hundred metres, the road begins to twist and turn as you go uphill on what is a very slight hill. Just around where the road straightens out again, you pass the 1 mile mark. At the next Y junction at ~1.2 miles, you stay on the main road left....

This next section of road consists of long straight sections again and a slight uphill section. At approx 2.6 miles, you turn right at the next road junction...

Again, the next section is dead straight and flat. As you stay on the right hand side of the road here, you go through the 3 mile mark and turn off right at ~3.3 miles on to a quiet country road....

Now the road is narrower as it begins to climb slightly again until you hit the 4 mile mark...

After this, thie road is mostly straight and soon there is a gentle downhill as you rejoin the road that you were on earlier and head back towards the finish line just before the town.

Overall......Probably as fast a 10k course as you'll get. The hills are very modest and with the long straight sections, you are taking the shortest possible route most of the time. The start time of 7pm may be a little tight for people who have to travel to the race but it should still attract a reasonable crowd.

Preview of the Newmarket 5k road race...Sun 18th Dec 2011

Normally at this time of year, the Newmarket to Kanturk 5 mile race would take place. This year, the organisers Duhallow AC have changed to a new 5 km race which stays in the town of Newmarket. Located in north-west Cork, this race should be of interest to not only runners from Cork but also to those in Kerry and Limerick. If you are coming from the direction of Cork city/Mallow then look for the turn off to Kanturk. When you enter Kanturk, make sure you stay right at the first small roundabout in the town. Newmarket is just 5 miles further on. Please note that the race starts at 1pm.

Entries for the race will be taken at the Hi Land complex which is just on the Kanturk side of the town. The entry fee is €10 and all proceeds from the race are going towards an equipment fund for Mallow hospital. The race flyer can be seen in an earlier post. Please note that the Hi-Land complex will only be open for registration and for anyone wanting to get changed. It will close after registration but the car park can be used if you want to leave your car there. Post race, the prize giving and refreshments will be in Hourigans Lounge on High Street. See map below...

Course......As you can see, it's an out and back course and stays largely within the confines of the town. The course is reasonable flat so times should be fast. The organisers hope to have some traffic management in place for the race so the roads will be clear.

Start...The race starts a few hundred metres away from the Hi-Land complex on the Kanturk road...

As you can see, it is a wide open and flat road. Ideal for a fast start. Then back past the Hi-Land and downhill into a bit of a dip. On the other side, there is a slight pull before you turn right...

Please note that this is the entrance to the local Co-op. The finish line is located here. So, on you go very slightly uphill through the town...

Through the next crossroads...

...and from here it is slightly downhill until you take the right at the next Y-junction....

You then pass the local school and the 1 mile mark. From there, the road bends slightly and opens up into a long straight section....all pretty flat and fast....

The next junction is the turnoff for Ballydesmond and Kerry. You stay right at this junction...

Up a slight hill to the turnaround point....

...and from here you run back towards the town and the finish line by the Co-op.


Overall...It should be a pretty fast course. Any pulls that are there are very modest and anything lost on the way out should be recouped on the faster 2nd half. The course has been accurately measured by Jones Counter so it's spot on. Considering that it is within easy reach of runners in the 3 counties, it should get a good turnout.

Race notice...Newmarket 5k - Sun 18th Dec 2011

Coming up at 1pm on Sunday, the 18th of December, there is a new 5 km road race in the town of Newmarket in north-west Cork. There is a change this year from the usual Newmarket to Kanturk 5 mile route.

The 5k course which will be accuratedly measured is reasonably flat and should result in fast finish times. Located in the north-west of the county, it's within easy reach of runners in Cork city, Mallow, Limerick and Kerry. All proceeds from the race are going to an equipment fund for Mallow hospital. Full preview as we get closer to the race date.

Race notice...Doneraile 5 mile race - Sun 23rd Oct 2011

This new 5 mile race is coming up in Doneraile Park on Sunday the 23rd of October at 2pm. Organised in conjunction with Awbeg Athletic Club, it has an Athletics Ireland licence.

Please note registrations close at 1:30pm.  It is about a 600m walk to the start and so early and timely registration is critical.

Doneraile is centrally located in north Cork and is within easy reach of runners in Limerick, South Tipperary as well as Cork City.

The race has a number of unique features that set it apart from other races.

1) The setting...Doneraile Park which is an old country estate. At this time of year with the autumnal colours, it's a stunning spot to hold a race. Most of the course is within the confines of the park and is closed to traffic. It really is the jewel of North Cork and it's amazing how people don't even know about it.

2) The Steeplechase......Many people will not know that the original steeplechase actually took place in Doneraile. While the word 'steeplechase' today is associated with an olympic track event or a horse race, the very first steeplechase took place here in the 18th century......(Wikipedia...The first steeplechase is said to have been the result of a wager in 1752 between Cornelius O'Callaghan and Edmund Blake, racing four miles (6 km) cross-country from Buttevant Church to St. Leger Church in Doneraile, in Cork, Ireland.). Drawing on that tradition, the race will start at the Roman Catholic church in the town and finish outside the Church of Ireland church....i.e. steeple to steeple. There will also be token steeplechase jumps at each mile marker but these are completely optional. There is no advantage to be gained by jumping them but might be used by some of the slower runners doing it for fun ;o)

3) Relay event.....might be one for beginners? Teams of 3 people can take part also. The first person runs 2 miles with the 2 others doing 1.5 miles eace. Please note that last registration is at 1:30pm. Allow time for members of the team to get to the start and changeover points.

4) Discount for Fit4Life runners.....This event is supported by the Cork Local Sports Partnership and Fit4Life members will recieve 50% discount if they enter through Claire Hurley at  churley@corksports.ie

5) Golf.........For anyone wanting to make a day of it, the local Golf Course are offering discounted green fees for the 9 hole golf course...(€10 but must be booked in advance)

6) Juvenile races...While the main race is on, there will other shorter 800m and 1 mile races for juvenile runners...U12, U14 and U16. Entry is free but must be pre-entered.

In short, there is plenty there to make it a day out for the whole family instead of just turning up at a race and rushing away again. The entry fee is €12 and you can enter online at the organisers website......http://www.sportingdoneraile.com/

That site also has plenty of other info. A full preview will be posted here just before the race.

Here is a short video clip to give you a little taste of what the park is like...