THE recent torrential rain which turned the course into a mud bath provided a stern test of endurance for athletes competing in this year’s South Munster Schools’ Cross-Country decider.
BY JOHN WALSHE
Held at Tramore Valley Park off of the South Link in Cork city, the senior girls’ race over 3000m developed into another head-to-head between Saoirse Twomey of St Mary’s, Macroom, and Caoimhe Flannery from Skibbereen Community School.
And, as last year at Tramore Valley Park, the result turned out the same with Twomey coming home a clear winner from the Skibbereen athlete with Ella Dinan (St Angela’s, Cork) taking the bronze medal.
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‘It was very mucky, definitely worse than the Munsters last year – you were nearly walking in some places,’ said winner Twomey.
‘Caoimhe and myself went out in front from the start and I said I would run with her and see how it went, so I’m very happy’.
Flannery, who would go on to dominate the steeplechase on the track last summer all the way to the Irish schools where she won gold, was also pleased with her performance.
‘It was good to get through it, you actually couldn’t run in it, you were sinking down in places and hardly moving,’ the Castlehaven teen added.
Both athletes will renew rivalry in a week’s time when the Munster championships take place in hopefully better conditions at the same venue.
Twomey also led her St Mary’s school to team victory, her first place backed up by Rebecca O’Neill in eighth and Emily Cronin in 12th.
The second race of the afternoon, the minor girls’ 1500m, saw Laoise O’Connor of St Brogan’s, Bandon, take overall honours.
In the junior boys’ 3000m another Bandon athlete, Eoghan Foley of Bandon Grammar School, finished third.
The first four teams in each grade along with any athlete who finished in the first 15 qualified for the Munsters which will be held on Thursday, February 12th.
In senior athletics, next Sunday sees the annual Skibbereen AC five and 10-mile races taking place. The longer race commences at 1pm with the five-mile 15 minutes later. There is also a walk, starting at 1.30pm. Entries will be taken from 10.30am at O’Donovan Rossa GAA Grounds and full details can be seen on the Skibbereen AC website or Facebook page.
