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Post date: Sep 21, 2016 6:38:53 PM
The 11th Annual Cliona Callanan Memorial Orienteering Event took place in Doneraile Park on Sunday September 18th. Thankfully, the dull grey skies and wet conditions on Sunday morning weren't enough to deter many eager orienteers from making the journey to Doneraile Park in North Cork to test their navigational skills and simultaneously support a charity that does fantastic work. They say there is no such thing as bad weather just bad gear and it seemed all of Sunday's entrants came well prepared for the conditions.The tent and bunting was up in the park and all participants received a warm welcome from our north cork crew and all their family and friends who assisted at the event. There was a jovial atmosphere in the start tent with the organisers sporting colourful hats. No doubt several court jesters visited the historic house at Doneraile in bygone days and the jester hat with jingling bells which appeared on the head of various starters on the day certainly brought a smile to most competitors faces on such a damp morning. The wet conditions didn't completely spoil the charming views on offer in the park although the rain did impair visibility for those competitors wearing glasses! Sadly it wasn't a day for a picnic or the playground but I'm sure some competitors took time to enjoy a hot beverage in the tea rooms following their run.
The Callanan family would like to thank everyone who competed, supported and helped with Cliona's event on Sunday in Doneraile Park. Despite the wet morning over 100 people turned out and hopefully enjoyed the courses on offer. A fantastic sum of €1,123 will be donated to the Cork Children's Leukaemia Association (CLA), thanks to your continued generosity.
All donations received by CLA are used to benefit children who suffer from leukaemia, cancer and other serious blood disorders in the Munster region. The Charity provides financial support to families, counselling and support groups for patients, parents and siblings during this difficult time in their lives. They fund educational support to children who are out of school for long periods during their illness, they also provide free home-from-home accommodation for families who have to travel long distances to hospital. Donations also go to towards the purchase of essential medical equipment and further training for staff who work at the Children's Leukaemia Unit.
You can visit their website www.cla.ie to find out more on the great work being carried out by this association.
There were four courses on offer on the day which catered for all levels from beginners to experienced orienteers looking for a long and technical run on a Sunday morning. This event was also the fourth event in the on-going CorkO Autumn League and as a result there was some fierce competition on all of the courses on the day.
The 6.1km Long Technical course had 26 controls which forced competitors to keep their concentration throughout. There were plenty of short legs with lots of directional changes which required careful navigation as competitors got to explore all areas of the park. Home advantage proved beneficial on the day as two of our North Cork members battled it out for the top honours on this course. The Power brothers ran hard and fast for the title of event winner and at the finish control it was Hugh Power who took the title completing the course in a time of 38:57. A little over a minute behind him was his brother John who completed the course in a time of 40:01. Third place on the day went to Dan McDonnell who punched all 26 controls in a time of 43:11.
CorkO chairman Rob McEvoy stormed to victory on the 3.8km Short Technical course when he finished in a time of 31:52. There was a much closer contest for the runner up title and a mere 16 seconds differentiated the next two competitors at the finish line. Matthew Kearney narrowly edged out Sophie Rochford as he finished second in a time of 43:21. The final podium spot on this course when to Sophie when she punched all 16 controls in a time of 43:37.
Over the 2.8km distance on the "Off the Paths" course just one second separated the top two finishers at the last control. Another set of Power siblings (different family this time) raced hard for the event win on this course and it was Aishling Power who claimed the title when she punched all 14 controls in a time of 29:35. Just one second behind her was her sister Caoimhe who finished runner up in a time of 29:36. Third place went to Meabhe O'Connor who covered the distance in a time of 32:52.
Of the 12 competitors that took on the challenge of the "On the Paths" it was Fiachra Carey Dennehy who finished first in a time of 20:05. The runner up was Jerry Moynihan who covered the 2km course in a time of 25:48 and Nora Foley was third having punched all 8 controls in a time of 36:52.
Well done to all who braved the elements and participated on the day. Full individual results with splits are available here.
Once again thanks to everyone for their tremendous generosity and support on the day.
The Duffy and O'Regan Families.
Solveig, Rosemary Callanan, Rose O'Leary and Nora Foley
The Holland Family
The Geaney Family
Fiachra Carey Dennehy and Caroline Dennehy
Jim O'Donovan and Meabhe O'Connor
Katie Walsh and Essie Linehan
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