All About Cork: Togher powerlifter Angela brings home World Cup silverware

Togher woman Angela Long secured silverware in the Para Powerlifting World Cup in June, describing her emotions on the success as a “surreal feeling”.

Angela made her international debut in August 2023 at the World Championships in Dubai, where she took home a bronze medal in the Legends category.

Less than a year later, the Togher native travelled to Tbilisi in Georgia to take part in the Para Powerlifting World Cup.

In Georgia, Angela performed extremely well in the Legends Up To 73kg category, eventually sealing a silver medal for total lifted and a bronze medal overall, in what was an outstanding performance in her first international competition in almost a year.

With her first lift of 72kg cleared, Angela went on to beat her lifetime best in quick succession, lifting 74kg and then 76kg on her two follow-up lifts.

Angela took up powerlifting competitively only in November 2022, winning gold at the Irish Nationals in Clontarf, Dublin.

Speaking to The Echo on her success in the sport, she said: 

“It will always be an honour to represent my country on an international stage.

“I will always be very grateful for the opportunity.

“When we go out on the stage the main aim is to pull off a couple of good lifts and maybe bag a personal best. So to bring two medals home was the icing on the cake. It’s a pretty surreal feeling,” she added.

“The three flags of Kazakhstan, Ireland, and Moldova were raised and it’s still hard to believe the tricolour was there for me.”

Angela is now in training for the Irish Nationals which will be held in Clontarf in November.

Training will then commence for the World Championships in Cairo, Egypt, next year.

New further education courses

Ballyphehane Further Education is running new classes for adults in September.

Courses include beginners/intermediate/advanced/ECDL computers, introduction to tablets/smartphones, English language classes, literacy key skills, horticulture, family cooking, reading/writing, personal effectiveness, driver theory, active citizenship, and initial tutor training for those looking to volunteer as tutors for Cork Education and Training Board.

“We also provide free confidential one-to-one tuition and support for anyone who is interested,” said a spokesperson. 

“If you would like to join a class you can come along to our open day on September 3, 11am to 1pm, at the Ballyphehane/Togher CDP. 

Tea, coffee, and sandwiches provided, all welcome. 

You may also call Bernadette, the centre manager, at 087 6849150 to make an appointment.”

Courses will be available for registration on https://www.fetchcourses.ie/.

History of cycling in city

Tory Top Library in Ballyphehane will host a Heritage Week talk next month.

The talk, ‘Cycling Cities: The Cork Experience’, will take place on Friday, August 23, at 3pm.

Kevin Long, of the Cork Cycling Campaign, will present a talk in the library on an exciting research project with the University of Eindhoven which explores our history of cycling in Cork in everyday life.

An accompanying exhibition will run throughout August.

Hedge for community garden

Preparation is well underway at Togher Community Garden to surround the garden with a hedge, providing birds and insects with another safe haven in the local area.

Volunteers were out and about in the community garden in recent days, preparing the hedgerow.

“This evening, we finished our hedgerow,” said organisers in a statement on Monday.

“We will start to pull it together to form a nice dense hedge surrounding our garden.

Eventually it will be a place of safety for all the beautiful birds and insects in our wonderful park.

“Huge thanks to all our volunteers and a warm welcome to our new members.”

Bingo returns to sports hall

The Ballyphehane Community Centre sports hall is reopening this evening following extensive works on the roof.

Donations have been pouring in for the roof repair works but more is still needed to meet the target of over €200,000.

For the last few weeks, the regular bingo nights were moved to Nano Nagle Place.

However, in a statement, Ballyphehane Community Centre management revealed it is reopening the sports hall today to ensure the bingo night can take place at the centre this evening.

“We are delighted to announce work is progressing on the sports hall renovation project,” said management.

“Bingo is back at our community centre this Wednesday.

“To celebrate, we’re throwing a special jackpot party with €1,000 up for grabs on both Wednesday night the 31st and Friday night the 2nd.

“We are doubling the full house in our jackpot game as a thank you for all your support.

“Don’t miss out on the excitement and your chance to win big — come join the fun and let’s make it a night to remember.”

Addiction support group

The Crossroad Christian Men’s Addiction Support Group will meet every Tuesday night at Ballyphehane Community Centre for the next four weeks from 7pm to 8.30pm.

The initiative got underway on July 23.

The group aims to provide a supportive and faith-based environment for individuals seeking help and guidance in overcoming addiction.

The group is dedicated to helping individuals to overcome their struggles with addiction through the power of faith and community. 

It provides a safe and confidential space where members can share their experiences, receive encouragement, and find strength in God’s word.

Each meeting will begin with a time of fellowship and prayer, followed by discussions and activities designed to support recovery.

The group is open to anyone affected by addiction, including those directly struggling with addiction.

For more information, contact Tadhg O’Connell at 087 0914995.

Have Ballyphehane news to share? Emaile darragh.bermingham@theecho.ie