Talented teenagers fly Cork flag at 57th International Children's Games in Tallinn

A talented team of 10 Cork teenagers flew the flag for Leeside at the 57th International Children's Games in Tallinn, Estonia. 

Part of the Olympic Movement, the games featured Cork competitors in athletics, swimming and 3v3 basketball, with support from the local bodies, the Cork City Council & Cork Sports Partnership, following on Cork's involvement in the 2022 event in Coventry.

The athletes performed admirably throughout, qualifying for 12 A finals and 3 B finals, collecting three medals.

Nellie Bateman (Belgooly AC) won gold in the 800m, Rahman Amusa Adekunle (Leevale AC) took silver in the 100m and the 4x100m relay team of Fionn Naughton (Leevale AC), Sean Fenton (Belgooly AC), Ewan Wolfe (Togher AC) and Rahman Amusa Adekunle (Leevale AC) took an incredible bronze.

The Cork Basketball Board was represented by UCC Demons duo Ryan Crean and Eoin Garilao and Ballincollig's Cian Lacey and Konrad Stanczak, coached by Leeside legend Francis O'Sullivan, in the high-quality 3x3 tournament. 

On the swimming front, Virag Szatmari, Garvan Gillard, Rene Malley and Lev Lobanets were in the pool for Cork, under the guidance of coach Erin McNulty.

Craig Harrington, athletics development for Cork Sports Partnership & MTU, was honoured to be part of the delegation. 

"Myself and Collette O'Riordan, from West Muskerry AC, were on hand throughout the week to help the athletes in any way we could. They are a very mature bunch and had every detail of their day planned out well in advance. 

"As you can see from the results, they went above and beyond any of our expectations. 

We are incredibly honoured to work with such a group of athletes, their future in sport is bright."

Personal bests were smashed throughout the competition including Ewan Wolfe (Togher AC), fourth in the 1500m, Fionn Naughton (Leevale AC), fourth in the shot, Anna Vaughan Reddan (Leevale AC) fifth in the 400m, Shonagh O'Sullivan (Abbey Striders) and Nell O'Connell, seventh and eighth respectively in the high jump, Eoghan Looney (Blarney Inniscarra AC) eighth in the 1500m, and Siun McGrath (Midleton AC), eighth in the 800m.

The parents and families travelled to the games in their numbers and created an incredible atmosphere throughout.

Pat Walsh, vice-chairman of the Cork County Athletics Board, congratulated those involved.

"The invitation to participate came from Tallin to the Cork City Council. The squad consisted of athletes who live within the Cork City Council area, attend a school within the area or are members of an athletics club based within the boundary. Congratulations must go out to all the athletes and coaches on the tremendous performances in Tallinn. It was a brilliant experience for the athletes and no doubt this is only the start of many successful Athletics trips they will have." 

The Edge Sports Shop sponsored the competition wear and the Cork County Athletics Board helped with flights, accommodation and the selection.

CLASS

Cork City Council sports development officer Dan Fox played a key role and acted as the head of the Cork City Delegation.

"It was a massive success for the entire Cork delegation. The performances were nothing short of exceptional across the board with over a dozen finals and four medals. It was clear from the athletes how much it meant to represent their city internationally and they did so with class and confidence."

After the closing ceremony, Cork were kindly invited to the Irish Embassy in Tallinn and the competitors received their own commemorative Irish & Estonian badge to mark the occasion. The 58th edition of the games will take place next year in Hualien, Chinese Taipei.