Cork Athletics Board Awards Night was a huge success

The rising standards of athletics in Cork city and county was evident at the recent Cork Athletics Board Awards Night which took place at the Talbot Hotel in Ballincollig.

These yearly awards go to those from the county who represented Ireland at all levels of competition during 2025, along with a large number of young aspiring athletes. The total recognised was just over 60, a big increase on the previous year’s figure.

The newly-elected Chairman of Cork Athletics, Michael Flynn from the North Cork club, welcomed the large attendance, saying: “Tonight is all about celebrating excellence, dedication, and community.

“We recognise the achievements of our athletes that represented themselves, their clubs and their families at international level while also encouraging our next generation of promising young athletes.” 

Enda Kiernan, PRO of Cork Athletics, welcomed the special guests, Deputy Cork Lord Mayor, Cllr Margaret McDonnell, and Mossie Woulfe, President of Munster Athletics, who presented the awards.

Amongst the many honoured for their international appearances were Phil Healy, Maeve O’Neill, Sophie O’Sullivan and Fiona Everard while some of the master athletes who received awards included Barry Twohig, Eamonn McEvoy, Breda Gaffney and Michelle Kenny.

A special presentation was made to the outgoing Cork Athletics webmaster John Quigley for his 12 years in that role and in recognition of a total of 43 years service in all to Cork County Athletics.

Also honoured was Collette O’Riordan from the West Muskerry club, one of the coaches of a Cork team who performed with distinction at the 57th World Childrens’ Games in Estonia last August.

A well-produced 20-page booklet gave a brief description of each athlete’s achievement and the statement on the back cover sums up what it is all about.

“Sport teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feel like to win and lose – it teaches you about life.”