East Cork regain senior title as Leevale runners steal the show

The opening event at the new home of Cork cross-country at Riverstick was marked with an absorbing men’s senior race which saw East Cork regain the title from holders Leevale for their 10th win in 12 years.

However, the day belonged to the city club who won three individuals titles along with two team victories. It was a fitting tribute to the late Leevale chairman Liam Horgan who passed away during the week and in whose honour the club’s athletes wore black armbands.

On the first of five laps that made up the 10km distance, a group of 10 were all bunched together but as the race progressed this was whittled down to just Sean McGrath, James McCarthy and Tim O’Donoghue – all East Cork — and Leevale’s Canadian representative Ben Thistlewood.

With a lap to go McGrath forced the pace but at the bottom of the final hill Thistlewood made his move, opening a slight gap which he maintained all the way to the line to win by seven seconds.

The real battle was for second place with McCarthy getting the nod over O’Donoghue and McGrath, the latter collapsing over the line as just one second covered the three club colleagues.

With Diarmuid Collins having a great run in 10th place, East Cork were assured of the team title by five points.

For 22-year-old Thistlewood, a medical student at UCC, it was his second Cork title this season as he had already won the novice championship a few weeks ago.

“I’m delighted to win, my coach Donie Walsh told me to wait and use my speed. I love running with Leevale, the club is like a second family to me,” he said.

Lizzie Lee made it five wins in as many years, leading from the gun she finished around 100m clear of Michelle Kenny from Midleton who came through strongly to get the better of Carmel Crowley for the silver medal.

“I wasn’t going to run as I only got back from my honeymoon yesterday and haven’t done much since the Berlin Marathon,” said the winner. “But I felt I had to run for Liam Horgan as I wasn’t able to make it for his funeral and removal.”

Conor Walter was an impressive first in the junior race with Rachael O’Shea the only non-Leevale winner, the Beara athlete leading West Cork to team honours as well.