Thousands of Cork athletes left without track after abrupt closure of UCC facility

The Sonia O’Sullivan Mardyke Track was closed on Monday due to health and safety concerns

The 2007 Cork City Sports. UCC Sports Complex, Mardyke Arena. Picture credit; Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE

Several thousand athletes in Cork have been left without a proper training or competition facility after UCC abruptly closed the Sonia O’Sullivan Mardyke track on Monday due to health and safety concerns.

“Following an urgent inspection this AM with our Building and Estates team and outside experts and professional advisers and track repair companies, I have had to take the decision to close the UCC Athletics track for health and safety and reasons, with immediate effect,” read a statement from UCC which was distributed to clubs.