Club Stories: Carraig na bhFear AC
Carraig na bhFear AC
On the 5th of September 1980 a group of athletics enthusiasts met at the Carraig na bhFear community centre and established Carraig na bhFear Athletic Club, re-instating an athletics club in the area for the first time in a number of years. Located 6 miles north of Cork city, the village of Carraig na bhFear always had a strong tradition of athletics and the formation of this new club was viewed as continuing this tradition. Even in those early days the club had a thriving juvenile section, attracting members from Carraig na bhFear itself and the surrounding areas. Members were encouraged to participate in competitions across track and field, road racing and cross country. One could argue that the club was built on a passion for cross country and since its formation it has hosted numerous cross-country championships at all levels. One of the group that met as part of the club’s inaugural committee was Noreen Murphy. Noreen is the club’s current President and has been central to everything the club has achieved for the past 43 years.
The club’s training takes place in Colaiste na Chroi Naofa, the secondary school in Carraig na bhFear village. Adults and juveniles train side by side and this approach encourages the whole family to get involved. The opportunity to train and compete on the same days at the same times is something that’s important for the many families that are members of our club. Even if training sessions differ or race lengths vary, everyone has the same overall experience. They travel together, battle the weather together, they take on the same route, and at the end of the day share the same memories and stories. This opportunity for a shared experience is something we cherish. It helps to build a community spirit and has been pivotal in retaining athletes of all ages.
Alongside an emphasis on competing in individual and team competitions, we also arrange club trips, and fun days out. These trips provide opportunities where memories are made, and friendships built. In the past 18 months, the club has had over 60 members travel to Nerja in Spain for a warm weather training camp, visited the Brussels Diamond League to watch Ciara Mageean claim a 1500m victory and travelled on mass to compete at the KIlmacow Sports Day.
Of all the years of success that the Club has enjoyed, perhaps 2023 has been our most successful year! In January the club broke new ground when our women’s team qualified for the AAI National Senior Indoor League Final. Our top female athletes put on an incredible show and finished in 7th place. As the summer of track unfolded, we had two more firsts for the club. In July, our team of Orla Coffey, Lucy Lynch, Ruaidhri Boyle and Bobby O’Riordan won Silver at the first ever National Senior 4 x 400m mixed relay. As we were coming down from the high of this achievement, Ciaran Nugent went and claimed a brilliant bronze in the 400m hurdles at the National Senior Track and Field Championships. The first individual senior outdoor track medal won by a Carraig AC member. The fourth club member to win an individual National Senior T&F medal after Katie Walsh (Indoor Pentathlon), Emma Coffey (Indoor and Outdoor Pole Vault) and Orla Coffey (Indoor and Outdoor Pole Vault). However, the most significant success was yet to come. In mid-August at the National Outdoor League Final in Tullamore, the East Cork Athletics Division women’s team won Gold. The 18 strong team was made up of 11 of our members. 11 National Senior Gold medals on a glorious August afternoon.
All this success is happening as the club boasts record registration figures. 306 members as recorded in September 2023. The growth in membership can be attributed to a number of factors, one of which is the Athletics Ireland Summer Camps that we have hosted for the past two years. These camps have introduced the fundamentals of athletics to children in a fun and non-competitive environment. The week’s activities are led by our coaches together with our older teenage athletes. The feedback has been hugely positive, and we’ve seen a direct link to new registrations.
As the number of members grow so too have our facilities. In the past year, our committee have undertaken project after project and we now boast a long jump pit, shot put circle, new lighting, and a trail loop to go alongside our pristine grass tracks. Big plans are in place for the coming months that will see our base at Colaiste na Chroi Naofa develop further with the goal of fitting out an on-site gym, and the expansion to our changing and storage spaces. An investment in our facilities is an investment in our members, it is essential for the growth of our club and the development of our athletes. From Cross Country to High Jump, providing opportunities across a wide range of events can enable interests and talents to emerge.
As the years have passed and the landscape has changed, the club’s ethos has remained the same. The values and vision of our first committee back in 1980 that sought to build a club that nurtured athletic talent and the enjoyment of our sport, that looked at the long-term development of athletes, fostered a family and community spirit, and which respected athletes of all levels and abilities is unchanged. We look forward with excitement to the years ahead and to the continued growth and success of Carraig na bhFear AC.
Thank you to Tadhg Crowley for contriburing this piece to AI Club Stories