Now in its 65th year, the Cork City Sports remains one of the highlights of the athletics calendar nationally, and a marquee event for Leeside sports enthusiasts.

Like the Evening Echo, it’s as Cork as they come, which is why the paper is a natural fit as media partners for the event.

That connection was confirmed at the official launch recently in CIT, where Cork City Sports chairman Tony O’Connell commended the Evening Echo for their support of the meet.

“Long before they became media partners the Evening Echo was backing the Cork City Sports to the hilt. The publicity in the build-up and coverage afterwards is vital to our on-going success.

“Hopefully the weather will be with us next month. The City Sports are a great occasion for families and fans of all sports, not just athletics,” said O’Connell at a rain-soaked CIT.

Tickets are now available for the 65th Cork City Sports, which takes place on Tuesday, June 28. Representatives from over 30 countries will travel to Cork for the high-profile meet, which features 400 athletes in total, while over 250 volunteers and officials ensure its smooth running.

The Cork City Sports committee is largely made up of former national and international athletes, which is one of the reasons it is so respected. In attendance at the launch were committee member Shay Curtin, president Frank Walley and secretary Terry O’Rourke, along with chairman Tony O’Connell.

Evening Echo editor Maurice Gubbins was on hand to pay tribute to all involved in the Cork City Sports.

“The Cork City Sports is one of the great events in the county every summer. Its longevity is a reflection of the Trojan work put in by the organising committee and the volunteers. They deserve every credit for their year-round dedication to the City Sports.

“Cork sports fans, and indeed national athletics supporters, always attend in great numbers, and I’ve no doubt that will be the case again this June.

“In the Evening Echo we’re delighted to be associated with the Cork City Sports, and I’m certain it will go from strength to strength from here on, given the passion and commitment shown by the committee and the wider athletics community here in Cork.”

From Cork legends like Sonia O’Sullivan, Derval O’Rourke, Olive Loughnane, Marcus O’Sullivan and Rob Heffernan, to international stars such as Daley Thompson, Yuri Sedykh and Cathy Freeman, the Sports has always drawn noted competitors, and with the Olympics in Rio on the horizon, this year will be no different.

It will be more poignant in the wake of the passing of Meet Director Dick Hodgins back in March after an illness.

Only last year, he had received the Lifetime Service to Athletics Award from Athletics Ireland. The Leevale club man was one of athletics’ most prominent figures in Cork, and was noted as a marathon runner and 10,000 metre specialist, before switching to administration.