With just two days to go until the 72nd Cork City Sports International Athletics Meeting at MTU Athletics Stadium, the traditional final launch of the event took place today at Collins Barracks, continuing one of the longest-standing and most valued traditions associated with Cork City Sports.
The launch brought together representatives of Cork City Sports, civic leaders, members of the Defence Forces and a number of athletes ahead of Wednesday evening’s international meeting, reinforcing the strong partnership that has existed between Cork City Sports and Collins Barracks for many decades.
Cork City Sports Chairman Ray Shanahan thanked the Defence Forces for their unwavering support of the event over the years.
“The final launch at Collins Barracks has become an important part of our build-up to Cork City Sports. We greatly appreciate the friendship and support of the Defence Forces, whose association with the meeting stretches back generations. Their hospitality and commitment to the event have helped preserve one of Cork’s great sporting traditions.”
Among those in attendance were The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Damien Boyle, Cllr Bernard Moynihan, Mayor of the County of Cork, Col Robert Hurley, Executive Officer 1 Brigade,l, officers and personnel from Collins Barracks, members of the Cork City Sports committee and a number of athletes competing at this year’s meeting.
The event also highlighted the strong links between athletics and the Defence Forces, with several current and former military athletes present alongside members of Cork’s athletics community.
Attention now turns to MTU Athletics Stadium on Wednesday evening, where an outstanding programme of international and Irish athletics awaits. World-class competitors from across the globe will line up alongside Ireland’s leading athletes in what promises to be another memorable edition of Cork City Sports.
The countdown is almost over. Just two days remain until one of Ireland’s premier sporting events returns to Cork.
