OCAD Computer Training Course

This Saturday (14th) there will be an OCAD training course (for drawing O-maps by computer) in Dunboyne.The course was originally to be run on September 26th but was postponed. There are a few places available so get in quick if you would like to attend. The venue is Dunboyne Castle, Co. Meath. It is an all day course on Saturday, Nov 14th for all levels of OCAD skills. The course is given by Pat Healy of CNOC.

To secure your place please send a cheque for €25 to the Irish Orienteering Association, Second Floor, 13 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4 to Aine Joyce IOA Admin Assistant

To enquire about the course and availability contact Aine at osec@orienteering.ie

One place still available (10/11/09)

Munster Orienteering Championships

CorkO held this year's Munster Orienteering Championships on Sunday, 1 November in Toureen Wood, around 3 km outside of Cahir.

The terrain commanded high levels of fitness as the wood proved more of a physical challenge at times, more so than a technical challenge. The would itself had a great network of paths, tracks and roads allowing for some exceptionally fast times to be produced on the day. The mature coniferous forest provided good visibility and very few brambles. The poor weather over the last number of days and weeks meant that small drains became last streams and any marsh area was highly visible. There were a number of parts of the forest that hindered speed, where long grass, stones and hidden dips meant that caution was required. The rain held off for most competitors runs making the courses very enjoyable.

Some excellent times were produced in the M21L and the W21L where Darren Burke of CorkO stormed around the 10.9km course in a mere 94.27 minutes, a full 9 minutes ahead of CNOC's Seamus O'Boyle. Daivd Healy of GEN also fought hard on the day, finishing just 2 seconds behind Seamus.

CNOC's Niamh O'Boyle took the lead in the Women's 21, 7.2km course in a time of 71.24, holding off stiff competition from FermO's Rosalind Hussey and Ciara Largey, who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.

BOC club members also were out in force and some fantastic results were seen at the end of the day, with two of our juniors claiming gold. Tim O'Sullivan was top of the results in the M12's, while Josh O'Sullivan-Hourihan took first in the M18. Younger brother Zac, finished 5th in the M12. Keeping it in the family, Paul took third spot in the M45L course, fighting off some tough competition. Other club members on the course were:

6th Pat O'Donovan

7th Dermot O'Sullivan

12th Steve Young

15th Jim Lawton

Another medal winner was Dorothy Grimes who claimed third prize in the W21S course.

Other notable results from the day were:

W21L 7th Sharon Lucey

M50L 9th Pat Murphy

M21L 15th Donal Murphy

A full set of results and split times can be found on Orienteering.ie

A selection of Finn van Gelderen's photos from the day can be found at http://www.finnvangelderen.com/moc2009preselects/and John Shiels photos are found http://www.actionphotography.ie/galleries/2009-11-01-MOC/

Well done to all competitors!

Upcoming Championships and Events of Interest

October:

The Fourth Annual Cliona Callanan Memorial Orienteering Event to be held in Doneraile Forest Park on Oct 25th.

November:

Cork-O are staging the 2009 Munster Championships on Sunday 1st November at Toureen Wood, Bansha, Co. Tipperary, on one of the last remaining mature forests on the Northern slopes of the Galtees. The area selected has mature coniferous forest with good visibility and is free of brambles except for parts where long grass and stones will impede running. The forest has a good road track network with steep sided ravines and dry gulleys which run down the slopes which are characteristic of Galtee maps.

The Connacht Championships are also due to be held on the 29th November by Western Eagles Galway Orienteers. Location and further details yet to be confirmed. Keep on eye on Orienteering.ie for more info.

The Northern Ireland MTBO Championships are due to be held at Castlewellan, Co. Down at some stage towards the end of the month. It is being run by LVO so keep an eye out for more details.

For those interested in travelling further afield, a group of 7 senior orienteers from a variety of clubs, including BOC's Sharon Lucey are heading to the Venice Street Orienteering event on the 13-15th November. Check out www.orivenezia.it. The event also incorporates a Park-O event on the Saturday. The event caters for all age groups and abilities.

The Cliona Callanan Memorial Orienteering Event

The Cliona Callanan Fourth Annual Memorial Orienteering Event will take place on Sunday, 25th October 2009 in Doneraile Forest Park (R603076) between 10a.m. and 1p.m.
All proceeds in aid of the Cork Children's Leukaemia Association.
There will be a choice of courses on the day: Long, Medium and Short, to suit all the family.
Cliona was an accomplished orienteer, representing Bishopstown Orienteering Club and the Irish Junior Orienteering Team.
Why not come along with a picnic for a nice family day out in aid of an extremely good cause. It will be greatly appreciated.

Irish Orienteering Championships on RTE...

There was a short 4 minute video clip on RTE tv recently about the 2009 Irish Orienteering Championships which were held in Donegal in May. This is now available on the RTE website until the 4th of July.

Just go to the following link....http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1050095

....and once it starts playing, just drag the bar on the yellow line forward to about the 21:21 mark.