Due to unforeseen health and safety issues, the Sonia O’Sullivan Mardyke Track at the University College Cork (UCC) – the only running track serving Cork county – has been shut down. The decision came after an urgent inspection by the Building and Estates team noted a considerable and alarming decline of the track’s surface in recent times.
This news, released in a public statement from UCC sent to Cork athletics clubs, leaves the county with no operational running track, as the only other venue located at Munster Technological University (MTU) in Bishopstown has been closed for the past year for resurfacing works. Consequently, there is considerable anxiety over the prospect of hosting several youth and other club championships in the forthcoming months outside the county.
The MTU track is partly rebuilt and is on schedule to be finished by summer, circumstances permitting, as it is also set to witness the 70th edition of the Cork City Sports on July 9th, which was cancelled the previous year.
In the interim, the Mardyke Track, renamed after Sonia O’Sullivan in 2013 following the most recent major redevelopment, is slated to remain closed while a solution for the repair is determined. The UCC statement also disclosed that the track has been under consistent review and intermittent repairs over the past year, but severe deterioration has been observed in the past month.
Further, due to over 15 substantial tears reaching the underlying surface and possibly up to 20 per cent of the track showing significant bubbling — leading to more tears — the track was advised to be closed. Although the recommendation was to eliminate all tears and bubbles, the scale of the required action would not support safe operations.
Since the existing condition of the track, which is too damp and slippery, cannot be fixed instantly, the total track will most likely need to be replaced during appropriate weather conditions. This would ensure the safety of students, staff, and other track users.
Regrettably accepting the decision in order to utilise the only existing track in Cork and the wider region, UCC has reported the situation to Athletics Ireland. With approximately 8,600 athletes across 58 clubs, Cork had plans to host the juvenile championships at the Mardyke across three Sundays in May, devoting other locations for field events. As an alternative venue for these championships, Castleisland in Kerry is under consideration.
Meanwhile, Bandon AC is in the process of establishing a fresh running track as a significant part of their club redevelopment. However, the completion of this project will likely take a year.
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