This week’s O-News February 17-23

Well, the Dublin by Night night-O series is finished: our event on Saturday night on Three Rock was poorly attended, maybe because a lot of orienteers were in Munster for the UCC sprint and the Munster League in Killarney. The Killarney night-O on Saturday night was cancelled. If you’re keen for night-O, the Northern Ireland Night Championships are on Saturday 22nd February at Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, following the NI Score Champs at the same location earlier in the day.

Thanks to planner Ger Butler, organiser Lindie and helper Emma. There were some questions asked about the location of control 3 on both courses. John McC took in the control next day and reckoned that it was on the right feature, a small reentrant with a drain running up to it, but that the general area where it was could be mapped better. We’re extending the map soon, so this might be part of the work …

Closer to home we are organising a technical training session for 3ROC members, particularly newer members who want to improve, and prospective members. This is on Saturday 22nd February at Ticknock, using the Three Rock map. Start at 11.00, finished by lunchtime. We’ll have experts on hand to explain it all to you: map reading, route choice, navigation.

If you’re interested in coming, please e-mail 3rockoc@gmail.com so we know how many to expect and we’ll have maps etc prepared.

On Sunday, the second Leinster Spring Cup event takes place at Rossmore, just outside Monaghan. Details on the Fingal Orienteers web site and the IOA Forum. (We know that, technically, Monaghan is in Ulster, but orienteers aren’t always great at reading maps …)

Well done last weekend to Colm Moran, winning the last Dublin by Night event, and to Eoin McCullough, winning the UCC Sprint race.

Fitness training continues at Belfield on Monday and Thursday evenings.

See you on Saturday!