Glorious summer like weather once again brought out the best in athletes for the second stage of the Munster cross country championships held at St. Augustine's College Dungarvan on Sunday. Such are the weather conditions as the year draws to a close that there are still blackberries to be picked on bushes in the sunny south east. The Friary in Dungarvan remains a favourite for cross country championships, not least because of its proximity to Cork, but also the good approach roads. The men's intermediate championship over 8k saw James McCarthy from East Cork race into the lead from the gun, with Simon Doherty from Togher right up there on his shoulder. At this early stage of the race Cork athletes dominated the top ten. By the end of the first of four laps Doherty had taken over the lead with McCarthy content to take a break by settling in behind him. The two Cork runners battled it out for most of the race before McCarthy finally got away, and he then spent the final lap out on his own as he raced to an impressive victory, the most important of his career to date. Doherty found the going tough on the last lap and had to give way to Brian Murphy from Marian in Clare, who finished fastest of all to take second ahead of Doherty. Another fast finisher was Elton Heffernan from Togher who raced up to the shoulder of Doherty in the last 400m but was unable to overtake his clubmate. The battle for club honours couldn't have been closer as Togher and An Riocht each totalled 28 points, with the Kerry team taking the honours because their fourth man was ahead of Togher's. The Cork team won the inter county title with a bit in hand. Maura Heffernan from Liscarroll was first to lead in the women's intermediate race, but that lead was short lived and she eventually finished fourth, one place ahead of Sharon McGarry from St. Finbarr's. Cork were third team in the inter county challenge. The underage championships continued the dominance of Waterford, and Ferrybank athletes in particular. At the even age championships in Tralee two weeks ago Ferrybank won all four of the older age team titles. This time they added another four of the older age titles, while Waterford won two of the inter county titles with Tipperary taking the other two. Ferrybank also took all four individual titles. Cork won just three of the twelve inter county titles on offer, but inter club titles were a bit harder to achieve with Cork clubs unable to win even one title. However, all these things are cyclical and there have been times in the past when Cork athletics had to take second stage. Right now Cork's dominance is in track and field with a host of talented underage athletes ready to dominate. Cork county board continues its middle distance training camps on weekends when there is no competition. The camps are attracting a lot of interest with top class coaching available. The next session takes place on Saturday 18th November at Redbarn in Youghal and all over 15 are welcome. Biggest surprise in Dungarvan came in the boys under 19 race when local runner Diarmuid O'Foghlu caused a big upset by beating pre race favourite Niall Tuohy with Ferrybank filling five of the first six places. Michelle Finn from Duhallow ran a good race to finish fourth in the girls under 19 race, with clubmate Michelle Twohig ninth. Ryan Creech from Leevale was eight in the under 17 race, an excellent run considering he is not 15 until next month. Michelle Hartnett from Grange Fermoy was seventh in the girls under 17 race. Cork athletes dominated the girls under 15 event, with Cliodhna Galwey from Liscarroll continuing her unbeaten run with a strong front running effort. Jessica Neville from Blarney Inniscarra was third, with Orla Finn from Riverstick Kinsale fourth and Christine Neville from Blarney Inniscarra sixth. Cork won the inter county title and Riverstick Kinsale were second inter club with Blarney Inniscarra third. Der O' Donovan