New High Performance Manager
Orienteering Ireland are happy to announce Niamh O’Boyle as the new High Performance Manager for the Senior squad.
Niamh has an incredible amount of knowledge on the topic with a very impressive list of results to back it up. We wish her all the best in this role!
Niamh will be assisted in this role by Toni O’Donovan & Marcus Pinker.
#dreamteam #highperformace #Orienteering
Irish Senior Orienteering Squad Gathers for Night and Sprint Training in Dublin
Last Saturday evening, the Irish Senior Orienteering Squad convened for an engaging training session aimed at honing their skills in night navigation and sprint orienteering. The action-packed weekend was meticulously planned and organized by senior squad member Josh, with maps generously provided by 3Rock Orienteering Club and JoshOsh Mapping.
Night Orienteering: Compass Bearing Mastery
The weekend kicked off with a night orienteering session focused on compass bearing training. Navigating through the darkness sharpened participants’ ability to rely on precise bearings and focus under challenging conditions. Night orienteering remains a crucial skill for elite competitors, and the session provided an excellent opportunity for squad members to refine this essential technique.
Sprint Orienteering in Dublin’s Heart
Sunday’s activities transitioned into a high-energy urban sprint training, modeled after a qualification and final race format. The scenic yet complex streets of Dublin’s iconic Grafton Street and Temple Bar provided a dynamic training ground. With bustling pedestrian areas and intricate alleyways, the urban terrain tested the athletes’ quick decision-making, navigation under pressure, and physical speed.
Josh’s efforts in organizing the weekend ensured a professional and challenging experience for the team. His use of high-quality maps created by JoshOsh Mapping further elevated the sessions, showcasing the importance of detailed mapping in modern orienteering.
Building Momentum for Future Success
The weekend’s training provided not only a platform for skill development but also an opportunity for team bonding and preparation for upcoming international competitions. The mix of night navigation and urban sprinting reflects the versatility required of elite orienteers, and the squad is steadily building momentum for future challenges.
Special thanks to 3Rock Orienteering Club and JoshOsh Mapping for their support in making the weekend a success. The Irish Orienteering Association commends the efforts of the senior squad and looks forward to seeing these skills in action on the global stage.
For more updates on the Irish Senior Orienteering Squad, stay tuned to their Instagram page or OI’s website!
Ireland’s Elite Poised to Dominate the Thrilling World Cup!
Orienteering Ireland is excited to announce that six talented athletes will represent Ireland at the World Cup Final in Finland. The team includes Aoife, Clodagh, Colm, Cílín, Ruairi, and Laurence. They will compete internationally starting on September 26th.
The final races for the 2024 Orienteering World Cup will take place in Kuopio, Finland, from Thursday to Sunday.
These forest races are the fourth round of the World Cup this year. Earlier rounds featured fast and tricky sprint races in Switzerland and Italy, followed by tough races at the European Championships in Hungary in August.
However, the challenge in Finland will be different. The forests around Kuopio, which will also host the 2025 World Championships, are relatively flat with few steep slopes. Some areas have many details to navigate, while others have fewer.
The World Cup Final begins on Thursday with the long-distance race. Friday is a rest day, followed by the middle-distance race on Saturday. The relays on Sunday will close the international orienteering season.
Follow live updates of the action here.
Good luck to our Irish team!
Team Ireland for Senior Home International 2024
The SHI Selectors are delighted to announce Team Ireland for the Senior Home International 2024. The competition will be held in Scotland, on the 7th & 8th of September. We congratulate the team on their selection, and wish the team the very best of luck with the competition.
Susan Lambe, Dave Masterson & Philip Baxter (Selectors)
W20
Ellie Simpson
Emily Rowe
Eve Buckley
Reserve: TBC
M20
Daire O’Brien
Fionn O’Callaghan
Tivon Tyner
Reserve: Josh Hoare
W21
Aine McCann
Aoife McCavana
Aoife O’Sullivan
Éadaoin McCavana
Emer Perkins
Rosalind Heron
Reserve: TBC
M21
Cillín Corbett
Eoghan Whelan
Josh Hoare
Liam Cotter
Mark Stephens
Paul Pruzina
Reserve: TBC
Team Manager TBC
All reserves are non-travelling, unless already selected as part of the team
World Cup Final Orienteering Team Announcement
I am pleased to announce the selection of our athletes for the World Cup Final Orienteering event in Finland.
The team representing Orienteering Ireland will be:
- Aoife McCavana
- Clodagh Moran
- Laurence Quinn
- Colm Moran
- Cillin Corbett
- Ruairi Short
Congratulations to each of you! Your dedication, skill, and hard work have earned you a spot on the team, and we are confident that you will make a strong showing at the competition.
I would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the selectors for their invaluable involvement in the selection process. Your expertise and commitment are instrumental in ensuring that we field the best possible team.
Best of luck to our selected athletes as you prepare for this exciting challenge.
We are all behind you and look forward to celebrating your success on the international stage.
You can follow the World Cup Final on https://orienteering.sport/worldcup/kuopio/ and https://www.woc2025.fi/world-cup-2024/
Triumph Over Terrain: The Unyielding Spirit of Champions at the 2024 World Orienteering Championship
The Irish Orienteering team has once again proven their exceptional skill and determination at the World Orienteering Championships 2024. With a team composed of both seasoned athletes and promising newcomers, they have showcased the spirit of Ireland in the historic city of Edinburgh, a place where every alley and avenue tells a story.
The team, announced by Orienteering Ireland’s High Performance Manager, Jens Waechter, included a mix of sprint specialists and relay experts. Among them were Paul Pruzina, Josh O’Sullivan Hourihan, Cillin Corbett, Niamh O’Boyle, Niamh Corbett, Eadaoin McCavana, Kevin O’Boyle, Colm Moran, and Aoife McCavana. Each member brought their unique strengths to the competition, creating a well-rounded and formidable team.
The championships, held from July 11-16, were not just a test of physical endurance but also of mental acuity. Orienteering is often described as the “thinking sport” because it requires competitors to navigate through unfamiliar terrain using only a map and compass. It’s a sport that challenges the mind as much as the body, and the Irish team excelled in both aspects.
The backdrop of Edinburgh, with its UNESCO World Heritage sites and the iconic Edinburgh Castle, provided a stunning and challenging environment for the orienteers. The narrow alleys, intricate pathways, and the undulating landscape tested the athletes’ navigation skills to the limit. Yet, the Irish team navigated these challenges with finesse, demonstrating their preparation, teamwork, and the indomitable Irish spirit.
Their performance at the World Championships is a testament to the growth of orienteering in Ireland and the dedication of Orienteering Ireland to develop world-class athletes. The success of the Irish team serves as an inspiration to the orienteering community and sports enthusiasts across Ireland and beyond. It shows that with passion, perseverance, and teamwork, even the most intricate paths can lead to victory.
As we celebrate the achievements of the Irish Orienteering team, we also look forward to their future endeavors and the continued growth of the sport. Their journey at the World Orienteering Championships 2024 is not just a story of competition but one of camaraderie, national pride, and the pursuit of excellence.
For more information on the Irish Orienteering team and their journey, you can visit Orienteering Ireland’s official website or the World Orienteering Championships 2024 official page. Here’s to the team’s continued success and the adventures that await them in the world of orienteering. Sláinte!
We’re hiring!
Orienteering Ireland are delighted to announce that we are in a position to hire a Regional Development Officer for the Greater Dublin area.
If you or someone you know might be interested in applying for this role, we would love to hear from them.
Why Work With Us?
Competitive salary.
Flexible working arrangements.
Working in a task and goal orientated environment.
Working in a collaborative environment where new ideas are encouraged to achieve our goals!
Any queries can be sent to vacancies@orienteering.ie
The Role Description can be found below:
South West League
The new South West League is a replacement for the old Munster League. The big plus is that it reduces distances to events and takes advantage of the improved N22 road network. The league has been established by the Cork and Kerry orienteering clubs and is designed to encourage members to travel to the events in neighbouring counties.
While the South West League primarily targets members from Bishopstown Orienteering Club (BOC); Cork Orienteering Club (CorkO) and Kerry Orienteers (KerryO), members of the public and the wider orienteering fraternity are also encouraged to participate in the league.
There are 7 events in the South West League for 2024 spread over the calendar year and listed in the table below. An individual’s four best results go to count in the overall South West League results. The seven events will be located in Cork and Kerry and are scheduled for Sundays with a starting time of 11:00.
All events will have six colour courses to suit all abilities and age ranges. These colour courses are Brown, Blue, Green, Light Green, Red, Orange. On occasions Yellow or other colour courses such as White, Short Green, Black may be added by the organising club, but these additional courses on the day will not form part of the South West League. Check with Orienteering Ireland to ascertain the guidelines and suitability of each of the colour courses, which are currently being revised by the organisation.
Scoring and prizes
The scoring system algorithm is automated on the orienteering.ie leagues webpage. It is based on the average times of finishers on each course. The average is given 1000 points with faster runners getting more points and slower runners getting less. The number of events to count for places depends on the number of events in the league. If there are 7 events in the league the best 4 will count for scoring.
Prizes are awarded to the first female and first male competitors on each course. following age categories. Only members of the three clubs promoting the South West League are eligible for prizes on each course. Note this is just for prizes.
Anyone is free to run any course, all welcome.
2024 South West League Fixtures
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1: Sunday March 3rd Ballydrehid, Cahir (CorkO)
2: Sunday April 28th Glenabo Woods, Fermoy (BOC)
3: Sunday May 19th Ross Island, Killarney (KerryO)
4: Date TBC Warrenscourt Wood, Lissarda (BOC)
5: Sunday October 4th Venue TBC (CorkO)
6: Sunday November 17th Upper Torc, Muckross (KerryO)
7: Sunday December 12th Kilworth TBC (DFO)
South West League results table 2024
Sprinting Through Dublin: A Weekend of Intensive Orienteering Training
Over the weekend, the national squad of Orienteering Ireland convened in Dublin for an intensive sprint camp aimed at sharpening their skills and refining their strategies. From Friday night through Sunday, the athletes immersed themselves in a series of challenging training sessions designed to mimic the intensity and precision required at the highest levels of competition.
Friday Night: Setting the Pace
The camp kicked off on Friday night with a burst of energy as the squad delved into a general orienteering sprint training session. Taking place in the picturesque setting of Castleknock, Dublin, athletes navigated through a course designed to replicate the format of the Orienteering World Championships. It was a chance for the team to shake off any rust and reacquaint themselves with the intricacies of sprint orienteering.
Under the guidance of their coach, the athletes tackled a variety of terrain, honing their map-reading skills and decision-making abilities under pressure. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the squad embraced the opportunity to push themselves to their limits right from the outset.
Saturday Morning: Precision and Technique
As the sun rose on Saturday morning, the focus shifted to the technical aspects of sprint orienteering. The squad gathered at the UCD grounds for four intensive training intervals, each designed to challenge their ability to make optimal route choices in fast-paced environments.
With a keen eye on efficiency and precision, athletes navigated through complex courses, constantly assessing the terrain and adjusting their strategies on the fly. Every decision mattered as they worked to minimize time lost and maximize speed.
Saturday Afternoon: Mastering Route Choices
In the afternoon, attention turned to perfecting route choices as the squad ventured to Applewood, Dublin for another round of training. With a focus on achieving a 90% success rate in route choices, athletes pushed themselves to the limit, pushing through fatigue and mental barriers to maintain focus and accuracy.
The training session served as a valuable opportunity for the team to fine-tune their decision-making processes, identifying strengths and weaknesses in their approach and implementing strategies for improvement.
Saturday Night: Analysis and Strategy
As the sun set on Saturday evening, the squad reconvened for a training analysis session and a knockout sprint runners choice exercise at the Sport Ireland campus. It was a chance for athletes to reflect on their performances throughout the day, identifying areas of progress and areas for further development.
Under the guidance of the coaching staff, the team dissected their routes and decision-making processes, seeking insights that would inform their strategies for the upcoming competitions. The knockout sprint exercise added an element of unpredictability, challenging athletes to think on their feet and adapt to changing circumstances.
Sunday: Putting It All Together
The final day of the camp saw the senior team put their skills to the test in a series of knockout sprint-style qualifications and finals simulations. Venturing to Skerries and Rush, Dublin, athletes faced off against each other in a high-stakes environment, pushing themselves to the limit in pursuit of victory.
With a focus on maximum speed and precise control, athletes navigated through challenging courses, drawing on their training and experience to make split-second decisions and execute flawless routes. It was a chance for the team to showcase their progress and readiness for the upcoming Irish championships.
Team Collaboration and Preparation
Throughout the weekend, the national squad demonstrated not only their individual talent but also their ability to work together as a cohesive unit. The involvement of the entire senior team in planning different courses, under the guidance of the High-Performance Manager, highlighted the collective effort and commitment to excellence that defines the squad.
This training camp was more than just an opportunity for individual athletes to improve their skills—it was a crucial step in the team’s preparation for the challenges ahead. With the Irish championships looming just three weeks away, the camp served as a vital opportunity for the national team to fine-tune their preparations and solidify their plans for success.
Looking Ahead
As the squad departs Dublin and returns to their respective training bases, they do so with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. The weekend’s intensive training camp has provided them with the tools and confidence they need to tackle the upcoming competitions head-on.
With their sights set on World Championship selection, the national squad of Orienteering Ireland remains focused and driven, ready to take on whatever challenges lie ahead. As they continue their journey towards excellence, one thing is certain: the spirit of determination and camaraderie that defines this team will carry them through to victory.
Acknowledgements and Thanks
As the national squad of Orienteering Ireland concludes their intensive training camp in Dublin, it’s important to extend heartfelt thanks to those who made it all possible. The success of the weekend would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of the course planners, whose meticulous planning and thoughtful design ensured that athletes were challenged and inspired at every turn.
A special note of gratitude goes to Paul Pruzina, Jens Waechter, Kevin O’Boyle, and Conor Short for their invaluable contributions to the training camp. Their passion for the sport and commitment to excellence shone through in every aspect of the weekend’s activities, guiding athletes towards new heights of achievement.
Additionally, a big thank you is owed to Fingal Orienteers for graciously allowing the national squad to use their maps for the training sessions. Their generosity and support are deeply appreciated and played a vital role in the success of the camp.
Josh O’Sullivan-Hourihan deserves special recognition for his contributions in supplying pictures and videos throughout the training camp. His efforts in capturing the essence of the weekend’s activities not only provided valuable documentation but also served as a source of inspiration and motivation for the athletes.
Lastly, a word of thanks to High Performance Manager Jens Waechter for his tireless efforts in organizing and overseeing the training camp. His leadership and guidance were instrumental in ensuring that the weekend ran smoothly and that athletes had everything they needed to excel.
As the squad reflects on their experiences in Dublin and prepares to take on the challenges that lie ahead, they do so with a profound sense of gratitude for the support and expertise of those who helped make the training camp a resounding success.
Jens Waechter, High Performance Manager, Orienteering Ireland
Entries closing for the Irish Orienteering Championships
Entries for the Irish Orienteering Championships are closing on Sunday 14th April.
Relay entries have an extension until Tuesday 23d April.
Entry details and other information is at: https://ioc.orienteering.ie/home
Can’t wait to see you all there!
