Tullamore Harriers report – 29th June 2026
All Ireland Juvenile Track and Field Championships
The club was well represented over the weekend (June 27th and 28th) at the All-Ireland Juvenile Track and Field Championships. Five of Tullamore Harriers juvenile middle-distance squad and two from the sprint group were in action.
Our athletes had the luxury of racing on their home track but with rain showers and blustery conditions each athlete had to dig deep.
Ally Duffy continued her winning ways in the Under 17 2000m steeplechase where not only did she set a new Championship Best Performance when she crossed the line in 6:50.74 but she ran a second standard for the European Under 18 Championships. This was sixteen seconds faster than the previous best of 7.06.73 run by Roisin O’Reilly back in 2018.
Danny Rigney who only joined Tullamore Harriers last October won a great bronze medal in his Under 17 2000m steeplechase battling all the way to the line to get on the podium. Rachel Keaney, Mollie King and Adelyn Walsh also competed well in their respective races.
Under 17 800m
8th Adelyn Walsh
Under 16 3000m
13th Mollie King 11:36.04
Under 18 3000m
7th Rachel Keaney 10:36.72
Under 17 2000m Steeplechase
1st Ally Duffy 6:50.74
Under 17 2000m Steeplechase
3rd Danny Rigney 6:29.18.
From the sprint group, Chloe McGowan, who competed in a highly competitive U17 100m heat, got off to an excellent start and executed her race superbly. Chloe unfortunately suffered a quad strain, causing her to fade in the final 20 meters but despite this she still ran very close to her personal best.
Shortly afterwards, Rian Leamy lined up for the Under 15 Long Jump. Having only taken up track and field last September, Rian has made great progress in a very short space of time arriving to this competition with great confidence and focus. He recorded a personal best with a jump of 4.96cm to finish in a very commendable 8th place.
Silver for Patrick in Sweeden.
Patrick Duffy went raiding for precious metals in Sweden on Friday last, the 26th of June and ran a new PB of 6:20.46 for the 2000m Steeplechase as he won silver at the Gothenburg Youth Games.
Peter English 626 Race 2026
On a very hot Tuesday, the 23rd of June, the annual Peter English 625 Race once again brought together Tullamore Harriers members, families and supporters for an evening of competition, camaraderie and remembrance. Club Chairman Adrian Curley welcomed Peter's family and spoke about the importance of the Peter English 625 Race. While many of those present had known Peter and shared fond memories of him, it was particularly heartening for those who never had the opportunity to meet him, to hear about his dedication to Tullamore Harriers and the lasting influence he continues to have on the club today. Peter was a dedicated athlete, valued club member and great friend to many within the club. He served as Club Secretary from 1982 to 1983 and was a long-standing member of the Social Club team, having joined Tullamore Harriers at a young age. His enthusiasm for athletics and his pride in the club left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
First held in 1992, the race has become one of the club’s most cherished traditions. Run over a single 625-metre lap of the club’s tarmac circuit, it provides an opportunity to honour the memory of Peter English, whose contribution to Tullamore Harriers continues to be remembered and celebrated.
Peter’s family have remained closely associated with the race over the years, continuing to play an important role in the prize presentation and helping to preserve the special spirit of the occasion.
The course records continue to stand at 1:26.40 for the men, set by Aaron Mangan in 2019, while the women's record of 1:43.30 is jointly held by Claire Rafter (2017) and Ava O'Connor (2019).
This year's edition featured 14 races - 8 juvenile and 6 senior/master races.
A sincere thank you to everyone who competed, volunteered and supported the race. Special thanks to the English family for their continued involvement and for helping to ensure that Peter's legacy remains an important part of Tullamore Harriers' history.
Results:
Girls U 10
1 Maeve Mackin 2.20.82
2 Lauren Stack 2.29.97
3 Olive Herlihy 2.35.84
4 Evie Doyle 2.41.27
5 Zoe Whittle 2.42.84
6 Juliette Pokorna 2.44.18
7 Harper Woodnutt 2.45.12
8 Freya Gowran 2.45.38
9 Lara Hayes 2.47.29
10 Elle Corcoran 2.50.35
11 Kara Conroy 2.59.81
Boys U 10
1 Jack Dunne 2.13.09
2 Ruadhán McHugh 2.20.91
3 Oisin Ferrar 2.21.71
4 Cooper Ryan 2.26.71
5 Oisin Phelan 2.29.92
6 Niall Griffith O'Mahoney 2.30.60
7 Gerry Moore 2.32.32
8 Tom Frazer 2.34.22
Girls U 12
1 Evie Mahon 2.01.98
2 Laoise Kelly 2.05.65
3 Sophie Hynes 2.07.84
4 Niamh O' Brien 2.08.05
5 Niamh Murtagh 2.14.80
6 Niamh Daly 2.17.62
7 Faye Carroll 2.18.40
8 Emmeline Ferrar 2.19.12
9 Aoibhinn Golden 2.25.97
10 Doireann Kinnarney 2.35.37
11 Molly Mahon 2.39.11
12 Fayah Shaughnessy 2.41.68
13 Mairead O'Brien 2.45.09
Boys U 12
1 Sean Dunican 1.58.06
2 Matthew Hayes 1.58.83
3 Conor Dunne 1.59.67
4 Levi Carroll 1.59.94
5 Eli Gill 2.04.81
6 Caleb Neville 2.06.06
7 Luke Whittle 2.07.41
8 Aidan Herlihy 2.07.67
9 Oisin Stewart 2.12.56
10 Evan Phelan 2.12.86
11 Darragh McLoughlin 2.14.20
12 Finn O'Connor 2.17.36
13 Sam Higgins 2.21.09
14 Elijah O'Connor 2.23.41
15 Billy McCarthy 2.25.23
16 Cillian McHugh 2.28.63
17 Dan Cusack 2.36.72
18 David Benson 3.12.51
Girls U 14
1 Maeve Boland 1.59.50
2 Amelia O' Connor 2.01.02
3 Roisin Molloy 2.04.66
4 Clodagh Hayes 2.16.16
5 Julienne Cleary 2.20.33
6 Aoibheann Kinnarney 2.25.16
Boys U 14
1 James Hynes 1.44.95
2 Max Ivasenko 1.51.43
3 Aubin Walsh 1.53.04
4 Eoin Herlihy 2.05.42
5 William McNamara 2.16.89
6 Matthew Berry 2.11.67
Girls U 16
1 Sarah Whitaker 1.56.23
2 Emily Morris 2.05.42
3 Roisin O'Brien 2.10.48
4 Saoirse McHugh 2.11.78
Boys U 16
1 Joe Daly 1.55.10
2 Noah Fitzpatrick 2.17.60
Senior Ladies A
1 Adelyn Walsh 1.45.35
2 Maire Triona O'Connor 2.03.57
3 Evelyn Herlihy 2.12.39
4 Elysia McCormack 2.25.77
5 Rita Daly 2.34.86
Senior Ladies B
1 Josie Lalor 2.24.50
2 Mary Berry 2.32.31
3 Olive Mannion 2.39.39
4 Mary Daly 2.45.56
5 Naomi Galvin 2.50.52
Senior Ladies C
1 Sandra Busteed 2.31.26
2 Helene Rouget 2.45.27
3 Sharon Daly 2.50.16
Ladies O70
1 Mary Walsh 3.07.24
Senior Men A
1 Ciaran Reynolds 1.40.54
2 Jack Marron 1.45.28
3 Nick McGowan 1.46.37
4 Daniel Molloy 1.48.65
5 Gary Whittle 1.54.06
6 Shane McGuinness 2.02.07
Senior Men B
1 David Hollywood 1.49.07
2 Gearóid McHugh 1.52.69
3 Bryce Frazer 1.57.02
4 Jason McDermott 2.13.47
Senior Men C
1 Jonathon King 1.56.37
2 George Fox 1.58.10
3 Liam Byrne 2.00.31
4 Ciaran Muldowney 2.07.53
𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻 - 𝟱𝟬 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗢𝗻
Fifty years ago, in 1976, former Athletics Ireland President John Cronin (at that time was with Glencree AC, The Downings) won the All-Ireland Under-17 800m title, recording a winning time of 2:00.70.
On Sunday last, exactly 50 years later, at the National Track & Field Championships in Tullamore, John had the honour of presenting the medals to the boys' Under-17 800m athletes.
The title was won by Nathan Coyle, who claimed the 2026 All-Ireland Under-17 800m championship in a time of 2:01.68. A wonderful moment linking two generations of Irish athletics, with a champion from 1976 presenting the medals to the champion of 2026.
Congratulations to John on the 50th anniversary of his achievement.
South Leinster Para Athletics
Well done to James Saunders, who had a very successful outing at the recent South Leinster Para Athletics Meet at SETU Carlow.
In the shot put, James claimed bronze with a best throw of 4.47m.
He then went on to win gold in the discus with an excellent throw of 14.33m, which was also a new personal best, rounding off a fantastic day of competition. Brilliant results and a well-deserved reward for James.
Danielle wins St Coca's AC 5K
Congratulations to Danielle Donegan on a fantastic win at the St Coca's AC 5K on Friday the 26th of June. Danielle produced a superb run clocking 15.44 and smashed her 5K personal best by 10 seconds.
Kevin Minnock too had an excellent performance, finishing 11th overall in a very competitive field, crossing the line in an impressive 14:56.
Northern Ireland Master’s Track & Field Championships.
Congratulations to Stephen Byrne on an excellent performance at the Northern Ireland Masters Championships in the Mary Peter’s Track in Belfast on Saturday the 27th of June.
In the M50 category, Stephen was joint 1st in the 100m, clocking 12.39s into a strong -2.9 m/s headwind. He was 2nd in the 400m with a personal best of 57.41.
A great day's competition.