Harriers athletes compete well at National Senior Track and Field Championships
The 153rd edition of the 123.ie National Senior Track & Field Championships took place on Saturday and Sunday, August 2nd & 3rd, at the Morton Stadium, Santry -the longest consecutively held national athletics championships in the world.
This year’s event promised to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with a stellar line-up of Ireland’s elite athletes fresh off their recent European and World stage competitions.
Tullamore Harriers had a fine representation over the two-day event with very commendable performances from our athletes.
National Debut for Aoife.
There was double pride for Aoife Dunne this weekend as she not only made her debut at the 123.ie National Senior Track & Field Championships but also wore the Tullamore Harriers singlet for the very first time. Aoife took to the track on Day 1 for the 1500m heats, where she ran a superb race, clocking 4:30.07 to finish 3rd and comfortably qualify for the final. Less than 24 hours later, Aoife returned for the National Senior 1500m final and produced another solid performance and bettered her time to 4:24.12, earning a brilliant 6th place finish. An excellent weekend of racing for Aoife.
Madison Mooney at the National Senior Track & Field Championships.
Day 2 of the 123.ie National Senior Track & Field Championships saw a thrilling women’s 800m final with Tullamore Harriers athlete Madison Mooney lining up against a stacked field that included Irish star Sarah Healy. Madison impressed in Saturday’s heats, running a superb 2:05.41 to finish second behind Sarah Healy (2:03.63) and comfortably book her place in the final. That performance gave her a huge boost of confidence going into the final showdown. From the gun, Madison stayed with the pack and looked strong throughout, competing bravely in a high-quality race. The title was decided in an almost photo finish, with Alex O’Neill (West Limerick AC) taking gold, Sarah Healy close behind for silver, and Maeve O’Neill (Dohenys AC) in third. Madison crossed the line in a commendable 6th place in 2:06.15, another solid performance at senior level.
5000m Championships
In a highly competitive men’s 5000m final, Michael Murphy ran a strong and gutsy race to finish 6th overall, clocking an impressive 13:59.68. The race itself was a thrilling spectacle, with Andrew Coscoran claiming the Irish 5000m title. In a gripping final lap, Coscoran closed in on Brian Fay over the last 100 metres and surged past in the home straight to take the win in 13:34.14. Michael held his position brilliantly throughout the race and should be very proud of this top-class performance against Ireland’s best.
Barry Mooney competed in the 5000m clocking 16:15.47.
Earlier in the day, Nadine Donegan put in a strong performance in the women’s 5000m, facing a top-class field that included Anika Thompson, fresh off a medal-winning run at the U23 European Championships. Anika led much of the race ahead of her clubmate Niamh Allen, who ultimately took the win in 15:35, with Anika finishing second in 15:40 and Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) claiming third.
Nadine ran a smart and determined race, leading the chasing pack until the final two laps and finishing 7th in a solid time of 16:32.70, continuing her excellent track season.
Sprint action
Tullamore Harriers were well represented in the sprints at the 123.ie National Senior Track & Field Championships, with strong performances across the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay.
200m
Aaron Keane produced a fine run to finish 2nd in Heat 6 with a time of 21.79, securing a spot in the final. In a very competitive field, Aaron clocked 21.71 in the final to finish in 7th place overall.
Dolapo Kush ran 23.00 to place 5th in Heat 1.
Billy Corrigan followed closely in Heat 2, placing 4th in 23.08.
100m
On Day 2, Billy Corrigan returned to the track for the 100m and ran 11.28, placing 5th in his heat.
4x100m Relay
The Tullamore Harriers relay team of Kolapo Kush, Billy Corrigan, Colm Gath, and Samuel Ayeni put in a solid performance to finish 4th overall in a time of 43.31.
Katie Deverell closed out her season on a high
Still only 18, Katie was making her second appearance at the outdoor Senior Nationals, facing tough competition and tricky conditions with gusty winds hampering jump accuracy. After a slight foul on her first attempt, she landed a solid 5.31m on her second, just shy of the final cut-off, finishing 10th overall. Despite missing out on the final eight, Katie’s 2025 season has been a standout improving her PB to 5.65m, winning the National U19 Indoor title, taking silver at the All-Ireland Schools and U19 Outdoors, and bronze in both U20 Indoor and Outdoor championships, all while juggling her Leaving Cert.
A huge congratulations to all our athletes who proudly represented Tullamore Harriers at the highest national level. The club is very proud of your commitment, effort, and performances.
Great run for Jack in Birr
The Seán Lowry Memorial Birr 5K, held on Friday evening, August 1st, and hosted by Birr AC, brought the curtain down on the 2025 Healthy Offaly 5K Series.
This popular event, which also serves as the opening activity for Birr Vintage Week celebrations, attracted a strong field of over 357 athletes. The course was a challenging loop around the outskirts of Birr, featuring a tough 700m climb just after the 4K mark before a fast downhill run to the finish line.
Birr AC deserves huge credit for the excellent organisation as they hosted the final race in what has been a superb eight-race series.
Tullamore Harriers was represented by 27 athletes taking part and producing some excellent performances.
Mary Daly , Sharon Daly, Marie Donegan, Paschal Naughton, Pat Kennedy, Paul Hensey, Forest McCormack, Olive Mannion, Rachel Donegan, Zak Hopkins, Jack Donegand and John Donegan at the Birr 5k.
There was more success for the club with age category victories:
Marie Donegan 1st O60
Brendan Abbott 1st O60
Eileen Kenny 1st O70
Well done to all our Harriers who raced on the night - you did the club proud once again.
Full Tullamore Harriers results.
Jack Donegan 0:15:29
Kevin Minnock 0:15:37
Killian Nolan 0:16:38
Gary Whittle 0:17:37
Padraic Berry 0:17:46
Darren Butler 0:17:55
Nick McGowan 0:18:45
David Hollywood 0:18:57
Brendan Abbott 0:19:12
Alan Heffernan 0:19:27
Charlotte Abbott 0:21:30
Maeve Larkin 0:21:47
John Donegan 0:21:57
Rachel Donegan 0:21:57
Forrest Mc Cormack 0:22:36
Paul Hensey 0:23:05
Eileen Kenny. 0:23:18
Marie Donegan 0:23:36
Mary Daly 0:23:50
Pat Kennedy 0:24:09
Paschal Naughton 0:24:43
Sara Mc Laughlin 0:24:50
Orlagh O'Brien 0:25:14
Roisin Loughnane 0:25:14
Sharon Daly 0:26:22
Olive Mannion 0:28:18
Photos: Nicola Mahon.
World Record
Huge congratulations to Eileen Kenny and Pat Kelly, who were part of the Irish Masters W75 4x800m relay team that set a new world record at Morton Stadium on Wednesday 30th of July.
Their time of 15:00.44 smashed the previous record of 19:34.93, set in the USA recently.
Rás na Rinne
Well done to Melissa Hogan who competed in the recent Rás na Rinne in West Waterford. On Friday 26th of July, Melissa ran along the beautiful Coinigéar beach and surrounding areas for the 6K event.
BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon
On Saturday, 30th August, Tullamore Harriers will host the annual BnM Tullamore Harriers AC Half Marathon.
Since its inaugural running in 2013, this race has grown in stature and popularity, becoming one of the most sought-after events on the athletics calendar. This year’s edition sold out in record time, highlighting the huge demand among runners to be part of this special day in Tullamore.
Headline sponsor once again is BnM, and Tullamore Harriers AC is very appreciative of the continued support from Offaly County Council, Tullamore Gardaí, Offaly Civil Defence, sponsors, supporters and the many volunteers who make the event possible.
The race starts at 10am on the Charleville Road at the junction with Dillon Street. Runners will be on the course until approximately 1:30pm. For the safety of all participants, temporary road closures will be in place along the route, and the club thanks the public in advance for their cooperation.
We look forward to welcoming athletes and supporters for another fantastic day of running in Tullamore.
Fixtures
Sunday 17th August – Neville 10- Club Race -Tullamore Harriers.
Saturday 30th August – BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon
Senior Training
Training Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.40pm to 8.30pm.
For any enquiries contact club captains Glen 0868275228 or Rita
0868386687