Tullamore Harriers athletes compete in All Ireland Indoors

The future stars of Irish athletics were in action last weekend in TUS Athlone for the opening days of the 123.ie National Juvenile Indoor Championships (Saturday & Sunday 26^th and 28^th March).

Four of Tullamore Harriers young athletes represented the club against competition from all four corners of the country.

Ally Duffy and Adelyn Walsh raced in the Under 17 Girls 800m. They were up against a tough field but acquitted themselves well. Ally fought hard to finish fifth in 2:15.59 which was not far off a medal. Adelyn raced well too and was rewarded with a PB of 2:17.33.

Next up was Danny Rigney in the Under 17 Boys 800m. This was Danny’s first All-Ireland track championships, and he will have learned loads from the experience. He finished strongly in 2:13.82.

Aurelia Crotty was out fast in her heat and had to dig deep as the pace did not ease. She battled all the way and finished in 2:24.95.

SEE NEXT: Offaly athletics stalwart honoured at Leinster star awards

European Masters Championships

Rory Deverell travelled to Torun, Poland to compete in the European Masters Athletics Indoor Championships. This week-long programme of competition runs from March 26th to April 2nd.

The championships feature approximately 45 events across indoor track & field, road, cross country, and combined events, attracting athletes from across Europe in all masters age categories.

Rory Deverell at the European Masters Championships.

Rory was in action on Sunday, March 29th, lining out in the 60m sprint in the O40 category. He had a strong run to finish 6th in his heat but unfortunately picked up a hamstring strain towards the end of the race.

He is scheduled to compete again in the 200m on Tuesday, so he is hoping the injury settles in time.

Michal Rejmer 10 Mile

At the Michal Rejmer 10 Mile, hosted by Dooneen Athletics Club, Limerick, Liam Byrne put in a strong performance on Sunday, March 29th.

Battling tough conditions with wind and rain throughout, Liam clocked an excellent 1:05:36, which secured him 2nd place in the O55 category.

Liam Byrne at the Donneen AC 10 Mile.

The race started and finished at the Limerick Racecourse, following a one-loop 10-mile course around the surrounding area.

Leinster Star Awards

Last Saturday, March 21st, the annual Leinster Star Awards ceremony took place at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow. The evening celebrates the achievements of the county’s finest athletes across Track & Field, Road Racing, and Cross Country at county, provincial, and national level for the previous year.

These prestigious awards recognise athletes from juvenile to masters -who have excelled in their respective disciplines throughout the year. Congratulations to the Tullamore Harriers members who were selected and presented with their awards.

Offaly Award Winners 2025

Juvenile Male: Ronan Keaney Tullamore Harriers AC

Juvenile Female: Ally Duffy Tullamore Harriers AC

Senior: Halimat Balogun Tullamore Harriers AC

Outstanding Service to Athletics: Mary Daly Tullamore Harriers AC

Congratulations to all award recipients on their fantastic achievements and best wishes for 2026. Here are the citations from the three wonderful athletes:

Ally Duffy

"After competing for Moate Community in School Irish Schools competitions at county, provincial and national levels in 2024 and 2025 I realised I had a great talent for athletics. With encouragement from my parents, I decided to join a local club. I now train regularly with Tullamore Harriers at their club grounds in Tullamore and on Croghan Hill.

In May I competed in my first series of track and field meets to qualify for the All-Ireland Schools Championships and I was delighted to finish third in the Junior 1500m in a time of 4:39.97.

During June I gave the club competition a go and won a silver medal in the 1500m. That’s the way it was in all the Leinster competitions this year as I also won silver at the Under 16 Girls cross country in Gowran and in the Under 17 Girls cross country in Kilbeggan. It just shows how tough competition is in Leinster and how you must be at your best to beat girls like Adelyn Walsh, Lily Walsh and Emma Hickey.

I am grateful to the team of coaches who work with me throughout the year including Lorraine, Bashir, Damian, Geraldine, Kieran, Mick and Laura. Hail, rain or sunshine they are there to give me support. It’s also great to have a strong team of girls to train with and I was delighted to win All Ireland club gold in the Girls Under 16 race in Abbotstown with Rachel, Mia, Elise, Adelyn, Maeve and Aurelia.

I am a keen Gaelic footballer too and played on Moate Community School teams who win Leinster Under 16 and Senior titles before Christmas.

I would also like to thank my parents Gordon and Tanya and my siblings Josh, Eoin and Marta for their encouragement. It’s great to have them trackside roaring me on".

Ronan Keaney

"I am a middle distance and cross-country athlete currently in TY in PSS Newbridge. I run for Tullamore Harriers just like my uncle Martin (many years ago)! Athletics is by far my favourite hobby but when I'm off the track, I play football with my local club and enjoy sea-fishing when I get the chance.

I enjoyed a successful year in Athletics in 2026, with Leinster medals on the track in the Clubs 1500m and 800m, and in the recent Clubs XC. I also won Leinster and National medals in the Schools Steeplechase to top off the year.

My favourite sporting memory of 2025 was being selected for the Irish team for the SIAB XC and T&F. Getting on the SIAB cross country team and winning team silver was a particularly special achievement after coming off an injury and missing the Club XC season.

A personal highlight this year was attending the Milrose Games in New York in February and getting to meet some of the very best middle-distance runners in the world, which was inspirational.

For all of this I owe a very special thanks to my parents, especially my Mam, and really everyone who has helped me along the way, giving me tremendous guidance and support. I am grateful to my coaches Damien Lawlor, Kieran Hines, Geraldine Milner, Mick O’Brien and Laura Cusack who have always believed in my ability to the fullest and selflessly dedicate so much of their time to helping young athletes.

My goals for this season are to follow on from my successful 2025 results, stay injury free and run PBs in the 800, 1500 and 3000 along the way".

Halimat Balogun -

"2025 has been a wonderful year for me. I began my athletics journey in late 2024 and competed in my first competition in January 2025. Since starting the sport, I have really enjoyed challenging myself across different events, including sprints, jumps, and throws, and seeing my progress with each training session and competition.

In September 2025, I also graduated from UCD with a degree in Commerce. Balancing university with training taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of staying focused on my goals.

I would especially like to thank my mum and my family for their continued support and encouragement, as well as my coach, Ger Hensey, for guiding me and helping me develop as an athlete.

My goal for 2026 is to continue progressing in athletics, improving my performances, and gaining more competitive experience while also developing my professional career. I’m excited to see what the future holds and look forward to the opportunities and success that this year and the years ahead will bring".

BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon

The annual BnM Tullamore Harriers Half Marathon is now almost sold out so if anyone is thinking of racing, please register immediately.

Taking place on Saturday, 29th August 2026, this popular event continues to grow in reputation and demand

The race proudly hosts the Leinster Half Marathon Championships and the Offaly Half Marathon Championships and is Round 4 of the Offaly Endurance Series, making it a key date in the racing calendar for club and competitive runners alike.

Entry is via Myrunresults.ie.

Fixtures

April

12^th April - Revive Active Great Ireland Run – National 10k - Phoenix Park, Dublin.

19^th April – Rhode 5K

26^th April - National Road Relays, Raheny

May

8^th May – Ferbane 5K

17^th May – Ashling Murphy 4 Mile- Offaly 4 Mile Championships

29^th May – Ballyskenach 5K

29^th & 30^th May - Irish Schools Track & Field Championships -Tullamore Harriers.

Senior Training

Tuesday – 5.55pm & 6.40pm.

Thursday - 6.30pm

For any enquiries contact club captains Glen 0868275228 or Rita 0868386687