Limerick Athletics - Weekly News Update as Dooneen claim bronze at National League event

National League Finals, Dooneen’s Bronze Success

VALENTINE'S Day 2026 will hold a special place in the hearts of the Dooneen National League women’s team, as many of them claimed their first National Senior athletics medal. 

It was an action-packed day filled with strong performances across the board. Destiny Lawal opened the scoring in the 60m, while Olga Nedvede’s maximum points in the weight for distance gave the team vital momentum.

Standout contributions followed from Ella Grace Osborne (1500m), Isbéal Ní Huigín (Pole Vault), Eanna Ní Huigín (200m), Megan O’Shea (60m Hurdles), Aimee McMahon (800m), Sinead McDermott (1500m Walk PB), and Niamh Hynes (400m PB).

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Leagh Moloney added crucial points in the Triple and Long Jump, Claire Coleman stepped up in the 3000m and Emer Purtill boosted medal hopes with superb performances in the High Jump and Shot Put.

The day concluded with the 4x400m relay, where Niamh Hynes, Sophia Meaney, Vivian Amazee, and Meabh Purtill delivered an PB under pressure to secure Bronze.

Third place in Ireland — a fantastic day for Dooneen, 1976-2-2026, a club 50 years in the making.

Munster Schools Cross Country

There was rich pickings for Limerick athletes at the provincial finals in Riverstick in Cork Rian Kiely Keogan was fifth placed Minor Boy for Castletroy College.

Eva McMahon took the Gold Medal for Salesians College Pallaskenry in the Junior Girls with Killian Coman fourth Junior Boy for Castletroy.

Darragh Whelan, of Castletroy College, almost as expected, stormed to victory in the Intermediate Boys, 42 seconds clear of his nearest rival, with Salesians Pallaskenry the third placed team.

Ella Grace Osborne was fifth placed Intermediate Girls for Laurel Hill Colaiste, In the senior Boys, Marin Fruger was seventh Senior Boy for Limerick Educate together, while Mungret Community College were fifth team. Well done all.

The finals take place in Mallusk Belfast on Saturday, March 7.

National Cross Country B Finals Abbotstown

Alex O’Sullivan, of West Limerick, was a superb seventh place in the U15 Boys race and thus earning a first national medal, a fantastic achievement, especially as he will still be U15 again next year!

Around the Country and Abroad

John Fitzgerald, of West Limerick, was second overall in the Tralee Valentines 10-Mile in a time of 58.20, with clubmate Jakub Winnicki 4 th in 1.00.37.

Clubmate Padraig O'Donnell ran the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) 10k race in Dubai on Saturday, finishing in a time of 34:48 to place fifth. 

Dooneen’s Shane Ryan produced a superb pb of 2:43:56 in the Sevilla Marathon. Bravo!

Parkrun

Owen Ryan was the fastest Limerick Parkrunner last weekend, clocking 18:22 in frosty conditions at UL. Susan Murnane was best woman in 19:58.

Pacer Profile- John Shier

Dooneen’s John Shier will be the 100 minute pacer for the Michal Rejmer 10-Mile Road race. John says that he gains a lot of personal satisfaction from a ‘job well done’.

“Knowing the course helps a lot, you go by feel but you do also have to look at the watch a lot because you don’t want to go too fast. People expect more or less a 10 minute mile, but having said that you do have to bank a little bit of time on the easier sections of the course, maybe 20 or 30 seconds per mile faster, to compensate for the hills.

“There is personal satisfaction if people come in significantly under their time, people are very happy, sometimes there’s hugs, there can be a lot of positive feedback, people might say that he paced the race great. There can also be banter, if there’s a second pacer.”

Fixtures

The 32nd edition of the Adare 10K, hosted by West Limerick AC takes place this Sunday (February 22) and 1pm in Adare.

The Munster 4 Mile Road Championships take place Sunday, March 1 in Castleisland.

The Dooneen AC Michal Rejmer 10 Mile takes place on Sunday, March 29 from Limerick Racecourse. Enter through Eventmaster, to volunteer-Marshalls are always sought, contact the club.