Curtain draws on a successful domestic track and field season
Saoirse Ballasty Byrne (Naas AC) also competed at the National League.
The European Championships will dominate this weeks athletics, with a large Irish team of 49 athletes in Birmingham for the week long event. RTÉ thankfully do have coverage and no doubt athletic followers across the county and nation will be tuned in to RTÉ and all other media following our wonderful athletes. These European championships come right on the tail end of the World U20 championships in Oregon, where Kildare did have a representation. Cillian Gleeson (Celbridge AC) competed in the 5,000m.
Then of course there was the National Masters Track and Field which this year was held over two days last Friday and Saturday. Kildare athletes took home, nine medals, four of them gold. Last Sunday it was the turn of the athletes across the county to don the white singlets and compete in the final stage of the national league. Kildare fielded a team in both the men’s and ladies divisions. The ladies 4x100m recording an impressive victory. This draws to a close a successful 2026 domestic Track and Field season for Kildare Athletics.
Cillian Gleeson went to the World U20 Championships with no expectation other than to do his best. The Celbridge AC athlete qualified last April with a fantastic personal best of 13.56 and looked poised to make an indelible impact into the race field. The road to any goal is never straight forward, particularly when the we are so dependent on everything going right. Gleeson received a set-back with some less than par performances that led to a diagnosis of a low iron count. With training and racing somewhat impacted and getting back on track again, he unfortunately ran out of time. None the less, he gave it all on the day and finished 21st in the World in the 5,000m event with a time of 14:38. The conditions were brutal for distance runners with soaring temperatures of 38 degrees and no shade. He stayed with the main bunch of athletes for over half the race, with the midway point dividing the athletes. This pace was dictated by the Kenyan’s and Ethiopian athletes, who took all three podium places. Six out of the top ten athletes were African. His family travelled over for the occasion, giving him plenty of support.
Master athletes from Kildare clubs delivered a series of impressive performances across a wide range of track and field events, showcasing that age is no barrier in competitive athletics. The star performer of the two-day championships was once again Werner Oliver (St Coca’s). In the Men’s Over 50 High Jump, Oliver demonstrated his class with a winning clearance of 1.65m. Oliver entered the competition at 1.55m, underlining his confidence and ability, particularly as his nearest rival, Enda O’Connell (Raheny), failed to register a clearance from three attempts. Oliver progressed smoothly, clearing 1.50m and 1.60m before securing victory with a second-time clearance at 1.65m, a performance that highlighted his dominance in the event.
On the track, St Coca’s athlete Bernard Phelan competed in the Men’s Over 55 1500m, finishing eighth in a competitive field. Meanwhile, John Molloy (Celbridge) continued to impress in the sprint despite his 70+ years. He took second place in the 100m and adding a fifth-place finish in the 200m. St Coca’s were out in force with another of their athletes Paul Brady claiming a strong third-place finish in the Men’s 200m.
In the distance events, David O’Connor (Celbridge) delivered an excellent run in the Men’s Over 40 5000m, clocking 16:18 to secure third place. Kevin Gough (Le Cheile) also finished third in the Over 50 800m.
Field events saw further success, with one of the oldest men across all events Brian Dowling (Naas AC) really showing the athletics world that age is just a number. Dowling is a well know jumps and sprints coach in Naas athletic club, directing many athletes over the past few decades to national podium place finishes and making Irish teams for International events. Dowling took top honours in the Over 80 Long Jump.
In the women’s events, Finola Moore (Celbridge) claimed victory in the Over 60 High Jump with a clearance of 1.15m. On the track, Denise Fox (St Coca’s) placed fourth in the Over 45 400m, recording a time of 68.01 seconds. In the same event, Mary Hanlon (Celbridge) took second place in the Over 60 category with a time of 83.86 seconds. Rounding off a strong day for St Coca’s, Emma Wallace secured first place in the Women’s Over 50 800m, finishing in 2:39.26.
The National League final got underway last Sunday with Kildare competing in the county category. Up against teams from Galway, Meath, Kerry and Donegal the team performed with distinction in the men’s section. Kerry were the overall winners. In the ladies county section Kildare competed against Tipperary, Galway, Monaghan, Kerry and Meath. It was Tipperary who once again were victorious, retaining the title they won last year.
In the men’s there was a first place finish for Peter Tuohy in the 5000m. Tuohy and Galway’s Rian Collins broke away from the field with a close battle ensuring over the final 400m. It was Tuohy who made his move as he rounded the final bend, holding on for victory by just a second. JP Archbold (Newbridge) has been on fire this year. While he may have been on a break after a tough season, he stepped out on the long jump runway to aid the county team. Archbold won the Long Jump with a leap of 6.61m. The second Kildare team member to score maximum points. Archbold later finished 3rd in the Triple Jump. Noah Treacy (Kildare AC) stepped up for his first senior competition. Treacy finished 3rd in the javelin.
Fresh from an excellent run at the National Seniors Runo Ayavoro (Newbridge) finished second in the 100m in a time of 10.86. Dylan Heffernan finished 3rd in the 110m hurdles, and later competed in the 400m.
Aidan Bayon (Celbridge) was once again back in his walking shoes, rehashing his signature event from his juvenile days. Bayon finished second. Kevin Byrne gained valuable points when he finished second in the Steeplechase. It was third place for Lucas Smith with a vault of 2.30m in the pole vault.
The ladies fielded a young team with many of them stepping up from their rest period to help field a team. There was a good collective effort from the county with several clubs being represented.
The ladies 4x100m relay had a resounding victory. The team of Danielle Kelly, Rachel Beattie, Caoimhe Farrell and Saoirse Ballesty Byrne (representing four different clubs) recorded 48.67 to take a surprise victory from a Tipperary team felt assured of gold. Beattie (Crookstown-Millview) finished second in the long jump while Ballasty-Byrne (Naas) went on to finish 3rd in the 200m with Caoimhe Farrell (St Coca’s) taking third in the 100m. It was also a third place for Vivian Fleischer (Celbridge) in the high jump before stepping in for the shot putt. Aoibhinn O’Sullivan (Naas) took the top spot in the Pole Vault, rounding out her season with another win. Another athlete to gain maximum points with a win was Isobel Kearns (Naas) in the javelin. Kearns threw 33.81m, her final competition before she heads to the USA on a sports scholarship.
The road racing scene in Ireland is vibrant. It probably attracts more runners in each race now than in they hey-days of the 1980s. Every week any runner can find at least 3 or 4 races to choose from. Races to suit every calibre of runner from the jogger to the elite. While the big races may be the preserve of the elite, such is road racing these days that other than major championships, the elite and the not so elite all get to compete in the same race, do the same distance and get the same medal.
First of a plethora of local races is on August 16th, the St Coca’s annual 10 from 10, in Kilcock. The 10 mile race, 10 weeks out from the Dublin Marathon. Always a well-supported event that ticks the milestone on the Dublin Marathon journey. It is a competitive event, attracting large numbers, with a fast finish along the Greenway. The record is held by Efrem Gidey with a rather rapid, 47:11. Last year Faye Dervan (Dublin City Harriers) set a new female record settling at 58:35. Can it be broken again this year?
On the 20th August Celbridge AC will have their biggest road race of the year – their Summer 5km, with cash prizes and the promise of a good turnout and competitive atmosphere. It is not just the top three that get those cash prizes either. It extends to age categories, juveniles, course records and the monster team prize of €1,000 awarded to the first club team home with four members (2 male and 2 female) On 23rd August, it is the turn of Kildare AC. This year Kildare AC are celebrating their 70th anniversary of the clubs existence. Founded on 5th July, 1956 at 23 Fair Green, Kildare, with the president Tommy Kelly, secretary – Jimmy Morrissey and the Treasurer – John Kelly. Committee members were: Anthony Fitzsimons, Patrick Freeman and Joseph Morrissey. To commemorate this special occasion, the club will hold a 5km, 10km and 3.5km road race, with the names of those first committee members inscribed on the back of each of the stunning medals. Kildare AC had many great road runners in their day, none more so that Paddy Murphy who dominated the road racing scene in Ireland back in the 1970s and into the 1980s.
Clane AC will hold their 4 mile road race on August 28th. Held centrally in Clane there will be prizes for the first overall male and females along with the first Clane male and female. Join the national 10 mile champion Brian Conroy for what promises to be another well supported race.
Venturing just a little further out the road, the Leinster half-marathon is being held in conjunction with the Tullamore Half-marathon on August 28th, another race along the Dublin City Marathon journey.
