On a weekend of massive success at the European Indoor Athletics Championships that again has captured the hearts of the Irish sporting public, Killarney Valley AC also had its day in the spotlight at the National Indoor Championships.
Track and field athletics in Killarney is on a high and rising with 400 members in the club.
Jack O’Leary claimed the bronze medal in the Under 23 800m in a time of 1.55.18 and his star continues to rise. In a very tactical race, Jack claimed a well-deserved place on the podium and he is certainly one to watch.
He narrowly missed out by one place to make the final at the senior championships and is only a matter of time before he claims a medal at that level. Clocking four minutes for the metric mile earlier in 2025 is an indication of his enormous potential.
The ladies’ Under 20 relay team in the 4x400m claimed a silver medal at the highest level in a new personal best of 4.13.50.
The team consisted of Megan O’Reilly, Mollie O’Riordan, Sophie Duke, Maddie O’Riordan and Tara O’Sullivan and, it should be noted that this young team has two more years at this level indicating their exceptional talent.
Maureen O’Shea claimed shot and WFD bronze medals, Alan Delaney won gold in the high jump with Tim Horgan claiming gold in the shot putt also. Derek Pyne won the long jump with a new personal best of 5.13.
Jer O’Donoghue sprinted to a silver in the 60m in a flying 7.40. The former Irish international, who previously competed for Ireland at the European Indoor Championships, could get close to the seven second barrier again.
The men’s 4x200m relay team raced to a gold medal in a time of 1.48 the team included Alan Delaney, Jer O’Donoghue, Tomas Griffin and Derek Pyne.
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