DCU Athletics
DCU Athletics is proud to be one of the best and most successful University Athletics programmes in the country developing and catering for student-athletes across all event groups.
Paul Byrne (Head of DCU Athletics)
Paul Byrne
Head of Athletics
01 700 8479
Paul started as Head of DCU Athletics in Nov 2019. His is a former National 400mH champion and has competed at European U23's, European Seniors, World University Games and European Games in the past.
Paul is an alumnus of DCU and competed for DCU Athletics Club as an undergraduate from 2008-2012. He later went to the University of Limerick and completed a Masters in Sport Performance while on scholarship there.
From 2017-2019 Paul was a Regional Development Officer with Athletics Ireland working closely with many clubs in the west of Ireland, developing coach education programmes and running regional athletics squads for athletes.
Paul is also an Athletics Ireland Level 3 coach specialising in sprints and hurdles events and coaches the DCU Hurdles group in the University.
Joe Ryan
Joe Ryan
Lead Endurance Coach
Joe is a high performance endurance coach from Mullingar Harriers working with some of Ireland’s current leading Junior, U23 & Senior endurance athletes.
He is a National Junior Team Coach and has worked closely with the National Junior XC panel the past number of years in preparation for the European XC Championships. Joe has approx. 20 years coaching experience and has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of athletics, particularly transition from junior senior level. Joe’s education includes a Bachelor of Business Studies from Dublin City University and a Higher Diploma in Primary Education. He is an Athletics Ireland Level 2 coach who competed at the World Junior T&F in the 10km race walk in 1996.
Kay Bannon
Kay Bannon
Sprints & Relays Coach
Kay has been a member of the DCU Athletics coaching staff since September 2023 building a performance sprints group training out of DCU's recently renovated Morton Stadium, Santry. She is one of the leading sprints coaches in Ireland having guided multiple athletes to National Medals and International representation from 60m to 400m including the relays. Kay has been coaching for the past 15+ years and is also a coach with Raheny Shamrock AC and St. Fintan's High School in Sutton. She recently guided DCU scholar Mark Smyth to the National Indoor record over 200m in 2023 running 20.64.
Michael Lane
Michael Lane
Walks Coach
Michael is an international walks judge and coach with vast experience has been developing the Walks area in Ireland for a number of years. He has been a coach in DCU for the last number of years building a strong group of International and National level walkers.
Dave Sweeney
David Sweeney
Throws Coach (Shot Put, Discus, Javelin)
David has represented Northern Ireland & Ireland in Javelin, Discus and Shot Put. He has a long association with the throwing events, where he has been National Throws Coordinator since 2013 and is currently National Field Event Coordinator. Having coached Throws since 1999, he brings significant experience to the role where he has had coaching roles in multiple international events including Olympic Games, European Team Championship, Australian Championships, European U18, U20 & U23 Championships, European Throwing Cup and European Combined Events Team Championships.
From 2012 to 2019, he was also National Throws Coach for Paralympics Ireland. During that period the Para throwers amassed 21 medals at European or Global level.
Sean Egan
Sean Egan
Throws Coach (Hammer)
Sean is an Olympian and competed in the Hammer at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. He has offered his experience to countless hammer throwers across the country. His PB in the Hammer is 71.10m which is =6th on the Irish All Time List. Sean won the 'Services to Coaching' award at the Athletics Ireland National Awards in 2019 which is a testament to the hard work and dedication he puts into his athletes and group. He coaches a number of current DCU students as well as an extended group including some DCU alumni.
Colm Bourke
Colm Bourke
Jumps Coach (Long Jump/Triple Jump)
Colm is a Long & Triple Jumper and Alumnus of DCU. After graduating in 2017, he went to The University of Louisiana Monroe where he completed a Masters Degree in Psychology and entered the top-10 on the Irish All-Time list with a jump of 7.58m while balancing his academics and athletics as a student athlete.
After graduating, he stayed at ULM to pursue his athletic goals and work as a Career Coach. Colm also joined the Track and Field staff as a Volunteer Assistant working with the Horizontal and Vertical Jumps. Colm recently obtained his USTFCCCA Technical Certificate and hosts an athletics-based podcast named, 'The Track and Field Performance Podcast' where he speaks with coaches and practitioners across the sport.
He now works with the DCU Careers service as a Careers consultant working with students and athletes on a daily basis.
Support Services
Evan Lynch
Evan Lynch
Performance Nutritionist
Evan is a performance nutritionist with a BSc in Food Science & Health, P.G Diploma in dietetics, and Master’s degree in Sports & Exercise nutrition. Having competed Internationally in the Walks, working with track and field athletes is Evan's speciality, and has worked with athletes of all abilities, including a number of Olympians. Evan also has done extensive work alongside Athletics Ireland in an effort to help get evidence based nutritional information into the hands of Irish athletes.
Evan works in all aspects of our nutrition support including athlete education and workshops to one-to-one sessions with DCU athletes to ensure they stay healthy and get the most out of their performances.
| Name | Role | |
| Adam McInerney | Chairperson | adam.mcinerney22@mail.dcu.ie |
| Erin Taheny | Vice Chairperson | erin.taheny3@mail.dcu.ie |
| Barry Clavin | Men's Captain | barry.clavin2@mail.dcu.ie |
| Niamh O'Neill | Women's Captain | niamh.oneill29@mail.dcu.ie |
| Colin Smith | Treasurer | colin.smith224@mail.dcu.ie |
| Niamh McCorry | Secretary | niamh.mccorry3@mail.dcu.ie |
| Sarah Lane, Maeve Hayes & Callum Hurley | PROs |
sarah.lane7@mail.dcu.ie, maeve.hayes36@mail.dcu.ie, callum.hurley32@mail.dcu.ie |
| Ciara Kennelly | Fundraising Officer | ciara.kennelly5@mail.dcu.ie |
| Michael Murphy | Ordinary Member | michael.murphy283@mail.dcu.ie |
The file shows typical training times and locations across the different groups. For the most accurate and up to date training schedule, please contact the head of athletics, relevant coach or club captains directly. COVID-19 restrictions and protocols must be adhered to across the training venues at all times.
Morton Stadium
Located 2.5km from DCU Glasnevin Campus, Morton Stadium is the main training location for DCU Athletics Club.
Outdoor
- 8 lane World Athletics Certified 400m MONDO track
- 10 lanes on 100m finish straight.
- 4 outdoor LJ/TJ pits.
- Competition throws areas for Hammer, Shot, Discus & Jav.
- External all-weather throws area.
- Equipment for all Track and Field events.
Indoor
- 6 lane 60m Indoor track.
- High Jump area and LJ/TJ pit.
- HP gym kitted out with specialised equipment for Athletics training.
- Male and Female changing rooms
DCU High Performance Centre
DCU Sports Grounds Track (St. Clare's)
- 5 lane 80m tartan track
- Long/Triple Jump pit
- Throws net
- High Jump area
DCU Campus Track (Glasnevin Campus)
- Fully covered 70m 3 lane track
DCU Sport & Fitness Complex
- Over 100 pieces of fitness equipment including Olympic lifting platforms
- 25m Swimming Pool
- Full suite of Sauna, Jacuzzi and Steam Room
- Large Cardio Area (treadmills, rowers, cross trainers)
- Fitness Studios
- Main Sports Hall
VIEW MORE
IUAA Men's Titles
| Road Relays | Indoors | XC | Outdoors | Total |
| 12 | 16 | 14 | 15 | 57 |
IUAA Women's Titles
| Road Relays | Indoors | XC | Outdoors | Total |
| 11 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 57 |
Other Titles
| IUAA Overall Outdoor T&F Team Titles | IUAA Overall XC Team Titles | IUAA Throws Trophy Titles | IUAA Jumps Trophy Titles | IUAA Sprints Trophy Titles | IUAA Middle Distance Trophy Titles | IUAA Combined Events Team Trophy Titles |
| 15 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 11 |
See the Irish University Athletics Association Homepage for full results database and championships
Lauren Tinkler and Jodie McCann IUAA Road Relays 2019
2019 IUAA Road Relays
The IUAA Road Relays were held in November on the NUI Maynooth campus and DCU Athletics travelled with strong teams on both the men's and women's sides.
The DCU ladies had three teams toeing the line this year. The ladies A team were led off by Aoibhinn McGoldrick who had a stormer of a run, leading from the gun. Aoibhinn managed the pressure extremely well around the half way point of the 1-mile loop where athletes from Trinity College Dublin and UCD tried to over-take her. She handed over a 3 second lead to Jodie McCann. Jodie who is a superb athlete on both track and cross-country continued her fine form of late, putting distance into the rest of the athletes right from the off as she began her 2-mile leg. Jodie showed her class throughout and entered the change-over zone where Lauren Tinkler set off over another 2-mile leg. Lauren ran a strong 2-mile leg where she faced stiff opposition from two of the best distance athletes in Ireland representing TUD and UCD. Despite being overtaken by the TUD athlete around the half-way mark of her leg, Lauren battled hard to the line and managed to hold
second place ahead of UCD in third who were trying desperately to close the gap. Lauren handed over to Nadia Power who stormed around the last 1-mile loop of the day. Nadia, a European U23 Bronze Medalist over 800m this summer, ran the fastest 1-mile leg of the day recording a swift 5.14. However, the gap to Trinity College Dublin was just too big to close on this occasion and our Ladies team finished in a credible second place. This was a great performance from our Ladies A-team which had many last minute changes due to some of our athletes picking up injuries and illness. Behind all the excitement of the battle to reach the top of the podium, there were plenty of battles going on across the course in Maynooth. All members of our ladies B and C teams (Named below) battled hard throughout their legs. Our B team finished a credible 6 th while our C team
finished 17 th . This was the first outing of the season for many of our ladies distance squad and perhaps the first time many of these ladies represented the DCU Athletics Academy where they wore and performed for the blue vest with great pride. The win for the TUD ladies team, was the first in their history and well deserved.
With the Ladies narrowly missing out on retaining their IUAA Road Relays title for 2019, all focus was now turned to our three Men’s teams (again A,B & C) who were surely feeling the pressure. The men’s race consisted of again, 2×1-mile legs, 2×2-mile legs with an extra 3-miler in the middle. The first leg of the day was cagey and tactical with the pace not really picking up until the half-way point of the 1-mile loop. All three DCU teams were placed inside the top ten after the first changeover after fine legs from Conor Duncan, Cian McBride and Ruarcan O’Gibne. Conor handed over to Cathal Doyle who set-off for two laps at a fast pace. By the half-way point, Cathal had over-taken the five teams in front of him and put the DCU Men’s team into first place for the first time on the day. Cathal managed the heat applied by the UCD athlete and continued his fine form which he
has showed throughout the current cross-country season, handing responsibility over to Cormac
Dalton for the long, dreaded three miler. This is the leg every year where the Men’s race is won and lost and with two athletes chasing Cormac who represent Ireland on a regular basis, the Mullingar AC athlete was going to need a calm and composed head to keep the DCU men’s A-team in contention. Despite extreme pressure being piled on by athletes from NUI Galway and UCD, Cormac held it together and ran a rapid 3-mile to hold a narrow but crucial lead. Nexct up was Brian Fay had been having a great year where he has pulled out some stand-out performances. Last Saturday in Maynooth was no different, Brian held off early pressure from the UCD athlete over the first half of his 2-mile leg before putting in a rapid last 800 metres, opening up a commanding 12-second gap back to UCD who were holding second place. On the anchor leg for the Men’s A-team was a second-year athlete, Colin Smith. Colin moved rapidly over the first 800 metres and extended our lead to 20 seconds. He didn’t stop there, keeping the pressure on to cross the line and record the fastest 1-miler of the day in the Men’s race. This was a huge victory for our Men’s team as the calibre of athletes representing both UCD and NUI Galway, who made up the podium places, has very high. Once again as in the Ladies race, DCU athletes from the B&C teams were fighting hard to finish high up the field. The Men’s B team finished just outside the medals in 4 th position while our C team finished a credible 9 th. Overall it was a great day for the DCU Athletics who headed back to North Dublin with a set of gold and silver team medals. It was also great to observe a sea of blue DCU Athletics tracksuits swarm around the course throughout both races with many athletes who compete in sprints, jumps and throws for the university out to support. The next outing for the DCU Athletics
athletes will be at the IUAA Indoor Athletics Championships in Athlone in February.
Teams who represented DCU Athletics in Maynooth:
Ladies A-Team: Aoibhinn McGoldrick, Jodie McCann, Lauren Tinkler, Nadia Power
Ladies B: Sarah Clarke, Aine Burke, Aoife O’Cuill, Alannah Cooley
Ladies C: Susie O’Flynn, Maeve Maher, Jesseka Gallagher, Molly Brown
Mens A: Conor Duncan, Cathal Doyle, Cormac Dalton, Brian Fay, Colin Smith
Men’s B: Cian McBride, Jamie Battle, Jack Boylan, Keelan Kilrehill, Jonny Whan
Men’s C: Ruarcan O’Gibne, Euan Lagan, Patrick MacGabhann, Ben Guiden, Andrew McKenna.
DCU AC Team at IUAA Indoors 2020
2020 IUAA Indoor Championships
The IUAA Indoors is always an early chance to showcase form for the indoor season and this year was no different for DCU Athletics Athletes with some fine performances across the disiplines. Throughout the day, both teams proved why we are the most successful varsity team in the country, dominating many of the events on both the track and field.
This impressive string of performances resulting in a total of 25 medals being won across both teams, two if which were IUAA Records (Mens Men’s 4 × 200m and Saragh Buggy in the Triple Jump), 3 DCU Records (Men’s 4 × 200m, Saragh Buggy in the Triple Jump & 1st year Mark Smyth in the 200m). These brilliant records were backed up with plenty of PB’s and SB’s by the rest of the squad.
Womens Team
In the 60m, Aoife Lynch and Alanna Ryan reached the final coming in 6th place and 8th place in 7.72 and 7.82 picking up points for the team. Eva McPartlan was narrowly out of the medals in the final of the 60mH. In her more preferred event, Aoife Lynch picked up a bronze medal in the 200m final running 24.84 with Sarah McCarthy on her heels in 4th. Sophie Becker eased her way to another IUAA title over 400m in 55.01 with Kelly mc Grory also picking up a bronze medal in 56.17. More medals came from the 800m where Zoe Carruthers picked up a bronze in 2:27 and Lauren Tinkler in 6th. Alannah Cooley placed 10th in the 1500m final in 5.07. 1-2 for DCU in the 1500m walk with Sarah Glennon taking the win over Orlaith Delahunt in 2nd. More gold in the 3000m for Claire Fagan in 9.58 with Christine Russell backing her up in 7th. Silver for our 4×200m relay (Aoife Lynch, Alanna Ryan, Kelly McGrory and Sophie Becker). Sarah McCarthy picked up a silver in the long jump in 5.58 with Fodla McFadden just outside the medals in 4th. IUAA Record for Sarah Buggy in the triple jump in 13.18 with Kim O’Hare close behind in 4th place. More gold in high jump with Daena Kealy retaining her title clearing 1.70, Emily Corcoran clearing 1.50. Ailbhe Healy was 6th in the pole vault. In the Shot Putt, Michaela Walsh took the win throwing 14.22 and Zoe Mohan coming in 7th. In her preferred event Zoe Mohan came back to win the gold in the 8k WfD in 8.25 with Michaela getting the bronze.
Men’s Team
In the Final of the 60m, Sean O’Driscoll bagged a bronze medal running 6.91 with Simon Essuman in 7th. Fresher Mark Smyth ran a new DCU record, taking the win in 21.44 leading DCU to a 1-2 as Paul McDermott followed close behind in 21.67. In the 400m, Jack Manning placed 4th and Jamie Pender 54.39. Carnage in the 800m as both Cian McBride and Colin Smith dived to the line for the last medal, Mcbride getting the node for bronze. In the 1500m, Garry Campbell placed 5th with Keelan Kilrehill close behind in 9th. Silver for Adam McInerney in the 2000m walk in 9.05. Matthew Molloy was 8th in the 3000m. IUAA Record for the mens 4×200m (Simon Essuman, Cillin Grene, Paul McDermott, Mark Smyth). Gold again in the long jump where Keith Marks jumped 6.97 with James Fortune in 12th in 5.42. James in action again in the jump, jumping 1.65 for 10th. Silver and Bronze for DCU with Matthew Callinan Keenan and Shane Power. James O Neill picked up a bronze in the shot putt with Brendan O Donnell in 13th. James again in action in the 16WfD in 10th.
Once again both teams topped the tables at the end of day, this will be used as a great confidence booster for the Cross Country Championships on the 7th March held by UCC.
2020 IUAA XC Championships
DCU Athletes has an extremely rewarding journey to the UCC Sports Grounds in Curraheen Cork coming home with best overall XC college title, Men’s team title and 2nd place in the women’s team competition losing out by 3 points to a very strong Trinity College team on the day.
The team were high spirits, excited to race and retain the title we won from last year. First up were the women’s over 5km with four to score. Leading the team with a fantastic run was Claire Fagan kicking home for 2nd and gritting her teeth right to the line to pip Trinity’s Caron Ryan on the finish line. She was back up by more great runs by Lauren Tinkler in 5th, Niamh Kelly in 10th and Zoe Carruthers in 13th to scored 30 points which was good enough for 2nd team.The men’s race saw a very dominating team performance from our DCU athletes led home by Cathal Doyle taking the win, followed closely home by the in form Andrew Coscoran in 2nd, Jack Boylan 5th, Cormac Dalton 6th, Patrick McGabhann in 11th and Jonny Whan in 12th. The team won by a massive 65 points.
Another great performance from both teams to take the overall prize as we now turn our attention to the outdoors in Santry in a months time.
Well done to all DCU Athletes who competed on the day and to all in UCC for hosting a great XC Championships.
Women’s Team
Christine Russell
Claire Fagan
Áine Burke
Niamh Kelly
Zoe Carruthers
Aoife Darby
Lauren Tinkler
Alannah Cooley
Eva Cummins
Men’s Team
Michael Carey
Cathal Doyle
Euan Lagan
Johnny Whan
Eoghan Keaney
Gavin Callery
Jack Boylan
Jamie Battle
Cormac Dalton
Ryan Sheridan
Andrew Coscoran
Patrick McGabhann
Fionnuala competing at London 2012 Olympic Games
Fionnuala McCormack
Beijing 2008 - 3000m SC
London 2012 - 5000m & 10000m
Rio 2016 - Marathon
Tokyo 2020 - Marathon
Laura in London 2012 20km Walk
Laura Reynolds
London 2012 - 20km Walk
Linda Byrne
Linda Byrne
London 2012 - Marathon
Claire Bergin (Right) competing at World Champs 2011 in the 4x400m
Claire Bergin
London 2012 - 4 x 400m Relay
Martina McCarthy competing in Sydney 2000
Martina McCarthy
Sydney 2000 - 4 x 400m Relay
Greta Streimikyte competing in Rio 2016
Greta Streimikyte
Rio 2016 - T13 1500m
Tokyo 2020 - T13 1500m
Deirdre Ryan in action at London 2012
Deirdre Ryan
London 2012 - High Jump
Andrew Coscoran 1500m heats at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Andrew Coscoran
Tokyo 2020 - 1500m
Nadia Power
Nadia Power
Tokyo 2020 - 800m
Sophie Becker competing in the Mixed 4x400m in Tokyo 2020
Sophie Becker
Tokyo 2020 - Mixed 4x400m Relay
Cillín Greene in action in the Mixed 4x400m relay in Tokyo 2020.
Cillín Greene
Tokyo 2020 - Mixed 4x400m Relay
Written and complied by Enda Fitzpartick
DCU Athletics Club was officially formed in the academic year 1989/90 once NIHE Dublin was accepted for university status as Dublin City University. During the 80’s, NIHE Dublin hosted TWO Irish Universities Athletics Association championships (IUAA) – the cross country championships on the 9th of March 1985 and the outdoor track & field championships in Santry on the 29/30th of April 1988. From 1982 to 1989, the NIHE Dublin athletics club had between 7 and 25 affiliated club members annually – the most notable of these were Irish Internationals athletes like Brian Eiffe (Sprints), Richard Garvey (High Jumps) and Malachy Sheridan (RIP) in the pole vault and combined events. Richard Garvey won the first ever individual IUAA medal for NIHE Dublin when setting a new IUAA high jump record of 2.01m at the UCD Belfield track in May 1984. In the following years, Malachy Sheridan (PV, UCC 1985), Brian Eiffe (400m, UCC 1985), Una Mc Mahon (Discus, Santry 1986), Malachy Sheridan (LJ, Antrim Forum 1987), Una Mc Mahon (Javelin, Santry 1988), Una Mc Mahon (Javelin, QUB 1989) all won individual IUAA titles. NIHE Dublin formerly became Dublin City University before the 1989/90 academic year.
During the 90’s, DCU continued to win individual medals through Annette Kealy (3000m, TCD 1992), Tony O Halloran (10,000m, Cork 1993), Brian Mc Dermott (Javelin, NUIG 1994), Shane Lawlor (400m indoors, Nenagh 1995), David Kearns (400m indoors, Nenagh 1996), George Hughes (LJ indoors, Nenagh 1999), Kathryn Kelly (1500m Walk indoors, Nenagh 1999), Jennifer Mc Kenna (400m indoors, Nenagh 1999), and Jacqueline Mulhall (200m indoors, Nenagh 1999). In the early 2000’s, Jennifer Mc Kenna was the most dominant DCU athlete to win numerous individual sprint titles, outdoor titles at 400m in UL (2000), a 200m/400m outdoor double at Santry (2001) and a 400m title at CIT (2002) in addition to a 200m/400m indoors double in Nenagh in 2000.
At the club’s AGM in 2002 (10 students in attendance), Dr Niall Moyna, (a GAA /Athletics enthusiast) who had returned from the US to a take up a leading position in the school of health and performance, suggested that the club needed to focus on better coaching and use of sports science facilities to enhance the university’s chances of IUAA successes. A club committee of Niall Doherty, Gary Park, Damian Mc Loughlin and George Hughes got to work and acquired the services of Enda Fitzpatrick to assist with this process. Within one year, the vision and hard work of the committee, Niall (with sports science supports) and Enda (recruitment and distance coaching) witnessed DCU win its first ever IUAA team title – the ladies team winning the IUAA road relays title in Maynooth on Nov 16th 2002. Fiona Mahon (Meath), Katie Duggan (Carlow), Deirdre Mc Dermott (Kildare) and Louise Reilly (Cavan) were our first history “team” makers! This same quartet combined to win our first IUAA XC title (hosted by DCU in our sports grounds) on March 9th 2003. A developing men’s XC squad of Aidan Bailey, Colm Rooney, Ian Chaney, Peter Coary, Cormac Fitzpatrick, Paddy Boylan, Joe Robinson, Niall Doherty and others finished 2nd to TCD on the same day ensuring that DCU won their first overall XC team title (combined Men’s & Women’s team performances).
The short term plan was to get teams competing in DCU colours at IUAA championships. Enda, through his involvements with Irish and Leinster schools athletics, embarked on a mission to utilise Niall’s school of health and human performance testing facilities and soon a raft of talented athletes were pursuing their academics at DCU. The facilities of the health and human performance school would be essential in promoting a sports science approach to our middle distance programme (lactate testing, blood testing, running economy tests, body fats, etc.). Soon, athletes like Fionnuala Britton, Mark Christie, Eoin Higgins, Colin Costello, Danny Darcy, Linda Byrne and others were now donning the DCU crest – the beginning of something special was evolving and DCU were winning IUAA titles.
With continued team successes in the following years, the launching of the Athletics Academy in 2006 further enhanced the image of DCU as an athletics force – we were now broadening our horizons to sprints (with jumps and throws to come!) During these transitional years – athletes like Mark Christie, Fionnuala Britton, Eoin Higgins, Colin Costello (1 Year), Danny Darcy, Linda Byrne, Martina McCarthy, Brona Furlong, Leona Byrne, Gemma Hynes, Clare Brady and others brought great successes to the college. Colin Costello was crowned the European Junior 1500m champion, followed home by new recruit Danny Darcy. Fionnuala Britton finished 2nd at the European U23 cross country championships in Italy and World Student Games country championships in France where she led a DCU threesome of Linda Byrne (8th) and Ciara Durkan (20th) to team bronze for Ireland. Fionnuala then competed at the 2008 Olympics in the 3000m steeplechase, where Darren Sutherland (RIP) won Olympic bronze in boxing. In April 2007, (as host of the IUAA T&F championships in Santry), we won the women’s, men’s and overall best track & field college team for the first time. Niall’s initial vision and that of Niall and Martin Conry (university secretary) in setting up the Academy in 2006 was flagging DCU as the university to attend in Ireland to pursue athletics and GAA games (DCU won its first Sigerson title in 2006). In December 2011, DCU athletes Brendan O Neill and John Coghlan were key forces on Ireland’s European Under 23 winning team in Portugal – a feat achieved 2 years later when graduates Fionnuala Britton (1st) and Linda Bynre (8th) led the Irish Senior women’s cross country team to a similar success in Budapest.
In August 2012, DCU had 5 ladies competing at the London Olympics (4 men had Olympics B standards). Fionnuala competed at her 2nd Olympics in the 5000m and 10000m, Linda Byrne competed in the marathon, Deirdre Ryan in the high jump, Laura Reynolds in the 20K walk and Claire Bergin was a member of the 4 x 400m relay squad. Mark English, Brian Gregan, Paul Robinson and Steven Colvert just missed out!
Since then, winning IUAA individual and team titles has become a regular occurrence. From earlier days when 5 students attended the annual AGM, we now have over 80 in regular attendance; from 0 team titles to over 100 team titles, from 0 coaches to 10 team coaches; from 0 athletes living on campus to 50 athletes living on campus; from 5 to 10 individual affiliated athletes in the NIHE era, to a maximum of 20 athletes during the 90’s, we now affiliate in excess of 150 athletes annually to the IUAA database, all of whom are eligible to compete for DCU in universities competitions. The “End of Year Awards” function (introduced in 2013) now offers all club members their opportunity to nominate an Athlete of the Year Award, a Fresher of the Year Award, the Performance of the Year Award, etc. It brings a fitting climax to the end of every academic year!
DCU Athletics has come a very long way in less than 15 years! The Incorporation of 4 third level entities to one brand (DCU) further enhances and reinforces our ambitions to become the greatest 3rd level sporting Institute by 2025!
For further information contact our Head of Athletics:
Paul Byrne
T: 01 700 8479
DCU Athletics Performance Programme
Elite student-athletes as part of the DCU Athletics Scholarship programme receive supports and services to help them achieve at the highest level both academically and athletically. The level of support provided will depend on athlete performance, with three main levels of scholarship; Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3.
The benefits of the scholarship programme can include:
- Access to elite sport facilities (Morton Stadium Track and High Performance Gym, St. Claire's Sports Campus, DCU High Performance Gym and DCU Gym)
- Financial support
- High performance coaching
- Access to on-campus athlete accommodation (College Park Residences, Glasnevin Campus)
- Strength and conditioning
- Sports massage and soft tissue
- Physiotherapy, Athletic Therapy & injury management
- Performance/Physiology testing
- Academic support and academic flexibility
- Lifestyle support
- Educational talks and workshops
Applications for 2024/25 are now OPEN. Further details and application form can be found HERE. Applications close on 1st May 2024 at 5.15pm. Further information on our Athletics Scholarships and minimum entry requirements can also be found on the link above.
DCU Athletics is supported by Joma in partnership with JF Sports as the official supplier of our new technical kit.
All new items can be purchased from the online club shop here.
Men's singlets and women's crop tops/singlets are only available via the track office (LG10 B - McNulty Building, Glasnevin Campus) or via contacting paul.byrne@dcu.ie
Some older DCU Athletics kit is still available by completing the form below and emailing to paul.byrne@dcu.ie
Please note some items have limited sizes remaining in our older kit.
2023/24
IUAA Road Relays
10th November 2023 - NUI Maynooth
DCU vs UL Indoor Match
28th November 2023 - Nenagh Olympic Stadium
IUAA Indoor Championships
10th February 2024 - National Indoor Arena, Abbotstown
IUAA Colours Cross Country
24th Feb 2024 - Trinity Sports Grounds, Santry
IUAA Cross Country Championships
9th March 2024 - Queens University Belfast Pitches
IUAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
5th & 6th April 2024 - Mary Peters Track, Belfast
Full information can be found HERE via the IUAA Website
Current Scholars
Mark Smyth
Mark Smyth
200m
Coach: Kay Bannon
Course: MSc Emerging Media
Recent Achievements:
- Gold 200m IUAA Indoor Championships 2023
- Gold 200m IUAA Outdoor Championships 2023
- National Senior Indoor 200m Record 20.64 2023
- 1st 200m European Team Championships Division 3
- National Indoor & Outdoor 200m Champion 2023
Harry Colbert
Harry Colbert
5000m/Cross Country
Coach: Des Colbert
Course: BCL Law
Recent Achievements:
- Silver 5000m IUAA Outdoor Championships 2023
- 2nd U19 All Ireland Cross Country Championships 2023
- Qualified 3000m European U18 Championships, Jerusalem 2022.
Emma Moore
Emma Moore
800m
Coach: Joe Ryan
Course: PE & Biology
Recent Achievements:
- Gold National U20 Championships 2022
- Gold 4x400m IUAA Outdoor Championships 2023
- Represented Ireland at DNA Meet, Madrid 2023
- National Senior 800m Finalist 2022 Indoors & Outdoors
Sean McGinley
Sean McGinley
1500m/3000m Steeplechase
Coach: John Rogan
Course: PE & Biology
Recent Achievements:
- Gold 3000mSC IUAA Outdoor Championships 2023
- IUAA 3000mSC Record 8:56.90 2023
- Gold 1500m National U23 Indoor Championships 2023
Róise Roberts
Róise Roberts
3000m/Cross Country
Coach: Mark Kirk
Course: Joint Hons Law & Spanish
Recent Achievements:
- Represented Ireland at European Cross Country Championships U20 2021 & 2022
- Bronze National U20 Cross Country 2022
- Silver IUAA Cross Country Championships 2023
- Silver 1500m National U20 Indoor Championships 2023
- Bronze 3000m National U20 Outdoor Championships 2023
Nkemjika Onwumereh
Nkemjika Onwumereh
60m/100m
Coach: Kay Bannon
Course: Computer Science
Recent Achievements:
- European U20 4x100m Relay Team Jerusalem 2023
- Gold 4x100m Relay IUAA Outdoor Championships 2023
- Gold 60m National U20 Indoor Championships 2022
- Bronze 100m National U20 Outdoor Championships 2022
Jack Raftery
Jack Raftery
400m
Coach: Jeremy Lyons
Course: Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering
Recent Achievements:
- 8th Mixed 4x400m Relay World Championships Budapest 2023
- 7th 400m European U23 Championships 2023
- Gold 400m IUAA Indoor Championships 2023
- Gold 400m IUAA Outdoor Championships 2023
- IUAA Outdoor Record 400m 46.59 2023
Michael Farrelly
Michael Farrelly
60m/100m
Coach: Kay Bannon
Course: Business Studies
Recent Achievements:
- Bronze 100m IUAA Outdoor Championships 2023
- Gold 4x100m IUAA Outdoor Championships 2023
- Bronze 60m IUAA Indoor Championships 2023
- Gold 4x200m IUAA Indoor Championships 2023
- Silver 60m Leinster Indoor Championships 2023
Notable DCU Alumni
- Fionnuala McCormack (nee Britton) - 4 Time Olympian
- Ailís McSweeney - World University Games 100m Silver 2005
- Nadia Power (Marketing, Innovation and Technology 2021) - European U23 Bronze Medalist 800m and Toyko 2020 Olympian
- Cillín Greene (BCL Law 2021) National 400m Champion & Toyko 2020 Olympian
- Brian Gregan (Sport Science & Health 2012) World Championship Semi Finalist 400m 2017 & European U23 Silver Medalist 2011
- Paul Robinson - 4th European Championship 1500m 2014
- Linda Byrne - London 2012 Olympian and National Marathon Champion
- Eoin Evarard (Athletic Therapy & Training) - Sub 4 Minute Miler
- Claire Bergin - Summer & Winter Olympic Games Representative (4 x 400m and Bobsleigh)
- Brian Fay (Business Studies 2021) - National Indoor 5000m Record Holder
- Keelan Kilrehill (Economics, Politics & Law 2022) - European U23 XC Team Gold 2021
- Jamie Battle (Bachelor of Education 2022) European U23 XC Team Gold 2021
DCU Social Runners is a participation focused running group for DCU students and staff. Come walk, jog or run with us in a friendly and inclusive atmosphere around the many running routes on Glasnevin campus, Albert College Park and the surrounding areas. Be as competitive or casual as you like, improve your overall health, fitness and wellbeing. No experience required, we cater for complete beginners to people who want to run a 10km, 10mile, half marathon and beyond!
Join our Social Runners Facebook Group
Training takes place every Tuesday and Thursday @ 1pm.
Tuesday - Intervals
Meet at entrance to Albert College Park (on the long avenue off Ballymun Rd entrance to DCU) at the playground.
Thursday - Group Run
Meet at entrance to Albert College Park (on the long avenue off Ballymun Rd entrance to DCU) at the playground.
All our sessions are led by a qualified Athletics Ireland coach. For the most up to date information on training times join our Facebook group HERE
Q: Do I have to be a student or staff member of DCU to take part?
A: Yes, you must be a current student or staff member to take part with DCU Social Runners community.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: We ask that all people interested join DCU Athletics Club via the DCU Clubs and Socs Portal HERE. After that there is no additional cost to each session you attend.
Q: Do I have to attend every training session?
A: Absolutely not, you can be as casual or committed as you like to attending the group training. We want to create a community of runners in DCU where you can get to know like minded people in a non competitive environment.
Please complete the form below if you are interested in attending DCU and more information on the DCU Athletics Progrmme.
DCU Schools XC
The DCU Schools XC is an annual event usually held in the third week of January at our DCU Sports Grounds facility for invited secondary schools from all across Ireland.
The event allows teachers and coaches an early opportunity to race on a challenging cross country course ahead of the regional schools cross country championships 7-10days later.
If you or your school is interested in taking part in our next edition of the DCU Schools XC please drop us a line at dcuathletics123@gmail.com
DCU Secondary Schools XC 2024
Wednesday 17th January saw the return of the DCU Secondary Schools Cross Country event at the DCU Sports Grounds for the first time since 2019. With over 600 athletes from 34 schools across the country taking part the event was a real showcase of impressive performances and high participation, highlighted the emerging talents in school-level athletics, of the regional and zone championships take place over the next few weeks.
The conditions were tough with hard ground underfoot, a bite in the air but there was plenty of good running on our tough cross country course across all eight races on the day.
Minor Girls & Boys Races:
The day's events commenced with the Minor Girls' 1000m race, featuring 93 participants. Cate Beddy from Loreto St. Stephen’s Green took first place, with Aoife Murphy (Loreto Foxrock) and Jessica Ryan (St. Dominic's College Cabra) finishing in the second and third spots respectively. St. Dominic’s College Cabra secured the Minor Girls Team Title, demonstrating strong team performance which was to feature strongly throughout the day.
In the Minor Boys category, the largest group of the day with 121 runners, Tim Daly (Willow Park), Eoin McGuirk (Lusk Community College), and Euan Atteberry (Colaiste Eoin) led the field, showing great endurance and speed. St. Kieran’s College Kilkenny took the top spot in the team event, showcasing their depth fielding multiple teams in all boys races throughout the afternoon.
Junior Girls & Boys Races:
In the Junior Girls race we saw a commanding performance from Holy Child Killiney with their athletes Rachel Murdock and Siena Fleming taking the first and second spots on the podium. Grace Connell from Mount Sackville finished third. Holy Child Killiney resumed their silverware take over in the team results by finishing in first place with an outstanding score of 11 points. Our Lady’s College Drogheda and Loreto Foxrock rounded of the team results for the Junior Girls claiming silver and bronze.
The Junior boys race had another massive field of 120 who took on the course to run 2000m. A huge well done to the medallists from this big and talented field. Charlie O’Neill representing Belvedere College placed first with Ronan Keaney from Patrician Secondary School Newry and Finn Kealy from Oatlands College placing second and third. With Patrician Secondary School Newbridge finishing first in the team results on 20 points it was literally neck and neck between St. Coleman’s College Newry and Oatlands College as they both finished on 28 points. St. Coleman’s College Newry just came out on top due to having overall better third placed scoring athlete.
Intermediate Girls & Boys Races:
The outstanding talent Emily Boltan took to the front of the Intermediate Girls race from the gun and continued her blistering pace all the way to the line to claim the gold medal. Moments later Derbhla Allen and Goda Buivydte closed off the podium with bronze and silver. Lilly Clarke Hanrahan and Erin Byrne placed fourth and fifth securing themselves silverware. St. Dominic’s College Cabra took home yet another team title, this time in the Intermediate girl’s race thanks to a dominating 15 points. Our Lady’s College Drogheda claim another team medal, this time being bronze and Colaiste Iosagain placing second.
Conor McGuirk (Lusk Community College), Rhys Johnson (Pipers Hill College) and Jack Garvey (St. Mary’s Drogheda) place first second and third in the Boys Intermediate race. St. Michael’s Enniskillen(1st), St. Coleman’s College Newry (2nd) and Belvedere College (3rd) for the Intermediate Boys team results.
Senior Races:
The Senior Girls and Boys races concluded the day’s events with some fine battles for top honours on the day. Maebh Caffrey from Mount Sackville and Lorcan Benjacar from Ard Scoil Ris took home the senior title so a massive well done to both of them as both fields were stacked with many great athletes. St. Dominic’s College Cabra made it a hattrick of golds in the team results by winning the Senior Girls title. Our nearest neighbours to DCU, St. Aidan’s CBS took the Senior Boys title in style with four of their athletes being inside the top ten.
A big thank you to all the race stewards, helpers and volunteers. Particularly to Clonliffe Harriers AC who supported the event supplying some of the most experienced officials in the country to help the event run as smoothly as possible. Athletics Ireland for the use of their cross country course equipment. Thanks to DCU Sport for the use of the fine facilities we are lucky to have in DCU.
Many thanks to The Helix and GOWA Sportswear & Teamwear for sponsoring the Senior Boy’s and Girl’s trophies respectively on the day. It was greatly appreciated by DCU as well as all the students.
Finally once again well done to all of the athletes that took part in the event. DCU is very thankful for the amazing turn out by all the schools and students. Best of luck to everyone in their upcoming regional, zone and Irish Schools races in the coming weeks. We look forward to welcoming you all back to DCU again in 2025!
Race Report by DCU PRO Cillian Sheeran
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