Tír Chonaill Athletics Club is a club with an open door policy, where you will be greeted with a warm welcome from friendly, courteous and experienced members and qualified coaches. Coaches who believe that everyone is capable of achieving their goals, regardless of age or fitness levels, and who strive towards this end in a friendly, supportive and safe environment. The club caters for athletes from 8 years old upwards, the oldest member being 68 years of age and for Juveniles, Seniors, Masters, Joggers, Walkers, Tri-Athletes and Fit4Life covering such events as Track & Field Athletics, Road Running, Cross-Country Running, Triathlon, Walking and Hiking.
Current Season
During the current season, Club Athletes have had numerous achievements e.g. the Women’s Senior Team are in 2nd place going into National League Track & Field Finals. Internationals Mary McLoone and Geraldine Stewart continue to dominate their events at National level. Youngsters gaining National and International recognition include Jarlath Ruane, Aoife O’Connor, Christopher Doherty, Louise Harvey and numerous relay teams that have medalled at Irish indoor and outdoor championships. The club is honoured to have many of the counties top master athletes in its ranks i.e. Paul Ward, Gary Thomas, Marie Rooney, Phil Gallagher, Vera Haughey and John Cannon to mention but a few.
Brief History
Tír Chonaill Athletics Club grew from three thriving juvenile clubs that existed in Donegal Town, Ballyshannon and Bundoran in the 1970’s and from the road running ‘boom’ of the time. The main focus for the club was to compete in senior, team and individual competitions, at county, provincial and national levels. With the drive and coaching expertise of Paddy Donoghue, Pat McManus and Eamon Harvey, success came quickly. In cross-country, teams led by Junior International David Wilson won Ulster Novice and Intermediate titles, the later at Finner is an unforgetable day in the clubs history.
The club entered the National, Track and Field League in the 1980’s with great enthusiasm and no small amount of success. During a five year period they gained top three finishes on numerous occasions and finally were outright Division 1 winners and gained promotion to the Premier Leagues. Kevin McBrearty, Vincent Breslin, Sean Lorenynko, Paul Ward, Paul Ritchie, David Wilson, John Giles, Martin O’Halloran and guest and double Olympian Danny McDaid led the team on this historic occasion. More recently in the 1990’s it was the clubs women that have been hitting the headlines. During an eight years period they entered, gained promotion from Division 1 and went onto win the Irish Premier Division League title in 2003 and subsequently represented Ireland in the European Inter Clubs in Belgium in 2004. This was a remarkable achievement for a rural club. The names of Mary McLoone, Geraldine Stewart, Michelle Harvey, Catherine Harvey, Sinead Peoples, Ethna McLoone, Marie Rooney, Ruth Little, Bridie Lynch, Jackie Harvey, Emma O’Doherty and Sharon Foley have a unique place in club and county athletics. Its interesting to note that a rising star of Irish Athletics guested for the club in the European Club Finals in Gent. Eileen O’Keefe today is ranked highly in World Hammer Throwing and will be one of Ireland’s stars in Beijing.
Hosted Events
The club hosted and organised numerous high profile and successful events since its formation. The Schools International Cross-Country - Wales v England v Scotland and Ireland - at Finner where one Mo Farrow, representing England, was the under 17-winner will never be forgotten. The annual Ballyshannon 10 drew the cream of Irish distant running to the Erne Town while the Donegal Straight Mile and the clubs annual 5k club series, a forerunner to the current very successful Donegal Road Grand Prix series were but a few of the successful initiatives undertaken by the club.
Scholarship Athletes
The following club athletes gained athletic scholarships to American Universities, David Wilson, Siobhan Gallagher, Paul Ritchie, Paul Ward and Martin O’Halloran.