Hannah Steeds of Leevale AC wins Ashling Murphy Memorial 4-mile race in Offaly

Hannah Steeds of Leevale AC was the winner of this years Ashling Murphy 4-mile road race which was held on Sunday 11th of May 2025. This race in Tullamore, Co Offaly attracted a large field with 667 runners crossing the finish line.

Top 3 men & women...

1419 1 Sean TOBIN Clonmel A.C. M 0:19:18 0:19:18  
1573 2 Eanna O BRADAIGH Dundrum South Dublin A.C. M 0:19:52 0:19:52  
163 3 Kevin MINNOCK Tullamore Harriers A.C. M 0:20:21 0:20:21  
1823 8 Hannah STEEDS Leevale A.C. F 22:03  
52 40 Sarah FLANAGAN Tullamore Harriers A.C. F45 24:52  
1841 42 Orlaith FLANAGAN Mullingar Harriers A.C. 25:06

Full results HERE

Hannah is pictured above receiving the Ashling Murphy Perpetual Trophy which is presented to the first lady finisher.

Guest article : HOOPER WAS JUST TOO HOT FOR HIS RIVALS ...By John Walshe

In this guest post from John Walsh of Ballycotton, he recounts the 1978 national marathon in Tullamore...

HOOPER WAS JUST TOO HOT FOR HIS RIVALS ...By John Walshe (Evening Echo 03/07/2018)

The month of June is usually favourable to most outdoor activities, but running 26-plus miles may not be one, as participants in the recent Cork City Marathon can testify.

Forty years ago this month, on a Sunday afternoon, the BLE National Marathon took place in Tullamore. Like the Limerick championship two years earlier which was the selection race for that summer’s Olympics, the European Championships in Prague of 1978 ensured that all of the country’s long distance men would toe the line in the midland town.

The preview in the previous week’s Cork Examiner stated that a record entry of 104 had been received. This included a number from Britain including 20-year-old Alan McGee, the 1977 Fell Runner of the Year who had recorded 2:21 in his marathon debut, along with the likes of Norman Deakin (Stoke) with a best of 2:17:20, Doug Gunstone from Edinburgh (2:19) and Kevin Best who had run a fast time for 20 miles.

15 year old Sophie O'Sullivan wins U17 National Title

Just four days after winning an 800m race at the Morton Games, 15 year old Sophie O'Sullivan was back in action in Tullamore in the National Juvenile Championships.  This time representing Ballymore Cobh AC, Sophie finished first in the U17 1500m race.

1500m U17 Women ;
Rank    Lane    ID    Name    Team    Cat    Result    Info
1    1    429    O'SULLIVAN Sophie    Ballymore Cobh A.C.        4:41.80   
2    11    149    GALLAGHER Maeve    Swinford A.C.        4:46.20   
3    14    684    MCEVOY Annie    Kilkenny City Harriers A.C.        4:52.91

Sophies mother Sonia O'Sullivan won the same race 32 years ago back in 1985 as can be seen from the medal below...

Results of the Irish Masters Track & Field Championships...Sun 21st Aug 2016

The Irish Masters Track & Field Championships were held in Tullamore on Sunday the 21st of August and there were a good number from Cork in the medals. These are some from the track events...

100m Master Men
CORR John Leevale A.C.     1st M45     11.92    
O'DONOVAN Con Rising Sun A.C. 2nd M70     14.75

3000m Master Women
KENNY Michelle     Leevale A.C.     1st W35 10:29.96    

3 km Walk Master Women   
CASHMAN Evelyn     Youghal A.C.     2nd W45 17:19.57    

200m Master Men
DENNEHY Brendan Rising Sun A.C. 2nd M65 28.92    
O'DONOVAN Con     Rising Sun A.C. 2nd M70 32.72    

800m Masters
HEALY Ann-Marie St. Finbarrs A.C. 1st W45 2:31.14    
COUGHLAN Denis     St. Finbarrs A.C. 1st M35 2:03.00    
MURPHY Michael     St. Finbarrs A.C. 3rd M55 2:30.04    
KIELY Michael     Rising Sun A.C. 1st M70 3:12.94    

5000m Master Men
MCEVOY Eamonn     St. Finbarrs A.C. 1st M60 18:11.14
AHERNE Neilus     Midleton A.C.     2nd M60 18:46.83    

400m Masters
HEALY Ann-Marie St. Finbarrs A.C. 1st W45 1:06.99
LYONS Marion     St. Finbarrs A.C. 1st W60 92.55    
KIELY Michael     Rising Sun A.C. 3rd M70 77.66    

1500m Masters
KENNY Michelle     Leevale A.C.     2nd W35 4:52.66
CASHMAN Evelyn     Youghal A.C.     1st W45 5:20.23    
COUGHLAN Denis     St. Finbarrs A.C. 2nd M35 4:09.24    
MURPHY Michael     St. Finbarrs A.C. 3rd M55 4:56.86    
KIELY Michael     Rising Sun A.C. 2nd M70 6:35.68

There were several more in the Field events as well. The full results can be seen HERE

Results of the Celtic Games in Dublin and the Masters T&F Championships in Tullamore

There were two athletic competitions in Ireland over the weekend.

On Saturday 9th of August, the Celtic Games took place in the Morton Stadium in Santry with Ireland, Wales, Scotland and the Athletics Ireland Development Team taking part. Athletes from each team competed in the U16 and U18 age groups over a range of track and field events. The Irish team came out on top with a combined score of 184 points. Wales finished second on 160 points with Scotland third on 136 points.

One performance to note from this was that of Scott Gibson of Bandon AC in Cork who won the U18 400m race in an impressive 48.44 seconds.

Full results HERE

On Sunday the 10th of August, the Masters Track and Field Championships took place in Tullamore, Co.Offaly. With so many ago categories, there were multiple medals up for grabs with many being won by athletes from Cork and Munster.

Womens results ....... Mens results (Pt.1 mostly track) ........ Mens results (Pt.2 mostly field)