The Jerry Kiernan Foundation, established in 2021 to support elite athletes in their athletic development, has named 12 Irish athletes who will benefit from funding in excess of €30,000 for the year 2025. This latest round of support brings the Foundation’s total financial contribution to Irish athletics to over €100,000 since its launch four years ago.
Established in memory of the late Jerry Kiernan, who placed ninth in the 1984 LA Olympic marathon and dedicated his life to helping students and athletes achieve their potential in the classroom and on the track.
The Foundation has supported over 35 athletes with recipients including Olympians, World Championship finalists, and European Championship medallists.
Noteworthy performances by supported athletes in the 2024/2025 season include:
- Nicola Tuthill, represented Ireland in the Hammer Throw at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
- Cathal Doyle, a 1500m semi-finalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- Jack Rafferty, achieved a sixth-place finish in the Mixed 400m Relay at the World Championships.
- Toluwabori Akinola, secured his first Senior National Title in the 60m and recorded the fifth-fastest time in Irish history for the event.
The list of athletes to be financially supported by the Jerry Kiernan Foundation in 2025 includes:
- Hugh Armstrong – Marathon/Half Marathon
- Dara Donoghue - 800m
- Shona Heaslip - Marathon
- Oisin Joyce - Javelin
- Toluwabori Akinola – 100m
- Ryan Creech – Marathon/Half Marathon
- Joe Doody – 400m
- Ciara Neville -100/200m
- Keelan Kilrehill – 5km/3km
- Nicola Tuthill – Hammer Throw
- John Fitzsimons – 800m
- Charlie O’ Donovan – 1500m
The Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to its valued sponsors, whose continued generosity has been instrumental in making this support possible: John Buckley Sports (Cork), Davy, Sisk, Beauchamps, Roughan & O’Donovan, Santry Sports Clinic, Big Red Cloud, and CMC.
Announcing the awards, the Foundation’s chairperson Murt Coleman said:
“Working with the current committee of seven we have stabilised our finances and grown our revenue incrementally and we will use our expertise to further strengthen our financial position for the continued benefit of our athletes. This year the Foundation has shown incremental growth with the support of our generous sponsors and donors.”