Galway Indoor Championships
The Galway Indoor Track and Field championships took place over two days on 17th and 18th January last, in the surroundings of the superb TUS Arena in Athlone. Over 1,000 athletes took part across the two days of competition, with the U12-19 events held on Saturday and the U9-11 Juvenile events on Sunday, before the Senior and Masters programme closed proceedings on Sunday evening.
At Senior level, Aoibhin Farrell of Loughrea took the Senior 60m sprint gold, with Caleb Brosnan of West Coast the Men’s victor. Over 400m Ben Edeh of West Coast AC ran a fine 49.69 for gold. In the 800m Men’s race, Barry Murphy of GCH returned to action, winning in 2.02, while Conor Byrne of GCH won the Men’s 3000m in 9.40.
In the Field, Aoibhin Farrell won a second gold in the Ladies Long Jump, with Jack Hession of Tuam emerging victorious in the Mens event. In the Shot Putt, Anita Donoghue of Caltra claimed Senior gold, with Masters winners Richard O Hanlon GCH and Mary Barrett of Loughrea
At Juvenile level, huge contingents took part from all Galway clubs, with Galway City Harriers topping the medal table with 34 gold and 74 medals, and Craughwell just behind on 31 gold and 83 medals. Individually, there were strong performances at U-19 level from Angela Cielecka of West Coast, double gold winner over 60m and 200m, Emma O'Donovan of Craughwell AC winning gold over 60 Hurdles and silver over 200m, and Oisin Maher of GCH just outside 2 minutes winning the 800m. At U-18 level, strong wins via Claudia Coyle of South Galway over 800m, and Hugo Lynagh of GCH with a double sprint win, impressed on the day. New Galway records were set throughout the weekend, including by Race Walkers Caoimhe Phelan of WCAC and Ava Dinkin of CRH, and 1500m winners Siun Ni Chonall and Elly Turner of Castlegar, Patrick Lee of CRH, and Ben Naughton, Loughrea, among others.
Coldwood 4 Mile Race
The annual Coldwood 4 Mile Road Race took place last Sunday, with James Elgar of GCH a clear winner in 21.56, ahead of Patrick Fleming of Tuam AC and Gary Moroney. Martina McDonagh of Headford Harriers was first lady, with second Liz Carroll of Athenry AC and third home Linda Porter of Craughwell AC
National Indoor League
Five Galway teams competed at Round 1 of the National Indoor Track and Field League last weekend. Craughwell Ladies squad placed 11th overall, just ahead of South Galway Ladies in 13th place. Craughwell Mens team were a strong fourth overall, while Galway City Harriers Mens squad came in seventh spot overall, and South Galway AC were 15th placed. Round 2 is on 8th February next, and the top eight teams after that round qualify for the final on 14th February.
Schools Cross Country
Athletics Ireland has selected four teams for the Home Countries and Celtic Cross Country Championships on Saturday, February 7th at Parliament Hill in London. David Frazer of Craughwell AC has been honoured with selection on the Boys U17 Ireland Team, along with Darragh Whelan of Limerick, Ruby Devereaux of Youghal and Thomas Coy of North Belfast. The South Connacht Schools Cross Country was held last week in Bushfield with the winners as follows – Minor Girls Roisin Fogarty Gort CS ; Minor Boys – Jack Lundon, Gort CS ; Junior Girls – Ava Gallagher – Calasanctius College ; Junior Boys – Patrick Lee, Pres Athenry ; Inter Girls – Ally Duffy – Moate ; Inter Boys -David Frazer – Calasanctius ; Senior Girls – Orla Casey – Colaiste Baile Chlair and Senior Boys – Oisin Maher, Clifden.
Fixtures
The Galway Women’s Mini Marathon takes centre stage this Bank Holiday weekend, with the 10km event scheduled for Monday, 2nd of February 2026 at 10:30 am. Number pick up will be at Craughwell AC Junior club house (H91 R5 XY) at the following times:
- Sunday, 1st of February – 6 pm to 8 pm
- Monday, 2nd of February – 8:30 am to 10:15 am
