Future Stars Shine at National Juvenile Indoors in Athlone

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Future Stars Shine at National Juvenile Indoors in Athlone

30 March 2026

The next generation of Irish athletics talent lit up TUS Athlone this weekend as the 123.ie National Juvenile Indoor Championships got underway (March 28–29). With standout performances, record-breaking moments, and fierce competition across all age groups, the future of the sport looks brighter than ever.

Newbridge AC’s John Paul Archbold was on fire in the jumps on Day 1, soaring to a sensational 7.02m CR in the long jump. In doing so, he shattered a 13-year-old record set back in 2012 – becoming the first athlete to break the 7m barrier at this level.

He wasn’t alone in rewriting the record books with some of the highlights including:

Darragh Whelan (Limerick AC) powered to a new U16 800m championship record of 1:57.67
Lukas Janosik (City of Derry Spartans) set a new U13 600m best with 1:33.88
Christopher Olatunde (Ratoath AC) stormed to a record-breaking 21.58 in the U18 200m

💥 Middle-Distance Excellence
The 800m races delivered thrilling performances across multiple age groups:

Ella O’Dwyer (Clongriffin AC) dominated the U16 girls in 2:14.83
Ryan Vickers (Farranfore Maine Valley AC) took U17 boys gold in 1:57.55
Isabelle Gaffney (West Waterford AC) impressed with 2:11.93 in the U17 800m—and later set a championship record of 56.26 in the 400m
Charlie O’Neill (Donore Harriers AC) led the U18 boys in 1:53.23
Clara Casey (Foyle Valley AC) claimed U19 girls gold in 2:10.74

⚡ Sprint & Field Highlights

Christopher Olatunde doubled up with victory in the U18 60m (7.03)
Tiffany Nwaedozie (Belgooly AC) starred with gold in the U18 200m (24.38), 60m (7.54), and long jump (5.63m)
Evelyn Kwik (DSD AC) clocked 55.73 to win the U18 girls 400m
Victor Lamph (Kilkenny City Harriers) took the U18 400m title in 48.97
Meabh Corkery (Midleton AC) cleared 3.51m to win the U19 pole vault

🏆 Endurance

Daniel Glennon (Mullingar Harriers) won the U18 1500m walk in 6:25.8
Robin Óg Murphy (Longford AC) claimed U19 girls 1500m walk gold in 6:56.7

🔥 U19 Girls 400m – Race of the Weekend
A stacked final saw Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers) edge victory in 54.25, just ahead of Erin Friel (Letterkenny AC) in 54.29, with Sofia Granjo (St. Laurence O’Toole AC) close behind in 55.01.