The rising stars of Irish athletics were celebrated at the 2025 Juvenile All Star Awards, held at the Mullingar Park Hotel on April 18th.
The awards celebrated the exceptional achievements of juvenile athletes throughout the 2025 season, underlining the remarkable depth and quality of emerging talent in Irish athletics across track, field, and cross country disciplines.
President of Athletics Ireland, Bríd Golden, praised the young athletes for their dedication and success: “It’s been a terrific year for our association, and in particular for our juvenile athletes. It makes me proud to see so many of our young athletes competing and succeeding at home and on the international stage.
I congratulate all who are collecting awards today, and indeed every athlete who took part in juvenile events throughout the 2025 season. Our recent 123.ie National Juvenile Indoor Championships highlighted the passion and determination these athletes have in abundance – qualities that will continue to drive our sport to new heights in the years ahead.”
International Success Highlighted
A number of athletes were recognised for their performances on the European stage, including medal winners at the European Youth Olympic Festival, European U20 Championships, and European Cross Country.
Among those honoured were:
- Matthew Newell (Tuam A.C.), Erin Friel (Letterkenny A.C.), Ellis McHugh (Ferrybank A.C.), Joe Burke (Templemore A.C.), and Ben Sykes (Orangegrove A.C.) – all medallists at EYOF
- Conor Kelly (Finn Valley A.C.) – gold medallist at the European U20 Track & Field Championships
- Emma Hickey (United Striders A.C.) – bronze medallist at the European U20 Cross Country Championships, capping a remarkable year with her performance in Portugal
Two-time European Indoor Champion David Gillick was in attendance and congratulated all of the winners while encouraging them to stay with the sport that has given him so much.
Individual Juvenile Star Awards were presented to athletes representing every county, reflecting the nationwide strength and diversity of talent within Irish athletics.
List of Awards winners:
| Special AAI Juvenile Star Award Winner 2025 | ||
| Matt McGrath, Throws Award | Cian Crampton | Edenderry A.C. |
| Bill Battersby, Long and Triple Jump Award | Darragh Fahy | Loughrea A.C. |
| Roisin O’Callaghan, Walks Award | Matthew Newell | Tuam A.C. |
| International Award | Conor Kelly | Finn Valley A.C. |
| Keara O’Hart, Sprints Award | Erin Friel | Letterkenny A.C. |
| Robin Sykes Outstanding Achievement Award | Emma Hickey | United Striders A.C. |
| Eamon Gilbert, High Jump and Pole Vault Award | Tara O’Connor | Dundalk St. Gerard’s A.C. |
| Juvenile Committee Special Recognition Award | Conor Penney | Craughwell A.C. |
| Aine Pobjoy U16 Award | Freya Renton | Westport A.C. |
| Breda Synott (International) U17 Female Award | Ellen Sheridan | Ratoath A.C. |
| Breda Synott (International) U17 Male Award | Aaron Whelan | Dunboyne A.C. |
| Marian Feehan Combined Events Award | Ruby Cummins | Bandon A.C. |
| Ann Peppard, Middle Distance Award | Freya Renton | Westport A.C. |
| AAI Juvenile Recognition Awards – European Medallists | ||
| Bronze at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) | Joe Burke | Templemore A.C. |
| Bronze at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) | Erin Friel | Letterkenny A.C. |
| Bronze at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) | Ellis McHugh | Ferrybank A.C. |
| Bronze at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) | Matthew Newell | Tuam A.C. |
| Bronze at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) | Ben Sykes | Orangegrove A.C. |
| Gold at the European U20 T&F Championships | Conor Kelly | Finn Valley A.C. |
| Bronze at the European U20 Cross Country Championships | Emma Hickey | United Striders A.C. |
| Individual AAI Juvenile Star Award Winner 2025 | Name | Club |
| Antrim | Freya Woodhead | Lagan Valley A.C. |
| Carlow | Cassie O’Byrne | St Lawrence O’Toole A.C. |
| Cavan | Abby Smith | Shercock A.C. |
| Clare | Gemma Galvin | Ennis Track A.C. |
| Cork | Tiffany Nwaedozie | Belgooly A.C. |
| Derry | Clara Casey | Foyle Valley A.C. |
| Donegal | Caolan McFadden | Cranford A.C. |
| Down | Cameron McCracken | North Down A.C. |
| Dublin | Charlie O’Neill | Donore Harriers A.C. |
| Fermanagh | Jack Donnelly | Enniskillen R.C. |
| Galway | Darragh Kelly | Craughwell A.C. |
| Kerry | Ryan Vickers | Farranfore Maine Valley A.C. |
| Kildare | Kyle Byrne Ward | Newbridge A.C. |
| Kilkenny | Chloe Lynch | Gowran A.C. |
| Laois | Daniel Downey | Portlaoise A.C. |
| Leitrim | Colin Duffy | North Leitrim A.C. |
| Limerick | Darragh Whelan | Limerick A.C. |
| Longford | John Fitzpatrick | Longford A.C. |
| Louth | Lorcán Forde Dunne | Ace A.C. |
| Mayo | Freya Renton | Westport A.C. |
| Meath | Joseph Magbagbeola | Ratoath A.C. |
| Monaghan | Tara Laverty | Carrick Aces A.C. |
| Offaly | Alisha Maher | Tullamore Harriers A.C. |
| Roscommon | Emily Clyne | Reeside A.C. |
| Sligo | Nicole Flanagan | Sligo A.C. |
| Tipperary | Cara Ryan | Clonmel A.C. |
| Waterford | Eddie Raicevic | Finisk Valley A.C. |
| Westmeath | Jamie Wallace | Mullingar Harriers A.C. |
| Wexford | Matt David Duro | Kilmore A.C. |
| Wicklow | James Foot | Bray Runners A.C. |
| Team AAI Juvenile Star Award Winner 2025 | Category | Winner |
| Drifter Cup, Best T&F Club | Best T&F Club | Ratoath A.C. |
| McAuliffe Cup, Best T&F County | Best T&F County | Dublin Athletics |
| Guinness Cup, Best T&F Region | Best T&F Region | Athletics Leinster |
| AAI Juvenile T&F Shield, Best T&F ‘B’ Club | Best ‘B’ T&F Club | Bandon A.C. |
| Kennedy Cup, Best CC Club | Best Cross Country Club | Finn Valley A.C. |
| AAI Juvenile Cross Country Cup, Best CC County | Best Cross Country County | Dublin Athletics |
| Bishop McFeeley Cup, Best CC Region | Best Cross Country Region | Ulster Athletics |
| John Smyth Cup, Best ‘B’ CC Club | Best ‘B’ Cross Country Club | West Muskerry A.C. |
| O’Meara Cup, Best ‘B’ CC County | Best ‘B’ Cross Country County | Cork Athletics |
