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UL athletes deliver historic season at Irish Universities Athletics championships

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UL athletes deliver historic season at Irish Universities Athletics Championships. Pictured during a special reception were athletes Katryna Pacerinskaite, Jenny Sawyer and Mark Hanrahan with UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins. Picture: Alan Place

UL student athletes reclaim university’s place at the top of intervarsity athletics in Ireland for the first time since 2005

UL athletes deliver historic season at Irish Universities Athletics championships
University of Limerick honoured its championship-winning athletics team at a special reception in Plassey House hosted by UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins following a historic 2025/26 intervarsity season. Picture: Alan Place

University of Limerick student athletes have delivered one of the most successful seasons in the university’s history, reclaiming UL’s place at the top of intervarsity athletics in Ireland for the first time since 2005.

Competing across the 2025/26 Irish Universities Athletics Association (IUAA) season, UL athletes secured 12 gold, 10 silver and nine bronze medals, helping the university claim six team titles, including the Women’s Indoor Championships, their first since 2006, Men’s Cross-Country Championships, Men’s Road Relays, Overall Track and Field Championships and Men’s Track and Field Championships.

To recognise the achievements of the athletes and coaches, a special reception was hosted at Plassey House by UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins, bringing together student-athletes, coaches and representatives from UL Sports Scholarship Academy and UL Sport.


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Professor Kilcommins said sport continues to be one of the defining strengths of University of Limerick:

“The achievements of these athletes across the season once again demonstrate the culture of excellence that exists throughout the university.

Pictured during the event were athletes, Jack Hickey, Alan McCutcheon, Mark Hanrahan, Tom Tracey, Luke Purcell and Jack Greaney. Picture: Alan Place

“What is particularly impressive about these student-athletes is their ability to excel at the highest level of competition while also committing themselves fully to their academic journey. The discipline, resilience and ambition they show every day is exceptional.”

UL Athletics Coach Drew Harrison said the success achieved during the season reflected the culture and collective commitment within the club’s programme.

“We are proud of the environment that has been created within UL Athletics, where athletes at every level are encouraged to develop, improve and strive to be the best version of themselves. That culture was reflected in the performances delivered throughout the season.”

UL’s men’s cross-country team secured their third championship title in four years, with Cian O’Boyle claiming individual bronze after UL placed four athletes in the top six overall.

The men’s road relay team also claimed a historic first victory since 2001, with Mark Hanrahan and Niall Murphy recording the fastest three mile and two mile legs of the day respectively.

Among the standout performers was Kotryna Pacerinskaite, who claimed double gold in Shot Put and Weight for Distance while also setting new records during the season.

Pictured during the event were athletes, Sophie Walker, Róise Gavan, Katryna Pacerinskaite, Jenny Sawyer, Laura Frawley and Leanne Healy. Picture: Alan Place

Holly Shaughnessy secured gold in the 1500m Walk, while Sophie Walker, Eve Mooney, Lauren McCourt and Jenny Sawyer established a new record in the 4 x 400m relay.

Laura Frawley also delivered a series of standout performances in combined events competition, claiming gold and multiple podium finishes during the season.

UL athletes also dominated distance competition, with Simon Farrell, Luke Purcell and Tom Tracey completing a clean sweep of the Men’s 10,000m to secure all three podium places for UL.

The 50 strong UL team scored 232.5 points at the IUAA Varsity Track and Field Championships to win the overall title for the first time since 2005. UL athletes scored points in 40 of the 45 championship events across the season, underlining the depth of talent throughout the programme.

Several athletes also represented Ireland on the international stage during the season.

University of Limerick student athletes reclaim UL's place at the top of intervarsity athletics in Ireland for the first time since 2005
Coaches, Dr William Hughes, Hayley Harrison and Professor Drew Harrison with UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins. Picture: Alan Place

Second-year Sport and Exercise Sciences student Oisín Lane competed at the World Athletics Championships, while third-year Electronic and Computer Engineering student Niall Murphy was selected for the European Cross Country Championships.

Second-year Sport and Exercise Sciences student Fintan DeWhirst represented Ireland at the World Relays.

Other notable contributors to UL’s successful season in athletics included Alan McCutcheon, Aoibhín Farrell, Ben Walshe, Jack Greaney, Jack Hickey, Leanne Healy, Mark Blackwell and Oisín Joyce.

University of Limerick honoured its championship-winning athletics team at a special reception in Plassey House hosted by UL President Professor Shane Kilcommins following a historic 2025/26 intervarsity season. Pictured during the event were, Katryna Pacerinskaite, Jenny Sawyer and Mark Hanrahan. Picture: Alan Place
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