Jerry Kiernan Foundation Commits €30,000 to Support 12 Irish Athletes in 2026
The Jerry Kiernan Foundation has announced funding of more than €30,000 for 12 Irish athletes in 2026, continuing its mission to support the development of elite athletic talent in Ireland.
Founded in 2021 in memory of the late Jerry Kiernan, the Foundation has now contributed more than €160,000 to Irish athletes since its inception, supporting 45 competitors including Olympians, World Championship finalists and European Championship medallists.
Kiernan, who finished ninth in the marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, dedicated much of his life to helping athletes and students fulfil their potential both academically and athletically.
The 2026 funding cohort follows another strong year for Foundation-supported athletes and alumni on the national and international stage.Among the standout performers in 2025 was Nicola Tuthill, who claimed European U23 silver, World University Games silver, and an 11th-place finish at the World Championships. She also added a national U23 hammer record and European Throws Cup silver in March.
Other notable achievements from Foundation-supported athletes and alumni over the past year included Efrem Gidey setting a new Irish 10km road record in Valencia; Bori Akinola breaking the Irish 60m indoor record with 6.54 seconds; Emma Moore, Bori Akinola, Ciara Neville and Lauren Roy competing at the World Indoor Championships; Bori Akinola and Ciara Neville being crowned Ireland’s fastest man and woman respectively; National relay records set by both the men’s and women’s 4x100m squads featuring supported athletes
The athletes selected for financial support in 2026 are:
Bori Akinola – Sprints
Fiona Everard – Distance
Emma Moore – Mid Distance
Ciara Neville – Sprints
Oisin Joyce – Javelin
Laura Nicholson – Mid Distance
Cormac Dalton – Distance
Jack O’Leary – Distance
David McGlynn – Distance
Lauren Roy – Sprints
Conor Cusack – Javelin
Oisin Lane – Race Walk
Announcing the awards, Foundation Chairperson Murt Coleman said the programme continues to grow in impact and ambition.
“On behalf of the Jerry Kiernan Foundation, I am proud to announce the launch of our 2026 cohort of supported athletes,” he said.
“These achievements build on a tremendous 2025, our biggest year to date in terms of growth and where our athletes and alumni delivered national titles, record-breaking performances, and major international success.”
“What is equally important to us is the impact beyond performance. Our athletes continue to engage with schools and communities across the country, inspiring young people through their stories of dedication and resilience. This is central to the legacy of Jerry Kiernan, who believed deeply in the power of encouragement and opportunity.”
“As we look ahead, we are extremely optimistic about the future. This group of athletes not only represents the next generation of Irish athletics but also carries forward a legacy of excellence, integrity, and inspiration.”
The Foundation also acknowledged the contribution of its sponsors, including Davy, John Buckley Sports, Sisk, Beauchamps, Roughan & O’Donovan, Santry Sports Clinic, Hayes Solicitors, Willow Park National School, Cemex and CMC.
As a not-for-profit organisation funded entirely through donations and sponsorship, the Foundation is actively seeking additional long-term corporate and individual partners to expand its support for Irish athletics.
Sport for Business Perspective
The Jerry Kiernan Foundation has become one of the most effective privately funded athlete support initiatives in Irish sport, filling an important gap in the performance pathway for emerging talent. Its combination of financial backing, mentorship and community engagement reflects the increasingly collaborative ecosystem now underpinning Irish high-performance sport.
Image Credit: The Jerry Kiernan Foundation
Athletics Ireland are full members of Sport for Business. If you would like to join them and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the conversation happening every day around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.
ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS
Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies and public institutions through high-quality content, events and insight. Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.
Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practice and make better-informed decisions. Its work positions sport not just as entertainment, but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.
Find out more about becoming a member today.
Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.
Sign up for our News Bulletins here.
Upcoming Events
