Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club made a strong and spirited start to the 2026 National Indoor Athletics League, with a mix of new signings, returning athletes and established stalwarts contributing valuable points throughout the day at the National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown. 

The women’s squad delivered several standout performances and currently sit 10th out of 15 teams, firmly within touching distance of the qualification places.

In the 60m Hurdles, new club signing Niamh O’Neill made an immediate impact, claiming third place in 8.85 seconds, a very encouraging league debut in Raheny colours. Another strong result came in the 800m, where former National Champion Iseult O’Donnell produced a superb run to take first place in her heat in 2:14, finishing fourth overall across three heats and banking crucial points for the team.

Also making her league debut for the club, Erin Taheny lined up in the 200m, finishing third in her race in 26.50 seconds, placing 11th overall.

In the field events, long-serving club stalwart Helen Buckley competed in the Weight for Distance, finishing 6th with a throw of 4.92m, while Kim O’Hare returned to competition in the Triple Jump, placing 5th with a best of 10.75m — a positive step forward after time away from the runway. 

Raheny Shamrock were unfortunately unable to field athletes in the Women’s 3000m, Pole Vault, or the 4x400m relay, leaving some valuable points untapped.

The men’s team currently sit 9th out of 15 teams, just one place outside the qualifying positions.

In the 60m Hurdles, Ibrahim Halil finished fifth in his race but was unfortunately disqualified due to a hurdle infringement. Halil would later bounce back strongly in the field, clearing 3.60m in the Pole Vault to take second place, just one week on from winning the National Indoor Heptathlon title. The 200m saw Oliver Macaulay, a sixth-year student at St Fintan’s High School, clock 23.79 seconds for third place in his race, finishing 11th overall.

One of the performances of the day came in the 800m, where Luke Murphy dominated his division to win in 1:54.47. Murphy has recently returned from a spell living in Australia and was racing for the first time in a year following injury — a hugely encouraging sign for him.  In the 3000m, Jordan McDonnell impressed on his indoor debut, finishing fourth in 8:40.79, a personal best performance. In the Weight For Distance Team captain Jamie Davis reluctantly stepped into the thrower's circle, 3.28m for 11th place.

The 4x400m relay team of Tinaye Mukanya, Erik Sammon, Fionn DeWilde and Oliver Macaulay put in a gutsy run, finishing 11th overall in 3:39.14.

Raheny Shamrock did not field an athlete in the Men’s Triple Jump.

With the women ranked 10th and the men 9th, Raheny Shamrock remain firmly in contention going into Round Two at the Athlone Indoor Arena on February 8th. With only the top eight teams advancing to the final, margins are tight — but with all still to play for, the club will be confident that strong performances and a fuller  lineup could see both teams climb into the qualification places.

Momentum is building, and Raheny Shamrock will head to Athlone knowing that a big Round Two could make all the difference. 🟢⚪