Tullamore Harriers athletes honoured at Leinster Star Awards

Four members of Tullamore Harriers Athletics Club were honoured for their achievements in track and field in 2025 at the Leinster Star Awards in Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow last weekend.

Athletes Ronan Keaney (juvenile male), Ally Duffy (juvenile female) and Halimat Balogun (seniors) were all recipients of the coveted awards, while dedicated committee member and current club PRO Mary Daly was awarded for her commitment to the cause with an award for Outstanding Service to Athletics.

The awards celebrate the achievements of the county’s finest athletes across Track & Field, Road Racing, and Cross Country at county, provincial, and national level for the previous year. It recognises athletes from juvenile to masters who have excelled in their respective disciplines throughout the year.

Tullamore native Ronan Keaney said: "I am a middle distance and cross-country athlete currently in Transition Year in PSS Newbridge. I run for Tullamore Harriers, just like my uncle Martin many years ago, and athletics is by far my favourite hobby. When I'm off the track, I play football with my local club and enjoy sea-fishing when I get the chance. I enjoyed a successful year in athletics in 2025, with Leinster medals on the track in the 1,500m and 800m, and in the recent Clubs XC. I also won Leinster and National medals in the Schools Steeplechase to top off the year.”

Ronan said his favourite sporting memory of 2025 was been selected for the Irish team for the SIAB XC and T&F.

“Getting on the SIAB cross country team and winning team silver was a particularly special achievement after coming off an injury and missing the Club XC season. A personal highlight this year was attending the Milrose Games in New York in February and getting to meet some of the very best middle-distance runners in the world, which was really inspirational. For all of this I owe a very special thanks to my parents and really everyone who has helped along the way, giving me tremendous guidance and support. I am grateful to my coaches Damien Lawlor, Kieran Hines, Geraldine Milner, Mick O’Brien and Laura Cusack who have always believed in my ability and selflessly dedicate so much of their time to helping young athletes. My goals for this season are to follow on from my successful 2025 results, stay injury-free and run PB's in the 800, 1,500 and 3,000 along the way," Keaney said.

Fellow Harriers member Halimut Balogun described 2025 as “a wonderful year” after he competed in his first competition in January, 2025.

“Since starting the sport, I have really enjoyed challenging myself across different events, including sprints, jumps, and throws, and seeing my progress with each training session and competition,” said Halimut.

In September 2025, Balogun graduated from UCD with a degree in commerce and he said that balancing university with training has taught him to stay disciplined and resilient, and the importance of staying focused on his goals. He thanked his parents for their help and support, as well as his coach Ger Hensey.

“My goal for 2026 is to continue progressing in athletics, improving my performances, and gaining more competitive experience while also developing my professional career. I’m excited to see what the future holds and look forward to the opportunities and success that this year and the years ahead will bring,” Halimut said.

After competing for Moate Community School in Irish Schools competitions at county, provincial and national levels in 2024 and 2025, Ally Duffy (from Castledaly, Westmeath) realised she had a talent for athletics and decided to join the Harriers club. In May, she competed in her first ever series of track and field meets to qualify for the All-Ireland Schools Championships, where she finished in third place in the junior 1,500m.

“During June I gave the club competition a go and won a silver medal in the 1,500m. That’s the way it was in all the Leinster competitions this year as I also won silver at the U16 Girls cross country in Gowran and the U17 cross country in Kilbeggan. It just shows how tough competition is in Leinster and how you have to be at your best to beat girls like Adelyn Walsh, Lily Walsh and Emma Hickey,” Ally said.

She added that she is grateful to all her coaches at the club and a strong group of girls who train with her.

“I was delighted to win All-Ireland club gold in the U16 race in Abbotstown with Rachel, Mia, Elise, Adelyn, Maeve and Aurelia. I would also like to thank my parents Gordon and Tanya and my siblings Josh, Eoin and Marta for their encouragement. It’s great to have them trackside roaring me on,” Ally said.