A strong Ace Athletic Club contingent of 10 athletes travelled to Tullamore for this weekend’s 2026 Leinster Juvenile Athletics Championships and returned home with an impressive haul of medals, Leinster championship titles, national qualification places and a championship best performance.
The club’s youngest competitors opened proceedings with determined performances across a range of events. U14 athlete Smirthi Prasad competed strongly in the 80m, gaining valuable championship experience against some of the province’s best young sprinters. U14 Caoimhe Carolan delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend.
After coming through a highly competitive 800m heat to secure her place in the final, she produced an excellent run to finish fourth overall. That placement is particularly significant, as the top four finishers qualified for the national championships, so Carolan secured her place on the national stage.
In the U15 age group, Tayo Lawrence produced a solid run in the 1500m final, performing well in a highly competitive field. Ace Athletic Club also enjoyed medal success in the girls U16 events. Aoife O’Connor claimed a Leinster bronze in the 100m hurdles after a very strong display.
U16 athlete Taylor Gregory also impressed, finishing sixth in a highly competitive 800m final and setting a new personal best. The club’s standout performer of the weekend was Chloe Cooney, who completed a remarkable double. Cooney first captured the Leinster U18 1500m title in style, setting a new championship record of 4:42. She returned to the track on Sunday to secure a second provincial crown in the 800m, bringing her weekend medal tally to two gold medals.
The boys’ under 18 events also brought success for Ace. Daniel Hanley produced a determined performance to take a brilliant bronze in the 800m, while Tadhg Forde Dunne ran strongly in the same final. Liam Lynch also represented the club with distinction in the U18 1500m final. Another Leinster title arrived through Sholah Lawrence in the U19 1500m.
In a tactical race, Lawrence controlled proceedings throughout before making a decisive move with 400m remaining to pull clear of the field and claim a fantastic gold. There was further success in the boys’ U19 division when Eoin O’Gráinne secured a hard earned bronze medal in the 800m.
Ruairí O’Gráinne also competed strongly in the same race, having competed in the 1500m final 24 hours beforehand. With three Leinster titles, three bronze medals and multiple national qualification places secured across the squad, it was a highly successful weekend for Ace AC and a clear reflection of the growing strength and depth within the club’s ranks.
