Seamus on shortlist for national award
Seamus Clarke from Moy Valley AC is nominated for the Athletics Ireland U20 Athlete of the Year award.
Athletics: Ballina’s Seamus Clarke has been shortlisted for the 123.ie National Athletics Awards. Another extraordinary year for Irish athletics is to be celebrated by the governing body Athletics Ireland, recognising the achievements of athletes, coaches, clubs and the volunteers who form the backbone of the sport.
The 2026 season has delivered memorable performances across all levels of Irish athletics, with Irish athletes continuing to make their mark on the European and world stage.
Seamus Clarke of Moy Valley AC competed at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon where he was among a number of athletes who provided further evidence of the strength of Ireland's next generation. He finished in fifth place in the racewalk, setting a new national U20 record in the process. As a result he is nominated for U20 Athlete of the Year along with Ethan Dewhirst (Tír Chonaill AC) and Siún Quinn (Brothers Pearse AC). Also at the World Championships, Ethan produced an outstanding performance to finish fifth in the men's 400m hurdles final, while Siún Quinn produced a lifetime best to finish sixth in the women’s U20 high jump.
There is also a Ballina connection to the shortlist for Field and Multi Event Athlete of the Year as Eric Favors goes up against Kate O’Connor and Nicola Tuthill.
US-born Favors, whose grandmother is a native of Ballina, was on the podium for the shot put at the European Throwing Cup.
The 2026 123.ie National Athletics Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 25th, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, commencing at 3pm.
