The Jerry Kiernan Foundation, established in 2021 to support elite athletes in their athletic development, has named 12 Irish athletes who will benefit from funding in excess of €30,000 for 2025.

This latest round of support brings the Foundation’s total financial contribution to Irish athletics to over €100,000 since its launch four years ago.

Established in memory of the late Jerry Kiernan, who placed ninth in the 1984 LA Olympic marathon and dedicated his life to helping students and athletes achieve their potential in the classroom and on the track.

The Foundation has supported more than 35 athletes with recipients including Olympians, World Championship finalists, and European Championship medallists.

Noteworthy performances by supported athletes in the 2024/2025 season include Nicola Tuthill, who represented Ireland in the Hammer Throw at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games; Cathal Doyle, a 1500m semi-finalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics; Jack Rafferty, who achieved a sixth-place finish in the Mixed 400m Relay at the World Championships; and Toluwabori Akinola, who secured his first Senior National Title in the 60m and recorded the fifth-fastest time in Irish history for the event.

The list of athletes to be financially supported by the Jerry Kiernan Foundation in 2025 includes:

Hugh Armstrong – Marathon/Half Marathon
Dara Donoghue – 800m
Shona Heaslip – Marathon
Oisin Joyce – Javelin
Toluwabori Akinola – 100m
Ryan Creech – Marathon/Half Marathon
Joe Doody – 400m
Ciara Neville -100/200m
Keelan Kilrehill – 5km/3km
Nicola Tuthill – Hammer Throw
John Fitzsimons – 800m
Charlie O’ Donovan – 1500m

Among the valued sponsors who have contributed to the possibility of today’s announcement are Beauchamps, John Buckley Sports (Cork), Davy, Sisk, Roughan & O’Donovan, Santry Sports Clinic, Big Red Cloud, and CMC.

“Working with the current committee of seven, we have stabilised our finances and grown our revenue incrementally, and we will use our expertise to further strengthen our financial position for the continued benefit of our athletes,” said Foundation Chair Murt Coleman.

“This year, the Foundation has shown incremental growth with the support of our generous sponsors and donors.”

The Jerry Kiernan Foundation is a not-for-profit charity and is funded exclusively through donations and sponsorship.

Individuals or organisations interested in assisting can donate through the website or email to info@jerrykiernanfoundation.org.

 

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Jerry Kiernan Remembered Through Foundation Grants

 

SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

Jerry Kiernan’s memory burns bright with the things people say about his influence on their lives and through the contributions of his foundation to so many athletes.

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