Cork City Sports - International Athletics

Irish Olympian Ronnie Delany has died at the age of 91.

Delany won a gold medal for the 1500m race in the Melbourne Summer Olympics in 1956 when he was 21.

The Irish athlete was also a 1500m finalist in the Rome Olympics four years later. He later earned a bronze medal in the 1500 metres event at the 1958 European Athletics Championships in Stockholm.

Delany was also an 800m gold medallist at the World University Games in Sofia in 1961.

Delany was an inspiration and role model to many Irish athletes.

RTE report the Olympic Federation of Ireland chief executive Peter Sherrard paid tribute to Delany, saying: "Ronnie made an immense contribution to Irish sport and to the Olympic movement over many decades.

"Through his leadership of the Irish Olympians Association and his continued advocacy for athletes, he inspired generations and remained a proud ambassador for Team Ireland throughout his life."

Read more here: https://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2026/0311/1562922-olympic-gold-medalist-ronnie-delany-dies-aged-91/

The Cork City Sports Athlete of the Year Award would not be possible without the continued support of our valued partners and sponsors.
We sincerely thank:
• The River Lee Hotel
• Cork’s 96FM & C103
• The Echo / EchoLive.ie
• Cork Crystal
• Our long-standing commercial partners and supporters

Their investment in Cork athletics enables us to recognise excellence, promote local role models, and celebrate achievement at the highest level.

On behalf of Cork City Sports, we extend our warmest congratulations to Nicola Tuthill on being named the 2025 Athlete of the Year. Her achievements this season have elevated Cork athletics on the international stage, inspired the next generation, and reinforced the strength of our athletics community. We look forward to following the next chapter of what promises to be an outstanding career.

Cork City Sports is proud to announce Nicola Tuthill (Bandon AC & UCD AC) as the 2025 Cork City Sports Athlete of the Year.

This prestigious accolade recognises an exceptional season of national dominance and international breakthrough performances — a year in which Nicola firmly established herself among Europe’s leading hammer throwers and brought immense pride to Cork athletics.

Nicola was named Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for March 2025 following a landmark performance at the European Throwing Cup, where she secured gold in the U23 hammer competition. Her winning throw not only marked a major international milestone but also represented one of the most significant achievements by a Cork athlete in recent years.

Throughout 2025, Nicola demonstrated:

• Consistency at elite international level
• Technical excellence and competitive composure
• Continued progression beyond the 70m barrier
• Leadership as a role model for young athletes across the county
Her victory at the Cork City Sports International Meet, where she thrilled the home crowd with a 70m+ throw, was a defining moment of the domestic season and further underlined her world-class credentials.

Among an exceptional group of monthly award recipients in 2025 — representing clubs across Cork and spanning track, field and cross country — Nicola’s achievements stood out for their international impact and historic significance.

Inspiration for the Next Generation

Nicola’s journey reflects the strength of club athletics in Cork and the pathway from local competition to European podiums. Her work ethic, humility and commitment to continuous improvement embody the values that Cork City Sports seeks to celebrate through its Athlete of the Month and Athlete of the Year awards.

🏆 Cork City Sports Athlete of the Year 2025 🏆
Cork City Sports is proud to announce Nicola Tuthill (Bandon AC & UCD AC) as the 2025 Cork City Sports Athlete of the Year.

2025 has been a season of national dominance and international breakthrough for Nicola — a year where she firmly established herself among Europe’s leading hammer throwers and brought immense pride to Cork athletics.

In March, Nicola was named Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month following a landmark gold medal performance at the European Throwing Cup in the U23 hammer competition — one of the most significant international achievements by a Cork athlete in recent years.

Throughout 2025, Nicola has demonstrated:
• Consistency at elite international level
• Technical excellence and competitive composure
• Continued progression beyond the 70m barrier
• Leadership as a role model for young athletes across Cork County.

Her victory at the Cork City Sports International Meet — thrilling the home crowd with a 70m+ throw — was one of the defining moments of the domestic season and further underlined her world-class credentials.

Among an exceptional group of monthly award recipients in 2025, representing clubs across Cork and spanning track, field and cross country, Nicola’s achievements stood out for their international impact and historic significance.

Her journey reflects the strength of club athletics in Cork and the pathway from local competition to European podiums. She is a credit to Bandon AC, UCD AC, her coaches and support team, her family and the wider athletics community.

👏 Thank You to Our Sponsors

The Cork City Sports Athlete of the Year Award would not be possible without the continued support of our valued partners:
• The River Lee
• Cork's 96FM & C103
• EchoLive.ie
• Cork Crystal
• Our long-standing commercial partners and supporters

Their investment enables us to recognise excellence, promote local role models and celebrate achievement at the highest level.

On behalf of Cork City Sports, we extend our warmest congratulations to Nicola on a truly outstanding season.
You have elevated Cork athletics on the international stage and inspired the next generation.

The future is bright — and we are proud to celebrate it

Cork City Sports is proud to announce Anika Thompson (Leevale Athletic Club) as the Athlete of the Month for July, following her historic gold medal performance in the 10,000m and bronze medal in the 5,000m at the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen

Anika delivered a stirring victory in the women’s 10,000m, becoming just the second Irish athlete ever to win gold at the European U23 Championships—joining Sophie O’Sullivan, who claimed 1500m gold in Espoo in 2023. In an electrifying race, Thompson and Germany’s Kira Weis led from the gun, stride for stride, until Anika surged away on the final lap to claim the title.

Despite a hectic competition and travel schedule, Anika made time to accept the award in person at MTU Stadium, just before departing for the National Senior Championships and returning to the United States.

“This win makes me feel really honoured and happy because Ireland is my country where my family comes from,” said Thompson, a USA-based athlete at the University of Oregon. “I grew up going to Ireland every summer and it was a dream of mine to grow up and represent Ireland in track and field.”

“So this really means a lot to me and I have always wanted to have a race where I could give thanks to all my family, friends, coaches, and especially my family members who came here to support me.”

We congratulate Anika on this incredible achievement and wish her continued success as she proudly represents Ireland on the international stage.

The Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month Award is proudly sponsored by Cork's 96FM, The River Lee, EchoLive.ie, and Cork Crystal.

Silver for Nicola Tuthill in the hammer competition at the World University Games. Congratulations from all at Cork City Sports.

𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐚 𝐓𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥 - 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐫! 🥈

Nicola Tuthill (UCD AC) wins a historic silver medal for Ireland in the Hammer Throw at the World University Games in Bochum, Germany, with a best throw of 69.98m ☘️🙌

An outstanding two weeks for the Cork athlete👇
🥈 World University Games
🥈 European U23 Championships

Congratulations to Nicola Tuthill from all at Cork City Sports on the fantastic achievement of silver at the European U23 championships

Silver for Tuthill, 70.90. Ireland's first ever field event medal at European U23 Championships.

Those in attendance at the Cork City Sports were treated to plenty of action across the different competitions, and home favourites Phil Healy, Israel Olatunde, and Reece Ademola all came away with medals.

Healy’s first race – the 100m women’s sprint – was won by Britain’s Mabel Akande with a time of 11.36, 0.11 seconds ahead of Cecillia Tamayo-Garza of Mexico, while Ciara Neville was three hundredths of a second behind her in third, the highest-placed Irish competitor. Hometown hero Phil Healy finished seventh, with a time of 11.77.

Healy had more joy in the Women’s 200m race, though, finishing third with a time of 24.05, while Tamayo-Garza took the win with a time of 23.37, and Nigeria’s Knowledge Omovoh finished second.
Those in attendance were treated to plenty of action across the different competitions, and home favourites Phil Healy, Israel Olatunde, and Reece Ademola all came away with medals.

Healy’s first race – the 100m women’s sprint – was won by Britain’s Mabel Akande with a time of 11.36, 0.11 seconds ahead of Cecillia Tamayo-Garza of Mexico, while Ciara Neville was three hundredths of a second behind her in third, the highest-placed Irish competitor. Hometown hero Phil Healy finished seventh, with a time of 11.77.

Healy had more joy in the Women’s 200m race, though, finishing third with a time of 24.05, while Tamayo-Garza took the win with a time of 23.37, and Nigeria’s Knowledge Omovoh finished second.

Read the full report in the Echo here: https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41666918.html

Meabh Corkery won the women’s pole vault, while Emmanuel Osas took home first in the men’s high jump, with Australian Annie Stapleton winning the women’s high jump.

The winner of the men’s shot putt event was New Zealander Nick Palmer, whose 19.91m effort beat Irishman Eric Favors, who finished in second with a distance of 19.81m. Conor Callinan of Leevale AC took gold in the men’s pole vault with a height of 4.92m.

Hannah Cockroft was outstanding in her victory in the 800m T54 wheelchair race, with the nine-time British Paralympic champion almost five seconds quicker than Irishwoman Shauna Bocquet, who finished second.

Victory in the 100m men’s ambulant was claimed by Cathal Ryan of West Muskerry AC, while the 100m Special Olympics race was won by Paul Colgan, Muskerry Special Olympics Club.

Read the full report in the Echo here: https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41666918.html

Cork’s Reece Ademola finished third in the men’s long jump with a best jump of 7.82 metres, while Stephen Mackenzie’s 7.89 metre jump ensured first, 0.01 metres ahead of Alessandro Schenni in second.

From personal bests to packed stands, this year’s Cork City Sports proved once again why the event remains a jewel in the county’s sporting calendar reports Jack McKay in the Echo.

Read more about it here: https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-41668442.html

From personal bests to packed stands, this year’s Cork City Sports proved once again why the event remains a jewel in the county’s sporting calendar.

Communications Officer, Cork City Sports said “It’s our 71st year, so it’s a phenomenal tradition for the city and county. There are so many great memories over the years with Sonia O’Sullivan, Marcus O’Sullivan, the world records back then in the hammer throw in the Mardyke, all the greats have run there over the years – and they continue to do so which is fantastic.”

This year’s meet was no different. With a near sell-out crowd at the MTU Athletics Stadium, the atmosphere was electric as local and international talent took to the track. For Murnane and the organising committee, the support from the athletics community was hugely encouraging, reports Murnane to Jack McKay, Echo.

More pics below