Medal haul for Tipp Athletes at Irish University Championships

There was no shortage of Premier County prowess on display last weekend as Tipperary’s athletes delivered a series of top drawer performances at the 2026 Intervarsity Track & Field Championships (IUAA) at the MTU Campus in cork.

The undisputed star of the meet was Laura Frawley (UL/Nenagh Olympic A.C.) who produced a breathtaking performance to set a new IUAA Combined Events record with a total of 3,566 points.

Her marathon of events saw her consistently challenge for the podium, claiming third in the 100m hurdles (14.88s), shot putt (11.52m), and javelin (31.00m). She went one better in the vertical and horizontal jumps, securing silver in both the high jump (1.65m) and long jump (5.75m), while adding another silver in the weight for distance (8.50m).

In the endurance events, Luke Purcell (TUS) showed grit in the 10,000m final. Purcell battled through the 25 laps to secure a superb silver medal in a time of 33:13.

The 1500m final also featured a strong Tipperary presence. Cian Hodgins (UL/Nenagh Olympic A.C.) claimed a well-earned third place in 4:03, narrowly ahead of James Tannern (TUS), who fought hard to finish eighth in 4:08.

In the 5,000m final, Jamie Moloney (UL/Nenagh Olympic A.C.) finished 14th in a competitive field with a time of 15:47.

Padraic Hassett (TUS/Nenagh Olympic) secured a silver medal in the weight for distance with a throw of 8.05m and backed it up with an eighth-place finish in a lightning-fast 200m final.

Josh Egan (DCU/Nenagh Olympic) also found the podium, taking third in the men's combined events. His performance was bolstered by a 6.26m long jump and an 11.38m triple jump.

Other notable performances included: Emma O'Neill just missed the podium with a strong fourth place in the Long Jump (5.33m); Sophie Walker (UL/Newport A.C.) finished fourth in the 400m final in 57.65s; Jack Hickey (UL/Nenagh Olympic A.C.) provided crucial points for the winning UL team with a 6.00m Long Jump and 11.04m Triple Jump; Emily Davidson (UL/Nenagh Olympic A.C.) placed sixth in the Pole Vault (1.80m); Dara Kennedy (UL/Newport A.C.) finished fourth in the Hammer (24.66m).

The weekend served as a powerful reminder of the depth of talent currently emerging from Tipperary clubs, these athletes are now looking forward to the remainder of the outdoor season.