Athletics Ireland has announced a significant expansion of its high-performance coaching structure, appointing seven new coaches and investing in expanded roles as part of its High-Performance Strategy 2025–2028, with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as the primary target.

Sport for Business reported that the governing body has received an additional €210,000 in funding through Sport Ireland's Professional Coach Programme, led by Ciarán Ward, to support the professionalisation of its coaching environment across senior and pathway programmes.

Mark Kenneally, who has served as performance endurance lead since 2023, takes on the expanded role of performance coaching lead, overseeing Athletics Ireland and Sport Ireland's investment in performance coaching and aligning domestic programmes and overseas camps.

Emmett Dunleavy joins the senior endurance set-up as performance endurance coach, building on his contribution to Ireland's recent European Cross Country success.

The pathway programme has also been strengthened, with Niamh Fitzgerald appointed as pathway endurance coach, Karen Kirk as pathway sprints and relays lead, and Barry Pender and Tom Reynolds as performance jumps coaches. Jacqui Freyne continues as pathway lead, now supported by the expanded team.

Kirk is recognised for guiding the Irish U20 Women's 4x100m relay team to World Championship silver in 2018 and leading the senior women's relay squad to a national record at the European Championships that same year.

Reynolds joins from Athletics Northern Ireland, where he served as performance pathway lead and contributed to the development of international medallist Kate O'Connor.

Shane Ryan has been appointed as pathway strength and conditioning lead, bringing a PhD in Health Science and lecturing experience from the University of Limerick.

Explore the full details of Athletics Ireland's coaching expansion and what it means for Irish athletics ahead of LA 2028.