2026 Year in Review : Aquathlon National Championships
Year in review : Aquathlon National Championships
Moran and Murphy Take the National Aquathlon Titles
The Aquathlon Champs returned to Athlone for the second year in a row – a highlight of the annual Athlone River Festival. Hosted by Athlone Triathlon Club over 170 athletes from 24 clubs descended on Athlone to contest national titles over a 750m swim in the River Shannon followed by a fast three-lap run through the town centre, with a finish on the Mary O’Rourke Bridge with Athlone Castle just behind.
Open Podium
In the Open Category Midland Triathlon Club’s Michael Moran produced a dominant performance to claim the 2026 Open National Aquathlon Championship in a winning time of 29:32. Moran led from the swim and maintained his advantage throughout the run to secure the national title.
1.Michael Moran (Midland TC) – 29:32
2. Ross Killalea (Midland TC) – 29:49
3. Jude Williams (North West Triathlon Club) – 30:27
Female Podium
The Women’s race showcased some of Ireland’s strongest female talent, with Niamh Murphy (Wexford TC) producing an exceptional all-round performance to take the national title in 33:03.
1.Niamh Murphy (Wexford TC) – 33:03
2.Eve Burns – 35:19
3.Naoise O’Donnell (Galway Triathlon Club) – 36:49
Age Group Podiums
Athletes across the Age Groups produced outstanding performances, with national medals on the line from 18-19 through to 75-79!
Congratulations to every age group champ and medal winner from the 2026 Aquathlon National Champs in Athlone!
| Female Category | ||
Age Group | Place | Athlete Name |
Overall Winner | 1st | Niamh Murphy |
Overall Winner | 2nd | Eve Burns |
Overall Winner | 3rd | Naoise O Donnell |
Overall Junior | 1st | Eve Burns |
Overall Junior | 2nd | Sinead Greene |
18 – 19 | 1st | Eve Burns |
18 – 19 | 2nd | Sinead Greene |
20-24 | 1st | Naoise O Donnell |
20-24 | 2nd | Anna McWilliams |
20-24 | 3rd | Sarah Fitzpatrick |
25-29 | 1st | Ciara Greene |
25-29 | 2nd | Aoife Mulry |
25-29 | 3rd | Shauna Connell |
30-34 | 1st | Niamh Murphy |
30-34 | 2nd | Laura Daly |
30-34 | 3rd | Debora Macedo |
35-39 | 1st | Catherine Quigley |
35-39 | 2nd | Diana Ursul |
40-44 | 1st | Aine O connor |
40-44 | 2nd | Edel Tighe |
40-44 | 3rd | Aoife Cooney |
45-49 | 1st | Elaine Lally |
45-49 | 2nd | Caitriona Mcdonald |
45-49 | 3rd | Margaret Gallagher |
50-54 | 1st | Lilly O’Dea |
50-54 | 2nd | Fiona Lyons |
50-54 | 3rd | Rachael Martens |
55-59 | 1st | Maire Diggin |
55-59 | 2nd | Karen Kavanagh |
55-59 | 3rd | Julie Ledwith |
60-64 | 1st | Eileen O’Sullivan |
60-64 | 2nd | Barbara Tobin |
60-64 | 3rd | Maura Dervin |
| Open Category | ||
| Age Group | Place | Athlete Name |
Overall Winner | 1st | Michael Moran |
Overall Winner | 2nd | Ross Killalea |
Overall Winner | 3rd | Jude Williams |
Overall Junior | 1st | Jude Williams |
18 – 19 | 1st | Jude Williams |
20-24 | 1st | Ross Killalea |
20-24 | 2nd | Sean McMahon |
20-24 | 3rd | Joshua Schnell |
25-29 | 1st | Michael Moran |
25-29 | 2nd | Luke Canavan Dignam |
25-29 | 3rd | Oisin Foley Doyle |
30-34 | 1st | Diarmuid Connon |
30-34 | 2nd | Sean Quigley |
30-34 | 3rd | Paul Copeland |
35-39 | 1st | Eiviltas Evan Quigley |
35-39 | 2nd | Ruairi Byrne |
35-39 | 3rd | Andy McNamara |
40-44 | 1st | Eoghan Cunningham |
40-44 | 2nd | Wayne Flanagan |
40-44 | 3rd | Stephen Costello |
45-49 | 1st | David Cahill |
45-49 | 2nd | Paul Mcallister |
45-49 | 3rd | Neil Campbell |
50-54 | 1st | Dave Murphy |
50-54 | 2nd | Ryan Williams |
50-54 | 3rd | Morgan Fox |
55-59 | 1st | Paul Oreilly |
55-59 | 2nd | Toine Siebelink |
55-59 | 3rd | Brendan Doyle |
60-64 | 1st | John Kenny |
60-64 | 2nd | Tom Dully |
60-64 | 3rd | Tom Mitchell |
65-69 | 1st | Patrick Ahern |
65-69 | 2nd | Joseph Mac Cabe |
65-69 | 3rd | Paul Mccool |
70-74 | 1st | Peter Mclaughlin |
75-79 | 1st | Nicholas McCabe |
Celebrating our Age Group National Champs!
The celebrations will continue at the Triathlon Ireland Awards Night on Saturday 7th November 2026, at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire, Dublin.
The Awards Night will bring the curtain down on another remarkable season, recognising the achievements of our 2026 champions, clubs, volunteers and the wider Triathlon Ireland community.
It will be an opportunity to celebrate the performances that have made this season one to remember, including the athletes who earned national honours at Base2Race Harbourman.
Get your tickets today!
