Preview: 2026 Middle Distance Champs at TriTyrone
Three Weekends, FOUR National Championships!
The 2026 Triathlon Ireland Middle Distance National Championships are at TriTyrone this Sunday, hosted by TriLimits Triathlon Club, and will welcome the country’s top middle-distance athletes to battle for the titles.
TriTyrone race HQ is based at Eskragh Lough, just outside Dungannon. Triathletes will begin with a 1.9km two-lap swim in the sheltered waters of the lough before taking on a 90km bike made up of three rolling laps on fast local roads. The race concludes with a 21.1km run, featuring three flat out-and-back loops that offer plenty of opportunities for spectators to cheer athletes on.
With a deep fields in both the women’s and open races, the championship promises exciting racing across the fast course, with several athletes arriving in impressive form after a busy Triathlon National Series season.
Want to check in on the current Triathlon National Series standings? Check out My Tri Ranking, powered by AccountsIQ below.
female field
The women’s field features several athletes in strong form heading into the championship.
Aisling Wyer from Naas TC comes into the race after winning last week’s Two Provinces Triathlon National Series and has proven strength over the middle distance.
Lisburn TC’s Helen Perry is another experienced middle-distance athlete, with victory at Sheephaven Half already to her name this season. Sarah Diamond (Wicklow TC) arrives as the reigning Standard Distance National Champion, having also won TriAthy and finished on the podium at last weekend’s Two Provinces.
Laura Daly will be among the favourites after winning the demanding Hell of the West, and finishing second at her home race at Galway TC’s Tribesman earlier this season.
Consistent performer Waterford TC’s Aine Kinsella has already had a runner-up finish at Jailbreak Triathlon to this year’s tally.
Megan Roberts from Piranha TC has been a regular on the podium in 2026, with top-three finishes at Clonmel, Jailbreak and Harbourman.
open field
The open championship brings together a strong mix of Triathlon National Series performers and proven middle-distance athletes.
David Higgins returns as the defending Middle Distance National Champion and this season has already finished second at the Standard Distance National Championships at Wicklow Harbourman. Newry’s Matthew Kinkaid had a strong season in 2025, on the podium in both Standard and Middle Distance National Champs. Donal Mongey from Naas TC lines up after taking victory at Hell of the West earlier this season. Naas is well represented across both fields, with Mongey’s club mate Conor Farrell also on the start line after finishing inside the top ten here last year, and placing fourth at Two Provinces.
Leo Corry (Belpark TC) comes into the race after finishing third at last week’s Two Provinces National Series race. Piranha’s Ciaran Kyne has shown consistent form in this year’s Triathlon National Series, finishing on or near the podium in four rounds so far this season. Shane Dunne (Liquid Motion TC) has also enjoyed a strong season thus far, highlighted by victory at TriAthy. Sheephaven winner Mark McGinley from 247 Triathlon Club has proven current form at the distance, and also finished third at TriAthy this year.
The depth of the field is displayed across the number of contenders, other athletes expected to feature include Conor Maguire (Omagh), Loughlin Campion, Scott Graham (Wicklow TC) and Conor Talty (Piranha TC).
ready for racing
With national championship titles on the line, another exciting edition of TriTyrone awaits as athletes take on one of the country’s premier middle-distance events.
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