Results and Gallery: Sheephaven Half 2026
The Sheephaven Half 2026 returned to the spectacular Donegal coastline on Saturday 27th June, with over 230 athletes gathering on the beach in Downings for one of Ireland’s most scenic middle-distance triathlons for the 7th round of the Triathlon National Series.
Race Report
The Sheephaven Half 2026 returned to the spectacular Donegal coastline on Saturday 27th June, with over 203 athletes gathering on the beach in Downings for one of Ireland’s most scenic middle-distance triathlons.
Organised by Letterkenny 247 Triathlon Club, the event challenged competitors with a 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run.
The race got underway at 7:55am under cloudy skies, with a mass start in the clear waters of Downings (Na Dúnaibh) the popular seaside resort in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
After completing the 1.9km from a standing start in the water, out past the buoys and around toward the harbour before heading back to the sandy beach, competitors ran along the grass to the transition out through the GAA pitch and onto a challenging 90km bike course featuring approximately 1,000 metres of climbing.
Technical and hilly – as you would expect from Donegal, the route showcased some of the stunning scenery out to Island Roy, with a tough climb of Knockalla providing both a test of endurance and spectacular views across to Portsalon and the beaches below.
Athletes crossed the Harry Blaney Bridge before making their way back towards Downings, passing the Rosapenna Golf Resort and returning to the GAA grounds for the final run.
As the rain started to fall, athletes set out on the half marathon run route, consisting of two laps totalling 21.1km. Run out was towards the Pier to a turn-around point, and then up through the village and out, returning to the pitch for a second lap. With fatigue beginning to take hold after hours of racing, competitors dug deep on the run course before the welcome sight of the finish line.
Women's Race
Tuna TC’s Fiona Murphy set the tone early, emerging from the water as the leading female and second overall swimmer of the day in a time of 26:14. Close behind was Lisburn Triathlon Club’s Helen Perry, while Women in Sport Advocate Rose Lynch marked her return to racing after a two-year injury-enforced hiatus with an excellent swim and early race position.
Lynch’s comeback was dealt a major setback when a puncture just 10km into the bike left her over 30 minutes behind the race leaders. Up front, Perry rode strongly to take control of the race, moving to the front of the women’s field by T2 and starting the run with a comfortable advantage.
Michelle Doyle was sitting in third place heading out onto the run, but Perry remained unchallenged over the closing kilometres, extending her lead to claim the women’s title in 4:51:05. Murphy held on for a deserved second place after leading out of the water, while Kayleigh Murrihy rounded out the podium in third. Doyle finished just outside the podium in fourth.
Triangle Triathlon Club’s Hannah Janes produced the fastest female bike split of the day before unfortunately failing to finish. Northwest TC’s Fiona Doherty was also enjoying an excellent race before a fall on the run ended her challenge.
Female Podium
- 1st: Helen Perry – Lisburn Triathlon Club (04:51:05)
- 2nd: Fiona Murphy Tuna TC (05:19:49)
- 3rd: Kayleigh Murrihy Naas Tri Club 5:42:40
Open RACE
Northwest Triathlon Club’s Ryan Lundy announcing his intentions early by leading the field out of the water in an impressive 24:45. Lundy continued his dominance onto the bike, posting the fastest cycle split of the day and building a healthy advantage over the chasing pack. However, by the second lap of the run the effort of his first middle-distance triathlon was beginning to show.
Defending champion and local athlete Mark McGinley, racing on his birthday, found himself locked in an enthralling battle with Peninsula Triathlon Club’s Phil Broderick. Overtaking Lundy, the pair remained inseparable on the run.
As they entered the final straight of the GAA pitch, spectators were treated to a dramatic sprint finish. With barely a few feet separating them, McGinley dug deep to defend his title, crossing the line just five seconds ahead of Broderick in a time of 4:17:08.
In third place was Omagh Triathlon Club’s Conor Maguire, producing a strong all-round performance to secure the final podium position in 4:21:52.
Lundy’s front-running effort was rewarded with fourth place in 4:24:18. Leading from the opening strokes of the swim and posting the fastest bike split of the day, it was an outstanding debut performance over the middle-distance format.
Open Podium
- 1st: Mark McGinley – Letterkenny 247 (04:17:08)
- 2nd: Phil Broderick – Peninsula Triathlon Club (04:17:13)
- 3rd: Conor Maguire – Omagh Tri Club (04:21:52)
Thank you
Congratulations to all athletes, Race Director Aidan Callaghan and the Race organisers at Letterkenny 247, volunteers, marshals, Technical Officials and Motorbike Officials who helped make another successful edition of the Sheephaven Half possible.
We look forward to welcome athletes to round 9 of the Triathlon National Series on 4th July at Hell of the West Triathlon.
Photographs courtesy of TI Media Jonny Collins. Feel free to download, share and tag us in your posts!
Gallery from TI Media
Triathlon National Series
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- 13.06.26 Beyond the Wall Triathlon | Sprint
- 14.06.26 Tribesman Triathlon | Sprint
- 21.06.26 Jailbreak Triathlon | Standard
- 27.06.26 Sheephaven Half | Middle
- 28.06.26 Base2Race Harbourman Triathlon | Standard
- 04.07.26 Hell of the West Triathlon | Standard
- 11.07.26 Two Provinces Triathlon | Sprint
- 19.07.26 Tri Tyrone 70.3 Triathlon | Middle
- 02.08.26 Loughrea Triathlon Festival | Sprint
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- 22.08.26 RDJ Dublin City Triathlon | Sprint
- 29.08.26 Top of the Mourne Triathlon | Standard
- 05.09.26 City of Derry Triathlon | Sprint
- 13.09.26 Pikeman Triathlon | Standard
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