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RIP: Jerry Kiernan. James Crombie/INPHO
RIP

Irish athletics great Jerry Kiernan has died aged 67

Kiernan finished ninth in the 1984 Olympic Marathon, and went on to coach many of Ireland’s top athletes.
2.26pm, 21 Jan 2021
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JERRY KIERNAN HAS died at the age of 67.

The sad news comes from Irish athletics circles this afternoon, with tributes being paid to the distance-running great.

Kiernan famously finished ninth in the 1984 Olympic Marathon, and won the Dublin Marathon twice — in 1982 and 1992. In 1976, he became the seventh Irishman to break the four-minute mile, clocking 3:59.2 in London.

In recent times, he was coach to some of Ireland’s highest-achieving athletes, most notably Ciara Mageean. Kiernan also coached John Travers and Joe Sweeney, while he earned plenty of plaudits as a pundit and analyst on RTÉ.

A life-long member of Clonliffe Harriers — his beloved club led the tributes to “an institution” — Kiernan hailed from Listowel in Co. Kerry, but lived in Dublin for most of his adult life, where he worked as a teacher. 

“We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Jerry Kiernan,” Athletics Ireland wrote on Twitter.

“Jerry finished 9th in the Olympic marathon in 1984, and also coached many of Ireland’s top athletes, including Ciara Mageean and John Travers.

“May he rest in peace.”

A heartfelt statement from Clonliffe Harriers reads: “It’s with absolute shock that Clonliffe Harriers have to announce the very sad death last night of 1984 Olympian and Clonliffe Harriers life member Jerry Kiernan. Coming so soon after the passing of Joe Cooper, we are numb with grief and sadness.

“Jerry Kiernan was an institution! A sub- four minute miler, having ran 3.59.12 in June 1976 he went on to enjoy a stunning career as a distance athlete. On the country he was national cross country champion in Kilmacow in 1984 and one the national senior team title with Clonliffe on the extraordinary eight occasions (1980, 81, 82, 84, 87, 88, 89 and 92). It was however over the classic marathon distance that he made his name winning the Dublin city Marathon on two occasions, 1982 and 92 and of course the pinnacle his outstanding run in the 1984 Los Angela’s Olympic marathon when he placed ninth in a PB of 2.12.20.

“In addition to all of this he one of the country’s top coaches, was very much a philosopher and TV athletics expert. He will be greatly missed by his family, club mates, athletes and the athletics family. (Arrangements to be posted)”

President Michael D Higgins also paid tribute to the late, great athletics figure.

“News of the death of Jerry Kiernan, Olympian, sports commentator and athletics coach will have been heard with sadness by all those in the sports community and those who enjoyed his voice in commentary.

“His achievements in 1984, and his enduring coaching legacy will be long remembered.

“Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis”

Screenshot 2020-11-24 at 9.04.07 AM

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Author
Emma Duffy
emma@the42.ie
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