Jeremiah Kiernan (31 May 1953 – 21 January 2021) was an Irish long-distance runner.[1]

Biography

Kiernan was born in Listowel, County Kerry. He represented his native country at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, where he finished in ninth place in the men's marathon.[2] His teammate, John Treacy, claimed silver in the same race.[3][4] Kiernan twice won the Dublin Marathon, in 1982 and 1992.[5] He also won the national cross country title in 1984. A former Irish record holder over 3000 metres, Kiernan was a sub-four-minute mile runner being the seventh Irish runner to break that barrier in June 1976.[6]

Kiernan represented Ireland 17 times between 1975 and 1993, competing seven times in world cross-country championships, and won five Irish titles, from the 1,500m to the marathon, and also national inter-club and inter-county cross-country titles.[citation needed]

His running club in Dublin was Clonliffe Harriers. Kiernan coached many athletes including Ciara Mageean and trained regularly in the UCD campus.[7]

He was a regular part of RTÉ's athletics television coverage.[8][9]

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing  Ireland
1984 Olympic Games Los Angeles, United States 9th 2:12:20

Personal life

Kiernan taught at St. Brigid's Boys School, Foxrock,[2] for approximately 40 years until retiring in June 2013.[10]

Kiernan died on 21 January 2021, aged 67.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Irish athletics legend Jerry Kiernan passes away, aged 67". Irish Independent. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b "In my life ... Con Murphy". The Irish Times. 14 December 2004. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019.
  3. ^ "John Treacy on Jerry Kiernan: 'He had this great sense of purpose about him'". Irish Examiner. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  4. ^ "'It was the most special day of my career and I spent it with Jerry Kiernan'". The 42. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Jerry Kiernan: A prince of the Kingdom - Jimmy Deenihan mourns childhood friend". Irish Examiner. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  6. ^ "Irish Olympic marathon runner Jerry Kiernan dies aged 67". Irish Times.
  7. ^ "'What stood out was how Kiernan's public persona matched up exactly with who he was in private'". The 42. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  8. ^ Burns, Padraig (8 August 2011). "Plaudits for RTÉ's athleticism". Connaught Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 December 2011.
  9. ^ "Irish athletics great Jerry Kiernan has died aged 67". The 42. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Sad loss of Jerry Kiernan felt far beyond the world of athletics". Irish Times. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Olympian Jerry Kiernan dies aged 67". RTE Sport. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
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