As the first-ever Sport Ireland Disability In Sport Week comes to an end, the announcement of the 2025 – 2026 Para Athletics Academy marks an important moment for Para sport in Ireland. Now entering its second year, the Academy brings together a new and returning cohort of talented young athletes who represent the future of Para athletics nationally.
The Academy forms a central part of Ireland’s emerging Para Athletics Talent Pathway, designed to create structured, sustainable development opportunities for aspiring Para athletes across the country.
Meet the 2025 – 2026 Para Athletics Academy Athletes
This year’s Academy features nine Para athletes from athletics clubs across Ireland, supported by dedicated coaches and specialising in a range of Para athletics classifications and events:
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Charlie Byrne – UCD AC (Coach: Adam McMullen) – T37, 100m & 200m
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Sean Daly – Ace AC (Coach: Aongus O’Connor) – T35, 100m & 200m
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Aaron Boyle Floody – Emi Rath AC (Coach: David Keenan) – 100m (subject to national classification)
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Saoirse Hunter – Swinford AC – Multi Events (subject to national classification)
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Daire Macken – Metro St. Brigid’s AC (Coach: Mark Mohan) – T37, 400m
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Damien Moyles – Moy Valley AC (Coach: Dermot McDermot) – T13, 100m & 400m
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Emma O’Leary – Leevale AC (Coach: Grainne O’Sullivan) – T38, 100m
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Fionán Ruane – Moy Valley AC (Coach: Dermot McDermot) – T13, 100m
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Aryell Sheedy – Dunore Harriers (Coach: Paul Clarken) – T37, 200m & 400m
These athletes begin their Academy year with structured support in technical development, physical preparation, education, and high-performance exposure.
About the Para Athletics Academy
The Academy is powered by the PARA Project, which involves Sport Ireland funded research collaborations between Paralympics Ireland and the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science. The research projects focus is on building evidence informed systems for talent identification, athlete profiling, long-term athlete development, and performance trends analysis in Para athletics.
The creation of the Academy follows an 18 month period of system development across the Para Athletics programme, including athlete recruitment initiatives, enhanced inclusion in athletics competitions, and expanded coach education opportunities. Prior to this work, Ireland had no formalised talent pathway in Para Athletics, making the establishment of the Academy a significant step forward.
Dr Alison O’Riordan, Technical Lead for Para Athletics in Ireland and a member of the PARA Project research team, has played a key role in building this pathway. With over 20 years’ involvement in Para sport and global standing in biomechanics research, she brings substantial expertise to the initiative.
The 2025 – 2026 Academy year which runs from October 2025 to March 2026 will include in person testing and coaching days, educational workshops, and continued support for athletes, coaches, and families. With new structures, research-led development, and a strong cohort of emerging talent, the future of Para Athletics in Ireland continues to strengthen.
For further information on Para Athletics or the Para Athletics Academy: para-athletics@paralympics.ie
