In athletics, few stories are as inspiring as that of 15-year-old high jumper Conor Penney from Craughwell AC. On January 14th, 2024, in Athlone, Penney made headlines in the National Indoor League by clearing an impressive 2.00 metres in the high jump, surpassing Jerry Keary’s longstanding record of 1.98 meters set in 2016. This feat was particularly remarkable as it marked his return to competition after suffering a severe knee injury in April 2023.
The journey to this milestone was fraught with challenges, but Penney’s dedication and resilience were evident. After his record-breaking jump in January, Penney continued to display his talent by participating in seven more competitions. His exceptional form culminated on April 7th, 2024, at the 123.ie Insurance National Juvenile Indoor Championships in Athlone, where he achieved a new record jump of 2.04 metres.
Under the eye of his high jump coach Mike Tobin, Penney made significant strides in refining his technique. Key adjustments to his run-up and stride pattern played a crucial role in his success. This meticulous preparation paid off, as Penney opened his outdoor season with a personal best of 2.05 meters at the Galway Outdoor Championships in May.
Penney's remarkable season continued with a standout performance in June at the Tailteann Games, where he cleared 2.09 meters, breaking the previous record of 2.06 meters that had stood since 2000. His achievements have solidified his reputation as one of the most promising young athletes in the high jump.
Penney faced a setback at the European U18 Championships in Slovakia last week. In an insightful commentary, Perri Williams highlighted Penney’s admirable humility and composure in dealing with the disappointment, praising his maturity and resilience. “An athlete of his calibre will undoubtedly bounce back from this disappointment and go on to achieve great things,” Williams remarked.
Run Republic had the opportunity to speak with Conor yesterday about his remarkable year, from his return from injury to his experience in Slovakia. Reflecting on his performance, Conor shared, “I’m still a bit disappointed with it, but it’s sport and it’s natural to have these bad days. I had such an amazing week and so much fun. We had such a nice group of people. I learned a lot.”
Addressing his recovery from the injury, Penney noted, “It hasn’t bothered me since. Looking back on where I was last year, it makes me appreciate where I am now.” He described his return to competition with no expectations and emphasised the critical changes made to his technique, saying, “Before the 2.04, there was a huge change in my run-up. I was sprinting in my first few steps before. I needed to switch it completely and it really just clicked.”
Penney also spoke about his approach to competitions, stating, “Usually when I go to competition, I am just going to have fun, so I don’t really set goals for myself.” When we spoke last week, he expressed excitement about upcoming events, including the Nationals on Saturday, July 27th, and the U20s the following week. Penney went on to win the boys U17 National High Jump this past weekend, exiting with a jump at 1.95m.
As he continues to impress both on and off the field, we eagerly anticipate his future accomplishments. Stay tuned to Run Republic for ongoing updates on this talented young athlete’s journey.
Featured Image: by Perri Williams