Odhran McBrearty, a name that is quickly becoming synonymous with rising talent in Irish athletics, is the next athlete we feature in our Next Generation series. With the guidance of his coach, Dermot McGranaghan, and the support of his club, Finn Valley AC, Odhran has been building a formidable record, highlighted by a string of victories and international appearances that suggest a bright future in the sport.
Odhran began his cross country season with a bang, clinching the gold at the County Championships. This initial victory set the tone for a remarkable season. He followed up his county success with another gold at the Provincial Championships, cementing his status as a top contender in his age group.
The momentum continued as Odhran took on the best in the country at the Nationals in Kilkenny. In a fiercely competitive field, he secured a silver medal, a performance that earned him a spot on his first Irish team. Representing Ireland in Grangemouth, Scotland, Odhran delivered a stellar performance, finishing 5th and marking his arrival on the international stage.
Not content with wins in just his own age group, Odhran also challenged himself by competing in the year above. This decision proved fruitful as he placed 2nd in the County, 3rd in the Provincial, and 8th at the National level, showcasing his ability to compete with older, more experienced athletes.
As the schools' cross country season kicked off, Odhran faced the challenge of running his first year at the Intermediate level. Demonstrating his versatility and endurance, he claimed gold in two County Schools Cross Country Championships, followed by a gold in the Ulster District Championships, and capped it off with a victory at the Ulster Schools Championships.
Odhran’s unbeaten streak in the schools' cross country circuit culminated in victory at the All-Ireland Schools Cross Country, securing his second appearance on an Irish team. Competing in Dublin at the SIABs Cross Country, Odhran fought valiantly against some of the best young runners around, finishing 9th.
Transitioning seamlessly from cross country to track, Odhran continued to impress. His track season began in a similar vein to his cross country season, taking gold in the 800m at the County level. He followed this with a gold in the 1500m at the District Championships, and another gold in the 1500m at the Ulster Championships.
At the Irish Schools Championships, Odhran put in a strong performance to claim silver in the 1500m. His consistent success earned him selection for the Tailteann Games, where he again showcased his talent by finishing 2nd in the 1500m. This achievement secured his third Irish team selection of the year, and he went on to compete in the SIABs in Carmarthen, Wales, where he finished 7th.
The club track season saw Odhran continue his winning ways, finishing 1st in both the 800m and 1500m events. He added another Ulster title in the 1500m to his growing collection. However, at the All-Ireland 800m, a stroke of misfortune saw him tripped in the heats, ultimately finishing 4th, a result that left him hungry for future success.
With a year filled with gold medals, national titles, and international representation, Odhran McBrearty has firmly established himself as one of Ireland’s most promising young athletes.
Looking ahead, Odhran has set his sights on a long term goal of turning professional and representing Ireland on the world stage, with the ultimate goal of competing in the Olympics. Given his current trajectory, it’s clear that Odhran McBrearty is a name we’ll be hearing for many years to come.
Featured Image: by Perri Williams Photography