Sarah Leahy selected for European Track and Field Championships

Star Killarney Valley AC international athlete Sarah Leahy has been selected to represent Ireland at the European Track and Field Championships 2026.

The elite championships will take place in Birmingham from August 13 to August 16, featuring many of the world’s top athletes. This marks the third time Leahy has qualified for a major international championship, having previously competed at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, and the World Relay Championships in Botswana.

Leahy has enjoyed a standout summer, competing on the Diamond League and Grand Prix circuits. The former national indoor 60m champion and current national record holder over indoor 50m and 100m was also part of the women’s 4x100m relay team that set a new national record in front of 70,000 spectators at the London Diamond League.

Leahy will line up in the 4x100m relay alongside Ciara Neville, Lauren Roy, Lucy May Sleeman, and Molly Scott, with Kate Bergin named as reserve. The selection is a significant milestone for Leahy, her parents Marie and Mike, and Killarney Valley AC, with family and club supporters set to travel to Birmingham for the event.

Felicity’s Summer in Killarney — Chapter 6

A weekly series from Killarney Advertiser’s Jess Jukes

Felicity followed Jack into the crowd in front of the large outdoor stage. She bobbed and weaved through the throng, hardly taking her eyes off of the back of his ginger head as she tried to catch up to him. She caught up with Jack where he was talking to Seamus from the Laurels.

“But do you know where they got the jerky?”

“I s’pose I could tell ya, but my beer’s ran dry, and my throat is mighty sore ..” Jack shook his head with a huff and headed towards the bar. “Felicity, make sure he doesn’t disappear!” he shouted over his shoulder as he went.

Felicity turned to Seamus. She had seen him a few times since they first met. She had learnt that his favourite place to be was outside a pub with a cold pint in hand and the sun on his face.

“What’s Jack after?” She asked.

“Well now, he caught sight of a fella with jerky, and now he’s pesterin’ me because he thinks I know who’s sellin’ it.”

Felicity raised an eyebrow. “And do you?” He chuckled. “Well, that’d be tellin’.”

Just then Jack reappeared with a fresh beer. “I’m a sucker for dehydrated snacks.” He said, defending himself although Felicity said nothing. She thought it was odd, but to each their own.

The Vendor

As soon as Jack placed the pint in Seamus’ hand, the man crooked a finger in the direction of a young man in a black trench coat. His coat was extremely out of place amongst the tank tops and short sleeve-wearing festival-goers. Jack didn’t even pause before he approached the man, holding out a hand to shake.

“Hiya, my name’s Jack. Are you the guy that’s selling jerky?”

The man looked at Jack’s outstretched hand with a frown before looking him up and down. “That depends. Who’s asking?”

“.. my name’s .. Jack .. Look man, everywhere here sells really sweet treats, but I like my savoury snacks. Are you selling jerky, or is there someone else I should talk to?”

The man opened up his jacket akin to a cartoon sleazy watch salesman to reveal inner pockets stuffed with jerky. He snatched a packet out and handed it to Jack. Felicity thought he was being rather eccentric for what was just some fairground food.

Just as Jack was about to hand over his money, a security guard approached them. “Can I see your vendor permit sir?”

The man looked like he was going to run, but another security guard appeared out of nowhere. The man stuttered something about how his brother was meant to bring their permit, but security were having none of it.

Felicity watched them take the illicit jerky vendor off of the premises, and turned to see Jack was already gone. She scanned the crowds and saw his head bounding back over to Auntie Sheila. Maybe it wasn’t that Killarney was trouble, but just her friends that often got caught up in mischief. She followed after him with a smile.

A few pints and a burger later, Felicity managed to get Auntie Sheila on the fairground rides.

The ride operator was lovely. He could tell Auntie Sheila was frightened out of her skin, so he didn’t swing too high. Felicity was trying to talk to Auntie Sheila to distract her, but Jack ended up taking over, babbling away mindlessly about anything and everything as they swung to and fro, losing their stomachs at the top of every arc.

In comparison, cajoling Auntie Sheila onto the Ferris wheel was a piece of cake. Jack waited at the bottom whilst Felicity and her aunt climbed onto the wheel. They enjoyed the stillness of Killarney from above, lit by street lights.

The Concert

As ten o’clock approached, the trio made their way into the Gleneagle Arena. They had chosen to go to Bikefest on this night in particular to see Qween, a tribute band that made fairly regular appearances in the Bikefest line up. It was a large part of the reason Auntie Sheila wanted to go, although she loved a concert or gig no matter who was performing.

They walked in just as the opening band were starting. They got drinks and found a comfortable place to stand near a wall.

They were happily nodding along to the openers when Felicity caught sight of some sort of ruckus amongst the gaggle of people gathered near the sound booth. She watched as a few burly security guards gave chase through the masses of people. When the caught the instigator, she was surprised to see it was the jerky vendor.

Felicity tugged Auntie Sheila along with her towards the exit. As they emerged from the dark arena, they saw the edge of a Garda van waiting outside the doors of the venue. The security guards were handing the vendor off to them.

The vendor turned and glared at Felicity as the van doors closed. If eyes could burn, she would have been ash on the wind.

“I wonder what he’s at,” Auntie Sheila pondered. “I don’t know,” Felicity replied as she dragged her aunt towards the bathrooms.

They spent the rest of their night enjoying the music. It was an incredible experience, between the thumping music and the crowds all swaying to familiar songs. There was laughter, tears and pure undiluted joy interspersed throughout the crowd.

They got home at an ungodly hour. Despite the wonderful evening, Felicity’s mind kept on returning to the jerky vendor. Something about him seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. With quiet resolution to figure it out tomorrow, she went to bed.