The nomination of the Sprints Group for the Women in Sports Week is Edel Maguire. Edel is not
only an outstanding Masters Athlete she is, also, an inspiration to all those that she comes across.
I coached her in the 1980’s when she was an outstanding athlete in her twenties. The high point
came in 1988 when she competed for Ireland in a Triangular International. She retired from athletics
at quite a young age and returned to it 35 years later as a Masters athlete. Since then, it has been an
extraordinary journey for Edel.
She has had great success not only on the national stage but internationally as well. Competing with
great success at World and European Masters Championships worldwide. Not only has she won titles
at these championships but, also, set records in Masters Athletics, including a European W65 record
in the 400m last year.
She holds numerous Irish Masters records at 100m, 200m, 400m and High Jump.
Last year at the European Masters Championships in Madeira she won Gold in the 400m and the
High Jump and Silver in the 200m.
The culmination of all this was the recognition by her peers as Masters Athlete of the Year 2026, an
award which she received at the Athletics Ireland Awards last November. The award recognised a
year where she won major international masters titles, set records for her age group and had such
an outstanding season.
Edel is a wonderful role model as well in the sprints group. She is so dedicated to training that it’s a
major surprise when she doesn’t show up. The key for success at master’s level is to combine
consistent training, recovery and being smart about training. Edel has these qualities. She is, also, a
good listener. All these things make for an athlete who will have a long and successful career.
John Shields