Irish athletics legend Jerry Kiernan has died aged 67.
The Kerryman finished ninth in the Olympic marathon in 1984, running 2:12.20, a race in which John Treacy won silver for Ireland.
The former school teacher is ranked at number eight on the all-time Irish marathon list.
He won the Dublin Marathon in 1982 and 1992.
Very sad news just breaking in the untimely passing of @irishathletics Marathon legend Jerry Kiernan... he will be forever remembered for his brave 9th place finish in the 1984 Olympic Marathon.
A hard straight talking man who covered many miles in his career. RIP pic.twitter.com/91laxFUar9— Pierce O'Callaghan (@Pierceathletics) January 21, 2021
In recent times, Kiernan was a coach to many Irish athletes including Ciara Mageean. He also featured on RTÉ as an athletics analyst during major championships.
The Clonliffe Harriers athletics club, of which Kiernan was a lifetime member, confirmed that he died on Wednesday.
I’m totally gutted to hear this very sad news. RIP Jerry Kiernan @ClonliffeHAC - my great friend, training partner, athlete, coach & commentator. He’ll be hugely missed @irishathletics https://t.co/INtJU7XaBK
— Eamonn Coghlan (@EamonnCoghlan1) January 21, 2021
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Jerry Kiernan.
Jerry finished 9th in the Olympic marathon in 1984, and also coached many of Ireland's top athletes, including Ciara Mageean and John Travers.
May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/4FFk2EvMtv— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) January 21, 2021
RIP Jerry Kiernan. Terrible news, a great athletics man, never short of a few words, helpful to so many and always up for a laugh. Condolences to his family, friends and athletes 🙏
— David Gillick (@DavidGillick) January 21, 2021
We have just lost an iconic man of our sport.Jerry Kiernan you will be sadly missed by the athletics and sporting community,you said it as it was and you were an incredible athlete/coach/person and an inspiration to so many and touched so many life’s #RIP #jerrykeirnan
— Rob Heffernan OLY (@RM_Heffernan) January 21, 2021
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
