Sixteen-year-old Noah Cunnane is a dedicated member of Muskerry Athletics Club, an organisation that is going from strength to strength, marking an impressive start to 2025 with a standout performance at the opening Cross Country meet in Riverstick in September last. Competing against strong opposition from Bandon, Skibbereen, Courseys, Dohneys, Durrus, Riverstick Kinsale, and Bantry, the club proudly secured the coveted West Cork Club Shield. Just two days later, the club hosted more than 850 primary school children at its Ummera training grounds for an exciting schools’ event. Niamh Coughlan chats to rising star Noah about his breakthrough moments this year.
A native of Carrigadrohid, a village in the parish of Aghinagh, Noah is the eldest of three. His younger brother and sister are also proud members of West Muskerry AC, a club that is now building on the success of forty-six athletes who qualified for All-Ireland A in 2024 and three consecutive Best All-Ireland B Club titles. Muskerry AC is now preparing to host the Even Age, Junior, and Senior County Championships this autumn.
Noah is appreciative of the character of his home village Carrigadrohid, with its historic castle, GAA grounds, and village shop. He attended Canovee National School, and is now in transition year at De la Salle Boys school in Macroom.
“Growing up, I was involved in football with Canovee, soccer with Coachford, and athletics with West Muskerry AC. If I wasn’t doing athletics, I would be playing soccer. These days, I focus solely on athletics, as I train a lot during the week with the club. I first discovered the sport through a friend who was going to train. I decided to give it a try, and I’ve been going ever since that night.”
One of Noah’s earliest memories of athletics is running through the grounds in Ummera at night with a torch on his head. “It was such a fun experience and really sparked my love for the sport. I have also tried other sports like long jump, javelin and shot put, which I even won a few medals in.”
Noah trains six nights a week. “Monday and Wednesday are my club training days, while on Tuesday and Thursday, I usually do a 10km run. Friday is my rest day, and then on Saturday we meet for an endurance training session. Sunday is always my long run, which is normally around 16km.”
Speed, technique and distance vary between track and field. “I prefer cross country because of the longer distances and the changing terrain, more hills, more fun. Track is mainly for my summer training, while road races are something I do in the off-season when I’m taking a break from cross country. One of our regular sessions is on rolling hills. The loop starts with a steep climb, then continues with a gradual incline before finishing off with a tough double hill. In total, it’s about 800 metres, and we might repeat it six or seven times in a session. It’s a great workout, but definitely one of the toughest on the agenda.”
Around Cork, one of his favourite places to run is the Marina. Its newly renovated paths have made it a real hotspot in the city. “With the club, we’ve also run in Millstreet Country Park, which I really enjoy too. On the track, I think the 1500m or 3000m would be my favourite events. They fall between middle and long distances, and I like how tactical they can be, which makes them exciting to run.”
Being in fourth year means no major exams are lingering, but it’s still a challenge to find balance in daily life. “It can be hard to fit everything in, but I try to prioritise my running while still making time for the occasional night out and keeping up with schoolwork. A good few of my friends are also part of West Muskerry, so training doubles as a chance to socialise, which makes it all the more enjoyable.”
On the tougher days, what stands out about Noah is his determination. He draws on his overall fitness and keeps himself motivated by thinking about how others are progressing and reminding himself that he has to keep up. Watching athletics also gives him that extra push to stay focused and driven.
Noah has a few role models in athletics, but one in particular stands out – fellow West Cork man, Darragh McElhinney. “He’s a huge inspiration to me. I still remember the first time I saw him run at the National All-Ireland Championship in Donegal. It was an amazing race and left a lasting impression on me.”
When it comes to pre-race routines, Noah likes to keep things simple. “On race days, I usually wake up early and start with a shower. Breakfast is always pretty basic, as I don’t like to eat too much before competing. I make sure my bag is ready with everything I’ll need, especially my spikes and a spare pair of socks, since cross country can get very muddy. If I feel nervous before a race, I’ll put on some music to distract myself, which really helps. I usually do a slow jog before the warm-up and then run through my race plan in my head so I’m mentally prepared. I don’t tend to get too nervous before races, but having that routine keeps me focused.”
Last year, Noah qualified for the National Cross Country Championships, which is among his proudest athletics moments to date. As part of this success, he got a West Muskerry Athletics club top recognition for his performance. His goal this season is to make the Cork Cross Country Team for the Nationals. “Looking ahead, and in the next five years, I’d love to still be running and to be part of my college or university athletics team.”
At only sixteen, he’s been fortunate to avoid any major injuries. “I did have some Achilles pain, but with the physio’s tips and exercises, I was able to manage it while things settled. It was tough not being able to train fully with everyone else and having to stick to slow runs or cross-training, but thankfully it’s all healed now and it’s been a while since I’ve had any issues. I just need a good warm-up before any running. I also use an inhaler, and learning how to manage it properly before races took some time, but I’ve got it right now and it’s made a real difference.”
The Diamond League is Noah’s dream race to compete in. Recognised as one of the most prestigious athletics series in the world, it brings together the top track and field athletes to compete across a circuit of elite meetings hosted in major cities around the globe.
When he’s not on the track or competing, Noah enjoys spending time with friends or simply having a lazy day at home where he has a chance to rest, recharge, and prepare for another week of chasing his goals.
