JERRY KIERNAN HAS died at the age of 67.
The sad news comes from Irish athletics circles this afternoon, with tributes being paid to the distance-running great.
Kiernan famously finished ninth in the 1984 Olympic Marathon, and won the Dublin Marathon twice — in 1982 and 1992. In 1976, he became the seventh Irishman to break the four-minute mile, clocking 3:59.2 in London.
In recent times, he was coach to some of Ireland’s highest-achieving athletes, most notably Ciara Mageean. Kiernan also coached John Travers and Joe Sweeney, while he earned plenty of plaudits as a pundit and analyst on RTÉ.
A life-long member of Clonliffe Harriers — his beloved club led the tributes to “an institution” — Kiernan hailed from Listowel in Co. Kerry, but lived in Dublin for most of his adult life, where he worked as a teacher.
“We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Jerry Kiernan,” Athletics Ireland wrote on Twitter.
“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.”
We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Jerry Kiernan.
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) January 21, 2021
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
A heartfelt statement from Clonliffe Harriers reads: “It’s with absolute shock that Clonliffe Harriers have to announce the very sad death last night of 1984 Olympian and Clonliffe Harriers life member Jerry Kiernan. Coming so soon after the passing of Joe Cooper, we are numb with grief and sadness.
“Jerry Kiernan was an institution! A sub- four minute miler, having ran 3.59.12 in June 1976 he went on to enjoy a stunning career as a distance athlete. On the country he was national cross country champion in Kilmacow in 1984 and one the national senior team title with Clonliffe on the extraordinary eight occasions (1980, 81, 82, 84, 87, 88, 89 and 92). It was however over the classic marathon distance that he made his name winning the Dublin city Marathon on two occasions, 1982 and 92 and of course the pinnacle his outstanding run in the 1984 Los Angela’s Olympic marathon when he placed ninth in a PB of 2.12.20.
“In addition to all of this he one of the country’s top coaches, was very much a philosopher and TV athletics expert. He will be greatly missed by his family, club mates, athletes and the athletics family. (Arrangements to be posted)”
"The death of Jerry Kiernan, Olympian, sports commentator and athletics coach will have been heard with sadness by all those in the sports community and those who enjoyed his voice in commentary. His achievements in 1984, and his enduring coaching legacy will be long remembered."
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) January 21, 2021
President Michael D Higgins also paid tribute to the late, great athletics figure.
“News of the death of Jerry Kiernan, Olympian, sports commentator and athletics coach will have been heard with sadness by all those in the sports community and those who enjoyed his voice in commentary.
“His achievements in 1984, and his enduring coaching legacy will be long remembered.
“Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis”
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.
— Pierce O'Callaghan (@Pierceathletics) January 21, 2021
A hard straight talking man who covered many miles in his career. RIP pic.twitter.com/91laxFUar9
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
Awful news: Jerry Kiernan has passed away at the age of 67.
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) January 21, 2021
He finished 9th in the Olympic marathon in 1984, and in recent years he was coach to many of Ireland's best athletes, including Ciara Mageean and John Travers. pic.twitter.com/IIHVM2dRqy
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
Sad day for athletics as Jerry Kiernan passes away. pic.twitter.com/RcrS4a0d5p
— sportsfile (@sportsfile) 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
I’m absolutely numb. Just heard that Jerry Kiernan passed away...only 67..still so fit..an inspirational character & old friend. Coffee in Er Buchetto in Ranelagh with him was a philosophy lesson. Just can’t quite believe he’s gone. My deepest condolences to his family..RIP Jerry
— Greg Allen (@gregallenRTE) January 21, 2021
Jerry Kiernan Career stats pic.twitter.com/m5SBWy4qvy
— Pierce O'Callaghan (@Pierceathletics) January 21, 2021
Very sad news. Loved his analysis. He always spoke his mind and wasn’t afraid to do so.
RIP always loved his honest analysis
Really saddened to hear of the death of Jerry Kiernan. He was star of the Irish road racing and cross country back in the 1980/90s. He ran in many Ballycotton 10 road races in Cork. He may still hold the course record. His 9th place in LA Olympics Marathon in 84 was often overlooked as John Treacy got bronze in the race . Jerry in recent years gave great insight as an analyst on RTE at various athletic championships. RIP Jerry
@Diarmuid #STAYATHOME: Gary Staines has the record 3 seconds faster @ 47:00 flat.
He was great and a philosopher of the sport
He will be sadly missed
@Diarmuid #STAYATHOME: John Treacy got silver
Very sad to hear, I enjoyed his analysis, great insight for a fair weather athletics fan like myself.
Very sad. Was a teacher of mine in primary school. Very inspiring and fun spirited. Made learning a joy and regularly incorporated sport. And lunch time he used hurl small bean bags at us. Being the best bean bag catcher was a respected title! RIP.
@Dublin Slagger: lol didn’t teach me English! *at **use to
@Dublin Slagger: Used to…
@Dublin Slagger: God, I love when ye gob5h1tes make mistakes yereselves. Thanks for brightening my day.
That’s very sad. Could listen to his analysis all day – one of the best analysts RTE has ever had in any sport.
He was a lovely man had a great chat with him one day in offaly at the all Ireland u17 campionships a pure gent. Rip
Sad to hear this. It was a memorable night watching himself and John Tracy in L.A. He done us proud.
@Seymour business: remember that night well staying up & watching one of the great moments of Irish Olympic history. Jimmy Magee got very excited when Jerry Kiernan joined the leading group with a few miles to go. RIP Jerry
God rest his soul. Loved his frank and honest assessments. He will be sorely missed.
Condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Jerry .loved the Athletics on RTe and his no holds barred punditry.
Ran against him in 82 marathon .Naturally he beat me by a few hours.Super athlete.
Always controversial in his attitude to athletics funding or lack of it compared to other National Sports etc.
A great coach and will be missed by many.
@John Kenny: I remember him bursting down Glasnevin Avenue in 1982 out on his own in what I think was about 14 miles- legend
He taught me in 1st class in school and was a very kind man. One time after he completed in the states he brought back baseball caps for the whole class. Being the mid 80′s this was a huge novelty and a very fond memory from my childhood. RIP
He was a fantastic athlete and analyst. Very sorry to hear of his death. My condolences to all his family. May he Rest In Peace.⚘
i remember getting his autograph when i was young and shouting for him in 84 marathon, a good runner and great on tv rip gerry,
Very sad. RIP
Ah no, the dunphy, giles of athletics , loved his commentary analysis. And he was some runner too. Rip
Very sad to hear this news. I spoke to him at St Patrick’s 5k in Dublin 2009. Very down to earth. May he Rest in Peace.
Very sad to hear of Jerry’s passing Great sporting hero and Great pundit. RIP
RIP Gerry. Great man to show up to races and great to give the in depth analysis on the TV.
He was a wonderful analyst. RIP
RIP he was old school and yet his punditry was brilliant
shocked to hear this news. RIP Jerry.
R.I.P Jerry Kiernan. A brilliant athlete coach and analyist. Saw him in action many times
Very sad news, gone far too soon.
Very young to die, especially for a person who would have been so fit. RIP Jerry, gone way too soon.
That’s sad. He was always a knowledgeable and engaging speaker on the athletics coverage. Seemed like a nice chap. RIP.
RIP. However, as per the article he one some cross country meet? Can’t imagine an ex-teacher would be happy with such sloppy work.
Rip Jerry. A great man and gentleman. He was my primary school teacher in St Brigids Foxrock in the ,80,s.