Leevale Athletics Club legend John Sheehan has passed away

RIP: Leevale Athletics Club has announced the death of John Sheehan. Pic: Sportsfile.

Leevale Athletics Club has announced the death of John Sheehan, the longest-serving coach at the club who guided the careers of many of its star athletes, including Derval O’Rourke, Ailis McSweeney and Donal McCarthy.

He passed away at Cork University Hospital on Wednesday, with the club describing him as “one of the true giants of Irish athletics coaching”.

Sheehan spent more than six decades as a coach and was synonymous with the Cork club, serving as its senior sprints coach and guiding the career of O’Rourke from the age of 11 until she left Cork at the age of 19.

“John never raised his voice, [had] no ego as a coach and treated every athlete the same regardless of ability,” wrote O’Rourke, who won a world indoor title and four European medals at senior level.

“I think at times people may have underestimated just how good his programmes were and his technical coaching of sprinters.

“‘There’s no shortcut for hard work,’ was his quiet mantra,” added O’Rourke. “This meant showing up to run hills on a Sunday morning in the Glen even if you were out the night before. Sunday hills were sacred throughout my teenage years. John was always there.

"It’s no coincidence that he coached both myself and Ailis McSweeney as teenagers in Cork, we went on to hold the Irish records in the 100m hurdles and 100m at the same time. He gave us a foundation to thrive.

“John loved seeing Irish athletes perform on an international stage. He’ll be missed. His contribution as a coach and official is immeasurable.”

In a statement on its website, Leevale AC noted that Sheehan’s influence “reached far beyond medals and personal bests” and that he “shaped athletes, built character and instilled the values of hard work, discipline and respect in thousands of young people who came through the gates of Leevale AC.

“There was a reassuring familiarity about John and his infectious smile. Whether it was a training session at the track or the famous Sunday morning hill sessions in The Glen, he was there with his stopwatch in hand, offering encouragement, technical advice and the quiet confidence that only decades of experience could bring. His meticulous attention to detail and relentless pursuit of improvement earned him a reputation as one of Ireland's finest sprint coaches.

“Whether he was coaching an international athlete or a young child taking their first steps on the track, John's enthusiasm, patience and commitment never wavered. Every athlete received the same care, attention and encouragement.”

Sheehan spent years as the national junior sprints coach, developing many of the country's most promising young athletes while also mentoring the next generation of Irish coaches.

“Athletics was not simply something John did, it was who he was,” stated Leevale AC. “When he was not coaching, he could invariably be found officiating at Track and Field championship meetings throughout the country, stopwatch in hand at the finish line.

"From juvenile competitions to national senior championships, he gave countless hours of voluntary service to ensure athletes had the opportunity to compete. His love for athletics was absolute and his service to the sport was extraordinary.

“John's legacy cannot be measured solely by the medals won or records broken by those he coached. It lives on in every athlete who learned their craft under his guidance, every coach influenced by his wisdom and every volunteer inspired by his dedication. Thousands of athletes, from beginners to international representatives, are better because John Sheehan invested his time, knowledge and passion in them.

“Leevale AC has lost a coach and official without equal, but more importantly, we have lost a dear friend, mentor and club stalwart whose presence will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. On behalf of everyone at Leevale AC, we extend our deepest sympathies to John's family, friends, former athletes and the wider athletics community at this very sad time.”

Hamish Adams, the CEO of Athletics Ireland, wrote that Sheehan was “the ultimate athletics man who gave a lifetime to our great sport”, adding that he was “always willing to support and assist in any way he could and someone who was so passionate about athletics.”

He will repose at the Coburg Street Funeral Home of Jerh. O’Connor Ltd on Thursday evening from 5-6pm, with the requiem mass at 2pm on Friday in St. Joseph’s Church, Mayfield and the funeral afterwards at Rathcooney Cemetery.