Meet The Team
Hugh Davidson
Chairperson
Hugh has been involved with the club since it was established in 2023. He initially began coaching with Shillelagh Community Games when his own children were younger and actively involved in the club.
He has been passionate about athletics since his younger days competing at county and national level in the UK. He believes in providing the burgeoning local athletics talent with the opportunity to develop and grow. He has demonstrated this by gaining Athletics Ireland coaching qualifications so that he can create the best learning environment for coaches and athletes of all abilities.
Noëlle O'Connor
PRO & Coach
Noëlle has been involved with the club since its founding in 2023. Her athletics journey began in the 1970s as a competitor with Shillelagh Community Games, and she later returned to coaching when her own children became active members. She now coaches the U14–U16 age group, a cohort she especially enjoys working with.
A lifelong athletics enthusiast, Noëlle competed at both county and national levels during her youth for both Shillelagh Community Games and Coláiste Bhríde Carnew. Her passion for the sport continues to fuel her commitment to nurturing local talent. Noëlle has earned coaching qualifications through Athletics Ireland, equipping her to guide athletes of all abilities toward reaching their full potential.
Bridget Gahan
Secretary
Bridget joined the Tomnafinogue Athletics Committee as Secretary in January 2025. With her children actively involved in both Tomnafinogue Athletics Club and Community Games, she was inspired to give something back to the club.
Jeni Nolan
Treasurer
Jeni has been involved in the club since it was established in 2023 as the role of honorary treasurer. She is also involved in Shillelagh Community Games for many years first as a committee member and then as the role of treasurer and it’s from here that she got involved with Tomnafinnoge Athletics Club.
Jeni has been part of Shillelagh Community Games and athletics from a very young age, competing from U8’s to U16’s. From there she kept the interest by helping out at training and helping at the National Finals when the kids used to stay in Mosney and Tullamore.
Clare O'Toole
Children's Officer & Coach
Clare has been involved with the club since its founding in 2023 having previously held the same roles with Shillelagh Community Games from 2019. Having earned coaching qualifications through Athletics Ireland, she is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for all athletes to learn new skills, develop and improve fitness levels and enhance personal performance through competition.
She is an avid hill walker, participates in park runs and womens mini marathons and is passionate about social and physical benefits of sport being available to everyone.
Laurence O'Toole
Coach
Laurence has been coaching athletics track events with the club since it started in 2023. Before that he coached with Shillelagh Community Games. He became involved as his kids were participating in the events.
Laurence is a senior member of the (Tomnafinnoge) club and also a member of Tinahely Triathlon Club. A keen cyclist, he has competed in many road races and triathlons over the years, including Ironman triathlon events.
Laurence has athletics coaching qualifications from Athletics Ireland.
Anne Dagge
Assistant Coach
Anne has been involved in the club since it was established in 2023. She originally became involved with Shillelagh Community Games in 2022 when her daughter showed a love & interest in athletics.
As a child, Anne competed in the Community Games as a long distance runner with her local club in Carlow. Her passion for running has continued and over the last number of years she has participated in many road races, half marathons and the Dublin City Marathon.
Anne coaches the U8 age group and thoroughly enjoys teaching and encouraging these young athletes to progress and improve in a fun and positive environment.
Ian Lazenby
Javelin Coach
Ian has coached javelin since the club was founded in 2023 having previously coached with Shillelagh Community Games when his kids were involved. He completed in javelin at county, provincial and national level during the early 80s winning at county and provincial at U15s. He also competed for De La Salle AC in Waterford winning U17 javelin in Munster and in the All Ireland .
One of his aims is to improve javelin in Wicklow by coaching local kids
Lucy Stevenson
Coach
Lucy joined the club in 2024. She began coaching the under 8's to assist with her daughter’s age group and realised that she really enjoys working with this group. She sees an opportunity to help the younger children develop a love for athletics and activity, helping them develop a healthy attitude to exercise as well as encouraging the opportunity to mix with other children.
Lucy is gaining qualifications through Athletics Ireland to help her develop her own skills and ability to work with this age group, ensuring they get the greatest opportunities through the club, helping them improve their athletic competence and talents.
Amanda O'Leary
Assistant Coach
Amanda recently joined the club as an U8s Assistant Coach. She is passionate about encouraging young talent. As a youth she participated in athletics and quiz events for Shillelagh Community Games. Many years later she returned with her own children to also give them the opportunity to develop their sporting abilities.
Amanda has always sports especially road running and badminton.
She also helps organise Shillelagh’s participation in the Community Games Parade
Lorcan Carpenter
Discus & Shot Putt Coach
Lorcan joined the club in 2023 as a discus and shot putt coach to share his love of the disciplines with the next generation of athletes.
Lorcan has been coaching underage athletes in field sports since his early twenties. A former hammer and discus thrower, Lorcan has had a lifelong love of athletics and believes that Track and Field offers opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities to get involved in events that will give them an avenue to fun and excitement.