February was a busy month, with some sports just kicking off their seasons while others are deep into competition. We’re excited to continue showcasing just a small section of the incredible sporting achievements happening across Northern Ireland and beyond.
Athletics
There were some standout performances in athletics this month. Kate O’Connor set a new Irish indoor record in the pentathlon, while Lauren Roy (City of Lisburn) also made history with a new 200m record of 23.92 seconds. At the Irish Indoor Championships in Dublin, Sommer Lecky (high jump) and Roisin Flanagan (3000m) both secured gold medals. Rachel McCann earned bronze after a strong performance, building on her personal best and first-place finish at the Irish Universities Championship the previous weekend.
Football – UEFA Women’s Nations League
The Northern Ireland Women’s Team has been on the road, beginning their UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign. They faced Poland in Gdańsk, where they suffered a 3-0 loss. However, they bounced back with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina in Larne, thanks to a dominant second-half performance from Simone Magill, who secured the win in extra time! A special congratulations to Brenna McPartlan on scoring her first international goal! The team’s next matches will be in April, when they take on Romania home and away.
Gaelic Football – Lidl National League
Armagh remains undefeated in Division One, securing four wins from four matches. Last weekend, they triumphed over Mayo with a 2-14 to 1-10 victory. In the same division, Tyrone fell to Kerry. Meanwhile, in Division Three, Down edged out Louth in Round Three, and in Division Four, Antrim defeated Leitrim while Derry lost to Wicklow. Hopefully, Armagh can keep their winning streak alive!
Swimming – McCullagh International 2025
The 2025 McCullagh International took place last weekend, marking the first long-course competition of the year for many swimmers. Olympians Grace Davidson, Danielle Hill, and Ellie McCartney delivered solid performances, while rising talents Eve Leleux and Alana Burns-Atkin secured top-three finishes in multiple events.
Triathlon
It was a strong season opener for triathlon on the weekend of February 14th. Chloe MacCombe and Aoibh Clarke won gold at the World Triathlon Abu Dhabi Para World Cup—an impressive feat as it was their first time competing together at this level, following their test event for the Paris Paralympic Games. In the World Triathlon Championship Series Mixed Team Relay, the Irish team of Erin McConnell, James Edgar, Hollie Elliott, and Russell White delivered solid performances, finishing in eighth place.
Hockey
The hockey season is well underway, with the Irish Women’s Team securing a 3-0 victory over Scotland in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup. Meanwhile, the Girls’ Senior Cup semi-finals are set, with Rainey Endowed School facing Royal School Armagh and Portadown College taking on Banbridge Academy. Best of luck to all the teams competing for a place in the final!
Golf
The Northern Ireland teenager Beth Coulter will make her debut at Augusta when she will compete in the National Women’s Amateur in April. Beth is ranked 50th in the amateur rankings, and currently in her junior year at Arizona State University
We are all excited to celebrate International Women’s Day next Month on the 8th of March. Check out our events and others so we can celebrate all the incredible women in sport!