Happy Pride Month!
Like every year, we aim to celebrate all individuals involved in sport! We want to support achievements both big and small. Let’s dive into some of this month’s standout moments, starting with the home race of the Belfast Women’s 10K.
This women-only event was open to runners, joggers, and walkers aged 15 and over and designed for women of all abilities. Many participants took on their first-ever 10K challenge, while others chased personal bests and raised funds for charity. Now in its third year and held in the Titanic Quarter, this vibrant community event also saw some speedy top finishers. Lea Adamson claimed first place with a time of 00:36:11. Judith Storm of City of Derry Spartans came in second with 00:37:18, followed by Catriona Edington of Annadale Striders in third place at 00:37:55.
Check out the photo library here: (In pictures: Smiling faces take part in the Belfast City Women’s 10k 2025 – Belfast Live)
In more running news, several records were set this month. Under-18 NI & Ulster athlete Anna McGookin (BAAC) made NIMRA history by becoming the first-ever podium finisher at the Mountain Running Cup, taking home the bronze medal. Emily Haggard Kearney also made headlines by finishing as the first woman in the Cheshire 5K with a time of 15:14, breaking Ciara Mageean’s previous record. Hannah Gilliland set a course record in the Newell 5K with a time of 15:51 and clocked a new 3000m personal best of 9:23.70 this month.
On the Mary Peters Track, during a weekend of racing, Irish international Rachel McCann (North Down) had an emphatic win in the women’s 400m, finishing in 53.76 ahead of Michelle Duggan (UCD). It’s exciting to see so much success from athletes both at home and abroad.
Athletics NI has also partnered with TAHMI to support athletes’ mental health and provide valuable tools for coaches and support teams.
This weekend, nine athletes competed at the European Aquatics Under-23 Championships, which also served as the final World Championships preparation meet for five Singapore-bound athletes: Cormac Rynn, Ellie McCartney, Eoin Corby, Evan Bailey, and Jack Cassin. The rest of the team—Brandon Biss, Lottie Cullen, Maria Godden, and Oisín Tebite—also put in strong performances. Ellie McCartney was a standout, winning gold in the 200m Individual Medley and adding a silver in the 200m Breaststroke. We’re thrilled to see Ellie join the senior swimmers at the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore this July!
Netball NI recently hosted their NI Senior Cup Final, featuring a showdown between Larkfield and Kingsway. Kingsway aimed for back-to-back cup wins after their victory last season, but Larkfield, captained by Caroline O’Hanlon, lifted the Margaret Shaw Shield for the seventh time. They secured their first silverware in five years by defeating Kingsway 47–39.
It was well worth the wait for Larkfield as they finally clinched the NI Senior Cup at the second attempt, overcoming favourites Kingsway in a delayed final – Local Women Sport.
In golf, Beth Coulter joined the Great Britain and Ireland team competing for the Vagliano Trophy, alongside Lottie Woad, Hannah Darling, Patience Rhodes, and Áine Donegan. The team won for the first time since 2005. Beth has had an incredible season, breaking into the world’s top 50 amateur rankings and competing in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. The Female Sports Forum is sure we’ll see even more from her.
In Ladies Gaelic Football (LGFA), the TG4 All-Ireland Championships are in full swing. Laois, Tyrone, Monaghan, and Westmeath have advanced to the semi-finals of the Intermediate Championship, with two quarter-finals going to extra time in a weekend full of drama. In the Junior Championship, Antrim will face Sligo in the semi-final. Meanwhile, Donegal and Armagh will meet again as they battle to avoid relegation in the Senior Championship.