Athletics Ireland Mourns Passing Of Mile Great O'Shaughnessy

Athletics Ireland regretfully announce the passing of Niall O'Shaughnessy. Niall was one of our greatest milers ever. He was the youngest member of the athletics team at the Montreal Olympics where he competed in the 800m and 1500m. The previous year at 19 years of age he set the Irish record for 800m with a time of 1:46.79. In 1977, at just 21 years of age he set a European Indoor mile record with a time of 3:55.4. This was the second fastest time ever in the World.

Niall attended St. Munchin's College in Limerick where he set numerous North Munster and Munster records. He was runner-up in the 1973 Irish Schools 800m but went on to win the 800m at Catholic Student Games (FISEC) in Vittel, France. He accepted a scholarship to the University of Arkansas that year. At Arkansas, he was very successful both athletically and academically. He was runner-up in the US Colleges (NCAA) indoor mile twice and third in the outdoor 1500m. He still holds the Arkansas indoor school record.

He graduated in 1978 with Bachelor's of Science degree in civil engineering. He completed his postgraduate work with a Master's in environmental engineering in 1980. He qualified for the 1980 Olympics with a time of 3:39 for the 1500m. He was conflicted about the US boycott of the Moscow games because of his residency and employment in the US and subsequently declined his position on the team. He retired from athletics later that summer at 24 years of age.

He is survived by his wife Marcia of over 35 years and sons Stephen and Thomas. Niall was 59 years of age.