Derry celebrates 40 years of the Liam Ball Triathlon

One of the most famous sporting events in Ireland, the Liam Ball Triathlon will celebrate 40 years this Sunday.

Held in honour of one of the city's most famous Olympians, the triathlon, which began in 1985 as a tribute to a special man, has grown to become a permanent fixture in the sporting calendar in the city and beyond. Not just that, it is the definition of legacy, with the spirit and endurance of the event, and those who participate in it year after year, the perfect acknowledgement of the drive and determination and love for sport that Liam himself showed to reach such heights during his career.

Liam Ball was an Irish Olympic swimmer at both the 1968 Mexico City and 1972 Munich Olympic Summer Games, competing for Ireland in the Men's 100 metres Breaststroke and Men's 200 metres Breaststroke at each.

His legacy of sporting ambition and excellence remains today, amongst family, amongst friends, and amongst members of Northwest Triathlon Club, who honour him each and every year since his death in 1984.

Now, 40 years on, the club is preparing for a very special day, a significant milestone for a significant individual.

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"I suppose it shows two things,"Race Director Joe Doherty explained. "One is the strength of the club having been around and being one of the first clubs actually in the country to hold a race.

"The Liam Ball is one of the older races and one of the first races to be on the race calendar in Ireland. The club has been there since then and always been there which is great. Secondly, for Liam Ball himself, having been a great athlete for the city, it's great that his name has endured with that and it will be great for the all family, who will be there on the day as well. It's great for the legacy of their family and great for the club to have someone like that as inspiration to continue these races."

Liam was an Olympian swimmer in the pool and in honour of that, NWTC has never veered away from pool to open water over the many years of this event.

Liam and other St Columb's College swimmers, Austen Morgan, Michael McManus & D Casey.

"Often we argue and debate whether to go to the Foyle, because we have done triathlons in the Foyle during the City of Culture year," Joe said. "The pool is the spiritual home of it I suppose, and it's also great for the beginners. This year we have 160 competitors and I would say probably a good 40 of them are newbies, so you are talking about a quarter of the field being first time triathletes and the swimming pool just offers and a much easier and safer environment for first-timers."

Joe is in no doubt that the popularity and endurance of the Liam Ball Triathlon means that the event will reach its half-century in another 10 years.

"I am super confident," he insisted. "It's one of those things that has just become habit now, it's ingrained. We wouldn't be a triathlon club in Derry without the Liam Ball Triathlon, so 50 is definitely on the cards."

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The Liam Ball Triathlon has unveiled some Hall of Famers on the way, not least of all Danny Sheerin, who competed in every triathlon until his death in August, 2022. Roisin Lynch has missed just one Liam Ball since 1985, while Terry Donnelly has participated each and every year. The dedication of all these individuals is a fitting tribute to Liam on its own.

"Danny will be missed this year for sure," Joe continued. "Roisin Lynch and Terry Donnelly are the two triathletes that have done every Liam Ball since its inception in '85 so that's a pretty big achievement, and we will be giving them a wee something on the day to acknowledge that. It's an inspiration to everyone that they can make it part of their lives and stay healthy into their older years.

Athletes from Derry that went to the Olympics in 1972. Pictured is Neil McLaughlin (boxer), Terry Watt (judo), Liam Ball (swimmer) and Charlie Nash (boxer).

"There's also a few old names coming back to help us this year, in Gerry Lynch, who was one of the founding members of the Liam Ball Triathlon; he was the one responsible for the international race in '87. Him and Jeff Ashe, who both competed in triathlons themselves and who competed in internationals in the 80s, are coming back to give a hand and help out on the day, so it's good to have some of the old hands back, so there's a bit of nostalgia there."