History and who we are

Le Chéile Athletic Club was founded in 2003 to offer the people of Leixlip, Maynooth and surrounding areas the opportunity to partake in all athletics disciplines at county, provincial and national level. People of all ability levels are very welcome to join our club.

Athletics in the Leixlip and Maynooth areas has a long history. Before the creation of Athletics Ireland in 2000, athletics in Ireland and County Kildare was governed by two separate bodies: NACAI and BLE. Both organisations held their own separate county, provincial and national competitions. Leixlip and Maynooth had Athletic Clubs affiliated to NACAI and both clubs achieved much success in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Irish 800m record holder David Matthews was a longtime member of Leixlip AC and won many national juvenile titles during this time. After taking up a sports scholarship at UCD he went on to represented Ireland in two Olympic games. In 1995 both the senior male national 800m titles were won by Leixlip men with David Matthews winning the BLE title and Brian McDonagh winning the NACAI title. By the late 1990’s there was a decline in membership and participation in both Leixlip AC and Maynooth AC and both clubs fell into decline. After NACAI and BLE were merged to create Athletics Ireland, the need for a new club for the two towns became apparent and Le Chéile AC was set up.

Le Chéile AC athletes have achieved much success since the formation of the club. Numerous county, provincial and national competitions have been won by our Senior, Masters, Junior and Juvenile category athletes. This success has come in many events: outdoor track and field; indoor track and field; cross county running; road running; and mountain running. Our wheelchair racing athletes have won numerous titles wearing the Le Chéile colours.

In 2013 Le Chéile AC’s 400m tartan track was completed in Leixlip. This was achieved after many years of fundraising by club members and the project also obtained funding from Government and Kildare County Council. This training facility has allowed our club athletes to prosper with many being selected for international competition. Le Chéile AC athletes have represent Ireland at international events including the Paralympic games, the European Youth Olympics, the CSIT World Sports Games, and multiple Ultra running events.

Whilst we are very proud of our top level athletes we have many members who’s main goal is simply to stay fit and healthy. By training with the club all our members get the opportunity to achieve this in a supportive and fun environment.

New adult members are always very welcome. New juvenile members are also very welcome from the age of 7 years and upwards. For more information please email info@lecheileac.com.