First Successes

John Treacy supporters with a banner reading 'John our hero' 1979.

John Treacy supporters with a banner reading; 'John our hero' in 1979. Fr. Michael Enright is seen here with a group of supporters in Limerick, where John Treacy won his second World Cross Country Championship.

© John Kiely

John Treacy supporters with a banner reading 'John our hero' 1979.
© John Kiely

John Treacy supporters with a banner reading 'John our hero' 1979.

John Treacy supporters with a banner reading; 'John our hero' in 1979. Fr. Michael Enright is seen here with a group of supporters in Limerick, where John Treacy won his second World Cross Country Championship.

© John Kiely

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Thirteen year old John found an early mentor in Fr Michael Enright, a curate in the Ring Gaeltacht who encouraged him to join the local St. Nicholas Athletic Club. John attended secondary school in Cappoquin, ten miles from his home, part of his training for many years involved running the ten miles home from school everyday.



John achieved early successes starting in the community games and winning his first All-Ireland title at Under 15 in the 1971/72 season. He moved on to juniors and novice races, among his many great early races was the Munster B.L.E. Novice Cross-Country Championship run over four miles in Leamlara County Cork on the 18th November 1973. John Treacy won by a large distance from 120 runners.



On the 13th January 1974, John won the Munster Junior Cross-Country Championship, which took place in Farranfore, County Kerry. He was followed home by Gerry Deegan and his brother Ray, with Waterford winning the team competition.