Niall O'Shaughnessy (November 23, 1955 – September 16, 2015 Alpharetta, Georgia) was an Irish track and field athlete, specializing in middle distances.
In the 1500, he finished less than .2 behind former 880 world record holder Rick Wohlhuter who took the last qualifying spot in his heat behind eventual double silver medalist Ivo Van Damme and bronze medalist Paul-Heinz Wellmann.
Earlier in the 800, Van Damme had also defeated O'Shaughnessy in the heats, en route to his other silver medal.
[1] O'Shaughnessy came from Kilknockan, County Limerick and attended St Munchin's College but was recruited by Irishman John McDonnell to the University of Arkansas in the United States where he eventually settled.
[2] He later gained American citizenship and became an engineer in Little Rock and Atlanta.