The European Masters Athletics Championships take place in Madeira, Portugal from 9th to 19th October 2025.
Ireland will send it's largest team ever to compete at a European Championships, with 134 Irish Masters athletes travelling. There are a total of 4,185 athletes competing in these Championships from 54 countries.
Team Ireland athletes range in age from 35 to 87! and will travel with high hopes of many podium finishes.
World Record Holders in Action
Some of those with strong claims for medal success include current World Record Holders:
Anne Gilshinan W60 (Slaney Olympic AC) - competing in 80m and 1500m
Edel Maguire W65 (Clonliffe Harriers) - competing in 100m, 200m, 400m and High Jump
John MacDermott (Sligo A) - competing in Decathlon, 200m, 400m, 800m, 80m Hurdles, 200m Hurdles.
Other Irish Medal Contenders
Others with very realistic chances of medals include:
Michael Kiely M80 (Mallow AC) - 400m, 800m and 1500m.
Rachel Akers W40 (Ennis Track) - Weight Throw, Discus Throw, Hammer
John Dwyer M40 (Templemore AC) - Weight Throw, Hammer Throw
Geraldine Finegan (North East Runners) - HJ, PV, TJ, Javelin, 80m H, 300m H, Heptathlon
Joe Gough M70 (West Waterford AC) - 400m, 800m, 1500m, Half Marathon
Carlton Haddock M50 (Leevale AC) - 400m
Annette Kealy W55 (Raheny Shamrocks) - 5000m, 10k, Cross-country and Half-marathon
Christine Kennedy W70 (Mayo AC) - Cross-country, Half-Marathon
Annette Quaid W45 (Leevale AC) - 400m
Shane Sheridan M65 (DSD AC) - 100m, 200m
Family Legacy on the Start Line
Not forgetting multiple previous medal winners, mother and daughter duo of
Eileen Kenny W75 (Tullamore AC) - 5000m, 10k, Cross-country
Michelle Kenny W45 (Leevale AC) - 10k, Cross-Country
Masters Matriarch Returns
And the matriarch of Irish Masters athletics, the superb athlete Ann Woodlock W85 (Donore Harriers) who competes in the 800m and 1500m.
Strong Irish Hopes
It promises to be a fantastic championships with Team Ireland fully expected to punch above it's weight as it has done for the past number of years at Masters level.
Image: John MacDermott