Cian McPhillips Set For Long Awaited Return For WIth Irish Stars At Sunday's FBK Games

One of the most eagerly anticipated comebacks in Irish athletics is finally set to happen this weekend.

After months on the sidelines, Cian McPhillips is due to make his long awaited return to competition at Sunday's FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting that regularly attracts some of the biggest names in the sport.

McPhillips has not raced since January when he opened his year with an impressive victory at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston. The Longford athlete had been expected to play a major role during the indoor season before a dental issue forced him to withdraw from the Millrose Games. Since then, Irish athletics fans have been left waiting for news of his return.

The excitement is understandable.

Few athletes generated as much momentum during 2025 as McPhillips. The then 21 year old exploded onto the international scene with a stunning run to the final of the men's 800m at the World Athletics Championships, producing a remarkable semi final performance that firmly established him as one of Europe's most exciting young middle distance talents.

His rise appeared to come almost overnight.

Having already dipped under 1:43, McPhillips suddenly found himself being discussed alongside some of the biggest names in the event. Expectations for 2026 were understandably high before injury and illness disrupted his plans.

Now, after almost five months away from competition, he is finally back.

Sunday's race will provide a valuable opportunity to assess where he stands as the outdoor season begins to accelerate towards the European Championships in Birmingham later this summer.

McPhillips will not have an easy return assignment. The Irishman enters one of the strongest fields assembled outside the Diamond League this season, featuring former Commonwealth champion Wyclife Kinyamal, World Championship finalist Yanis Meziane and emerging Australian star Peyton Craig. On personal bests, only Kinyamal has run faster than McPhillips' remarkable 1:42.15, underlining just how highly regarded the Irish athlete has become on the international circuit.

Mawdsley Continues Hunt For First Sub 50 Clocking

McPhillips is one of seven Irish athletes currently listed for the meeting.

Sharlene Mawdsley returns to the women's 400m after another encouraging display earlier this week at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, where she finished third in 50.28.

The Tipperary athlete has looked close to breaking the 50 second barrier this season. Having already run 50.17 outdoors, the fastest time of her career, the search for that first sub 50 performance remains one of the most intriguing storylines in Irish athletics this summer.

Doyle Chasing European Standard

Cathal Doyle lines up in the men's 1500m.

The Clonliffe Harriers athlete already owns the Athletics Ireland B standard courtesy of his 3:34.00 performance at the Paavo Nurmi Games and remains well positioned in the qualification rankings.

A time under the European Championships automatic standard of 3:33.50 would remove any uncertainty and secure his place for Birmingham outright.

Given Doyle's personal best of 3:32.15, that target is certainly within reach if the race develops favourably.

Griggs And McElhinney Continue European Build Up

The men's 5000m features two Irish athletes already safely qualified for Birmingham.

Both Nick Griggs and Darragh McElhinney have already secured automatic qualification and can use Sunday's race as another valuable stepping stone ahead of championship competition later this summer.

For Griggs in particular, every opportunity to race at this level provides another chance to gain experience against world class opposition.

Comerford Continues Strong Form

Paralympian Orla Comerford is entered in the women's para 100m.

Comerford arrives in excellent form after claiming victory at the Bislett Games in Oslo last week and will look to continue that momentum in Hengelo.

Her inclusion is another reminder of the growing presence of para athletics on major international meeting programmes, giving athletes regular opportunities to compete in front of large crowds alongside some of the sport's biggest stars.

Richardson Back In Sprint Action

There will also be interest in Benjamin Richardson, who is entered in the men's 100m.

Richardson recently impressed in Ostrava where he finished fourth in the high profile 150m race that featured the showdown between Noah Lyles and Gout Gout. The former South African athlete led through much of the opening stages before eventually fading in the closing metres.

Although he is not yet eligible to represent Ireland internationally, Richardson is now registered with Ireland through World Athletics and continues to attract significant attention as one of the country's most promising sprint prospects.

With McPhillips finally returning, Mawdsley chasing another breakthrough performance, and several Irish athletes pursuing qualification goals or championship preparation, there should be plenty for Irish fans to follow in Hengelo on Sunday.

Keep an eye on Run Republic and our social media channels this weekend, where we will have a full Irish timetable, streaming information and live results links ahead of the meeting.