O'Connor and Griggs Headline Northern Ireland Team for Next Month's Commonwealth Games

Northern Ireland has named a six strong athletics and para athletics team for next month's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with World Indoor silver medallist Kate O'Connor and one of Irish athletics' brightest young talents, Nick Griggs, leading the squad.

The team blends championship experience with emerging talent, as Northern Ireland looks to add to its proud recent Commonwealth Games record following Kate O'Connor's heptathlon bronze and Ciara Mageean's memorable 1500m silver medal in Birmingham four years ago.

Athletics competition will take place at Scotstoun Stadium from the 27th of July until the 1st of August, with six days of track and field action bringing together athletes from across the Commonwealth. Coverage will be available live on TNT Sports, with selected events also shown free to air on Channel 5.

Kate O'Connor Among The Favourites

Heading the Northern Ireland team is Dundalk St Gerard's athlete Kate O'Connor, who arrives in Glasgow as one of the strongest medal hopes in the entire athletics programme.

Since claiming Commonwealth bronze in Birmingham, O'Connor has firmly established herself among the world's leading combined events athletes. Earlier this year she secured World Indoor silver in the pentathlon before producing another series of outstanding performances outdoors.

If she reproduces that form in Glasgow, the 24 year old could find herself in a fascinating battle for gold with England's Katarina Johnson Thompson, one of Britain's most decorated athletes and a former world champion.

Northern Ireland will also be represented in the heptathlon by Anna McCauley, who returns for her second Commonwealth Games. The City of Lisburn AC athlete continues to make steady progress in the event and will look to build on the valuable experience gained at Birmingham.

Griggs Leads Exciting Distance Squad

Nick Griggs enters his first Commonwealth Games carrying growing expectations after an outstanding last twelve months.

The CNDR athlete enjoyed a remarkable 2025 campaign, completing the European Under 23 distance double by winning both the 1500m and 5000m titles before ending the year by becoming European Under 23 Cross Country champion.

Still only 21, Griggs has rapidly developed into one of Ireland's leading distance runners and will relish the opportunity to test himself against what is traditionally one of the strongest 5000m fields in global athletics. Kenya, Uganda and Australia are all expected to field world class contenders, meaning a medal would represent one of the biggest achievements of his career to date.

Joining Griggs in the men's 5000m is fellow CNDR athlete Callum Morgan, who earns his Commonwealth Games debut after continuing his rise through the senior ranks. Competing alongside some of the world's best distance runners will provide another valuable step in his development.

James Gormley completes Northern Ireland's endurance contingent and will line up in the men's mile. The Carmen Runners athlete is another making his Commonwealth Games debut and will compete in an event making a welcome return to the Games programme after many years away.

Para Athletics Representation

Northern Ireland's para athletics challenge will be led by Eve Walsh Dann, who has been selected for both the T38 100m and T38 long jump.

The North Down AC athlete will make her Commonwealth Games debut after establishing herself as one of Northern Ireland's leading para athletes, with Glasgow offering another opportunity to gain valuable championship experience on the international stage.

Strong Blend Of Youth And Experience

Athletics NI's selection reflects an encouraging balance between established championship performers and the next generation of talent.

O'Connor enters the Games with realistic gold medal ambitions, while Griggs continues his rapid rise through the international distance running ranks. Alongside them, McCauley, Morgan, Gormley and Walsh Dann all have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience competing on one of the sport's biggest stages.

With several genuine finalists and at least one athlete capable of standing on top of the podium, Northern Ireland travels to Glasgow with every reason to believe another successful Commonwealth Games campaign could be on the cards.

Northern Ireland Athletics Team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games

• 🏃‍♀️ Kate O'Connor – Dundalk St Gerard's AC – Heptathlon
• 🏃‍♀️ Anna McCauley – City of Lisburn AC – Heptathlon
• 🏃‍♂️ Nick Griggs – CNDR – 5000m
• 🏃‍♂️ Callum Morgan – CNDR – 5000m
• 🏃‍♂️ James Gormley – Carmen Runners – Mile
• 🏃‍♀️ Eve Walsh Dann – North Down AC – T38 100m & T38 Long Jump

How to Watch The Commonwealth Games Athletics

For the first time and, perhaps unfortunately, live coverage of the Commonwealth Games will not be shown by the BBC. Instead, every medal event will be broadcast live on TNT Sports across its television channels and streaming platforms.

Viewers without a TNT Sports subscription will still be able to follow the action, with Channel 5 broadcasting daily highlights throughout the Games.

Channel 5 is included in the standard television packages offered by major providers across Ireland, including Sky, Virgin Media and Eir, making it easy for fans to follow the performances of the Northern Ireland athletes.