The Commonwealth Games Begins for NI Athletes Tomorrow: Here's What You Need to Know

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games are already underway, but for athletics fans, the real action begins on Monday as track and field takes centre stage at Scotstoun Stadium.

While Northern Ireland will compete as a separate team rather than as part of Great Britain, there remains plenty of Irish interest. In fact, the overwhelming majority of Northern Ireland's leading athletes have also represented Ireland at European Championships, World Championships or the Olympic Games during their careers, making the Commonwealth Games a unique fixture on the athletics calendar.

Athletes such as Ciara Mageean, who has competed for Northern Ireland at previous Commonwealth Games despite also representing Ireland on the global stage, helped establish a long standing tradition that continues today. Likewise, World silver medallist Kate O'Connor has worn both the green of Ireland and the Northern Ireland vest during her career.

Unlike some sports on the island, the Northern Ireland athletics team has generally avoided political controversy. The Commonwealth Games have long provided an opportunity for athletes from every community to compete together, with selection based purely on sporting merit.

The Northern Ireland's Athletics Team

Athletics NI has selected a team of six athletes for Glasgow, combining established international performers with several exciting Commonwealth Games debutants.

Kate O'Connor

With a collection of world outdoor and indoor medals over the last sixteen months, Kate O'Connor heads into the games as one of Northern Ireland's strongest athletics medal hopes.

The Newry athlete claimed World Championship outdoor silver last year and continues to rewrite the Irish record books in the heptathlon. After becoming Ireland's first ever Olympic heptathlete in Paris, another Commonwealth medal would further cement her place among Ireland's greatest ever combined events athletes.

Anna McCauley

Competing in her second Commonwealth Games, City of Lisburn athlete Anna McCauley joins O'Connor in the heptathlon.

McCauley has steadily developed into one of Ireland's leading combined events athletes and will relish another opportunity to compete on one of the sport's biggest stages.

Nick Griggs

European Under 23 Cross Country champion Nick Griggs continues to establish himself among Ireland's brightest distance running prospects.

The Tyrone athlete makes his Commonwealth Games debut in the 5000 metres and will look to continue the progress that has seen him become one of the country's most exciting young endurance talents.

Callum Morgan

Joining Griggs in the 5000 metres is fellow distance runner Callum Morgan.

Also making his Commonwealth debut, Morgan has continued to improve over recent seasons and earns his place after a string of strong performances.

James Gormley

James Gormley has been selected for the men's mile, one of the few championships where the historic distance remains part of the programme.

The Carmen Runners athlete will also be making his Commonwealth Games debut.

Eve Walsh Dann

Para athlete Eve Walsh Dann completes the athletics team.

Representing North Down AC, she will compete in the T38 classification and also makes her Commonwealth Games debut after earning selection through the international qualification process.

How Can You Watch the Action?

Watching the Commonwealth Games is not quite as straightforward as in previous editions.

The BBC no longer holds the live television rights for the Games. Live coverage is available through TNT Sports, meaning many viewers will need a premium television package to follow the action as it happens.

Channel 5 will broadcast nightly highlights, giving fans the chance to catch up on the day's biggest moments without a TNT subscription.

As always, Run Republic will also bring you the latest news, results and reaction from Northern Ireland's athletes throughout the week.