Ireland finished 17th on the medals table at the European Masters Track and Field Championships in Pescara, Italy, which ended on Sunday (October 1). In total, Ireland won 53 medals - 17 gold, (10 individual; seven relay or team) 24 silver and 12 bronze.
Double gold medals winners were Joe Gough (West Waterford AC) M70 800m and 1500m, and Annette Kealy (Raheny Shamrock AC) W55 10km and half marathon road race. Other individual winners included Annette Quaid (Leevale AC) W45 400m, Carlton Haddock (Leevale AC) M50 400m, Geraldine Finegan (North East Runners) W55 heptathlon, Michelle Kenny (Leevale AC) W40 cross-country, Edel Maguire (Clonliffe Harriers) W60 high jump, and Catherine O’Connor (Sli Cualann AC) W35 cross-country. Relay winners were M45 4x400m, W40 4x400m, and mixed over 45 4x400m.
Ireland also took a number of team wins - W45 and W55 in half marathon, W60 in 10km and W45 and W60 in cross-country. Niamh O’Sullivan (An Riocht AC), Irene Clements (Clones AC) and Kay Byrne (Finn Valley AC) made up the winning W60 teams in both the cross-country and the 10km.
*Although she wasn’t competing, Anne Gilshinan of Slaney Olympic AC travelled to Pescara to receive her Best European Female Middle Distance Athlete of the Year and Best European Overall Female Athlete of the Year for 2022 awards.