Biggest-Ever Irish Masters Team Bound for European Championships in Portugal

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.

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.

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

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

And the matriarch of Irish Masters athletics, the superb athlete Ann Woodlock W85 (Donore Harriers) who competes in the 800m and 1500m.

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