Athletics Ireland has confirmed a selection of ten athletes to represent the nation at the upcoming European 10,000m Cup, scheduled for Saturday, May 23rd, in La Spezia, Italy.
The squad, consisting of six women and four men, will compete at the Centro Sportivo Alessandro Montagna. The event carries significant prestige for the Irish camp following the landmark success of 2025, when Clonliffe Harriers’ Efrem Gidey delivered a performance for the ages in Pacé, France. Gidey’s emphatic victory in 27:40.47, marked Ireland’s first-ever gold medal in the history of the championships.
Momentum on the TrackWhile the defending champion is absent from the Irish team for this year's event, the women’s team features several athletes in peak form. Bandon AC’s Fiona Everard leads the entries following a stellar winter season that saw her place 10th in Europe over the country and clock a blistering 31:58 road time in Saint-Ménard-en-Jalles. Joining her is Niamh Allen of Leevale AC, who makes her track debut at this distance following a string of impressive results on the roads, including a top-25 finish at the World Cross Country Championships.
The squad also includes National 10km champion Emily Haggard-Kearney, alongside three senior debutants: Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill, Patricia Jackman, and Faye Dervan.
The men’s challenge is spearheaded by Callum Morgan, a European U23 gold medalist in cross country, who recently posted a 28:08 personal best in Valencia. He is joined by Oisín O’Gailín, looking to build on his impressive US form on the track, and senior debutants Jamie Battle and Michael Murphy.
Team Ireland: Selected Athletes and ClubsWomen’s Team
- Fiona Everard – Bandon AC
- Emily Haggard-Kearney – North Belfast Harriers
- Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill – West Limerick AC
- Niamh Allen – Leevale AC
- Patricia Jackman – Waterford AC
- Faye Dervan – Dublin City Harriers
Men’s Team
- Callum Morgan – Candour Track Club
- Jamie Battle – Mullingar Harriers
- Michael Murphy – Tullamore Harriers
- Oisín O’Gailín – Finn Valley AC
Image: John Nepolitan
