Ireland's next generation of athletics talent will head to the United States next month after Athletics Ireland named a 24 strong squad for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
The championships take place at the iconic Hayward Field from August 5th to 9th, with Irish athletes set to compete across the sprints, middle distance, hurdles, race walks, relays, combined events, jumps and distance races.
Among those selected is European U20 200m finalist Dubem Amah (Tallaght AC), who will contest both the men's 200m and the men's 4x100m relay after recently dipping under 21 seconds for the first time with a personal best of 20.98.
Ireland's relay squads will also be aiming to make their mark. The men's 4x100m team arrives in Eugene after breaking the Irish U20 record with 40.09 in Mannheim earlier this summer, while the women's 4x400m squad includes several athletes who have already gained senior international relay experience.
There is further strength in the hurdles, with Ethan Dewhirst and Desmond O'Neill both selected for the men's 400m hurdles after impressive seasons, while Ellis McHugh and Orlaith Mannion will represent Ireland in the women's hurdle events.
Middle distance hopes include Saoirse Fitzgerald and Pia Langton in the women's 800m, with Langton also doubling up in the 1500m alongside Gemma Galvin. Cillian Gleeson will contest the men's 5000m, while Dearbhla Allen has been selected for the women's 3000m steeplechase.
Elsewhere, Ireland will be represented in the race walks by Seamus Clarke and Matthew Newell, in the combined events by Enya Silkena and Eoin O'Callaghan, and in the women's high jump by Siún Quinn.
The championships have provided a launchpad for many of Ireland's biggest athletics names over the years. Previous Irish medallists include Ciara Mageean, Rhasidat Adeleke, Molly Scott, Gina Akpe Moses, Sommer Lecky and most recently Oisín Joyce, who claimed javelin bronze in 2024.
Ireland Team for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships
Men
- Adam Ofeimun (Donore Harriers) – 4x100m Relay
- Ben Sykes (Orangegrove AC) – 4x100m Relay
- Ciaran O'Farrell (Donore Harriers) – 4x100m Relay
- Cillian Gleeson (Celbridge AC) – 5000m
- Desmond O'Neill (Raheny Shamrock AC) – 400m Hurdles
- Dubem Amah (Tallaght AC) – 200m, 4x100m Relay
- Eoin O'Callaghan (Bandon AC) – Decathlon
- Ethan Dewhirst (Tír Chonaill AC) – 400m Hurdles
- Joshua Awujoola (Fast Twitch AC) – 4x100m Relay
- Matthew Newell (Castlegar AC) – 5000m Race Walk
- Seamus Clarke (Moy Valley AC) – 5000m Race Walk
Women
- Dearbhla Allen (St Peter's AC) – 3000m Steeplechase
- Ellis McHugh (Ferrybank AC) – 400m Hurdles
- Enya Silkena (Ratoath AC) – Heptathlon
- Erin Friel (Letterkenny AC) – 4x400m Relay
- Gemma Galvin (Ennis Track AC) – 1500m
- Maria Zakharenko (Kilcoole AC) – 4x400m Relay
- Molly Daly (Kilkenny City Harriers) – 4x400m Relay*
- Orlaith Mannion (South Galway AC) – 100m Hurdles
- Pia Langton (Kilkenny City Harriers) – 800m, 1500m
- Roisin Murray (Bray Runners AC) – 4x400m Relay
- Saoirse Fitzgerald (Lucan Harriers) – 800m
- Siún Quinn (Brothers Pearse AC) – High Jump
- Sofia Granjo (St Laurence O'Toole AC) – 4x400m Relay
Non travelling reserves
- Kate Maher (Kilkenny City Harriers) – Women's 4x400m Relay
- Evelyn Kwik (Dundrum South Dublin AC) – Women's 4x400m Relay
- Harry McIlwaine (Letterkenny AC) – Men's 4x100m Relay
Final relay selections remain subject to form and fitness.
