Ireland's brightest young athletics talents are ready to hit the international stage as the European Athletics U18 Championships officially get underway tomorrow in Rieti, Italy. Athletics Ireland has named a formidable 25-strong squad for the four-day event, which runs from July 16th to 19th.
Team Ireland heads to Italy hoping to build on a memorable championships in Banská Bystrica two years ago, where the team returned home with a record five medals, including gold for Thomas Williams in the boys' hammer throw. The event has also helped launch the careers of some of Ireland's biggest names, including Rhasidat Adeleke, Sarah Healy, Sophie O'Sullivan, Gina Akpe Moses and Molly Scott.
This year's squad features athletes across the sprints, middle distance, hurdles, walks, throws, combined events and relays, with several arriving in excellent form after impressive performances during the domestic season.
Here is the full line-up of Irish athletes competing this week, along with their clubs and events:
- Aisling Shevlin (Ratoath AC) – 400m, Medley Relay
- Ally Duffy (Tullamore Harriers) – 2000m Steeplechase
- Arron Whelan (Dunboyne AC) – 400m Hurdles, Medley Relay
- Ava Colreavy (Sligo AC) – 3000m
- Charlie O'Neill (Donore Harriers) – 1500m
- Christopher Olatunde (Ratoath AC) – 200m, Medley Relay
- Daniel Glennon (Mullingar Harriers) – 5000m Race Walk
- Daniel Downey (Portlaoise AC) – 400m Hurdles, Medley Relay
- Destiny Lawal (Dooneen AC) – Medley Relay
- Elle Kate McRae (Midleton AC) – 400m Hurdles, Medley Relay
- Emer Purtill (Dooneen AC) – Heptathlon
- Emma Hickey (United Striders AC) – 1500m
- Ethan Carr (Ballymena & Antrim AC) – 400m, Medley Relay
- Evelyn Kwik (Dundrum South Dublin AC) – 400m, Medley Relay
- Freya Renton (Westport AC) – 3000m
- Harry McIlwaine (Letterkenny AC) – Medley Relay
- Isabelle Gaffney (West Waterford AC) – 800m
- Jack Collins (Tralee Harriers) – 800m
- Kevin O'Shea (Farranfore Maine Valley AC) – Javelin Throw
- Leah O'Gara (Finn Valley AC) – 5000m Race Walk
- Lucie Cawley (Sligo AC) – 2000m Steeplechase
- Luke Merrigan (Leevale AC) – 1500m
- Tara Laverty (Carrick Aces AC) – Discus Throw
- Tara Rose Smith (Finn Valley AC) – 800m
- Tiffany Nwaedozie (Belgooly AC) – 200m, Medley Relay
Kate Maher (Kilkenny City Harriers) has been named as the non travelling reserve for the 400m.
