Two Cork Athletes on Irish Team for European Under-18 Championships 2024

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Two Cork Athletes on Irish Team for European Under-18 Championships

Banska Bystrica, Slovakia

July 18th - 21st 2024

Two Cork athletes, Elena O'Sullivan (Leevale AC) and Eoin O'Callaghan, Bandon AC, are among the large thirty-seven strong, high calibre Irish team at the European Athletics Under-18 T&F Championships, in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, from July 18th - 21st 2024

Elena O'Sullivan, Leevale AC and Eoin O'Callaghan, Bandon AC - Photos: Píaras Ó Mídeach/Sportsfile

Eoin O' Callaghan, Bandon AC, with his coach, Frank Stam

Athletics Ireland Release - Feidhlim Kelly

EXCITING IRISH TEAM SELECTED FOR EUROPEAN U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Athletics Ireland have selected an exciting team for the upcoming European Athletics U18 Championships which take place in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia from 18-21 July 2024

The European Athletics U18 Championships was created to promote higher-level competition among the most talented members of this age group in Europe and provide a stepping stone to the U20 age group

Ireland has enjoyed medal success at previous editions of the U18 Championships, most recently with Fintan Dewhirst taking silver in the 400m hurdles back in 2022. Other medallists have included Gina Akpe Moses (100m silver, 2016), Molly Scott (100mh bronze, 2016), Rhasidat Adeleke (200m gold, 2018), Sophie O’Sullivan (800m silver, 2018), and Sarah Healy (1500m gold & 800m gold, 2018)

This year’s team has strength in depth right across a range of track and field events with 15-year-old Conor Penny (Craughwell AC) and 16-year-old Thomas Williams (Shercock AC) remarkably heading to these championships as the top ranked athletes in their respective high jump (Penny) and hammer throw (Willaims) events

There is no shortage of talent selected for the track events with Joe Burke (Templemore) in the 200m and Conor Kelly (Derry Track) in the 400m looking particularly exciting

Saoirse Fitzgerald of Lucan Harriers continues to impress and will benefit hugely from more championship experience in the 800m, while Jennifer O’Leary (Nenagh Olympic) will join Emily Bolton (Donore Harriers) in a strong Irish representation in the 1500m. Clodagh Gill (Moy Valley) has continued to impress this season and will be another looking to chase down a top 10 in the 3000m

Noah Harris (Parnell AC) has performed superbly this season, earning him selection in the 3000m and 2000m s/c, while Ethan Dewhirst (Tír Chonaill) will look to channel memories of brother Fintan’s success in the 400m hurdles when he takes to the track in Banska Bystrica

Ireland have arguably never sent a stronger walks selection to a European Championships with Seamus Clarke (Moy Valley) and Matthew Newell (Tuam AC) both ranked inside the top six in the 5k race walk. Newall’s clubmate Savanagh O’Callaghan (Tuam) will lead the way for Ireland in the women’s 5k race walk, with the 16-year-old sure to revel on the big stage as she looks to gain more top-level racing experience following her prestigious win in the US earlier this season

There is also a strong representation in the women’s high jump with the in-form Tara O’Connor (Dundalk St Gerards) and Siun Quinn (Brothers Pearse) set to take their respective places with realistic hopes of top 12 finishes

There will be much anticipation amongst the throws fans too, with Caoimhe Gallen (Lifford Strabane) also likely to be eying a top 10 finish in the hammer, while Ratoath’s multi-event star Enya Silkena looks a real talent and will be another looking for a bold showing in the heptathlon and javelin (500g) competitions. European Youth Olympics bronze medallist Cian Crampton (Edenderry AC) will be another looking to fight for a top 10 finish in the discus

Irish team for European U18 Athletics Championships, Banska Bystrica, Slovakia from 18-21 July

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