Local athletes on Ireland squad for European Youth Championships

Four Tipperary athletes have selected on a 36-strong Ireland team for the upcoming European Athletics Under 18 Championships which take place in Slovakia from 18-21 July.

There is no shortage of talent selected for the track events with Joe Burke (Templemore AC) in the 200m and Nenagh Olympic’s Jennifer O’Leary joining Emily Bolton (Donore Harriers) in a strong representation in the 1500m.

Nenagh Clubmates Stuart Tobin and Daire O’Donnell will compete in the 400m Hurdles and 800m respectively.

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) heading to these championships as the top ranked athletes in their respective high jump and hammer events.