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Athletics Ireland has announced 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.

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