The Irish Team has been selected to compete in the first European Team Championships (formerly European Cup) which will be held on the 20th and 21st of June in Banska, Slovakia. This exciting new format will see men and women’s teams combine making it more exciting, unpredictable and by putting more emphasis on the country and team as opposed to individual athletes.
In 2008 Ireland had two solid performances with the women’s team coming 6th in the First League and the Men’s team coming 3rd in the Second League. Based on these combined results, Ireland will compete in the Second League.
The European Cup has considerable significance for Athletics Ireland as it is the only full track and field team event available to our athletes. It also serves as an important development tool for our emerging athletes. Team Manager Patsy McGonagle said ‘I believe that promotion is possible but it will require a huge effort with optimum performances and a genuine team effort’.
| European Team Selection | ||
| Event | Male | Female |
| 100m | Paul Hession Athenry AC | TBC |
| 200m | Chris Russell Ferrybank AC | Niamh Whelan Ferrybank AC |
| 400m | David Gillick DSD AC | Marian Andrews Togher AC |
| 800m | Thomas Chamney Crusaders AC | Kelly McNiece Lisburn AC |
| 1,500m | Liam Reale Limerick AC | Deirdre Byrne Sli Chulainn AC |
| 3,000m | Sean Connolly Tallaght AC | Kerry Harty Newcastle AC |
| 5,000m | Mark Hanrahan Leevale AC | Eva Hutchinson DSD AC |
| 3,000m S/Chase | Mark Kirwan Raheny Shamrock AC | Roisin McGettigan Sli Chulainn AC |
| 110mH/100mH | Ian McDonald Crusaders AC | Derval O’Rourke Leevale AC |
| 400m Hurdles | Tom Carey City of Derry AC | Michelle Carey West Dublin AC |
| Shot Putt | Colin Quirke Crusaders AC | Aoife Hickey KCH AC |
| Discus | Colin Quirke Crusaders AC | Deirdre Murphy Leevale AC |
| Hammer | Padraig White UCD AC | Eileen O’Keefe KCH AC |
| Pole Vault | David Donegan Clonliffe Harriers AC | Zoe Brown Raheny AC |
| High Jump | Kourosh Foroughi Star of the Sea AC | Deirdre Ryan DSD AC |
| Long Jump | Steven Fleming Crusaders AC | Kelly Proper Ferrybank AC |
| Triple Jump | Dennis Finnegan UCC AC | Mary McLoone Tir Chonaill AC |
| Javelin | Aaron Crawford Strabane AC | Anita White Dublin Striders AC |
| 4X100m From | Chris Russell Ferrybank AC Paul Hession Athenry AC Jason Smyth City Of Derry AC Darragh Graham Sli Chulainn AC Steven Colvert Crusaders AC |
Derval O’Rourke Leevale AC Kelly Proper Ferrybank AC Niamh Whelan Ferrybank AC Clare Brady Celbridge AC Louise Kiernan Fingallians A.C. |
| 4X400m From | David Gillick DSD AC Brian Murphy UCC AC John Laffey Clonliffe Harriers AC Brian Gregan Tallaght AC Nick Hogan DSD AC |
Marian Andrews Togher AC Clare Bergin DSD AC Fiona O’Friel UCD AC Michelle Carey West Dublin AC Joanne Cuddihy UCD AC |
