Applications are now open for the 2027 Irish National Endurance Group (INEG). The group continues into 2027 with the same aim: bringing Ireland’s best distance runners together, with a coaching, training camp and support structure built around the demands of the international stage.
The 2026 season showed what that environment can produce.
2026 highlights
• World Cross Country Championships, Tallahassee (January): Niamh Allen and Fiona Everard both finished inside the top 25 in the senior women’s 10km, in 21st and 23rd place respectively.
• World Indoor Championships, Toruń (March): Nick Griggs finished 9th in the men’s 3000m final in 7:39.03, after lowering the Irish U23 indoor 3000m record to 7:32.79 earlier in the season. Emma Moore qualified for the women’s 800m after running 2:01.21 in January, an Irish U23 indoor record at the time, and made her senior international debut in Toruń.
• European 10,000m Cup (May): Niamh Allen and Fiona Everard helped Ireland to team silver, in hot conditions in Italy.
• Commonwealth Games, Glasgow (July/August): Nick Griggs and Callum Morgan both represented Northern Ireland in the men’s 5000m, with Callum making his Commonwealth Games debut. Nick finished 6th in 13:25.84 and Callum finished 15th in 13:39.02.
• European Championships, Birmingham (August): Nine members of the group were selected for Ireland’s team. Nick Griggs finished 8th in the 5000m final (13:21.07) and Jack O’Leary 10th in the 10,000m final (28:24.89). They were joined on the team by Darragh McElhinney, Fiona Everard, Niamh Allen, Cian McPhillips, Paul O’Donnell, David McGlynn and Ryan Creech.
• World Road Running Championships, Copenhagen (September): Darragh McElhinney ran 13:22 to break the Irish 5km road record, improving on Alistair Cragg’s 13:26 from 2012.
Support in 2027
The group continues to offer regular training sessions at the Sport Ireland Institute, training camps, and support in physiological profiling, strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports psychology and physiotherapy. Tier 1 and Tier 2 athletes receive the highest level of support.
2027 Performance Standards
The standards below are guideline criteria for the 2027 group. Meeting a standard does not guarantee selection. Selection is competitive and at the coaches’ discretion.
2027 Applications
Applications for the 2027 group close at 23:59 on Friday 20 November 2026. Please apply using the online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/5qF9XUKa7H
Tier 1 and Tier 2 selections are competitive, with a limited number of places, and the coaches’ decision is final. Tier 3 applications are welcome from athletes meeting the minimum national standards above. Self-funded participation in camps and sessions is encouraged.
