Ireland’s Masters athletics team made headlines and history at the European Masters Championships, returning from Madeira with a staggering 81 medals  – their biggest ever haul at any international event –  and a superb 8th-place finish out of 56 competing nations, edging out hosts Portugal.

From 9th to 19th October, Irish athletes lit up the island with performances that combined excellence with camaraderie, proving that class is truly timeless. A total of 32 gold, 28 silver, and 20 bronze medals told one story – but the bigger story was one of community, resilience, and pride in the green vest.

Among the many highlights was Anne Gilshinan’s majestic run in the W60 1500m, breaking the European record in emphatic style. She added another gold in the 800m – a feat matched by Edel Maguire, who also claimed double gold (400m and high jump) and set a European best in the W65 400m.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the track, Ireland celebrated trailblazers like Ann Woodlock, aged 86, who stormed to gold in the W85 1500m, and Bobby King, who added three medals in the M80 race walk events. John MacDermott, at age 80, didn’t just compete – he conquered the decathlon and 800m with double gold. These were not just medals, but milestones.

There was also joy in the team events, where Ireland excelled in the cross-country, 10k road race, and half marathon, picking up multiple gold, silver and bronze team medals through selfless running and tight pack work. Christine Kennedy, Eileen Kenny, and Sue Zlnay were instrumental in a string of podium finishes across multiple age groups and distances – embodying endurance and spirit.

In the sprint relays, Ireland’s teams showcased speed, depth and baton skill, winning multiple medals across the 4x100m and 4x400m Particularly stirring was the performance of the W40 4x400m squad, whose unity brought home gold.

Another highlight was the family connection: Eileen and Michelle Kenny, mother and daughter, both claimed gold in cross-country and road events – a rare and emotional double that added a personal touch to Ireland’s success.

Behind every medal was a sea of Irish athletes, teammates and supporters – celebrating finishes, sharing warm-downs and lifting spirits after tough races. The camaraderie on display rivalled the medals in its brilliance.

This Madeira campaign was about more than numbers. It was about proving that age is no barrier to excellence, and that when Irish athletes come together, they don’t just compete – they inspire.

Full list of medal winners:

Gold 32
John Dwyer (Templemore AC) – M40 – Weight Throw
Sue Zlnay (DSD) – W65 – 2k Steeplechase
Sue Zlnay – W65 – 8k Cross- country
Edel Maguire (Clonliffe) – W65 – 400m (Eurropean Record)
Edel Maguire (Clonliffe) – W65 – High Jump
Annette Quaid (Leevale) – W45 – 400m
Rachel Akers (Ennis Track) – W40 – Hammer
Ann Woodlock (Donore) W85 – 1500m
Tina Gallagher (OMG AC) – W60 – Heptathlon

Tina Gallagher (OMG AC) – W60 – 300mH
John MacDermott (Sligo AC) – M80 – Decathlon

John MacDermott (Sligo) – M80 – 800m
Eileen Kenny (Tullamore) – W75 – Cross-country
Christine Kennedy (Galway City Harriers) – W70 – 6k Cross-country
Christine Kennedy – W70 – Half-marathon
Michelle Kenny (Leevale) – W45 – 8k Cross-country
Michelle Kenny (Leevale) – W45 – 10k Road
Pauric McKinney (Inisowen AC) – M60 – 8k Cross-country
Pauric McKinney (Inisowen) – M60 – 10k Road
Anne Gilshinan (Slaney Olympic) W60 – 1500m
Anne Gilshinan (Slaney Olympic) W60 – 800m
Bobby King (St Cocas) – M80 – 10k Race Walk
Joe Gough (West Waterford) – M70 – 800m
Denise Toner (Clones) – W45 – 800m
Mary Horgan (Crusaders) – W35 – 800m
Catherine O’Connor (Parnell AC) – W45 – Half- Marathon
4x400m – W40 Snezana Bechtina, Denise Toner, Sinead O Connor (MSB), Bronwen McDonald (SLOT)
Team – W55 – XC – Annette Kealy, Jackie McMonagle Derry City Spartans) Martina McDonagh (Castlegar)
Team – M65 – XC – Tom Cuddy (Rathfarnham)  Philip O’Doherty (Clonliffe), Tom O’Connor (Liffey Valley)
Half Marathon – Team – W45 – Catherine O’Connor (Parnell AC), Kay Byrne (Finn Valley), Anne Hegarty (Totley AC)
Half Marathon – Tean W55 – Annette Kealy (Raheny), Donna Evans (Clones), Martina McDonagh (Castlegar AC)
Half Marathon – Tean W65 – Christine Kennedy (Galway City Harriers), Sue Zlnay (DSD), Nuala Reilly (Drogheda & District)

Silver 28
Bobby King (St Cocas) – M80 – 5k Race Walk
Bobby King – M80 – 20k Race Walk
Tina Gallagher (OMG AC) – W60 – 80m Hurdles
Rachel Akers – W40 – Weight Throw
Michael Kiely (Mallow) – M80 – 400m
Joe Gough (West Waterford) – M70 – 1500m
Geraldine Finegan (North East Runners) – W55 – Heptathlon
Denise Toner (Clones) – W45 – 1500m
Ken Higgs (Eagle AC) – M75 – Cross- country
Alan Delaney (Killarney Valley) – M40 – High Jump
Edel Maguire – W65 – 100m
Edel Maguire – W65 – 200m
Annette Kealy (Raheny) – W55 – 10k Road
Annette Kealy – W55 – Half-Marathon
Sue Zlnay (DSD) – W65 – 10k Road
Sue Zlnay (DSD) – W65 – Half-Marathon
Eileen Kenny (Tullamore) – W75 – 10k Road
Bronwen McDonald – W40 – 800m
Team – M65 Half-Marathon – Gerry Boyle (Rathfarnhsm), Tom Cuddy (Rathfarnham), Joe Gallagher (North Belfast)
Team – W60 -XC – Kay Byrne, Anne Hegarty, Anne Gormley – Cross-country
Team – W45 – XC – Michelle Kenny, Aoife Parella, Vanessa Sallier
Team – W70 – Cross-country – Christine Kennedy, Eileen Kenny, Phyllis Browne
Team – W40 – 10k Road – Catherine O’Connor, Michelle Kenny, Kay Byrne
Team – W55 – 10k Road – Annette Kealy, Martina McDonagh, Jackie McMonagle
Team – W65 – 10k Road – Sue Zlnay, Eileen Kenny, Nuala Reilly
4x100m – M45 – Brian Boyce (Milford AC), Stephen Byrne (Tullamore), Keith Pollars (SLOT), Ger Cremin (An Riocht)
4x400m – M45 – Ger Cremin (An Riocht)
Brian Boyce (Milford AC), Stephen Byrne (Tullamore AC), Ross Miotti (Monaghan Phoenix)
4x400m – Mixed 60 – Tim Ryan (Doneen AC) Edel Maguire (Clonliffe), Shane Sheridan (SSD
Carol Kearney (Lucan)

4x400m –  W60 – Tina Gallagher (OMG AC), Dee Walsh (DSD), Carol Kearney (Lucan), Edel Maguire (Clonliffe)

Bronze 20
Carlton Haddock (Leevale) – M50 – 400m
Carol Kearney (Lucan Harriers) – W60 – 400m
Michael Kiely (Mallow) M80 – 1500m
Michael Kiely (Mallow) – M80 – 800m
Brian Lynch (Drogheda & District) – M70 – 1500m
Caitriona Devine (Finn Valley) – W50 – 1500.
Tom Cuddy (Rathfarnham) – M65 – Cross-country
William Belton (Parnell AC) – M75 – Cross- country
William Belton (Parnell AC) – M75 – 5000m
Rachel Murphy (Plant-Based AC) – W40- 1500m
Eileen Kenny (Tullamore) – W75 – 5000m
Annette Kealy (Raheny) – W55 – 5000m
Alison Beck (DSD) – W45 – Pole Vault
Alan Burke (Killarney Valley) – M60 – Pole Vault
Gerry Boyle (Rathfarnham)- M65 – Half Marathon
Team – M50 – Half-Marathon – Anthony Dowd (Menapians), Stephen Monaghan (Mayo AC), Ronan Donohue (Ashford & District RRC)
4x100m – W35 – Sarah Doyle (Tallaght), Snezana Bechtina (Clonliffe), Noelle O’Regan (London Heathside), Sinead O’Connor (MSB)
4x100m – W55 – Tina Gallagher (OMG AC), Carol Kearney (Lucan), Dara Carr (LSA), Edel Maguire (Clonliffe)
4x400m – W45 – Clare Quinn (Omagh), Leanne Wellings (Lucan), Maggie O’Connor (Enniscorthy), Lucianne Hughes (Kilcoole AC)
4x400m – Mixed 45 – Brian Boyce (Milford), Lucianne Hughes (Kilcoole), Ross Miotti (Monaghan Phoenix), Denise Toner (Clones)

– Ronan Gately Masters Athletics