LUCIE CAWLEY WINS STEEPLECHASE SILVER AT EUROPEAN ATHLETICS U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS

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LUCIE CAWLEY WINS STEEPLECHASE SILVER AT EUROPEAN ATHLETICS U18 CHAMPIONSHIPS

18 July 2026

Lucie Cawley (Sligo AC) has won Ireland’s first ever steeplechase medal at the European Athletics U18 Championships this morning. The 16-year-old produced the performance of her life in Rieti, Italy to claim a stunning silver medal in the Women’s 2000m Steeplechase final.

Cawley smashed her Irish U18 record in the event, her time of 6:36.22 almost five seconds better than her previous best which she had set back in May.

Coached by Dermot McDermott, Cawley positioned herself well throughout the race moving into the lead with around 300 metres to go. Herself and Germany’s Franziska Gräter matched each other stride for stride down the home straight with Cawley trying to move wide to maintain her lead. Ultimately in the final 20 metres the German just found an extra gear to take victory, but Cawley’s medal is Ireland’s first at these championships.

“It was a battle right to the end. I’m very happy with how it played out, it was very close,” she told Athletics Ireland afterwards. “I’ve been wanting this all year. I had a really bad race at the European Youth Olympics last year and I’ve been working since then. My coach Dermot McDermott has really helped me to believe in myself because I have trouble doing that.

“I don’t think this has sunk in yet. I didn’t know it was going to happen; the heats were rocky but I’m very happy with it overall.”

Her teammate Ally Duffy (Tullamore Harriers) ran strongly to finish eighth in the same final, crossing the line in 6:45.28 which is her second fastest time ever.

Isabelle Gaffney (West Waterford AC) looked controlled as she advanced to the finals of the Women’s 800m. Gaffney was third in her semi-final in 2:06.71, sealing automatic qualification to tomorrow’s decider.

“I’m just delighted. To come out here and make the final was all that I wanted, and you never know at the end of the day how it could go so I’m just going to rest up and cross my fingers for tomorrow,” she said. “It was a tough race, but I kept pushing to the line and got third in the end.”

Her compatriot Tara-Rose Smith (Finn Valley AC) missed out on the final by just one place despite recording a brilliant new personal best of 2:06.73. Smith was sixth in her semi-final which was won in a new championship record by Slovenia’s Živa Remic.

In the first track event of the day, the Men’s 5000m Race Walk final, Daniel Glennon (Mullingar Harriers) gained valuable experience competing at this level by finishing 15^th in 22:52.49.

Kevin O’Shea (Farranfore Maine Valley AC) was also in action in Qualification Group B of the Men’s Javelin Throw. The Kerry teenager had a best effort of 63.53m which saw him place 16^th overall, unfortunately not enough on this occasion to make the final.

Two Irish athletes are in final action this evening. Emma Hickey (United Striders AC) competes in a straight final of the Women’s 1500m, before Tara Laverty (Carrick Aces AC) returns to the circle following her Irish U18 record on Thursday to throw in the Women’s Discus final.

Team Ireland Results Summary

Day Three – Morning Session – Saturday July 18^th

Daniel Glennon – Men’s 5000m Race Walk – Final – 22:52.49 (15^th)
Lucie Cawley – Women’s 2000m Steeplechase – Final – 6:36.22 NU18R (silver)
Ally Duffy – Women’s 2000m Steeplechase – Final – 6:45.28 (8^th)
Tara-Rose Smith – Women’s 800m – SF 1/2 – 2:06.73 PB (6^th, does not advance)
Kevin O’Shea – Men’s Javelin Throw – Qualification Group B – 63.53m (16^th overall, does not advance)
Isabelle Gaffney – Women’s 800m – SF 2/2 – 2:06.71 Q (3^rd)

Team Ireland Schedule: Irish Time (Local time in brackets)

Day Three – Evening Session – Saturday July 18^th