Strong Irish team named for 2nd European Team Championship – 1st League in Budapest – European Athletics (EAA) – News

Athletics Ireland has announced a full-strength team for the 2nd European Team Championship – 1st League to be held in Budapest, Hungary, on the weekend of 19-20 June.

Ireland's top athletes captained by Derval O'Rourke and Paul Hession will be aiming to secure a strong team standing at the end of the weekend after securing promotion to the 1st  League last year.

The Irish team will compete in the 1^st League after finishing 2nd behind Lithuania in last year's 2^nd League competition in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia.  The European Team Championships is unique in the sense that it is the only athletics event where men and women compete as a team. The going in the 1^st League will not be easy for Ireland, as they will have to contend with stiff challenge from hosts Hungary, Czech Republic, Estonia, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Turkey.

A mix of youth and experience saw several athletes perform well above expectations last year, while the two team captains, Hession and O'Rourke, won their events in style. Hession clocked an excellent 20.56 in the 200m (+0.7), while former world indoor champion O´Rourke won the 100m hurdles in 13.17 (+0.6).

In a similar fashion this year's team offers a blend of reliable senior athletes combined with up and coming stars.

The team for this year is at full strength especially in the sprinting events. David Gillick will be hoping to right the wrongs after a disappointing World Indoor Championship while Hession and O'Rorke will aim to claim the titles they won in the 2^nd League last year. Upcoming sprinter Jason Smyth will be one to watch out for after recording 10.41 for the 100m and 21.09 for the 200m already this season. He is also a valuable addition to the relay squad.

Female sprinters are also laying down solid markers on the International stage. The Irish women's 4X100m relay team of Claire Brady, Derval O'Rourke, Niamh Whelan and Kelly Proper on Saturday took a big slice off the Irish record when they placed second at a meet in Geneva. Italy won the race in 44.03 with the Irish quartet clocked at 44.27, well inside the 44.68 record set in 2006. The time is also well inside the qualifying standard for the European championships in Barcelona.

Derval O'Rourke, Claire Brady, Ailis McSweeney along with Niamh Whelan and Kelly Proper will be a force to contend with in the 4x100m relay event in Budapest.

Joanne Cuddihy has shown a welcome return to form registering 23.38 for the 200m and 51.94 for the 400m already this year. Her impressive racing period in Australia has secured her the 200m and 400m on the team along with a relay spot.

"The European Team Championships offers athletes a rare opportunity to compete and perform as a team which in unusual in what in largely an individual sport. We will be seeking to maintain our 1^st League status against some very stiff competition. In the future, hosting such an event in Ireland will be great for the sports, the athletes and the country," said the team manager Patsy McGonagle.

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