SIX LOCAL STARS SELECTED FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

26 April 2018

SIX LOCAL STARS SELECTED FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Six local athletes have been named in Ireland’s marathon team for this Summer’s European Athletics Championships in Berlin, Germany.

Olympians Breege Connolly (City of Derry AC / Donnie Walsh), Kevin Seaward (St Malachy’s AC / Andrew Hobdell) and Paul Pollock (Annadale Striders / Andrew Hobdell), will be joined by Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers / Stephen Haas), Gladys Ganiel O’Neill (North Belfast Harriers / Matt Shields) and Laura Graham (Mourne Runners / Ryan Maxwell) in the eleven-strong team.

The European Championships will run from the 7th – 12th August 2018, with the marathon taking place on Sunday 12th August 2018.

Jackie Newton, Director of Coaching and Athlete Development said, “We are delighted that more than half the team are athletes that we have been supporting towards this goal. The European Championships is an important competition on our calendar and we look forward to continuing our support so that they arrive in their best shape and are competitive in the race.”

The full team is as follows:

Men

Coach

Club

Sergiu Ciobanu

Jerry Kiernan

Clonliffe Harriers AC

Mick Clohisey

Dick Hooper

Raheny Shamrock AC

Sean Hehir

Dick Hooper

Rathfarnham WSAF AC

Paul Pollock

Andy Hobdell

Annadale Striders AC

Stephen Scullion

Stephen Haas

Clonliffe Harriers AC

Kevin Seaward

Andy Hobdell

St Malachy’s AC

Women

Coach

Club

Breege Connolly

Donie Walsh

City of Derry AC

Gladys Ganiel

Matt Shields

North Belfast Harriers AC

Laura Graham

Ryan Maxwell

Mourne Runners AC

Lizzie Lee

Donie Walsh

Leevale AC

Claire McCarthy

Ronan Boland

Leevale AC

 

The qualification period for all other events remains open until 29th July 2018, with exception of the relays, which closes on 22nd July 2018.  The selection meeting for the remainder of the Ireland team will be on 29th July 2018.

The selection policy for the European Athletics Championships is available HERE