Ireland claimed a brilliant victory in Division 3 of the European Team Championships, with forty-four athletes all contributing to a superb team performance across the three action-packed days.
Prior to the event, the main objective was to achieve promotion to Division 2 which was done in a comfortable fashion, with Ireland finishing nearly twenty points ahead of nearest challengers Austria.
The Men’s and Women’s 200m kick-started the Irish success on the final day of competition. Bandon’s Phil Healy who was one of two team captains for the event as chosen by Athletics Ireland finished second in the women’s race (23.79).
“It’s mad to think that I’m team captain,” she said. It’s ten years since I made my senior debut and got my first Irish vest at the Team Championships in Dublin. I’ve come a long way since. It’s a wonderful team and it’s a privilege to be captain.”
Mark Smyth produced a clinical performance to win the Men’s 200m in 20.66. The Dubliner eased up before the line, clearly savouring every second of his victory.
“It was nearly as fast as my Indoor PB. I probably could’ve beaten it if I didn’t celebrate so early. I’m just happy to be part of this Irish squad, just doing my bit and getting the maximum number of points possible,” he said.
Sophie O’Sullivan, daughter of Olympic medallist Sonia, impressed to win the Women’s 1500m in 4.27.96 in what was her first senior international appearance for Ireland.
“It was what I wanted to do, get the points for Ireland and do my part to get them into the next division. I did the job so I’m pretty happy. It’s exciting to be back in the Irish kit, it’s been a few years,” she said.
In the distance events, Laois teenager Ava O’Connor finished a respectable third in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase (10.18.10), while Fearghal Curtin was also third in the Men’s 5000m (14.17.64).
Eric Favors, who traces his Irish roots back to Ballina, won the Men’s Shot Put throwing 20.28m.
“I’m very happy. I’m glad to have been able to put our team into a better position to win. I did what I could do,” he said.
There were also wins in the field for David Cussen (Men’s High Jump) and Ruby Millet (Women’s Long Jump).
Kildare’s Grace Casey finished fifth in the Javelin, Conor Cusack was third in the Javelin, while Sommer Lecky finished in the Women’s High Jump.
Ireland’s 4x400m Mixed Relay team rounded off the event with a comfortable victory crossing the line in 3.17.16.
Athletics Ireland High Performance Director Paul McNamara was delighted with the performance of his team:
“We smashed it in the end. All the athletes delivered over the three days, but I think we had some really heroic performances today that pushed us across the line,” he said.
An exciting summer awaits….
No luck required for the Irish.
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) June 22, 2023
Our first champions in #Silesia2023!#EG2023 pic.twitter.com/31dJGZ0ujc
Day Three – Athletics results – Ireland
David Cussen | Men’s High Jump | 1st | 2.11m
Phil Healy | Women’s 200m | 2nd | 23.79
Mark Smyth | Men’s 200m | 1st | 20.66
Grace Casey | Women’s Javelin Throw | 42.04
Ava O’Connor | Women’s 3000m Steeplechase | 3rd | 10:18:10
Eric Favors | Men’s Shot Put | 1st | 20.28m
Fearghal Curtin | Men’s 5000m | 3rd | 14:17:64
Ruby Millet | Women’s Long Jump | 1st | 6.33m
Sophie O’Sullivan | Women’s 1500m | 1st | 4:27:96
Conor Cusack | Men’s Javelin Throw | 3rd | 63.95
Sommer Lecky | Women’s High Jump | 1.74m | 3rd
Mixed 4x400m Relay (Nelvin Appiah, Roisin Harrison, Callum Baird, Sharlene Mawdsley) | 1st | European Lead 3:17:16
Full Results HERE
