Paralympic Council announces squad for European Championships

THE Irish team for next month’s IPC Open European Athletics Championships in Espoo, Finland, has been announced by the Paralympic Council of Ireland.

The team comprises 20 athletes (five women and 15 men) from three disability groups.

The team is a blend of experience and youth with three former Paralympic medal winners (Derek Malone, John McCarthy, Catherine Walsh), a world-record holder (Lisa Callaghan) and eight athletes competing in their first "major" championships.

The combined Paralympic European Athletics Championships is a relatively new development, with the first event held in 2003. At those Games, held in Essen, Denmark, Ireland won three gold medals.

The new Athletics Coordination Group, with representatives from all relevant governing bodies, nominated the team to the Paralympic Council of Ireland.

The three governing bodies (Irish Wheelchair Association-Sport, Irish Blindsports, and Cerebral Palsy Sport Ireland) established the new coordination group to support athletes competing for Ireland at major international events.

The team will be led by team manager Noel Brennan from Athlone. He will be supported by a select group of coaches and a medical team of Fintan O'Donnell (chartered physiotherapist) and Fionnuala Kirby (sports massage therapist).

The team departs for Espoo on August 17 and will return on the 28th.

Irish team: Notes T: Track, F: Field, 11-13 visually impaired athletes, 31-38, cerebral palsy athletes, 51-56, wheelchair track athletes.

O Barry, Cork, (F57 Discus) ; L Callaghan, Meath, (F37 Javelin); E Cleare, Offaly, (F32 Discus F32 Shot); G Culliton, Laois, (F52 Discus F52 Shot); M Delaney, Dublin, (F12 Long Jump F 12 High Jump); P Dockery, Dublin, (T54 800m T54 1500 m T54 5000m); K Dolan, Dublin, (T37 400m); T Dunne, Dublin, (F35 Discus F35 Shot Putt); J Glynn, Dublin, (T54 100m T54 200m T54 400m T54 800 m); D Griffith, Dublin, (T54 200m T54 400m T54 800m); RGuerin, Kerry, (T53 100m T53 200m); G Jameson, Wicklow, (F32 Club F32 Discus); D Malone, Clare, (T38 400m T38 800m T38 1500m); J McCarthy, Cork, (F51 Discus F51 Club); J McCarthy, Limerick, (F57 Shot Putt); M McKillop, Antrim, (T37 800m T37 1500m); J Smyth, Derry, (T13 100m T13 200 m); R Tallon, Louth, (F53 Discus F53 Javelin); C Walsh, Dublin, (T13 400m F13 Long Jump); T Ward, Dublin, (T12 800m T12 1500m).