Loughnane in European Championships squad

Athletics Ireland has announced a 30-strong team for the 20th European Athletics Championships in Barcelona from July 27 to August 1.

The team consists of 30 athletes and includes three relay teams.

The squad was selected following the weekend’s Woodie’s DIY AAI Senior Track and Field Championships in Santry.

The team will feature all of Ireland’s top athletes including David Gillick, who will run in the 400m, Derval O’Rourke, who will compete in the 100m Hurdles and Paul Hession in the 100m and 200m.

World silver medallist Olive Loughnane is also listed in the squad despite having to pull out of the National Championships on medical advice, as a precaution.

She is now cleared to compete and is optimistic ahead of the championships.

Gordon Kennedy is also listed in the team and will compete in the 400m after he achieved the qualification time in Santry yesterday.

Paralympian Jason Smyth will compete in the 100m pending medical clearance on a minor injury.

A new addition to the Irish team is Pole Vaulter, Tori Pena, who won the event at the National Championships on Saturday.

Irish team manager Patsy McGonagle is confident of bringing home some medals from Barcelona.

Mr McGonagle said: "We targeted improvements from Gothenburg two years ago and this now seems to be coming to fruition. This strength of athletics in Ireland was clearly evident at this year’s European Team Championships where we dominated on the track and maintained our Division 1 status.

"A major bonus this year is the inclusion of 3 relay teams. This clearly indicates that our sprinters are prepared to step and make their presence felt," McGonagle said.

The European Championships take place in Olympic Stadium in Barcelona from the 27th July to 1st August.

Final selection for the team will be announced on July 27.