Irish boost as women retain first division status

THE Irish women’s athletics team have retained their first division status in the European Cup.

Ireland will compete in next year’s competition following a meeting yesterday by the European Athletics Association.

“Following the EAA Council decision that nine teams will compete at the 2006 SPAR European Cup, only three teams will be relegated from the European Cup First League instead of the usual four - to retain eight men’s and eight women’s teams in the competition,” a spokesperson explained.