Paralympics Ireland has confirmed a team of 18 young athletes who will represent Team Ireland at the 2025 European Para Youth Games, taking place in Istanbul from July 21st to 28th.

The event, the largest of its kind in Europe, will bring together nearly 1,500 athletes, coaches, and officials from over 35 nations for a week of elite competition and developmental activities across nine sports.

Team Ireland will compete in four core disciplines: Para Athletics, Para Swimming, Para Table Tennis, and Wheelchair Basketball. Athletes have been selected from across the country to wear the green jersey on the international stage.

Paralympics Ireland President Lisa Clancy highlighted the occasion as “a historic day,” noting that it will be the first time a national squad competes at these Games under the Paralympics Ireland banner.

“We wish every Irish Para athlete the very best of luck and will be supporting them all the way,” she said. “The EPYG aims to be a platform for growth, education, and development—and we are proud to support our young athletes on that journey.”

The Irish squad reflects a broad regional spread and a strong commitment to performance, inclusion, and potential.

In Para Athletics, Castleknock duo Aryell Sheedy and Daire Macken will be joined by Damien Moyles from Ballinlabaun, Co. Mayo.

In the pool, Aspire Programme athletes Luke Brennan (Mount Oval, Cork) and Luke O’Donoghue (Tralee, Kerry) continue their international progression, having recently competed at IDM Berlin.

Para Table Tennis sees representation from Dublin, Armagh, and Cork with Aaron Mellows, Sean Geoghegan, Jude Sheldon, Kevin O’Callaghan, and Sam Brennan making up a dynamic quintet.

Ireland’s Wheelchair Basketball squad includes players from Cork, Galway, Westmeath, Kildare, and beyond, with eight athletes named: Conor Coughlan, Darragh O’Regan, Jack Quinn, Rory Motherway, Oisín O’Connor, Conor Dufficy, Oran Spain, and Ethan Leonard.

More Than Medals

Alongside elite competition, the European Para Youth Games feature a Discovery Programme that focuses on athlete education, wellbeing, classification awareness, and leadership, positioning the Games as an essential step in the athlete development pathway.

Neasa Russell, Chief Operating Officer of Paralympics Ireland, reinforced the importance of the event as a catalyst for deeper inclusion.

“Sport and physical activity are vital to our national wellbeing, but participation gaps remain. Events like these provide not only competition but also a sense of belonging, education, and personal development. We’re incredibly proud of this team.”

This year’s edition of the Games is set to be the most expansive to date, with nine sports on the programme including new additions in Para Archery and Para Taekwondo, reflecting both the growth and ambition of the European Paralympic movement.

Held biennially under the governance of the European Paralympic Committee, the EPYG is a key proving ground for the next generation of elite athletes, many of whom will go on to represent their countries at World Championships and Paralympic Games in the years ahead.

 

 

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