Ireland’s next generation of Para athletes are set to take centre stage at the 2025 European Para Youth Games, which officially kicked off with an opening ceremony yesterday, and gets into competition from this morning, Friday, 25th July.
Held in Istanbul, Turkey, this multi-sport event will bring together top young Para talent from across Europe.
This year’s edition of the games will be the largest in history, featuring a record nine sports and welcoming nearly 1,500 athletes aged 12 to 23, as well as coaches and officials from over 35 nations.
Team Ireland is comprised of a delegation of 17 athletes who are scheduled to compete in four of the core sports at EPYG: athletics, swimming, table tennis, and wheelchair basketball.
Ireland’s wheelchair basketball team faces off against France and the Netherlands, both at the Cebeci Sports Complex. In the pool at the same venue, swimmers Luke Brennan and Luke O’Donoghue will compete in the 100m Freestyle. Table tennis will also feature across the weekend.
Saturday sees an expanded Irish presence across multiple disciplines. Brennan and O’Donoghue return to the pool for the 400m Freestyle before Brennan contests the 100m Breaststroke. On the track, Damien Moyles (T13), Daire Macken (T37), and Aryell Sheedy (T37) will all line up in the 100m sprints at Enka Athletics Track. Wheelchair basketball continues with a key matchup against Spain.
Sunday, the final day of competition, promises another full schedule. Swimming events include O’Donoghue in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly, and Brennan in the 50m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley. On the athletics track, Macken and Sheedy will both contest the 800m. Wheelchair basketball will conclude with two final matches against Italy and Portugal.
This event marks an important stepping stone in the development of young Irish Para athletes, offering international experience and elite-level competition,” said Lisa Clancy, President of Paralympics Ireland.
“It is an honour to be here in Istanbul to support our remarkable young Para athletes representing Ireland at the European Paralympic Youth Games.
“The excitement is palpable as 35 countries compete and connect through sport.”
“The Irish team has settled in and is training well; we want to wish them the very best of luck. It is a huge opportunity to experience global-level competition and enjoy the entire learning experience.”
“The Irish team’s determination and spirit are a powerful inspiration to us all. Together with their families we are really looking forward to the next three days of competition here in Turkey ”
“The training phase has gone well and everyone has settled into their surroundings,” added Richard Doyle, Team Ireland Chef de Mission.
“The team is raring to go for the competition phase now. All of the support personnel have been fantastic and the growth of the athletes over such a short period of time has been brilliant to see. The overall team dynamic is really positive.”
Irish Competition Schedule (Local time, Istanbul)
DAY 1 – Friday 25th
9:00: Wheelchair Basketball France v Ireland (Cebeci Sports Complex)
9:30: Luke Brennan 100m Freestyle (Cebeci Sports Complex)
9:30: Luke O’ Donoghue 100m Freestyle (Cebeci Sports Complex)
18:00: Wheelchair Basketball Ireland v Netherlands (Cebeci Sports Complex)
DAY 2 – Saturday 26th
9:30: Luke Brennan 400m Freestyle (SW) (Cebeci Sports Complex)
9:30: Luke O’ Donoghue 400m Freestyle (SW) (Cebeci Sports Complex)
11:04: Damien Moyles 100m T13 (Enka Athletics Track)
11:20: Daire Macken 100m T37 (Enka Athletics Track)
11:20: Aryell Sheedy 100m T37 (Enka Athletics Track)
12:00: Luke Brennan 100m Breaststroke (Cebeci Sports Complex)
15:45: Wheelchair Basketball Spain v Ireland (Cebeci Sports Complex)
DAY 3 – Sunday 27th
9:30: Luke O’ Donoghue 100m Backstroke (Cebeci Sports Complex)
9:30: Luke Brennan 50m Freestyle (Cebeci Sports Complex)
11:15: Wheelchair Basketball Ireland v Italy (Cebeci Sports Complex)
12:00: Luke O’ Donoghue 100m Butterfly (Cebeci Sports Complex)
12:00 Luke Brennan 200m IM (Cebeci Sports Complex)
15:45: Wheelchair Basketball Ireland v Portugal (Cebeci Sports Complex)
16:30: Daire Macken 800m (Enka Athletics Track)
16:30: Aryell Sheedy 800m (Enka Athletics Track)
20:00: Closing Ceremony (Cebeci Sports Complex)
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