Triathlon
Team Ireland is set to field a full team across the Triathlon events at the European Games in Krakow this summer.
Tokyo Olympian Carolyn Hayes as well as Erin McConnell will compete in the Women’s Individual event, with in-form James Edgar and Luke McCarron competing in the Men’s Individual race.
Ireland will also compete in the Mixed Relay for the first time.
“We’re delighted that four athletes have been selected to compete at the European Games,” said Director of Performance with Triathlon Ireland, Gordon Crawford.
“This is a young team looking to develop their experience and race-craft but one with a lot of potential. The European Games provides a great development opportunity and a chance for the athletes to test themselves both individually and as a team.”
Fencing
Four Team Ireland fencers have been named by the Olympic Federation of Ireland to compete at the European Games in Krakow.
This is a European Games debut for Irish fencers, in the sport that also featured on the 2015 European Games programme in Baku.
Competition takes place in the Tauron Arena in Krakow and Irish competition runs from the 25 – 28 of June.
The four-person fencing team will see athletes competing in the Men’s Individual Sabre, the Men’s Sabre Team, and the Men’s Individual Epee events. Competition in these events begins with a group round in which 6-7 players fight to five hits. The maximum fighting time is 3 minutes, and this is followed by direct elimination rounds.
The Irish team consists of Jadryn Dick, Michael Jacob, Michalis Kirimlidis and Giacomo Patrick Pietobelli.
“Fencing at the European Games is an important step for out athletes, where they get to experience a multi-sport event for the first time. It also offers an opportunity for them to compete with the best fencers in Europe,” said Nuala McGarrity, Chair of Fencing Ireland.
Badminton
A full team of badminton players has been named by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for the European Games which takes place from the 20th of June – 2nd of July in Krakow, Poland.
Team Ireland athletes will compete in all five disciplines, with six athletes set to compete.
This is the third sport to be announced for the European Games, which will see approximately 120 Irish athletes compete across 17 sports, with Olympic qualifying spots on the line in many events.
Team Ireland has enjoyed considerable success in Badminton at the European Games, since the inaugural Games in Baku 2015. Sam Magee and Chloe Magee won bronze in the Mixed Doubles at the European Games in Minsk in 2019 and in Baku 2015.
Bronze Medallist from the Men’s Doubles in Baku 2015, Joshua Magee, will be back in action at his third European Games, teaming up again with Paul Reynolds.
Tokyo Olympian Nhat Nguyen will be competing in the Men’s Singles, the Dubliner has been going from strength to strength in recent years and is currently ranked fourth going into the tournament.
The Badminton competition takes place in the Jaskolska Arena in Tarnow, just over 80km from the Krakow centre. It runs from the 26th of June – 2nd of July and the draw will be made live on the Badminton European channels on the 6th of June.
“We are delighted to have qualified athletes in all five disciplines for the upcoming European Games.,” said Performance Director Dan Magee.
“We have a team with a good level of experience which includes Tokyo Olympian Nhat Nguyen and Joshua Magee who holds a bronze medal in men’s doubles from the European Games in Baku.”
“We are also delighted to have a strong coaching staff travelling to the event with Iskandar Zainuddin leading the singles and Sam Magee (Medallist at both the 2015 and 2019 European Games) leading the doubles and mixed doubles coaching at the event. The Games will count towards qualification for Paris and this will be the feature event for European badminton athletes in 2023”
Taekwondo
The Team Ireland Taekwondo athletes have been named for the European Games in Krakow, Poland next month.
Tokyo 2020 Olympian Jack Woolley will compete in the -58kg category, with Leroy Nsilu Dilandu competing in the -74kg event.
The two Tallaght athletes have enjoyed podium success in recent months, at GPs around Europe. Over the coming weeks, the full Irish team will be named, with over 120 athletes set to compete.
Taekwondo takes place in the Krynica-Zdroj Arena approximately 140km from Krakow City. The Men’s -58kg (Woolley) will be taking place on the 23rd of June, and the Men’s -74kg (Nsilu Dilandu) on the 25th of June. This event is a key one for the Irish athletes, with Olympic ranking points on the line for the athletes.
Woolley made his Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games, becoming the first Irish Taekwondo athlete to become an Olympian. He is joined by his former sparring partner, Nsilu Dilandu, who played an important role in the lead-up to the Games. Over the past number of years, 21-year-old Nsilu Dilandu has been making a mark in the -74kg event on the international stage.
“Taekwondo Ireland is honoured to once again have representation on Team Ireland at a major multi-sport event,” said Head Coach Robert Taaffe
“Our two athletes selected both auto-qualified for the event through their positions in the World Taekwondo Ranking system. Both Jack and Leroy have had an excellent recent record at events and we look forward to them showcasing their abilities in our sport in front of the bigger audience of the European Games and inspiring the next generation who may strive to wear the Team Ireland emblem on their Taekwondo uniform.”
“Combat sports are really well represented at this event, and we look forward to watching & supporting all of our colleagues in the wider team”
Kickboxing
Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
The European Games play a key role in introducing new sports to the programme, with a view to them potentially becoming events on the Olympic Games programme.
Marking the first sport to be announced by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for these games, a strong Irish kickboxing team has been named. Kickboxing is making its debut on the Olympic stage, and Team Ireland will be represented in ten events by nine world-class athletes.
Irish kickboxers have enjoyed considerable international success over the past number of years, and the nine athletes who have been selected to compete at the Myslenice Arena between the 30th of June and the 2nd of July are no strangers to world-class podiums.
“This is a big moment for our sport, and we have nine incredibly talented athletes ready to take on the challenge,” said Team Manager David Heffernan.
“It is our first time competing within the Olympic multi-sports environment and we are looking forward to showcasing our sport. I will be very proud watching our athletes who have dedicated so much time and resource wearing those prestigious Olympic rings while competing at this event.”
Team Ireland Kickboxers
Nicole Bannon (Tallaght) Pointfighting – 60kg, Light Contact – 60kg
Jodie Browne (Tallaght) Pointfighting – 70kg
Peter Carr (Cabra, Dublin) Full Contact – 75kg
Eoin Glynn (Tallaght) Full Contact – 63kg
Luke McCann (Carbery, Co. Kildare) Pointfighting – 63kg
Conor McGlinchey (Co. Kildare) Pointfighting – 84kg
Tony Stephenson (Bantry) Light Contact – 69kg
Nathan Tait (Carbery, Co. Kildare) Pointfighting – 74kg
Amy Wall (Bray, Co. Wicklow) Full Contact – 60kg
