Elizabeth Egan | Aug 18, 2026
As the dust settles on a spectacular European Championships for Irish athletes and fans, and before we look towards some exciting events in the coming months, let's have a quick look back at the week that was.
The 2026 edition of Europe's premier track and field event was arguably the most successful one yet for Irish athletes, with more individual medals, more top-10 finishes, and a bigger team than ever before.
Mark English made history by becoming the first Irish man to win an individual European gold (Thomas Barr and Chris O'Donnell picking up gold in the mixed relay last time out), and becoming a six-time European medallist (three times indoors and three times outdoors). He also broke the championship record in the 800m semi-final.
Kate O'Connor now has European, Commonwealth and World University Games Heptathlon titles, as well as medals from the World Championships, World Indoors and European Indoors. An Olympic medal is the only one missing from her collection.
Rhasidat Adeleke added 200m silver to the 400m silver, Mixed 4x400m relay gold and Women's 4x400m silver she won in Rome, making her the first Irish athlete to win European medals in 4 different events. She broke her own national record, one of the seven she currently holds, in the process.
Andrew Coscoran won his first international medal (at any age group) with bronze in the 1500m. The Dubliner finished 40th in the U20 men's race at the 2013 European Cross Country Championships, was 8th in the 1500m at the 2015 European U20 Championships, and finished 13th in his 1500m heat at the 2017 European U23 Championships. He made his senior debut in 2019 and has barely missed a championship since. This was his third consecutive European final appearance,
There were senior international debuts for Abbie Sheridan (3000m Steeplechase), David McGlynn (Marathon) and Joe Doody (Men's 4x400m relay). Fionnuala McCormack made her 47th Irish senior appearance (just one short of Terry McHugh's all-time record), but was unfortunately unable to finish on this occasion, her first DNF in the green.
Coscoran, English, Sophie Becker, Sarah Healy and Sarah Lavin extended their streak of appearances at every post-Covid outdoor major Championship, while Lavin has competed in every indoor and outdoor championship since 2021.
The next European Championships will take place from 3-8 June 2028 in the Silesian Stadium in Chorzów, Poland, one month before the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Irish athletes have never been able to make use of a wild card entry at any event, but with two reigning champions, 2028 could be the year. Four in the heptathlon might be a stretch, but Irish middle distance athletes may be extra motivated knowing that there could be four spots in the men's 800m.
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