Strong Irish team announced for Grosseto 2016

Paralympics Ireland has announced a very competitive team to represent Ireland at the IPC Athletics European Championships which will take place in Grosseto, Italy from 10-16 June.

The team, which is sponsored by Allianz Ireland, is made up of world silver medallist Noelle Lenihan, who made a sensational debut in Doha 2015, along with London 2012 Paralympic Games bronze medallist and 2015 world bronze medallist (F57 Discus) Orla Barry.

Five more female athletes also feature on the team including Niamh McCarthy (discus) and Deirdre Mongan (shot put), who both secured bronze at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar, along with Lorraine Regan (javelin), Heather Jameson (long jump) and newcomer Greta Streimikyte who will compete in the 1,500m T13.

Completing the team, and also making their debut for the Irish senior Para athletics squad are Paul Keogan (400m T37) and middle distance runner, Conor McIlveen who will compete in the 800m & 1500m T38.

Speaking at the announcement, Irish athletics team manager and Head of Athletics at Paralympics Ireland, James Nolan said: “This is a strong team that we are sending to European Championships. It’s great to see a mixture of experienced and development athletes on the squad. It’s a great opportunity for them to get used to the pressurised environment of major championships prior to Rio, with the added bonus of both Rio and Grosseto having similar weather conditions.

“Recent elite performances by the athletes show that they are close to peak and they are in a position to achieve success at this level. For some, that will be podium positions, while for others personal bests are the target.”

The Irish athletics team is proudly sponsored by Allianz, an official sponsor of Paralympics Ireland.