Athletics: Mulcaire to lead the Irish junior challenge
KEVIN MULCAIRE from Ennis will lead the Irish team at the European Junior Championships starting on Thursday, July 16 in Sweden.
Mulcaire's new Irish junior record of 14 minutes 02.30 seconds for 5,000m recorded in May ranks him fourth on the current European junior rankings - the highest ranking of any of the Irish athletes heading to Sweden. With standards in Irish sprinting improving, 13 young athletes are selected for the sprints, hurdles and relays in Sweden.
Emerald's Ciara Neville and England-based Gina Akpe Moses go in the women's 100m, while Phoebe Murphy of Ferrybank and Newport's Sharlene Mawdsley line up in the 200m.
In the men's 100m, Sligo's Zak Irwin , who is ranked second on the current Irish lists behind Marcus Lawler, goes in both the 100m and 200m.
Both Irish junior record holder Matthew Behan of Crusaders and Garbhan McKenna of Shercock are picked for the 110m hurdles. Behan broke the Irish junior record with a time of 13.99 seconds in Cork last May.
Strong runs in the 800m at the Glo Health Irish Junior Championships for Harry Purcell of Trim and Raheny's Cillian Kirwan confirmed their selection. Purcell is currently ranked 12th in Europe with a best of one minute 49.46 seconds, which he set in May.
Kirwan has shown consistent good form this season, with a best time of 1: 50.01 last month. Selected for the 1500m is Andrew Corscoran of Star of the Sea who has run a time of 3.47.04 this season.
Juniors