Two Galway athletes have been selected on the Ireland team heading to the Tokyo Olympics which takes place July 23 to August 8.
Cillin Greene and Robert McDonnell, both of Galway City Harriers, will represent Ireland in the mixed 4X400m relay team, competing with Chris O’Donnell, Phil Healy, Sophie Becker, and Cliodhna Manning for two of the four places
Both athletes, who have previously represented Ireland, have enjoyed successful juvenile and junior careers across the sprints disciplines. And now to have the chance to compete at the highest level is a testament to their talent, hard work and dedication over the past decade.
Greene, who is now coached by Jeremy Lyons in Dublin, is the current national senior 400m champion, pipping fellow Olympic team mate O'Donnell last month. He also competed for Ireland at the European Indoors in Glasgow in 2019.
McDonnell, who has won multiple juvenile national titles, made the step up to senior level this season, and excelled with a bronze medal behind Greene and O'Donnell at the Nationals.
And this week McDonnell is continuing his preparations when representing Ireland at the European U20 Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. McDonnell is coached by NUIG and GCH sprints coach Brendan Glynn, who is building a reputation both at club and national level.
The club says the selection of the sprint duo is testament to the "strength of coaching and structures at city club Galway City Harriers". Several coaches PJ Coyle, Frank Maguire, Noel Dempsey, and Pauline Harrington have all contributed to the club's sprint success, and have mentored the two athletes over several years.
Team Ireland currently boasts 114 officially selected athletes, making this the largest team to represent Ireland an an Olympic games yet.
