Irish Athletics Shine: Hickey Claims First-Ever U20 Medal as Championship Season Closes

Irish Athletics Shine: Hickey Claims First-Ever U20 Medal as Championship Season Closes

Irish athletics brought a record medal-winning 2025 season to a memorable close at the European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa over the weekend a brilliant bronze medal for 16-year-old Emma Hickey in the women’s U20 event.

In the senior women’s race, national champion Fiona Everard delivered a career-best performance to finish an impressive 10th individually. Everard was followed across by Niamh Allen (23rd), Danielle Donegan (36th), Emily Haggard-Kearney (44th) and Mary Mulhare (50th) for an 8th placed team finish overall.

Italy’s Nadia Battocletti secured individual gold with a winning time of 24:52, followed by Megan Keith of Great Britain in second (25:07) and Türkiye’s Yasemin Can in third (25:13).

The Irish U23 women’s team finished seventh overall, remaining in contention throughout the race. Kirsty Maher ran a huge race to finish 11th while there was much encouragement from the outings of Amy Greene (20th), Ava O’Connor (25th), Anika Thompson (26th) and Roise Roberts (34th).

Hickey Makes History with U20 Bronze

Ireland also celebrated a historic milestone in the women’s U20 race, as Emma Hickey produced a superb performance to claim bronze, Ireland’s first-ever medal in the event. Just 16 years old and one of the youngest athletes in the field, the Wexford athlete demonstrated remarkable maturity to complete the 4,450m course in 15:10.

Speaking after her race, Hickey said: “I wasn’t expecting that at all. I didn’t think it would be possible because I’m only 16. I didn’t know if I’d be able to stay with them or what the competition would be like. I thought they might kick on the last lap, but everyone was tired, and I managed to hold on for a medal. It’s my first proper season and I feel like I’m better now than earlier in the year, so hopefully I can go even better next year.” Emma has been in outstanding form this season, winning the Women’s U20 race at the National Cross Country championships last month and the Autumn International Open in October.

Anna Gardiner also impressed with a strong sixth-place finish, while Lucy Foster (56th), Eimear Cooney (78th) and Abby Smith (79th) completed the Irish lineup.

Later in the session the mixed relay of Eimear Maher, Cian McPhillips, Laura Nicholson and Andrew Coscoran finished sixth in a high-quality race, having been unfortunate to lose valuable seconds following a fall at the penultimate changeover.

Result Summary:

U20 Women Race

Individual Medals

  1. FITZGERALD Innes GBR 14:35
  2. PATUREL Lucie FRA 15:07
  3. HICKEY Emma IRL 15:10

Irish Finishing Positions (Team 6th):

  • 3rd Emma Hickey United Striders AC
  • 6th Anna Gardiner East Down AC
  • 56th Lucy Foster Willowfield Harriers
  • 78th Eimear Cooney Ace AC
  • 79th Abby Smith Shercock AC

U23 Women Race

Individual Medals

  1. Maria Forero (ESP) – 19:59
  2. Ilona Mononen (FIN) – 20:04
  3. Pia Schlattmann (GER) – 20:23

Irish Finishing Positions (Team 7th):

  • 11th Kirsty Maher Moy Valley AC
  • 20th Amy Greene Finn Valley AC
  • 25th Ava O’Connor Tullamore Harriers
  • 26th Anika Thompson Leevale AC
  • 34th Roise Roberts Candour Track Club

Senior Women Race

Individual Medals

  1. BATTOCLETTI Nadia ITA 24:52
  2. KEITH Megan GBR 25:07
  3. CAN Yasemin TUR 25:13

Irish Finishing Positions (Team 8th):

  • 10th Fiona Everard Bandon AC
  • 23rd Niamh Allen Leevale AC
  • 36th Danielle Donegan Tullamore Harriers
  • 44th Emily Haggard- Kearney North Belfast Harriers
  • 50th Mary Mulhare Portlaoise AC

Mixed Relay Race (Team 6th)

  • Eimear Maher Dundrum South Dublin AC
  • Laura Nicholson Bandon AC
  • Andrew Coscoran Star of the Sea AC
  • Cian McPhillips UCD AC

Her Sport’s coverage of the European Cross Country Championships is brought to you by 123.ie Insurance – the official sponsors of Athletics Ireland.

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