Laois' Daniel Downey to don Irish vest at European Championships in Italy

Ireland 400m hurdles and medley relay athlete Daniel Downey poses for a portrait during an Athletics Ireland European U18 Kit Day at the Hockey Pavilion on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. | SPORTSFILE

placeholder image — Ireland 400m hurdles and medley relay athlete Daniel Downey poses for a portrait during an Athletics Ireland European U18 Kit Day at the Hockey Pavilion on the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin. | SPORTSFILE

The talented Portlaoise AC athlete heads to Italy with a personal best of 53.30 in the 400m hurdles

Portlaoise Athletics Club's Daniel Downey is preparing to represent Ireland on one of the biggest stages of his young career when he competes at the European Athletics U18 Championships in Rieti, Italy, this week.

The 17-year-old is part of a 25-strong Irish squad travelling to the championships, which take place from July 16-19, and will contest the 400m hurdles as well as the medley relay. Downey heads into the championships in excellent form, with a personal best and season's best of 53.30 seconds in the 400m hurdles.

The talented teenager, who also starred for Laois at minor level in both football and hurling during the 2026 inter-county season, will begin his individual campaign in the opening round on Friday, July 17.

His heat is scheduled for 10am local time (9am Irish time), with the semi-finals set for Saturday at 5.20pm local time (4.20pm Irish time). Should Downey progress through the opening rounds, the final will take place on Sunday at 5.25pm local time (4.25pm Irish time).

As well as his individual event, Downey has also been selected for Ireland's medley relay squad. The opening round is scheduled for Sunday morning at 11.15am local time (10.15am Irish time), while the final is due to take place later that evening at 7.15pm local time (6.15pm Irish time).

The Ireland men's medley relay team, from left, Daniel Downey, Ethan Carr, Christopher Olatunde, Harry McIlwaine and Arron Whelan | SPORTSFILE

The European Athletics U18 Championships were established to provide Europe's most talented young athletes with the opportunity to compete at the highest level in their age group, while also acting as a stepping stone towards U20 competition and the senior ranks.

Ireland has enjoyed considerable success at the championships in recent years, with previous medallists including Gina Akpe-Moses (100m silver, 2016), Molly Scott (100m hurdles bronze, 2016), Rhasidat Adeleke (200m gold, 2018), Sophie O'Sullivan (800m silver, 2018) and Sarah Healy, who claimed double gold in the 800m and 1,500m in 2018.

Downey will now be hoping to add his name to that list as he lines out against Europe's best young athletes in Italy over the coming days.