St Gerard’s duo selected for Youth Olympic Team

Dundalk St Gerard’s AC were delighted and proud to share the news that not just one, but two of its club athletes have been selected for the Ireland Team that will compete at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) later this month.

Both Enya Silkena and Tara O’Connor secured selection, based on reaching the qualifying standard in their respective events.

Silkena will represent her country in the heptathlon, while O’Connor will compete in the High Jump.

The Dundalk duo were among the 42 athletes named by the Olympic Federation of Ireland, who will compete across five sports.

The EYOF is a prestigious event that plays an important role in the overall development of athletes, as it mimics the Olympic Games model, preparing competitors for the nuances of performing in a multi-sport environment.

This year’s event will see 48 countries across Europe participate in the event, with approximately 3,600 athletes competing.

The EYOF is the largest European multi-sport event for young athletes between the ages of 14 and 17 and generally occurs every two years. This year it takes place in Maribor, Slovenia. It started on 23rd and runs until Saturday the 29th.

Of the 42 athletes selected, 22 of those were selected for Athletics. To have just one athlete from a local club meet the standard for selection would be incredible, but to have two is just extraordinary.

O’Connor and Silkena have put in enormous efforts honing their craft over several years, achieving many successes on the County, Provincial, All Ireland and International stages along the way. Between them, they have broken and hold multiple juvenile athletics records.

After a first taste of major multisport competition at the EYOF, many athletes have gone on to compete in the European Games and Olympic Games. Who knows, we could be seeing the next local superstars, primed to represent the Wee County at major events in the years to come.