Portlaoise juvenile sprinter set to travel to England for Irish debut

Portlaoise Athletic Club's Dan Downey has been chosen alongside 45 other juveniles to represent Ireland at the upcoming AAA Championships which will take place in Birmingham at the end of August.

He was recently crowned All-Ireland champion after his impressive run in the 800m. Dan now has eight All-Ireland medals with four of those coming in 2023. His wins have come in the 1500m cross country, 600m, 800m and Pentathlon. At the moment, he holds the U-15 800m indoor, U-15 800m outdoor, Schools Junior All Ireland 800m and Indoor pentathlon. A Pentathlon is made up of hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put and 800m.

Each one of the athletes chosen have achieved the qualifying standard at the Juvenile National Championships, no mean feat in itself.