ESB Sponsored Athletes compete in European Championships in Gothenburg

Some of the athletes recently announced in the ESB support programme for talented young Irish Athletes competed in the European Athletics Championships held in Gothenburg in August. Of the ESB sponsored athletes, Joanne Cuddihy had a great championship and ran a personal best of 51.09 in the 400m to make the final of the event. Mary Cullen also rose to the occasion and ran a personal best of 15.25.80 in the 5000m final. In the men's events, David Gillick and David McCarthy both competed in the 400m, with Gillick making the semi-final. Paul Hession competed in the 200m and made the semi-final.

The ESB Athletics Support Programme is an innovative programme that identifies a group of young athletes with the potential to reach the top of the sport and endeavours to offer the type of assistance needed to bridge the gap from talented youngster to successful senior. Run in conjunction with the Irish Sports Council, the ESB Athletics Support Programme will provide help to finance coaching, travel, medical and other supports for the group of athletes who have already tasted international success.

Announcing the sponsorship, ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus said the company is pleased to support future success. "ESB's investment in the Athletics Support Programme will help further international success for Irish athletics. I am particularly pleased that the programme has an all-island basis; it is fitting that ESB as a company which operates across the island is supporting development and success on the same basis."