08/16/26 06:10:00
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08/16 18:09 CDT Irish fans praised for standout support of their athletes at
European championships in Birmingham
Irish fans praised for standout support of their athletes at European
championships in Birmingham
By KEN MAGUIRE
AP Sports Writer
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) --- Paul O'Donnell was struggling in the marathon on
Sunday morning. The Irish fans got him home.
"It was incredible, to see green and the tricolors all over the course," the
Irishman said. "The support kept me going. It was much appreciated. It was just
a roar, ?Go Ireland, go Paul.'"
Whether waving flags or roaring for their athletes, Irish fans have made their
mark at the European championships in Birmingham. Ireland's athletes have taken
note, as have broadcasters and organizers.
"It feels like a home championships," O'Donnell, who finished 43rd, told The
Associated Press.
The official Instagram account of the games, Birmingham 2026, posted:
"Beginning to think the Irish fans are the best fans in Europe!" In another
post, it added: "From Dublin to Birmingham and everywhere in between, they
follow their athletes across the world, and the noise they bring is unmatched."
Kate O'Connor won the heptathlon on Saturday to double Ireland's gold tally.
Mark English had won the 800-meter final on Thursday, followed minutes later by
a silver medal for Rhasidat Adeleke in the 200 meters. Andrew Coscoran picked
up a bronze in the 1,500.
Husband-wife duo Eoin Murphy and Emma McNelis of Dublin were in Alexander
Stadium to see O'Connor complete her heptathlon victory.
"It feels like there's as many Irish as British here --- at the stadium,"
McNelis said as they watched the marathon.
Murphy bought an Irish flag at the Dublin airport for their weekend trip. For
him, Coscoran's bronze was the highlight "because it was so surprising. He was
in the middle of the pack for most of it."
In interviews with Athletics Ireland, Irish competitors marveled at the support
they've received in Birmingham.
O'Connor described the experience as "probably the closest we'll ever get to a
home games."
"It's a championships that I'll obviously never forget for winning gold but
also never forget the roars, the cheers, the support," she said. "I've never
experienced anything like that before."
"Seeing so many kids as well out there that are screaming for autographs and
photos," O'Connor added, "it kind of makes you realize the effect that you have
on the country by, I don't know, running, jumping, throwing, doing all those
events as well as you can."
Ireland's medal haul for the championships stayed at four. Sarah Healy and
Sophie O'Sullivan competed in the 1,500 final Sunday night but finished outside
the top three.
National pride is a big factor
In an annual survey, champion boxer Katie Taylor regularly tops the list as
Ireland's "most admired athlete" despite boxing not ranking among the favorite
sports. Gaelic Games topped the list just ahead of soccer, with rugby third and
"athletics/tennis" fourth in the 2025 edition of the Teneo Sport and
Sponsorship Index.
Athletics stars from this week will likely get some love in the next version.
Adeleke was second to Taylor in the 2024 survey after winning a gold medal and
two silver medals at the 2024 European championships in Rome.
This week, the 23-year-old Adeleke said she felt like she was home thanks to
the Irish fans.
"Definitely trumped any other nation that was out there. So loud, so
supportive," she said.
Adeleke's silver on Thursday came shortly after English's gold.
"Twenty minutes, two medals. That's a great night out for us."
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