Olatunde and Shanahan boost Rome team, McCann a doubt

The squad for next week’s European Championships has been finalised by Athletics Ireland.

Athletes not qualifying automatically, but by rank, have now been confirmed following the initial team announcement on Tuesday.

The final team of 48 is among the largest Ireland have sent to the European Championships and ensures that fans have plenty to tune in to on RTÉ from the 7-12 June.

Ireland’s fastest man, Israel Olatunde (Tallaght AC) has now been added to the individual 100m.

His last appearance at the European Championships was a memorable one, the Tallaght native becoming the first ever Irishman to make the European 100m final in Munich in 2022.

Olatunde finished sixth and broke the national record, running 10.17 to take .02 off Paul Hession’s then 15-year-old mark.

Louise Shanahan was another finalist in Munich who will boost the team in the Italian capital.

Shanahan finished eighth in the 800m of the 2022 edition, but had a consistent series through the rounds to mark her most successful championship run to date.

The one-time national record holder has a best this year of 2.02.73, which should leave her fighting for semi-final positions. But in championship anything can happen and another final could be on the horizon.

Chris O’Donnell was notably absent from the indoor track at the start of this year.

The Sligo athlete was selected for the World Relays in the Bahamas but did not make the panel that ran in either round. This may leave some questions as to his current fitness but a 46.30 clocking at the start of May over the 400m suggests a return to form.

With the Olympics in July, and the prospect of a medal in the mixed 4x400m, O’Donnell will be aiming to lower his season’s best to be chosen to wear the singlet in Paris.

One notable question mark is 1500m runner Luke McCann. The 26-year-old was included as part of the initial list on Tuesday but is now noted on the European Athletics website as ‘not entered’.

The governing body were unable to confirm his participation at this stage.

McCann has made a recent return to racing after injury, running a personal best in just his second race since September last year of 3.34.32.

It may be that McCann wants to focus on return to fitness and securing Olympic qualification. Championship racing can be a cagey affair and may not benefit athletes who have yet to qualify for the big dance in July.

If McCann had chosen to be included on the start list for Rome, it would have been a family affair, with his sister Jodie added to the team under the European ranking system for the 5000m.

Watch The European Athletics Championships from 7-12 June on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, follow reports and news on rte.ie/sport