Unparalleled Irish Support
Irish Fans Praised for Unparalleled Support at European Championships
Irish fans have stolen the show at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, England — and the games' own official Instagram account agreed. Birmingham 2026 declared that Irish fans are "the best in Europe" and that their support is "unparalleled," according to AP News.
Irish athletes have been winning medals to match the noise in the stands. Kate O'Connor took gold in the heptathlon on Saturday, Rhasidat Adeleke claimed silver in the 200m, and Andrew Coscoran won bronze in the 1,500m, Las Vegas Sun reported. The crowd has been so loud that many athletes say they feel like they are competing at home.
Marathon Runner Says Fans 'Kept Him Going'
Paul O'Donnell finished 43rd in the marathon. That is not a podium finish. But O'Donnell still had something to smile about. He called the fan support "incredible" and said it kept him going through the race, according to AP News.
Irish athletes across events have echoed that feeling. Courier News reported that competitors say the Birmingham crowds make them feel like they are racing on home soil. That kind of backing can make a real difference, especially for athletes who are not in medal contention.
Kate O'Connor's Gold Doubles Ireland's Medal Tally
O'Connor's heptathlon gold on Saturday was a big moment for Ireland. The win doubled the country's gold medal count at the championships, Yahoo Sports reported. The heptathlon covers seven events over two days, making it one of the toughest tests in athletics.
Mark English also added to Ireland's haul at the games, according to Las Vegas Sun. The Irish team's strong performance has given the fans plenty to cheer about — and the fans have made sure the athletes know it.
Adeleke and Coscoran Add Silver and Bronze
Rhasidat Adeleke won silver in the 200m. Andrew Coscoran took bronze in the 1,500m. Together with O'Connor's gold, Ireland collected three medals across three different events, according to AP News. That kind of spread shows depth across the Irish athletics program.
Adeleke, who also competes for the United States at college level, has become one of Ireland's most exciting track athletes. Her silver in Birmingham adds to a growing list of major championship medals, Herald Bulletin noted.
Katie Taylor Still Ireland's Most Admired Athlete
Off the track, champion boxer Katie Taylor topped an annual survey as Ireland's most admired athlete, according to AP News. Taylor has held that status for several years running. Her dominance in professional boxing has kept her at the top of the public's mind even during a major athletics event.
The Birmingham championships are shining a fresh spotlight on Irish athletics. With the crowd noise, the medals, and the official praise from the games themselves, Ireland's presence in Birmingham has been hard to miss.
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