The Opening Ceremony takes place today in Istanbul for the European Para Youth Games. Team Ireland has sent a delegation of 18 athletes to compete in Athletics, Swimming, Table Tennis, and Wheelchair Basketball. Ethan Leonard from Salthill is part of the Basketball squad that plays their first match against France tomorrow morning.
The 7th European Para Youth Games (EPYG) will take place from July 21–28, 2025, at the Cebeci Sports Complex in Istanbul, Türkiye. The EPYG is Europe’s premier multi-sport event for young para-athletes aged 12 to 23. This year’s edition will be the largest in history, featuring a record nine sports and welcoming nearly 1,500 athletes, coaches, and officials from over 35 European nations.
Wheelchair Basketball
Ireland’s Wheelchair Basketball team will consist of eight players from across the country. The squad includes Conor Coughlan, Darragh O’Regan, Jack Quinn, Rory Motherway, and Oisín O’Connor from Cork, along with Conor Dufficy (Westmeath), Oran Spain (Kildare), and Ethan Leonard (Galway).
Para Athletics
Three athletes will represent Ireland in Para Athletics. Aryell Sheedy and Daire Macken, both from Castleknock, Dublin, have been selected alongside Damien Moyles from Ballinlabaun, County Mayo. All three will compete across a range of track and field events.
Para Swimming
Para Swimming will see two athletes competing for Ireland. Luke Brennan from Mount Oval, Cork, and Luke O’Donoghue from Tralee, Kerry, are both members of the Paralympics Ireland Aspire Programme, proudly sponsored by Deloitte. They recently completed their second immersive weekend with the programme and have already gained valuable international experience as part of the Irish Para Swimming team, most recently at the IDM Berlin Open.
Para Table Tennis
Five athletes have been selected to compete in Para Table Tennis. Aaron Mellows and Sean Geoghegan, both from Skerries, Dublin, are joined by Jude Sheldon from Kilmore, Armagh; Kevin O’Callaghan from Mallow, Cork; and Sam Brennan from Drumcondra, Dublin.
