Mannion and Newell named in Irish squad for U-20 World Championships

Orlaith Mannion poses for a portrait during an Athletics Ireland World U-20 team day at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin this week. | Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.

placeholder image — Orlaith Mannion poses for a portrait during an Athletics Ireland World U-20 team day at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin this week. | Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.

Galway pair part of 24-strong team for event that takes place in Oregon next month

Two Galway athletes have been named on the Irish team that will head to the United States next month to compete in the U-20 World Athletics Championships.

Orlaith Mannion of South Galway AC and Matthew Newell of Castlegar AC have both been included in the 24-strong team named by Athletics Ireland for the championships, which take place in Eugene, Oregon from Wednesday to Sunday, August 5 to 9.

Matthew Newell poses for a portrait during an Athletics Ireland World U-20 team day at the National Indoor Arena in Dublin. | Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile.

Mannion, who has been in the form of her life this year, will compete in the 100m Hurdles, looking to carry-on form her fine display in Belgium last month, where she clocked 13.52 in the 100m Hurdles which has seen her rise to second on the Irish U-20 all-time list behind Sarah Lavin but ahead of Derval O’Rourke.

Newell has been selected for the 5,000m Race Walk, and is another athlete who has excelled over a number of years, winning national medals and setting records along the way.