Mayo athletes on Ireland's 2023 European Throwing Cup selection

Athletics Ireland has selected a team of six athletes to compete at the European Throwing Cup, to be held in Leiria, Portugal, on March 11 and 12.

Among them are Mayo athletes Michaela Walsh (Swinford AC) and Conor Cusack (Lake District AC), who will be throwing in the senior women's shot put and Under 23 men's javelin, respectively.

Michaela recently added to her sizeable medal collection at the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Championships, claiming the women’s shot put title with a personal best (PB) throw of 15.60m.

Conor, meanwhile, a UL student, won gold in the Irish Universities Athletics Association intervarsity indoor weight for distance in late January.

Among those joining the Mayo athletes on the Irish team is Eric Favors, who is expected to be a leading contender in the senior men's shot put after his standout indoor season and national indoor record of 20.16.

Meanwhile, world Under 20 hammer finalist Nicola Tuthill will challenge in the Under 23 grade as she builds towards the European Under 23 Championships.

The other Irish athletes competing are John Kelly (senior men's shot put), Niamh Fogarty (senior women's discus) and Anna Gavigan (Under 23 women's discus).

Athletics Ireland views the European Throwing Cup as a key competition which contributes to the progression of Irish throwers. The organisation intends to support athletes' participation at the European Throwing Cup to reflect its aim of improving Ireland's standing in the European Team Championships, and to assist in developing throwers who are progressing towards European Under 20 and Under 23 Championships, World Championships or Olympic Games qualification.