Madeira, Portugal, October 20th 2025 - Ireland’s Masters athletics team made headlines and history at the European Masters Championships, returning from Madeira with a staggering 81 medals, their biggest ever haul at any international event and a superb 8th-place finish out of 56 competing nations, edging out hosts Portugal.

From 9th to 19th October, Irish athletes lit up the island with performances that blended excellence and friendship, demonstrating class is always permanent. A total of 32 gold, 29 silver, and 20 bronze medals told one story, yet the greater story was one of community, resilience, and pride in donning the green vest.

Among the many highlights was Anne Gilshinan’s majestic run in the W60 1500m, breaking the European record in emphatic style. She added another gold in the 800m, a feat matched by Edel Maguire, who also claimed double gold (400m and high jump) and set a European best in the W65 400m.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the track, Ireland celebrated trailblazers like Ann Woodlock, aged 86, who stormed to gold in the W85 1500m, and Bobby King, who added three medals in the M80 race walk events. John MacDermott, at age 80, didn’t just compete, he conquered the decathlon and 800m with double gold. These were not just medals, but milestones.

There was also joy in the team events, where Ireland excelled in the cross-country, 10k road race, and half marathon, picking up multiple gold, silver and bronze team medals through selfless running and tight pack work. Christine Kennedy, Eileen Kenny, and Sue Zlnay were instrumental in a string of podium finishes across multiple age groups and distances, embodying endurance and spirit.

In the sprint relays, Ireland’s teams showcased speed, depth and baton skill, winning multiple medals across the 4x100m and 4x400m Particularly stirring was the performance of the W40 4x400m squad, whose unity brought home gold.

Another highlight was the family connection: Eileen and Michelle Kenny, mother and daughter, both claimed gold in cross-country and road events, a rare and emotional double that added a personal touch to Ireland’s success.

Behind every medal was a sea of Irish athletes, teammates and supporters, celebrating finishes, sharing warm-downs and lifting spirits after tough races. The camaraderie on display rivalled the medals in its brilliance.

This Madeira campaign was about more than numbers. It was about proving that age is no barrier to excellence, and that when Irish athletes come together, they don’t just compete, they inspire.

Full list of medal winners:

Gold 32

John Dwyer (Templemore AC) - M40 - Weight Throw

Sue Zlnay (DSD) - W65 - 2k Steeplechase

Sue Zlnay - W65 - 8k Cross- country

Edel Maguire (Clonliffe) - W65 - 400m (Eurropean Record)

Edel Maguire (Clonliffe) - W65 - High Jump

Annette Quaid (Leevale) - W45 - 400m

Rachel Akers (Ennis Track) - W40 - Hammer

Ann Woodlock (Donore) W85 - 1500m

Tina Gallagher (OMG AC) - W60 - Heptathlon

Tina Gallagher (OMG AC) - W60 - 300mH

John MacDermott (Sligo AC) - M80 - Decathlon

John MacDermott (Sligo) - M80 - 800m

Eileen Kenny (Tullamore) - W75 - Cross-country

Christine Kennedy (Galway City Harriers) - W70 - 6k Cross-country

Christine Kennedy - W70 - Half-marathon

Michelle Kenny (Leevale) - W45 - 8k Cross-country

Michelle Kenny (Leevale) - W45 - 10k Road

Pauric McKinney (Inisowen AC) - M60 - 8k Cross-country

Pauric McKinney (Inisowen) - M60 - 10k Road

Anne Gilshinan (Slaney Olympic) W60 - 1500m

Anne Gilshinan (Slaney Olympic) W60 - 800m

Bobby King (St Cocas) - M80 - 10k Race Walk

Joe Gough (West Waterford) - M70 - 800m

Denise Toner (Clones) - W45 - 800m

Mary Horgan (Crusaders) - W35 - 800m

Catherine O'Connor (Parnell AC) - W45 - Half- Marathon

4x400m - W40 Snezana Bechtina (Clonl8ffe), Denise Toner (Clones), Sinead O Connor (MSB), Bronwen McDonald (SLOT)

Team - W55 - XC - Annette Kealy (Raheny) Jackie McMonagle (Derry City Spartans) Martina McDonagh (Castlegar)

Team - M65 - XC - Tom Cuddy (Rathfarnham) Philip O'Doherty (Clonliffe), Tom O'Connor (Liffey Valley)

Half Marathon - Team - W45 - Catherine O'Connor (Parnell AC), Kay Byrne (Finn Valley), Anne Hegarty (Totley AC)

Half Marathon - Team W55 - Annette Kealy (Raheny), Donna Evans (Clones), Martina McDonagh (Castlegar AC)

Half Marathon - Team W65 - Christine Kennedy (Galway City Harriers), Sue Zlnay (DSD), Nuala Reilly (Drogheda & District)

Half Marathon - Team W65 - Christine Kennedy (Galway City Harriers), Sue Zlnay (DSD), Nuala Reilly (Drogheda & District)

Silver 29

Bobby King (St Cocas) - M80 - 5k Race Walk

Bobby King - M80 - 20k Race Walk

Tina Gallagher (OMG AC) - W60 - 80m Hurdles

Rachel Akers - W40 - Weight Throw

Michael Kiely (Mallow) - M80 - 400m

Joe Gough (West Waterford) - M70 - 1500m

Geraldine Finegan (North East Runners) - W55 - Heptathlon

Denise Toner (Clones) - W45 - 1500m

Ken Higgs (Eagle AC) - M75 - Cross- country

Alan Delaney (Killarney Valley) - M40 - High Jump

Edel Maguire (Clonliffe)- W65 - 100m

Edel Maguire (Clonloffe)- W65 - 200m

Annette Kealy (Raheny) - W55 - 10k Road

Annette Kealy - W55 - Half-Marathon

Sue Zlnay (DSD) - W65 - 10k Road

Sue Zlnay (DSD) - W65 - Half-Marathon

Eileen Kenny (Tullamore) - W75 - 10k Road

Bronwen McDonald (SLOT) - W40 - 800m

Team - M65 Half-Marathon - Gerry Boyle (Rathfarnham), Tom Cuddy (Rathfarnham), Joe Gallagher (North Belfast)

Team - W60 -XC - Kay Byrne (Finn Valley), Anne Hegarty (TotleyAC) Anne Gormley (Donore Harriers)

Team - W45 - XC - Michelle Kenny, Aoife Parella (Star of the Sea), Vanessa Sallier (Rathfarnham)

Team - W70 - Cross-country - Christine Kennedy (Galway City Harriers), Eileen Kenny (Tullamore), Phyllis Browne (Star of the Sea)

Team - W40 - 10k Road - Catherine O'Connor (East Down), Michelle Kenny (Leevale), Kay Byrne (Finn Valley)

Team - W55 - 10k Road - Annette Kealy, Martina McDonagh, Jackie McMonagle

Team - W65 - 10k Road - Sue Zlnay, Eileen Kenny, Nuala Reilly (Drogheda & District)

4x100m - M45 - Brian Boyce (Milford AC), Stephen Byrne (Tullamore), Keith Pollard (SLOT), Ger Cremin (An Riocht)

4x400m - M45 - Ger Cremin (An Riocht)

Brian Boyce (Milford AC), Stephen Byrne (Tullamore AC), Ross Miotti (Monaghan Phoenix)

4x400m - Mixed 60 - Tim Ryan (Doneen AC) Edel Maguire (Clonliffe), Shane Sheridan (SSD

Carol Kearney (Lucan)

4x400m - W60 - Tina Gallagher (OMG AC), Dee Walsh (DSD), Carol Kearney (Lucan), Edel Maguire (Clonliffe)

Bronze 20

Carlton Haddock (Leevale) - M50 - 400m

Carol Kearney (Lucan Harriers) - W60 - 400m

Michael Kiely (Mallow) M80 - 1500m

Michael Kiely (Mallow) - M80 - 800m

Brian Lynch (Drogheda & District) - M70 - 1500m

Caitriona Devine (Finn Valley) - W50 - 1500.

Tom Cuddy (Rathfarnham) - M65 - Cross-country

William Belton (Parnell AC) - M75 - Cross- country

William Belton (Parnell AC) - M75 - 5000m

Rachel Murphy (Plant-Based AC) - W40- 1500m

Eileen Kenny (Tullamore) - W75 - 5000m

Annette Kealy (Raheny) - W55 - 5000m

Alison Beck (DSD) - W45 - Pole Vault

Alan Burke (Killarney Valley) - M60 - Pole Vault

Gerry Boyle (Rathfarnham)- M65 - Half Marathon

Team - M50 - Half-Marathon - Anthony Dowd (Menapians), Stephen Monaghan (Mayo AC), Ronan Donohue (Ashford & District RRC)

4x100m - W35 - Sarah Doyle (Tallaght), Snezana Bechtina (Clonliffe), Noelle O'Regan (London Heathside), Sinead O'Connor (MSB)

4x100m - W55 - Tina Gallagher (OMG AC), Carol Kearney (Lucan), Dara Carr (LSA), Edel Maguire (Clonliffe)

4x400m - W45 - Clare Quinn (Omagh), Leanne Wellings (Lucan), Maggie O'Connor (Enniscorthy), Lucianne Hughes (Kilcoole AC)

4x400m - Mixed 45 - Brian Boyce (Milford), Lucianne Hughes (Kilcoole), Ross Miotti (Monaghan Phoenix), Denise Toner (Clones)