Fintan Dewhirst, Hannah Murray confirmed for European Under-20s

Fintan Dewhirst and Hannah Murray have been selected to compete at the European Under-20 Athletics Championships.

Tir Chonaill AC hurdler and Finn Valley AC sprinter Murray are part of a 32-strong Irish squad that will travel to Jerusalem.

The Championships will be held in the Givat Ram Stadium from August 7-10.

Dewhirst goes in the 400m hurdles with Murray chosen in the women’s 4x400m relay team alongside Kate O’Connell (Lucan), Renee Crotty (Annalee) and Eve Noctor (Lucan).

Dewhirst is coached by Brian McGonagle and was the European Under-18 400m hurdles silver medal winner last year, also in Jerusalem.

At the weekend, Dewhirst won the 400m hurdles at the National Juvenile Championships in Tullamore, clocking 54.65 seconds.

Murray was a gold and silver medallist at the same Championships.

The Rosemary Finn-coached athlete won the 400m in 56.68 seconds on Saturday. A silver followed in the 200m on Sunday, Murray edged out by Aobh Forde from Dundrum South Dublin by a torso on the line for the gold.

The Irish squad includes Nick Griggs, the reigning European U20 Champion over 3000m, who is selected in both 1500m and 3000m. 

Elizabeth Ndudi goes into the championships as Ireland's top-ranked female athlete having recently bettered her own under-20 Long Jump record with a 6.44m leap in Mannheim.