CUSAI Irish Team for World University Games Announced

The Colleges and University Sports Association of Ireland (CUSAI) today announced the Irish athletes who will be competing in this summer's World University Games.


There are 69 students selected across athletics, fencing, football (men's and women's), swimming, taekwondo and tennis for the biennial competition, which this year takes place in the Serbian capital Belgrade from July 1 to July 12.


The squad boasts five Olympians from the 2008 Beijing Games - Fionnuala Britton and Joanne Cuddihy on the track, Melanie Nocher in the pool, Eileen O'Keeffe in the hammer, and Siobhan Byrne in fencing.


Team Ireland Chef de Mission, Paul Davis, said: "This year we have as strong a set up as we have ever had in the competition and would hope that our athletes will perform well in Belgrade".


"The fact that the team has five Olympians in its ranks shows the high calibre of sport at third-level institutions across Ireland. The commitment by the coaching, background staff and athletes has been second to none in preparation for these games and we hope that this hard work will yield success.


Ireland's campaign kicks off on 30 June when the footballers take to the field to play their first round matches. The men taking on Uruguay and the women, who made it to the semi-final in 2007, face Japan.


In track and field, Team Ireland have high hopes for success after Eileen O'Keeffe notched up a silver in the hammer throw in the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand. This will be the Kilkenny athlete's fourth world games and shows promising signs of medalling again this year carrying on from competing in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.


Fionnuala Britton has also been on top form in international university competition picking up an individual silver and team bronze in the cross-country at last year's World University Championships in Mauquenchy, France.


The official opening ceremony of the 2009 World University Games takes place on July 1st.