Wexford’s Emma Hickey to Compete at European Cross Country Championships

Wexford's own Emma Hickey will make history this weekend as the first athlete from the county to compete at the prestigious SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal, on Sunday, December 14th. The 16-year-old runner, from United Striders AC, has impressed the athletics community with her performances, including victories at both the 123.ie National Cross Country Championships and the Autumn International Open in October. This debut at the European level marks a significant milestone for Emma, who has been steadily making her mark in the competitive cross-country scene. Emma’s selection is part of a five-strong Irish U20 Women’s team, which also includes athletes like Anna Gardiner and Lucy Foster, with Hickey looking to make a strong impression in her debut race. She joins a talented group of young athletes who will represent Ireland on the international stage, all aiming to build on the successes of previous championships. Emma’s achievement not only highlights her personal dedication and talent but also brings recognition to Wexford’s growing presence in competitive athletics. The Wexford community will be cheering for Emma as she competes against Europe’s best young cross-country runners this Sunday. To watch the event, tune into RTÉ 2 from 10:45 am on Sunday, with earlier races available live on the RTÉ Player and Eurovision Sport from 9:00 am.