PICTURES: Sharlene Mawdsley among athletes running rings around Taoiseach at homecoming

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Taoiseach welcomes Athletics Ireland team to Government Buildings following success in European Athletics Championships 

Taoiseach Simon Harris has welcomed Tipperary's Sharlene Mawdsley among other Irish athletes, support staff and executives from Athletics Ireland to Government Buildings this Friday afternoon, to mark a hugely successful European Athletics Championships.

The Taoiseach reflected on the team’s remarkable performance in Rome with athletes Newport native and gold medallist, Sharlene Mawdsley, as well as others including Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, Lauren Cadden, Mark Smyth, Joseph Ojewumi and Hiko Tonosa.

Speaking after the meeting, the Taoiseach said: “I was delighted to welcome our athletes to Government Buildings to congratulate them on behalf of the country for their success at the European Athletics Championships.

“They have made enormous sacrifices to reach these achievements and we are so proud of their efforts, which will be hugely motivating for young people across the nation who are participating in many different sports.

“These results give our athletes and the public great momentum ahead of the Olympic Games this summer and I know the whole country will get behind and support each one of them.”

The Taoiseach concluded by admiring the athletes "remarkable dedication, discipline and hard work", which he says has "inspired the country".