Meet Team NI: Athletes Set for Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Northern Ireland will field sixty‑five athletes across eight of the nine possible sports at the July Games in Glasgow. The largest contingents are in boxing and swimming, with a mix of seasoned medal‑hunters and emerging talent eager to add to the island’s growing tally. As the countdown reaches its final weeks, BBC Sport NI shines a spotlight on every competitor set to represent the province this summer.

Athletics

The most recognisable face in the track and field group is Kate O'Connor, a World outdoor silver medallist. The 25‑year‑old heptathlete heads into her third Commonwealth Games on the back of a standout 2025 campaign that delivered four medals, including gold at the World University Games. Her silver run at the World Championships in Tokyo set a new Irish record of 6,714 points and five personal bests, and she also posted a silver at the previous Games in Birmingham.

• Kate O'Connor – heptathlon; third appearance; 2025 medal winner; World indoor bronze.
• Anna McCauley – heptathlon; 2022 sixth place; recent UK Athletics Championship runner‑up.
• Nick Griggs – 5,000m/mile; first Games; March Irish senior champion.
• Callum Morgan – 5,000m; debutant; earlier this year broke the Northern Irish 10k record.
• James Gormley – mile; first outing; set a new NI indoor mile mark.
• Eva Walsh Dann – 100m & long jump; para‑athlete; second Games appearance.

Boxing

Boxing provides the province with its most extensive lineup, featuring twelve athletes across a range of weight classes. The squad blends veteran campaigners with fresh faces eager to make their mark on the international stage. Female competitors lead the group, delivering both experience and rising potential.

• Caitlin Fryers – flyweight; first Games; Strandja Tournament bronze.
• Nicole Clyde – 54kg; second appearance; quarter‑final loss in 2022.
• Louis Rooney – 55kg; debut; European U‑23 bronze.
• Michaela Walsh – featherweight; fourth Games; 2022 Birmingham gold; two Olympic silvers (2014, 2018).
• Jude Gallagher – lightweight; aiming for back‑to‑back gold; previously featherweight.
• Kaci Rock – welterweight; first Games; Ulster Elite champion.
• John Paul Hale – 65kg; second Games; hopes to improve after 2022 defeat.
• Janssen Hill – welterweight; first Games; former equestrian; Ulster title holder.
• Jon McConnell – light‑middleweight; debut; 2024 Irish elites breakthrough.
• Eoghan Quinn – light‑heavyweight; debut; 2025 Ulster champion.
• Garyn McAllister – heavyweight; debut; Ulster honours.
• Willie John McCartan – super‑heavyweight; debut; Ulster honours.

Cycling

Five cyclists will travel to Glasgow for their Commonwealth Games debuts, bringing depth to Team NI’s track and road programmes. Their backgrounds range from elite junior competitions to recent national championship successes. Together they aim to add fresh medals to Northern Ireland’s cycling cache.

• Erin Creighton – 22; scratch, points, elimination events; 2022 Irish junior road race champion; Olympic reserve.
• Emma Jeffers – 21; former BMX racer; two Gracia sprint victories; National Circuit Championships winner.
• Esther Wong – 20; versatile road, track, cyclo‑cross rider; top‑15 finishes at Irish and French events.
• Matthew Dobbins – 25; road specialist; 2024 Tour of Kosovo stage six sixth place.
• Chris Burns – C2 para‑cyclist; recent German Open podium; national and international medals.

Gymnastics

A four‑member artistic gymnastics team represents the province, anchored by Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan. The 26‑year‑old pommel horse specialist has a unique résumé that includes titles at every major competition. The remaining athletes bring solid Games experience and budding talent to the squad.

• Rhys McClenaghan – pommel horse; Olympic, World, European, Commonwealth champion; 2025 injury‑ridden return.
• Eamon Montgomery – floor; 2022 fifth place; 2025 World Cup silver.
• Ewan McAteer – vault; third Games; 2022 vault final sixth.
• Chester Enriquez – vault; debut; Ireland’s first European Youth Olympics bronze.

Judo

Three judoka will contest different weight categories in Glasgow, bringing a blend of competition experience and fresh ambition. Their performances are expected to add to Northern Ireland’s modest medal count in the discipline.

• Rachael Hawkes – 70kg; second Games; 2022 Birmingham fifth place.
• Joshua Green – 73kg; second appearance; 2022 fifth place.
• Adam Hall – 100+kg; debut; Scottish and Welsh Open titles; 2025 European Cup bronze.

Lawn Bowls

Four seasoned bowlers will represent Northern Ireland, showcasing a mix of past successes and ongoing ambition. Their involvement spans singles, pairs, and team events, reflecting the province’s competitive strength in the sport.

• Gary Kelly – singles & pairs; 2010 singles bronze; 2022 singles silver.
• Adam McKeown – pairs with Kelly; 2022 gold in men’s fours.
• Shauna O'Neill – singles & pairs; 2022 competitor; returns in both disciplines.
• Chloe Wilson – pairs with O'Neill; 2022 triples & fours; 2024 Paris Olympics participant.

Netball

Northern Ireland enters its fourth consecutive Commonwealth Games in netball, aiming to improve on a best ever seventh‑place finish recorded twelve years ago in Glasgow. The selected side blends seasoned internationals with a handful of newcomers, all guided by head coach Sheonah Forbes.

• Evelyn McCafherty, Lauren Walshe, Orlaith Rodgers – debutants.
• Michelle Magee – versatile defender; Netball Super League player with Birmingham Panthers; captain.
• Caroline O'Hanlon – vice‑captain; fourth Games; Armagh GAA veteran.
• Niamh Cooper, Fionnula Toner – centurions; fourth Games.
• Emma Magee, Lisa Bowman – third Games appearances.
• Frances Keenan, Georgie McGrath, Maria McCann – part of 2022 squad.

Swimming

Swimming delivers the province’s largest contingent, with fifteen athletes heading to Glasgow. The star name, Olympic 800m gold medallist Daniel Wiffen, seeks to surpass his previous silver in the 1500m. The roster also features multiple past Games participants and promising newcomers across freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and relays.

• Daniel Wiffen – 400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle; second Games; 2022 silver; Olympic gold.
• Jack McMillan – 100m, 200m, 400m freestyle; second Games; 2022 100m eleventh; Olympic relay gold.
• Danielle Hill – backstroke & freestyle; fourth Games; 2024 European 50m backstroke champion.
• Ellie McCartney – breaststroke & medley; debut; 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games double gold.
• Conor Ferguson – 50m backstroke; returning after 2018 finals; missed 2022.
• Lotte Cullen – 100m & 200m backstroke; first Games; born in Malaysia, moved to NI at age ten.
• Grace Davison – freestyle & backstroke; second Games; 2023 Youth Commonwealth gold & bronze.
• Relay teams – women’s 4x100m freestyle, men’s & women’s 4x100m medley, mixed 4x100m medley; selections include Adam Bradley, Matthew Hamilton, Paddy Johnston, Alana Burns Atkin, Victoria Catterson, Emily Hughes.
• Bethany Firth – para‑swimmer; six‑time Paralympic gold; defends S14 200m freestyle title.
• Barry McClements – returns; S9 100m backstroke & S10 100m fly; 2022 bronze.

Weightlifting

Four weightlifters will compete in Glasgow, double the number from 2022, bringing a fresh dynamic to Northern Ireland’s lifting programme. Among them are a debutant who recently claimed British crown and a returning athlete balancing nursing duties with training.

• Harrison McGrogan – 71kg; first Games; 2025 British Championships winner; former rugby player.
• Omar Keshta – 110kg+; debut; Glasgow competitor.
• Hannah Crymble – 63kg; second Games; 2022 sixth place; back‑to‑back British champion; nurse.
• Kaitlin Saunders – 77kg; debut; inspired by 2022 Games; former gymnast & CrossFit athlete.

The breadth and depth of Team NI reflect the province’s growing ambition on the Commonwealth stage. With seasoned stars and bright newcomers across all disciplines, fans can expect intense competition and the prospect of fresh podium moments in Glasgow. Follow the journey as athletes aim to add to Northern Ireland’s medal count and make new sporting history.