McClenaghan makes history as Ireland’s first European Gymnastics Champion

12th August 2018, SSE Hydro, Glasgow; Irish gymnast Rhys McClenaghan made history once again by hitting Gold on Pommel at today’s European Championships finals in Glasgow. The 19-year-old became the first Irish gymnast to win a senior European title scoring a new personal best of 15.300.

Already a junior European medalist, World Cup and 2018 Commonwealth Pommel-Horse Champion McClenaghan broke his record once again besting his score on his specialist apparatus from last Thursday’s qualification in Glasgow.

Commenting on their performance CEO of Gymnastics Ireland, Mr. Ciaran Gallagher said: “History made today by Rhys for Ireland and Gymnastics Ireland. Our first senior European gymnastics champion, it really is a spectacular achievement and will only serve as inspiration for the next generation of gymnasts and gymnastics fans at home in Ireland and sets him up well for the upcoming World Championships in October. On behalf of all at Gymnastics Ireland my congratulations to Rhys and his coach Luke Carson, his family and our Performance & Technical Manager Sally Johnson.”

Speaking of the results Sally Johnson, Gymnastics Ireland Performance & Technical Manager, said: “Fantastic gold medal result for Rhys, another PB and one of the highest scores achieved this year in the world on Pommel! Congratulations to Luke and Rhys - this result is a reflection of the hard work and determination behind the scenes”

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