Mayo javelin talent with new achievement at European Throws Cup

Mayo javelin talent Oisín Joyce has bagged another medal at the European Throwing Cup last weekend.

The Ballinrobe native has recorded a growing list of accolades. In June 2024, he set a new Irish U20 record with a throw of 73.42 meters at the Bauhaus Jürgen Gala in Germany.

Later that year, he famously clinched a bronze medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, with a personal best of 73.89 meters, the first ever Irish person winning a medal at this competition. Joyce is only the fifth Irish person who won a medal at a U-20 World Athletics Championship.

READ: World bronze medallist Oisín Joyce returns home to Ballinrobe

Joyce received a memorable welcome when he returned home from Peru last August. The Glebe Street native received a garda escort and a hero’s welcome at an event organised by his club, Lake District Athletics Club. 

“I didn’t expect that at all,” he said back then, “I knew there was a homecoming, but I wasn’t expecting half of what was coming. There was a massive crowd.”

Addressing the crowd during an interview with club member Majella Loftus, Joyce thanked everyone who had gathered to welcome him home after his historic win.

To round off a successful year 2024, he was named U-20 Athlete of the Year at the 123.ie National Athletics Awards last November.

Now, at the European Throwing Cup, held in Nicosia, Cyprus, on Sunday, Joyce was part of a five-athlete team representing Ireland. The team included Paris Olympian Nicola Tutill who won gold in the women's U-23 hammer. Anna Gavigan who won silver in the women's discus, and also Eric Favours (shot putt) and Niamh Fogarty (women's discus).

Oisín secured a bronze medal in the U-23 javelin event at the European Throwing Cup. He achieved a throw of 73.86 meters, placing him third on the podium.

The European Throwing Cup, organised by European Athletics, has been held annually since 2001 and features senior and U-23 categories in shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, and javelin.

Joyce's recent performance in Nicosia underscores his potential and dedication to the sport, marking him as a promising talent in Irish athletics.

WATCH: Scenes of joy as Mayo javelin athlete celebrates bronze medal