Erin Creighton may be only a matter of weeks into her U23 career but the 18-year-old is already on the cusp of making her elite debut for Ireland. She has been drafted into the national team for the upcoming European Track Championships in Switzerland.
The reigning Irish junior road race champion - who also won four Irish track titles last year - signaled her potential at international level in 2022 with a very strong ride at the junior World Track Championships, taking 4th in the elimination race.
And now because Emily Kay has unfortunately been forced out of the Irish team for the Europeans, Creighton has been drafted in to take her place in the endurance line-up. The endurance riders will compete in the team pursuit and other, individual, races.
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Creighton will not joined Lara Gillespie, Alice Sharpe, Kelly Murphy and Mia Griffin in the women's endurance team for the Europeans, in Grenchen from February 8th to 12th. Kay is out of the team as she has been suffering from an injury, with rehabilitation continuing to get her back into racing action.
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“It’s never a nice thing for a rider to have to withdraw from a championship event but it gives us the chance to fully support Emily in her rehab as we target her return to competition at the upcoming Nations Cups," said national track coach Dan Henchy.
"It’s often the nature of elite sport that unforeseen circumstances lead to opportunities, and we’re delighted to welcome Erin into the squad for her first senior appearance with the national team.
"Erin had some fantastic performances last season as a junior and was part of a development group that really impressed when they joined the seniors for a training camp pre-Christmas. Erin’s inclusion in the team provides much needed strength in depth as we start our Olympic qualification campaign, and the experience will be invaluable as she makes the jump from junior to senior competition.”
