Paralympics Ireland athletes for the 2025 European Youth Para Games pictured at the Sport Ireland Institute on the Sport Ireland Campus. Front row from left: Oran Spain, Conor Dufficy, Oisin O'Connor, Ethan Leonard, Darragh O'Regan, Jack Quinn, Conor Coughlan, Rory Motherway, Kevin O'Callaghan. Back row from left: Aaron Mellows, Jude Sheldon, Sean Geoghegan, Damien Moyles, Sam Brennan, Luke Brennan, Aryell Sheedy, Luke O'Donoghue. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Moate's Conor to represent Ireland in European Para Youth Games

Kieran Galvin

Published: Wed 2 Jul 2025, 2:29 PM

Last updated: Wed 2 Jul 2025, 2:36 PM

Moate's Conor Dufficy has been selected to represent Ireland in the European Para Youth Games later this month.

Conor (16) is part of Ireland's wheelchair basketball team along with seven other players.

A son of Niamh and Kieran Dufficy, Conor has played Gaelic football for Moate All Whites and he featured prominently in a SuperValu advertising campaign on television. The campaign also featured Rosemount footballer Boidu Sayeh among others. The campaign highlighted participation in Gaelic games among players from diverse backgrounds.

In a previous interview with the Westmeath Independent, Conor said it was his dream to play wheelchair basketball for Ireland.

The seventh European Para Youth Games (EPYG) will be held from July 21–28 at the Cebeci Sports Complex in Istanbul, Türkiye. The EPYG, held every two years under the governance of the European Paralympic Committee, is Europe’s premier multi-sport event for young para-athletes aged 12 to 23.

This year’s edition will be the largest in history, featuring a record nine sports and welcoming nearly 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials from over 35 nations.

Team Ireland will send a delegation of 18 athletes to compete in four of the core sports at EPYG: athletics, swimming, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.

Commenting on the announcement of the team, Paralympics Ireland President Lisa Clancy said: "This is a historic day as we announce our first ever Paralympics Ireland team to compete in at the European Para Youth Games in July in Istanbul. We wish every Irish Para athlete the very best of luck and will be supporting them all the way.

"The EPYG aims to be a platform for growth, education and development for young Para athletes and Paralympics Ireland are delighted to be supporting young Irish para-athletes on this journey."

Neasa Russell, Chief Operating Officer of Paralympics Ireland, said: “Sport and physical activity play a vital role in the health and wellbeing of our society, and everyone deserves the opportunity to take part. While we’ve made meaningful progress, a significant participation gap still exists between people with disabilities and those without.

"Events like the European Para Youth Games are more than just a competition; they offer support, education, and a sense of belonging. They are essential stepping stones for young athletes. We’re incredibly proud of this team as they represent Ireland with pride, ambition, and a commitment to personal growth on the international stage,” she added.

Team Ireland athletes

Para Athletics: Aryell Sheedy (Castleknock/Dublin), Daire Macken (Castleknock, Dublin), Damien Moyles (Ballinlabaun/Co. Mayo)

Para Swimming: Luke Brennan (Mount Oval/Cork), Luke O’Donoghue (Tralee/Kerry)

Para Table Tennis: Aaron Mellows (Skerries/Dublin), Jude Sheldon (Kilmore/Armagh), Kevin O’Callaghan (Mallow/Cork), Sam Brennan (Drumcondra/Dublin), Sean Geoghegan (Skerries/Dublin)

Wheelchair Basketball - Conor Coughlan (Ballinhassig/Cork), Conor Dufficy (Moate/Westmeath), Darragh O’Regan (Mallow/Cork), Ethan Leonard (Salthill/Galway),Jack Quinn (Kilkully/Cork), Oisin O’Connor (Bantry/Cork), Oran Spain (Leixlip/Kildare), Rory Motherway (Youghal/Cork).