The European Track Championships began in Greece today with pursuit star Ciara Doogan impressing in her first appearance at an international track meet. 

Doogan, from Donegal, a novice at international level, demonstrated her considerable potential with a fine ninth fastest time out of 25 in qualifying for the Women's Junior 2km Individual Pursuit.

Doogan's 2m29.667s time was just over two seconds off a medal ride and 4.4s behind the fastest qualifier Justyna Kaczkowska of Poland.
 
Autumn Collins was first of the Irish on the boards, the Limerick teenager setting 17th fastest time in qualifying for the Women's Junior Sprint in her debut international championship event.

Sean Grimes was 21st in the qualifying round of the Under-23 Individual Pursuit with a time of 4.37.959s while Galway's Thomas Fallon was 23rd with a time of 4m41.02s.

Adam Stenson, Michael O'Loughlin, Cathal Clarke and Declan Mulholland set a time of 4m22.735s on their way to 12th fastest in the Junior Men's Team Pursuit.

Afterwards, High Performance Coach Brian Nugent assessed his squad's first day of action in Athens.

“We had a busy start to the competition today. Ciara has produced an excellent performance in the Junior Pursuit and having two different women in the top 10 in this competition two years running demonstrates some depth developing in this area of the programme. 

"We have almost 15 riders competing here this week and the young team are grasping this week as an excellent opportunity to compete and gain experience at International level, many for the first time.”