Water Safety Ireland has announced the athletes selected to represent Ireland at two major international lifesaving events in 2026, with teams named for the Lifesaving World Championships in South Africa and the European Youth Lifesaving Championships in Donegal. Among those selected for the senior team are Cork's Aisling Barry, Katie Cotter, Ryan Cotter and Evan O'Broin, alongside Wicklow's Saoirse Dolan and Amy Noble, Clare's Leana Liddane, Ferdia Hayes and Oisín O'Grady, Waterford's Jamie Flynn and reserve Alan Vaughan of Donegal
The national governing body confirmed the squads for the Lifesaving World Championships, to be held in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from 28 November to 6 December, and the European Youth Lifesaving Championships (Ocean), which will take place in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal, from 4–6 September.
The selections bring together athletes from Cork, Wicklow, Clare, Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford and Donegal, reflecting the continued growth of competitive lifesaving across Ireland.
Lifesaving World Championships 2026
Open Women
Aisling Barry (Cork WSAC)
Katie Cotter (Cork WSAC)
Saoirse Dolan (Wicklow WSAC)
Leana Liddane (Clare WSAC)
Elva McAuley (Cork WSAC)
Amy Noble (Wicklow WSAC)
Open Men
Ryan Cotter (Cork WSAC)
Jamie Fylnn (Waterford WSAC)
Ferdia Hayes (Clare WSAC)
Oisín O'Grady (Clare WSAC)
Evan O'Broin (Cork WSAC)
Cailim Van Dam (Cork WSAC)
Reserve
Alan Vaughan (Donegal WSAC)
European Youth Lifesaving Championships (Ocean) 2026
Youth Girls
Orla Blake (Clare WSAC)
Abby Cunningham (Kilkenny WSAC)
Elva McAuley (Cork WSAC)
Anya McKenna (Wicklow WSAC)
Isabelle Neville (Cork WSAC)
Mei Wilson-Ma (Wicklow WSAC)
Youth Boys
Steven Bell (Wicklow WSAC)
Eric Cronin (Clare WSAC)
Andriy Kravchenko (Wicklow WSAC)
Dylan Mulcahy (Cork WSAC)
Isaac Neville (Cork WSAC)
Leon Nugent (Wexford WSAC)
Youth Reserves
Ruth Connolly (Wicklow WSAC)
Teagan Tshimbudzi (Donegal WSAC)
Daniel Corkery (Waterford WSAC)
Lewis Timmins (Cork WSAC)
Water Safety Ireland congratulated all athletes selected to represent Ireland and thanked the many competitors, Water Safety Area Committees (WSAC), officials and volunteers whose continued commitment supports the development of lifesaving sport nationwide.
