2026 European Gymnastics Championships: Slevin and Cork's Mimi Moloney qualify for world championships

It was a great day for the Irish senior women’s team at the European Gymnastics Championships in Croatia yesterday with Emma Slevin, Cork's Mimi Moloney, Bláthnaid Higgins and Maeve McGuiness’ team ranking 16th with a total of 146.895 led by Slevin with an individual All-Around score of 49.465, teammate Douglas gymnast Moloney followed with a close AA score of 48.831, both of whom have qualified to the World Championships in Rotterdam in October.

Mimi Moloney was thrilled with her performance.

“I’m very happy with how my first senior European championships went, I really enjoyed the whole competition and really felt like all the hard work I put in to my gymnastics showed today. 

"I’m very thankful for all my coaches who helped me with the whole build up and who helped me get here today, especially everyone in my club, Douglas Gymnastics.

"I also really enjoyed being out there with the team , we all have worked incredibly hard over the past few months which showed today by finishing 16th as a team. 

"We all wanted to enjoy today and do well as possible as a team. Throughout the competition we encouraged each other which definitely helped us all.”

Commenting on her performance today Emma Slevin said:

"I was really proud of the team today, our best finish at a senior European championships, and still so much more to give. Seeing improvement every year, I look forward to show what we can do together at the next major championships.

"Personally I was overall happy with my performance. 

"The lead up was not perfect with just a few niggles holding me back from my full potential, but I’m really happy with the outcome. 

"Unfortunately, there’s no All Around final this year, but my result today would have been enough for me to qualify for the final. 

"It’s a big step forward for me, I’m feeling on track with my goals and ready for more"

Moloney and teammate McGuinness debuted as seniors on the international stage, whilst Bláthnaid Higgins competed in her second senior Europeans.

Commenting on the competition today, National Coach Sandra Stevenson said:

“Super proud of the team today, and a special mention to our wider team for their outstanding work throughout the competition build‑up. 

"Their support has been central to putting us in such a strong position. Achieving our best‑ever team score at a European Championship is a fantastic accomplishment. 

"A huge amount of work, commitment, and development has gone into building this team to where we are today, and it positions us well within this cycle to continue progressing on this trajectory.

"Congratulations to Maeve and Mimi on competing at their first Senior European Championships, a brilliant achievement for both of them. 

"Wishing our juniors all the very best for tomorrow as they continue to gain valuable experience and exposure on the international stage.” Gymnastics Ireland Performance and Technical Director, Sally Johnson said:

"I'm incredibly proud of how our Senior Women's Team who competed here in Zagreb at the European Championships finishing in 16th. Ireland's best rank to date in qualification round with a team score of 146.895, the group showed real composure on one of the biggest stages in European gymnastics.

"A special mention for the team's solid vault and beam performances and Emma Slevin's All Around performance which qualifies Emma for the World Championships in Rotterdam in October.

"Credit has to go to the athletes, their coaches and families, and the whole support team and Sport Ireland who've put in the work to get us here. "This is exactly the kind of experience our athletes need as we continue to build towards future targets and LA28.” 

Gymnastics Ireland CEO, Ciaran Gallagher added:

"Emma and Mimi nailed it today - Rotterdam bound for the World Championships in October - superb results for the girls supported by their coaches, clubs, families and friends! 

"Also our best senior team result at a European championships today from 4 gymnasts who delivered confident top level performances in an excellent senior field. 

"Beam today was without doubt a highlight with our guys going 4 for 4! Huge congratulations to the gymnasts our coaches and performance support team on a truly historic day for our women’s programme! Now for the juniors…"

Well done and congratulations to all gymnasts, coaches and judges!