The 2019 World University Games were held in the Italian city of Napoli from 3-14 July. The Games were the 30th Summer Universiade and celebrated 60 years since the first Games were held in Turin, Italy in 1959.

Team Ireland headed to the World University Games in Napoli with a delegation including 53 athletes and 22 officials to compete in four sports: Athletics, Archery, Football (Men’s and Women’s) and Taekwondo.

There were plenty of memorable moments during the Games with the highlight coming on the track when IT Carlow student Marcus Lawler won a bronze medal in the Men’s 200m running a time of 20.55 in the final. On the same night on the track, Sarah Lavin (University College Dublin) and Phil Healy (Waterford IT) finished 4th and 6th respectively in finals.

The women’s football team provided some unforgettable moments during their competition, the highs of defeating Brazil 1-0 on the opening night of competition and defeating South Korea to top the group. However, the team experienced the ultimate heartache after losing out on penalties to Russia in the Bronze-medal match after scuppering a two goal lead with 20 minutes remaining in normal time.

The men’s football team finished in 8th place after a very encouraging group campaign saw them qualify for the quarter-finals before they lost out to Russia and ultimately France on penalties in the 7th/8th place play-off.

Jack Woolley (TU Dublin) was unable to find his best form in the Taekwondo competition but will gain massive international experience from the competition in Napoli.

On the archery field, the highlight was a new senior Irish record for Niamh Merry (Dublin City University) and Daniel Foley (TU Dublin) in the mixed compound event.

World University Games 2019 Results

Selection Criteria

Team Ireland Delegation

Appointed Officials

Selected Students