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Irish Wolfhounds Conclude North American Leg Of World Tour

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The Irish Wolfhounds rounded out the second stage of this season’s ISU Short Track World Tour in Montreal, Canada this weekend.

In the qualification rounds on the opening day of the event, Sean McAnuff (Co. Antrim) and Liam O’Brien (Co. Cavan) were put through their paces in all three distances. The Wolfhounds were drawn in back-to-back heats in the 1500m heats. McAnuff came home sixth in Heat 7 with a time of 2:30.801, while O’Brien clinched 2nd place in Heat 8 in a time of 2:23.307 to earn himself a big Q and advance to the afternoon’s quarterfinals. O’Brien lined up in Heat 7 which turned into a pacey affair and he ultimately finished fifth in a time of 2:20.392.

There was Irish interest right from the off in the 500m preliminaries with McAnuff in Heat 1. In a swift race, he crashed into the barriers, but managed to get up and cross the line in fifth. O’Brien contested Heat 7 and was fourth in a time of 43.042.

Last up were the 1000m preliminaries and as with the 500m McAnuff found himself in Heat 1. He closed out his account for the qualifiers with a fourth place and a time of 1:30.222. O’Brien showed up in Heat 3 and came fifth with a time of 1:32.221.

O’Brien was the sole Irish Wolfhound to race in the 1500m and 500m repechages on the second day of the event. In Heat 1 of the 1500m repechage quarterfinals, he posted a time of 2:20.769 to come fourth. It was then on to the 500m repechage quarterfinals for O’Brien. He was right in the mix in Heat 6 for most of the race, but just did not quite have enough at the end and had to settle for fourth in a time of 42.972.

“I’m happy with my racing over the last two weeks,” O’Brien said. “It’s been a week of racing with injury, but I am confident I can bounce back before the Asian leg of the World Tour events. I know I need to improve my strength and endurance if I want to be able to compete with the top and will continue to build on that through the remainder of the season.”

McAnuff was back on the last day of competition for the 1000m repechages. In the repechage quarterfinal Heat 7, he raced positively to secure fourth place with a time of 1:29.251.

“The first two World Tour events were very exciting,” McAnuff said. “I was able to skate competitively in the racing pool and I see the areas that need more focus and improvement. I wasn’t able to break any personal best times, but I do see this on the horizon for me. I will be working very hard over the next weeks in preparation for the next World Tour events!”

The ISU Short Track World Tour moves on to Asia next month with stops in Beijing, China (6-8 December) and Seoul, South Korea (13-15 December).

Take Two For Irish Wolfhounds In Montreal

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Two Irish Wolfhounds get another opportunity to race at the second stop of the ISU Short Track World Tour in Montreal, Canada this weekend (1-3 November).

Sean McAnuff (Co. Antrim) and Liam O’Brien (Co. Cavan) return to the Maurice Richard Arena to contest the 500, 1000 and 1500 metre distances over three days. McAnuff is on the come back trail after being forced to sit out last season due to injury. O’Brien had a fall in the 1500 heats that took him out of the subsequent racing last weekend and will be aiming to have a fuller event this time round.

The ISU Short Track World Tour can be followed live on the Skating ISU YouTube channel and via the #ShortTrackWorldTour and #ShortTrackSkating hashtags on social media.

Competition Schedule (Montreal, Canada)

Friday, 1 November – Qualification Rounds

Saturday, 2 November – 500m/1500m

Sunday, 3 November – 1000m

Irish Wolfhounds Wrap Up First Ever Short Track World Tour Event

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The Irish Wolfhounds had their first foray of the season this weekend at the ISU Short Track World Tour in Montreal, Canada.

Qualification day saw all three skaters compete over the three distances. Liam O’Brien was first out of the gate in Heat 2 of the 1500m heats. In a messy race, he came in fifth place in a time of 2:55.697 due to being impeded by another skater and he was advanced to the next round. Ryan McAnuff was next up in Heat 5 placing 6th. Sean McAnuff raced in Heat 6 immediately after and came home in 5th place with a time of 2:23.373. O’Brien was the sole Wolfhound to return for the 1500m quarterfinals. Unfortunately, things did not go his way and he finished in fifth in Heat in a time of 3:13.585.

The 500m preliminaries were next on the agenda for the Wolfhounds. Ryan McAnuff posted a time of 44.658 to come fifth in Heat 5. O’Brien ended up recording the swiftest time of the trio with 42.558 for fourth place in Heat 8. Sean McAnuff also came fourth in Heat 9 in a time of 42.873.

The Wolfhounds closed out Day One with the 1000m preliminaries. O’Brien incurred a rule infringement in Heat 7 that meant he was penalised. Sean McAnuff just narrowly missed out on advancing when he came second in Heat 8 with a time of 1:30.993. Ryan McAnuff came fifth in Heat 10 in a time of 1:34.004.

Sean McAnuff was the only Wolfhound to contest the 1500m and 500m repechages rounds on Day Two. He came 6th in Heat 2 of the 1500m repechage quarterfinals in a time of 2:31.552 and 4th in Heat 4 of the 500m repechage quarterfinals with a time of 47.565.

Sean McAnuff was back again on the final day of competition for the 1000m repechages. He was up in Heat 7 where he finished 4th in a time of 1:29.812.

“It was a good start to the World Tour,” Sean McAnuff said. “I felt big improvements in my strength and technique. My goal for next weekend is to focus on my racing strategy and I believe focusing on this will help me advance further on in the rounds.”

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to skate the repechage following a fall in the 1500m heats, but I felt like there were promising signs in the lead up to that event,” O’Brien said. “I will build on the racing experience this weekend and push towards better results next week.”

“It was a privilege to once again represent Team Ireland and race alongside my teammates, Sean and Liam,” Ryan McAnuff said. “I enjoyed racing, skated hard and loved being challenged physically and mentally as I raced the top skaters in the world. I’m looking forward to racing again on the World Tour and representing the Irish Wolfhounds!”

The Irish Wolfhounds will be in action again next weekend for the second stage of the ISU Short Track World Tour which will be held once more in Montreal.

 

 

Irish Wolfhounds Ready To Be Unleashed On Short Track World Tour

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A trio of Irish skaters line up to race this weekend as the inaugural ISU Short Track World Tour gets under way in Montreal, Canada (25-27 October).

Ryan McAnuff (Co. Antrim), Sean McAnuff (Co. Antrim) and Liam O’Brien (Co. Cavan) will also be sporting racing suits that incorporate a new identity for the World Tour. As part of the rebranding of what was the ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup series, in conjunction with the International Skating Union (ISU) and top designers, each national federation was tasked with choosing an identity that conveyed the competitive drive of their athletes and encapsulated the passion they bring to the ice in representing their countries on the international stage. The Irish Wolfhound, with its imposing stature, bold and fearless nature and legendary status in our national folklore, was deemed to embody Team Ireland to perfection.

The Irish Wolfhounds will be part of the journey that sees the World Tour traverse three continents over the coming months racing over the 500, 1000 and 1500 metre distances. As well as Montreal, there will also be stops in Salt Lake City, USA (1-3 November), Beijing, China (6-8 December), Seoul, South Korea (13-December), Tilburg, The Netherlands (7-9 February) and Milan, Italy (14-16 February). While this season’s World Tour will have no bearing on qualification for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, the final stage in Milan will serve as a test event for those swiftly approaching Games.

In addition to the striking new team identities, the Short Track World Tour will feature enhanced broadcasts that will immerse longtime and new fans of this thrilling sport in every aspect of the competitions both on and off the ice.

“This is an exciting World Tour competition here in Montreal,” Sean McAnuff said. “This area holds a big place in my heart as I went to university and got married a short drive from here. This is the debut of the Irish Wolfhounds and we have a lot of friends and family who are coming to cheer us on! We may look sweet and calm…but by definition we have a strong prey drive!”

“It’s very exciting not only for the new season, but also to see what the World Tour has to offer,” O’Brien said. “Looking around the venue, there’s definitely a new fresh look and it will be great to get out there and race on Friday. I can’t wait to pull on the Wolfhounds suit and leave it all out on the ice.”

“The new World Tour racing circuit should bring even more excitement to the racing calendar and I look to enjoy racing and continue to skate hard and fast,” Ryan McAnuff said.

The ISU Short Track World Tour can be followed live on the Skating ISU YouTube channel and via the #ShortTrackWorldTour and #ShortTrackSkating hashtags on social media.

Competition Schedule (Montreal, Canada)

Friday, 25 October – Qualification Rounds

Saturday, 26 October – 500m/1500m

Sunday, 27 October – 1000m

McAnuff and O’Brien Get Season Under Way

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Irish short trackers Liam O’Brien (Co. Cavan) and Sean McAnuff (Co. Antrim) got their seasons under way this weekend respectively at Shanghai Trophy in Shanghai, China and Dutch Open Short Track in Heerenveen, The Netherlands.

O’Brien was first off the mark in Shanghai where he raced over the course of three days with his best finish coming in the 1500 metres where he advanced to the final and came fifth. He also raced as part of Team Ireland in a Mixed Team Relay with three skaters from other federations. The team ended up fourth in the final.

Meanwhile McAnuff made his comeback to international competition at the Dutch Open after being forced to sit last season out through injury. It was a busy return as he competed in 11 races over the course of the three days. He ended up classified 29th in the 500 metres, 34th in the 1000 metres and 40th in the 1500 metres with the highlight coming when he won his 500 metre quarterfinals. He took 36th place in the overall classification.

2024/2025 National Team Members Named

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The Ice Skating Association of Ireland has selected the following athletes to represent Ireland in international competitions during the 2024/2025 season:

Figure Skating

Senior Men – Dillon Judge* (County Armagh)

Senior Ice Dance – Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus (County Wexford)

Junior Women – Saoirse O’Sullivan (County Tipperary), Allie Peterson (County Galway), Sophia Tkacheva* (County Wexford)

*Selected under Section 800 Paragraph 801.6

Short Track Speed Skating

Senior Men – Ryan McAnuff (County Antrim), Sean McAnuff (County Antrim), Liam O’Brien (County Cavan)

O’Brien Sets Two National Record To Close Out Season At Worlds

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Liam O’Brien rounded out his season this weekend at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

On the opening day of competition, O’Brien lined up in the qualification rounds in all three distances. He first tackled the 1500m quarterfinals where he was drawn in Heat 5. In a cagey race, he was in contention right up until the final lap, but had to settle for fourth in a time of 2:27.896. In Heat 2 of the 500m preliminaries, he managed to stay out of trouble coming home in third in 42.522 which was good enough to advance him to the 500m heats. Drawn in Heat 6 in the outside lane, he was never really in contention from the start and finished fifth in a time of 42.978. The final distance of Day One was the 1000m and O’Brien found himself racing in Heat 1 of the preliminaries. In a tight contest, he sneaked into third place in a new national record of 1:26.013 and advanced to the heats on time. He concluded a busy day of racing in Heat 3 starting off strongly before coming into contact with another skater which threw O’Brien off course. He valiantly tried to catch up to the rest of the field, but had to be content with 5th place in a time of 1:29.815.

Day Two saw O’Brien race in the repechage rounds of the 1500m and 500m. In Heat 4 of the 1500m repechage quarterfinals, the opening pace was quite slow and did not heat up until seven laps were left. O’Brien fought hard, but fell behind with two laps to go finishing fifth in 2:38.563. In the classification for the distance, he stood 43rd overall. He was back on the ice shortly afterwards for the 500m repechage quarterfinals. With just the winner of Heat 1 gaining automatic qualification and only two spots available for the fastest second place finishers on time across the eight heats, it was always going to be a tall order to advance. However, O’Brien put his best foot forward and was just inches away from securing second in his heat. He had to make do with third place with the consolation of a new Irish record of 42.145. His overall ranking for the distance was 35th.

O’Brien was dressed more than appropriately in green for the final day of racing on Saint Patrick’s Day. Shortly after the start of the Heat 5 of the 100om repechage quarterfinals, contact from another skater sent O’Brien off course. He trailed home in third place with a time of 2:08.690, but was advanced to the next round. In Heat 1 of the repechage semi-finals, he began positively taking the lead with seven laps to go. However, with three laps remaining he lost contact and came third in a time of 1:30.194. With a 25th placing, he earned his best classification for the championships.

“I’m glad I could show everything I have worked on this season,” O’Brien said. “While I may not have progressed through to the main event, I think it was my best showing and I will carry the experience through to next season and build on the result.”

O’Brien On Track For Rotterdam Worlds

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Liam O’Brien (25) makes his fourth consecutive appearance at the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships which this year are being held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (15-17 March).

O’Brien will be flying the flag for Ireland this St. Patrick’s weekend as one of over 90 athletes from 36 countries vying for glory in the men’s category inside the Ahoy Rotterdam ice rink. The World Short Track Championships were first held back in 1976. Ireland has been represented at every edition held since 2017.

O’Brien starts racing on Friday, 15 March with the qualification rounds of the 500, 1000 and 1500 metre distances. Subsequent rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals will take place on Saturday, 16 March and Sunday, 17 March.

“I’m excited to race here in Rotterdam this weekend, especially on Paddy’s Day,” O’Brien said. “The venue looks amazing and there will be a great atmosphere. I hope to improve on my results throughout the season and push towards the main event in both the 1000 and 1500 metres.

The ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships will be broadcast online on the Skating ISU YouTube channel. Geographical restrictions may apply. The results of the championships can be followed on the event results page and on social media via the #ShortTrackSkating hashtag.

O’Brien Selected For Short Track Worlds

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Liam O’Brien (25) will fly the flag for Ireland at next month’s ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (15-17 March).This will be the fourth consecutive time that O’Brien competes at Short Track Worlds. Racing at last month’s European Championships in Gdansk, Poland, he reached the quarterfinals and placed 19th in the 1000 metres.“I am honoured to be able to represent Ireland again at the World Championships for the fourth year running now,” O’Brien said. “I had a good start to 2024 with the European Championships and I am looking forward to finishing the season strongly at Worlds.”The ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships will be streamed live on the Skating ISU YouTube channel.

O’Brien Rounds Out Euros With Quarterfinals Appearance

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Liam O’Brien made his third appearance at the ISU European Short Track Speed Skating Championships this weekend in Gdansk, Poland as Ireland’s sole participant on this occasion.

On the opening day of the qualification rounds, O’Brien raced over three distances. First up was the 1500 metres where he was drawn in Heat 5 of the quarterfinals. He kept in contention throughout most of the race, but fell just out of contact in the closing laps and finished fourth in a time of 2:30.801. Shortly afterwards he was back for the 500 metres heats lining up in Heat 6. He raced hard to a time of 42.280 and narrowly failed to advance as he came third. He concluded Day One with another third place in Heat 1 of the 1000 metres heats in a time of 1:30.877.

The second day of the championships saw O’Brien compete in the 1500 and 500 metres repechage quarterfinals. He raced in Heat 2 of the 1500 metres and with five laps to go was already out of contention when he crashed out of the race and ended up with no time. He was classified 34th for the distance. In Heat 5 of the 500 metres, he set up himself up to potentially advance by time as a second place finisher, but was overtaken on the penultimate lap. He posted a time of 42.576 and came 29th for the distance.

All that was left for O’Brien on the final day of the championships was the 1000 metres repechage quarterfinals. With seven laps left in Heat 2, he was disrupted by a fellow competitor, veered off track and came home in fourth with a time of 1:51.968. However, he was advanced to the repechage semifinals due to being impeded. During the repechage semifinal, he once again came off worse for wear from contact with another skater with four laps to go and crossed the line in fifth place in 2:04.946. Ultimately, he was advanced to the main session quarterfinals drawing Heat 1. He finished in 5th place in a time of 1:29.018 concluding his participation at this season’s Europeans with a 19th place classification for the distance.

“It was a weekend with a lot of up and downs,” O’Brien said. I was disappointed I couldn’t show more in the 1500m, but relieved the decisions went my way in the 1000m repechage and came out of it with a quarterfinal.”