BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 15: Gold medalist Kate O'Connor of Team Ireland poses for a photo with her medal after victory in the Heptathlon during day six of the 27th European Athletics Championships at Alexander Stadium on August 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Kate O’Connor has won gold for Ireland at the European Athletics Championships.Here’s the story, in pictures, of O’Connor’s gold medal in the seven-event heptathlon at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.Kate O'Connor during the 100m hurdles on Friday. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho O'Connor during the high jump on Friday. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Kate O'Connor (left) and Britain's Katarina Johnson-Thompson during Friday's high jump. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA O'Connor during the high jump on Friday. Photograph: Sona Maleterova/Getty Images Kate O'Connor celebrates making a clear jump in the high jump on Friday. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Kate O’Connor with her father and coach Michael O’Connor after jumping 1.86m

in the high jump. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O’Connor celebrates after the high jump. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O'Connor during Friday evening's shot put. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images Kate O'Connor during the 200m on Friday night. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Kate O’Connor powers home in the 200m on Friday night. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O’Connor looks at her 200m time in disbelief. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O'Connor during Saturday's long jump. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O'Connor during the long jump. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O'Connor celebrates her final jump during the long jump on Saturday morning. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images Michael O'Connor looks on during the high jump. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O'Connor after jumping a new lifetime best in Saturday morning's long jump. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O'Connor watches her effort during Saturday morning's javelin throw. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O’Connor during the javelin throw. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O'Connor reacts during the javelin throw. Photograph: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images Irish fans at the Alexander Stadium ahead of the final event in the heptathlon, the 800m. Photograph: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Kate O'Connor sets off in the 800m alongside Sofie Dokter (left) and Emma Oosterwegel (centre). Photograph: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Kate O'Connor sticks with Emma Oosterwegel during the 800m. Photograph: Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA Kate O'Connor holds her breath as the final points are tallied following the 800m. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Kate O'Connor shows off her heptathlon gold medal. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O’Connor celebrates with her gold medal. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Kate O'Connor celebrates with fellow medallists Emma Oosterwegel (silver, right) and Sofie Dokter (bronze, left). Photograph: Sona Maleterova/Getty Images Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to dateWhat’s making headlines in the rugby world? Listen to The Counter Ruck podcast with Nathan JohnsSign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered to your phoneIN THIS SECTIONLATEST STORIESSports BriefingLatest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers