This was a big weekend for Hockey International and Motorsport professional Nicci Daly.
Not only did she score two goals in Ireland’s 8-1 Olympic qualifier win over Malaysia in Banbridge but she also saw, at a distance, her Formula Female Recruit, All Ireland Camogie Champion Ashling Thompson race for the first time at Mondello Park.
Best known as one of last year’s World Cup Finalists, Daly is Irish motorsport royalty. Her Father Vivion was Irish Champion on numerous occasions and raced at Mondello against Ayrton Senna. Her uncle Derek raced in Formula One.
She now works in the pits for a US Racing team and last year set up Formula Female a group set up to encourage more women to get involved in the sport.
Kellie Harrington and Lyndsey Peat have been among those to give it a try at Mondello Park since the organisation was set up and Thompson was the first to enter a competitive race over the weekend, finishing 16th in the Keelan Construction Ford Fiesta Zetec Championship race.
She has been coached throughout her transition from the fastest field sport for Women to the fastest sport of all by Nicole Drought, Ireland’s leading female motorsports competitor.
Speaking before taking to the track Thompson said “I have always had a taste for Motorsport, even from a very young age. GAA has always been at the forefront of my career though. Now that I finally have the opportunity to race this weekend, I’m so excited for the challenge and looking forward to a new experience.”
