The Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and the Minister of State for Sport, Charlie McConalogue TD, have issued their first joint statement, one week after the former’s appointment and less than 24 hours after the latter’s.

There will be many more over the coming years and plenty of real substance but there can only be one first and the reason for this today is to pay tribute to retiring Olympian and European Athletics Championship Medallist Thomas Barr.

“I congratulate Thomas Barr on his sporting achievements as he hangs up his spikes,” said Minister O’Donovan.

“The Déise can be very proud of all Thomas has achieved across his glittering career.”

“Very few people have the honour of representing their nation internationally, and Thomas did this at the very highest level, at three Olympics, with his national record from the 2016 games still standing to this day.”

“Thomas has been an extraordinary advocate for athletics and for sport in general, and I want to thank him and wish him well for the next challenge.”

“Thomas Barr’s athletic record speaks for itself, as he has achieved unprecedented success in his chosen field of sprinting,” added Minister of State McConalogue.

“Beyond his contribution on the track, his commitment to the growth of athletics in Ireland deserves recognition. I am sure Thomas will continue his involvement with sport in other ways, but for now, I want to reflect on all he has achieved and pay tribute to one of Ireland’s finest athletes.”

Barr is one of Ireland’s most successful ever athletes, having won a historic bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the 2018 European Athletics Championships, becoming the first Irish male sprinter to win an outdoor European medal in the 84-year history of the event.

He has represented Ireland at the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games. Last year, he was a key member of the Irish mixed 4 X 400m relay teams which claimed bronze and gold medals at the World Relays and European Championships respectively.

We also take our hat off to how Team Ireland paid tribute across their social media channels

SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

A great career and a first for the Ministers acting in concert.

WHAT’S UP NEXT?

Looking forward to plenty more joint announcements in the coming weeks and months

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