London 2012 Paralympic silver medallist discus thrower Catherine O’Neill has announced her retirement from competitive athletics.
O’Neill who hails from Ramsgrange in Co. Wexford, has competed at three Paralympic Games for Ireland in the Discus and Club Throw events; Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, and London 2012.
O’Neill is the latest in a long line of Irish sporting heroes that have stepped away from the spotlight of active competition in recent weeks and months. Bryan Cullen, Derval O’Rourke and so many more have left an indelible mark on our national memory of sporting achievement and O’Neill deserves to be remembered in the same breath.
Her international career spanned 17 years and led to the highlight at the London 2012 Paralympic Games when she took silver in the Discus event.
“I spent a good bit of time thinking about retirement after Swansea (2014 European Championships) and over Christmas I decided the time was right,” said O’Neill.
“I’ve had an amazing career with plenty of highs and lows along the way. I managed to win the Paralympic medal I always dreamt of and worked so hard for my last Paralympic Games in London. I have to say when you step on the podium to receive a medal its some honour, but throughout my career it was always an honour to represent my country and wear the Irish colours abroad with pride.”
“I’d really like to thank all the people that helped me along the way; my coaches Pat Furlong, Michéal Bergin, Dave Sweeney, and Head of Paralympic Athletics James Nolan. Also, all the support staff deserve a huge thank you, especially the ladies that travelled with me to competitions. Everyone in Paralympics Ireland, the Irish Sports Council and Irish Wheelchair Association Sport that have supported me so well throughout the years also.”
“Finally I would like to thank my family and friends, and my biggest fan of all my wonderful son Calum! I wish the rest of the Irish athletes every success in trying to qualify for Rio and look forward to cheering them all on in 2016”.
Join us next week for a special look at a new initiative being piloted by Paralympics Ireland and the Irish Institute of Sport that is intended to change the game in how players and athletes can transition best from the highs of competition to a life back at normal speed.
Image Credit: Paralympics Ireland
