Oct 11, 2018
Dublin’s Niamh Coyne has taken the silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games with a time of 1:08.90.
Sligo’s Mona McSharry finished just out of the medals in fourth place with a time of 1:08.97. Mona was first to turn at halfway, just missing out on a medal in the closing meters.
To have two swimmers in an Olympic Final is an incredible achievement and a measure of the pipeline of talent coming through in the sport.
Team Ireland in Buenos Aires comprises a squad of 16 athletes from 9 sports. The team of 5 male athletes and 11 female athletes includes Nhat Nguyen (Badminton) and Mona McSharry (Swimming), recipients of Olympic Solidarity Scholarships which were awarded to assist with qualification and preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
This is the third edition of the Youth Olympic Games which are hosted every four years. The Games, running from October 6 to October 18 will feature more than 4,000 talented junior athletes aged 15 to 18 from 200 countries in over 32 sports.
Oct 9, 2018
Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohue has announced a commitment of €126 million to support a range of sporting initiatives in 2019.
This represents an increase of just over €14.69 million on the total investment in sport this year.
The increased investment marks a first significant step towards realising the commitment contained in Ireland’s first National Sports Policy, published in July, to double the investment in sport.
The breakdown of the overall investment will be confirmed by the Minister for Sport, Shane Ross at a briefing on Wednesday. It has been confirmed however that €41million will be invested in sports projects to benefit clubs and organisations in every county in Ireland.
Minister Donohoe also confirmed that the 9% VAT rate for sporting facilities is to be retained.
Speaking after the announcement of today’s Budget 2018, CEO, Federation of Irish Sport, Mary O’Connor said:
“Budget 2019 certainly seems like it is a positive one for sport. While we look forward to hearing the detail regarding the breakdown of the increased investment across people and programmes and capital projects, our initial reaction and that of our members is positive. The publication of Ireland’s National Sports Policy in July this year was a significant first step in recognition of the important contribution sport can and should make to Ireland.”
“It is great to see Government begin to commit the necessary funds to allow for the implementation of that plan in the first budget following the publication of that landmark Policy for Irish sport.”
Oct 1, 2018
The Federation of Irish Sport is made up of National Governing Bodies of sport as well as the 26 Local Sports Partnerships that operate around the country working with Local authorities to implement a wide variety of sporting programmes.
Each month we carry a round-up featuring some of the many activities that are taking place around the country so that you can see just how effective they are.
EUROPEAN WEEK OF SPORT
All of the Local Sports Partnerships got really stuck into the European Week of Sport with activities and events that were bot imaginative and successful in getting people active.
Laois and Cavan had family-friendly fun evenings at the weekend with climbing walls, yoga, boot camps, music, games and so much more.
DUBLIN CITY SPORT AND WELLBEING PARTNERSHIP
The inaugural Dublin Sportsfest proved to a real winner through the last week of September.
With activities covering every age and level of ability, it proved to be a very visible reminder of the many opportunities there are to engage in sport.
The week got rolling with the Great Dublin Bike Ride on Sunday, 23rd before taking in a Sports Stadium event at Dalymount Park on Monday, an Olympic and Elite Sports experience for Transition Year schoolkids on Tuesday, the Older Adult Sports Day on Wednesday, Docklands Fitfest with Ireland Active on Thursday and a host of club and venue based activities through the week.
These included glow football and glow fitness events, Yoga classes in City Hall, Taster sessions, runs, the Lord Mayor Liffey Paddle down the river and a host of other activities.
MEATH SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
Meath Sports Partnership got seven new community walking groups up and moving during September.
They will be hosting a special training day for Walk leaders, in partnership with the Irish Heart Foundation on November 17th.
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
They teamed up with former Irish international race walker Colin Griffin to deliver a series of sports science seminars through the Autumn. The first of these took place in September and there are two more scheduled for October and November.
If you would like to feature in next month’s Round Up please send your information by email to reach us no later than Friday 19th October.
Oct 1, 2018
Congratulations to everyone who took part in activities surrounding the European Week of Sport over the past seven days and more.
The week-long celebration of sport and physical activity culminated in the second Family SportsFest at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena on Sunday.
The crowds started to flood in from before the doors opened at 10 AM and by the time all the sporting organisations present began to fold their tents, well over 3,000 adults and children had been able to enjoy a sample of what was on offer.
Pretty much every sport had some visibility with the IRFU, FAI and GAA all having stars, trophies and immersive activities on display in the main hall.
Eoin McDevitt from Second Captains was MC for the day and brought the venue to life interviewing stars from all the sports and plenty of kids as well.
The Volleyball court in the second hall was busy throughout and there was plenty of interest too in the Baton Twirling exhibitions that were taking place.
Archery took over the corner adjoining the Gymnastics area and children were trying out so many other sports, many for the first time from high jump and long jump in athletics to cricket, wrestling and a very lively boxing ring.
The Gymnastics tasters were popular as were the ability to hit so many balls from hurling to hockey.
There was still a big crowd around for the Mascot race which took place on the track where we also got to see Double European Youth Athletics Gold Medallist Sarah Healy, having a gentle run out and meeting lots of families.
A great day all round and we are looking forward already to doing it all again in 2019. After a short break to recharge of course!
Sep 23, 2018
As part of a new monthly feature, we want to know a little more about the organisations and the individuals that support the work of the Federation.
This month we sat down with Amanda Harton, Director of JLT and related to some pretty good Caribbean swimmers…
Can you tell us a little about how your business partners with the Federation and its members?
We provide insurance advice and solutions to the federation, National Governing Bodies, Sports Clubs and Associations and Individuals involved in Sport in Ireland.
What is one of the issues that you might be able to solve?
One example is we were recently approached by a soccer league who had been trying, unsuccessfully for a couple of years, to develop a Personal Accident facility for their league players and officials.
We were able to design an implement a cost-effective programme which has provided savings to teams across the league and streamlined benefits for all players on the pitch.
What is your personal background in sport?
As a kid, I played every sport I could throughout primary and secondary school. I loved all aspects including the comradery, fitness, competition and getting out of class for matches.
After school, I dropped out for a few years but later found my way back. Since having kids (combined with a full-time job), I don’t have the flexibility to partake in a team sport, but exercise about 3-4 times a week with a mix of Pilates, running, weight training and gym – mainly so I have the energy and focus to keep up with everything else in life.
My daughter is involved in Gymnastics and is joining the academy in our local GAA club in September so I’ve signed up to help out, which I’m really looking forward to.
What do you find most interesting about working in and around the sporting sector?
I find performance really interesting, however, the work being undertaken by our clients around general participation is fantastic, particularly when you consider the strong links between sports participation and general health and wellbeing, including mental health – and the resulting positive impact on the economy.
If you had an open ticket which sporting event around the world would you attend?
I’d go back in time and attend the 2008 Wimbledon Final between Nadal and Federer. I watched at home wishing I was there to see two greats take each other on in such a thrilling match.
And if you could arrange for one victory for a sports team or star that matters to you what would it be?
I’ve cousins swimming for Trinidad and Tobago and I’d love to see them achieve their goals of getting to the next Olympics. Other than that, really for me the victory is in increased participation and seeing kids involved in and benefiting from all that sport has to offer.
Sep 19, 2018
The Irish Eventing team have made history today (Monday) by winning the team Silver Medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games in North Carolina, USA, and in the process have qualified for the 2020 Toyko Olympics, while Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy has completed a remarkable day for the Irish by also taking individual Silver.
Even the arrival of Tropical Storm Florence to North Carolina failed to halt the Irish march, after torrential rain caused havoc with the competition schedule, moving the final to Monday due to heavy rain, but the wait made this result all the sweeter.
The Irish team of Cathal Daniels, Sam Watson, Padraig McCarthy and Sarah Ennis, managed by Sally Corscadden, finished the three Eventing phases of Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping on a final score of 93.0, just over one fence behind Britain who took gold on 88.8. France took home the Bronze on 99.8, with Japan finishing just outside the medals in fourth on 113.9. With Japan hosting the 2020 Olympics, that gave an extra place to Tokyo to those down the line. Germany, Australia and New Zealand join Ireland Britain as France as officially qualified for the Olympic Games.
Ireland had been in seventh place after Friday’s Dressage, but rose to second place after a phenomenal Cross Country performance on Saturday when all Irish team riders jumped clear.
One of the most closely-fought competitions in the history of the Games went right down to the wire in the final Show Jumping phase. Competing as an individual, Cork’s Patricia Ryan was the first Irish rider to jump and went clear with Dunrath Eclipse (ISH) to finish in 61st overall.
Galway’s Cathal Daniels, the youngest competitor in the competition at just 22, finished with just one fence down with Rioghan Rua (ISH) and finished 26th individually on 41.6. Ireland’s second team rider Sam Watson, was under real pressure entering the arena after watching Japan and France produce clear rounds. The Carlow rider kept his cool and guided Horseware Ardagh Highlight to a perfect clear. It saw Watson rise up to 14th individually to finish on his Dressage score of 35.5.
Tipperary’s Padraig McCarthy started the day in seventh place, however a clear round with Mr Chunky not only guaranteed Ireland a medal, but also gave him a chance of a podium finish. Meath’s Sarah Ennis had one fence down with Horseware Stellor Rebound, but kept it at that score to ensure Ireland would take a memorable team silver. It left Ennis in a hugely impressive fifth place individually at the finish on a score of 30.3.
The battle for individual medals was not decided until the very last horse jumped the very last fence. Germany’s Ingrid Klimke looked set to be crowned World Champion when approaching the last fence clear with SAP Hale Bob, but the pole fell to the floor dropping her down to bronze on 27.3, and giving Ireland’s McCarthy the individual silver on 27.2. Britain’s Ros Canter is the new World Champion after her clear round aboard Allstar B saw them finish on 24.6.
Asked about what today’s result means for Irish Eventing, team manager Sally Corscadden said:
“It’s absolutely is huge, we are making history here today when you think about it. I had belief in these guys that we could be competitive and that was our goal the whole time, to be competitive and we just stuck to that goal and this is where it got us. I think we pushed those Brits too and made them a little nervous ” she quipped.
She continued, “There was nothing lucky about this. This was made to happen by the whole set-up and the team behind them, I just can’t tell you how many people have worked to make this happen.”
Asked if it was now all full steam ahead with preparing for Tokyo, Corscadden said, “I might take a couple of days off first.
Ireland’s individual silver medalist, Padraig McCarthy was asked if he felt the pressure when he went into the arena,
“I wasn’t in a medal position [individually] when I went in. I had experience of jumping him in big competitions and he is a very good jumper. In a previous life I used to be a Show Jumper so that gave me a lot of confidence. I had a very good warm up outside and the horse felt brilliant.
Asked if he thought now that it is better to be an Eventer than a Show Jumper, he said “Absolutely”
Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy added:
“I am just so proud of all involved. This is another incredible achievement by our athletes. Our Eventing team manager Sally Corscadden and all her support staff have put in an incredible amount of hard work to make this happen. The athletes themselves have shown professionalism, hard work and dedication. I want to thank Sport Ireland for their extra support given in this World Equestrian Games year and all our very loyal sponsors. Most of all I want to thank the owners and breeders of these wonderful horses and of course all the horses’ grooms who have kept the show on the road under very testing conditions. It is a great day for Irish sport and for the Irish Sport Horse industry as a whole.”
HSI Chairman Joe Reynolds said:
“I want to congratulate Sally and her team on an outstanding result. It takes a special performance and preparation to achieve this level of success and this group have done their country proud. We can now look forward to supporting our Eventing team in the build up to Toyko which is hugely exciting.”
The first World Equestrian Games were held in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990. Co Down’s Dermott Lennon won individual gold in Show Jumping in 2002 at Herez in Spain but today marks Ireland’s first team medal at a World Equestrian Games.
Ireland did previously win a team gold medal in an Eventing World Championships in 1966 at Burghley in Great Britain. with a team that included Virginia Freeman-Jackson, Eddie Boylan, Penelope Moreton and Tommy Brennan.
Ireland will bid for further glory on Wednesday, when the Irish Show Jumping team of Shane Sweetnam, Paul O’Shea, Shane Breen and Cian O’Connor, led by Rodrigo Pessoa begin their World Equestrian Games campaign.
This report was originally published on www.horseportireland.ie
