Sport
Let’s get behind our Paralympic stars
Eamonn Fitzgerald previews the 2024 Paralympic Games, which get underway in Paris this week
The 2024 Olympics in Paris shone brightly for the Irish team of 134 athletes participating across various sports. All were Olympians and that is memorable when you think of the personal sacrifices involved in reaching Olympic qualification standards. Ireland performed admirably, securing seven medals (four gold and three bronze).
So that’s it for another four years, the Olympics are all over.
Not so. The Paralympics began on Wednesday in Paris and will continue until September 28. While the memories of the able-bodied Irish athletes continue, let’s not forget the Irish team competing in Paris over the next week or so, those athletes who have had to overcome huge disadvantages not just in sport but in their adopted and adapted lives.
4,000 athletes from 160 countries will be bidding for 549 medals across 22 events. Let us get behind those wearing the Irish singlets and cheer them all on. Winning a medal of any colour will be a bonus. In truth, they are all winners. Team Ireland abú.
TALENT
The Paralympics have grown to become one of the world's largest and most celebrated sporting events, showcasing the resilience, determination, and talent of athletes with disabilities.
The 2024 Paralympics will be hosted in Paris, marking the first time the French capital has held the event. Paris previously hosted the Olympics in 1900 and 1924, but this will be the first Paralympics held there. The city has made significant efforts to ensure that the 2024 Games are inclusive, accessible, and inspiring for both athletes and spectators alike. The venues for the games will be spread across the city. By the time you get to read this column, the opening ceremony will have taken place on the splendid Champs-Élysées and Place de la Concorde, creating a truly unique and memorable start to the event.
The Paris Paralympics will also be historic in its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The organisers have pledged to reduce the carbon footprint of the Games by 50% compared to previous editions, with a focus on using existing venues and infrastructure. Additionally, the Paris Games will see a significant emphasis on gender equality with equal numbers of male and female athletes participating, and a balanced number of events for men and women.
IRELAND’S HISTORY
Ireland has a proud history in the Paralympics, dating back to the inaugural Games in Rome in 1960, when the nation won its first medals. Since then, Irish athletes have consistently performed well, winning a total of 123 medals, including 31 golds. Ireland's success has spanned multiple sports with particularly strong performances in athletics, swimming, and cycling.
One of the stars of Irish Paralympic history is swimmer Darragh McDonald who won gold in the 400m freestyle at the 2012 London Games and silver in the same event at Beijing 2008. Another standout athlete is Jason Smyth, often referred to as the fastest Paralympian on the planet. Smyth, who is visually impaired, dominated the T13 sprints throughout his career, winning gold in both the 100m and 200m at every Paralympics since 2008. His consistency and speed made him a household name, not just in Ireland, but globally.
Ireland’s achievements in cycling are also notable with athletes like Mark Rohan, who won two gold medals in hand cycling at the 2012 London Paralympics, and Katie-George Dunlevy, who, alongside her pilot Eve McCrystal, secured two golds and a silver at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
AMHRÁN NA BHFIANN
There is a sense of optimism and excitement surrounding this Irish team. The nation will be represented by a mix of seasoned Paralympians and promising newcomers, all of whom are eager to leave their mark on the global stage. Won’t it be special if we hear Amhrán na bhFiann as the tricolour rises to mark a golden moment?
A standout Irish athlete is Nicole Turner, a swimmer who made her Paralympic debut at the age of 14 in Rio 2016. Turner, who has a condition called hypochondroplasia, competes in the S6 classification and has already secured a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in the 50m butterfly. Turner’s dedication and drive have seen her improve consistently, and she will be aiming for gold in Paris.
In cycling, Katie-George Dunlevy and her pilot Eve McCrystal are returning as one of Ireland's strongest medal contenders. The duo has a proven track record, having won multiple medals across the last two Paralympics. Dunlevy, who is visually impaired, has found incredible success with McCrystal, a former national cycling champion, as her pilot. Their synchronization, trust and teamwork have been key to their success, and they will be aiming to replicate their past performances in Paris. Think about what they have to overcome - so much more than the thousands heading up to Coomakista in the annual Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle.
Wheelchair racer Patrick Monahan is another athlete to watch. Monahan competes in the T53 category and has represented Ireland in marathons around the world, including the Paralympics. His endurance and strategic racing have earned him a place among the world’s best, and he will be looking to make a significant impact in Paris.
RISING STARS
While the veterans bring experience, the 2024 team will also feature several newcomers who have shown great promise in their respective sports. Look out for some new stars in the making. Shot-putter Mary Fitzgerald competes in the F40 classification. She has been steadily improving her performance on the international stage and is seen as a strong contender for a medal in Paris. No relation to this writer, by the way.
Another rising star is Róisín Ní Ríain, a visually impaired swimmer who competed in her first Paralympics in Tokyo at just 16 years of age. Róisín delivered impressive performances, reaching multiple finals, and she will be looking to build on that experience in Paris.
The road to Paris 2024 has been marked by intense preparation and challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the usual training routines and qualification events, but Irish athletes have adapted remarkably well. The Paralympic Federation of Ireland has provided support through virtual training sessions and mental health resources, and by ensuring that athletes have access to the necessary facilities and equipment.
Funding has always been a critical issue for Paralympic sports, and the Irish government, along with various sponsors, have stepped up to provide increased financial support for the athletes' preparations. This funding is crucial for training camps, international competitions and the development of young athletes who are the future of Irish Paralympic sports.
The Paralympics are more than just a sporting event; they are a powerful platform for raising awareness about disability, promoting inclusion and challenging perceptions. The success of Irish Paralympians has had a profound impact on society, inspiring countless individuals and highlighting the importance of accessibility and equal opportunities in sports. In Ireland, Paralympians are celebrated not just for their athletic achievements, but for their role in advancing the conversation around disability rights and inclusion. Their stories of overcoming adversity resonate with people from all walks of life, and their successes on the global stage bring immense pride to the nation.
The journey to Paris has been challenging but the Irish Paralympians are ready to take on the world, aiming to bring home medals and inspire a new generation of athletes. The local Kerry Stars may yet produce some Paralympians and earlier this week I was delighted to meet someone closely involved in the new shared facility at Ballydribbeen. Hats off to the many helpers and coaches who have developed the sporting pursuits of so many Kerry Stars athletes over many years.
JORDAN LEE
Spare a thought for the great Jordan Lee from Killarney Valley Athletics Club whom we have seen clearing the high jump with consummate ease at the athletics facility near St Brendan’s College on the New Road.
In his teens, he was the first one-handed player in the world to represent his country when he played for Ireland at the age 15.
He switched to the high jump and is coached by Tomás Griffin (Bishop Moynihan Crescent), himself a notable former sprinter and long jumper. Jordan competed in an Irish athletics vest in 2017 after just four months of training for the high jump and, within a year, he had won a bronze medal at the 2018 European Championships.
His personal best of 1.95m dates from the Irish National Championships (able-bodied) in 2019 and the European record in his event was 1.97m so he is not far off it. He is also one of very few Para Athletes to have won a National Championship in able-bodied competition.
He was the flag-bearer leading Team Ireland out into the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo and he had high hopes for Paris, but injury, the bugbear of all sportspeople, left him with no choice but to pull out of the games in Paris.
Typical of the man, he says he will bounce back for the next Paralympics in four years’ time. Now that is heroism at its best in the true Olympic spirit. Similarly, our Irish Team will focus on ability over disability.
Let’s get behind these stars - and they are all stars. Let’s hope RTÉ will provide decent coverage. The athletes deserve it, and so do we.
Sport
Jack O’Connor’s Kerry squad is looking deeper and stronger (but the proof will be in the eating)
As we reach the midway point of the 2025 season, Adam Moynihan takes a close look at Kerry’s strength in depth
As the Kerry players, management team and backroom staff huddled together for a photo with the Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh Cup in front of the Hogan Stand, one of the photographers raised his fist in the air, trying to illicit something resembling a celebratory scene. No joy.
Victory over Mayo had been secured in convincing enough fashion but winning the league has never been grounds for buoyant celebrations as far as Kerry are concerned. Retaining Division 1 status and unearthing some new talent is generally enough to tick the springtime box ahead of the serious business of the championship. Once that has been achieved, anything else is gravy.
Going by the disappointing loss to Armagh in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final, the need for new blood was especially great heading into the 2025 season. The team faded badly down the stretch and into extra time against the Orchard County with overdependence on core players glaringly obvious. It wasn’t the only reason they lost but Kerry simply didn’t get enough from their supporting cast on the day.
With that in mind, Jack O’Connor knew he had to work on the depth of his squad during this league campaign, and you’d have to say he made a pretty good fist of it.
Starting in goal, the situation here is clear with Shane Murphy providing back-up to Shane Ryan.
Moving out the field, in recent years Kerry have generally gone with Jason Foley at full back, Tom O’Sullivan at left corner back, and one of Paul Murphy or Graham O’Sullivan at right corner back.
After making his debut in the league in 2024, Damien Bourke has emerged as a genuine right corner back alternative with some strong performances that have vastly enhanced his reputation. Not many Kerry players came out of the Dublin defeat with extra credit to their name but Bourke was brave and tenacious, bursting out of defence and using the ball wisely. He was replaced as a starter by the experienced Murphy in later rounds but the Tralee man capped his league with a goal off the bench against Galway in Salthill.
Dylan Casey also got extended game time in the absence of Tom O’Sullivan and he acquitted himself professionally. He has a solid head on his shoulders and you get the impression that Jack O’Connor would now be comfortable throwing him into any given situation without hesitation.
The versatile Graham O’Sullivan is also an option at corner back and it looks like he’ll need to slot in somewhere other than his natural position of half back as Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Gavin White are nailed on starters at 5 and 7. O’Sullivan lined out at half forward against Galway and Mayo, underlining his flexibility and importance to the team.
There could be a changing of the guard taking place at centre back with Mike Breen seemingly shaking off the injury woes that have held back his progress with Kerry to date. With regular number 6 Tadhg Morley unavailable for selection for most of the league, Breen slotted seamlessly into that crucial central role, and he looked really confident against Mayo on Sunday. As things stand, Morley will be doing well to displace Breen but either way Kerry should have two good centre back options heading into the summer months.
Midfield has been a head scratcher for Kerry for a number of years but in Diarmuid O’Connor and Joe O’Connor they appear to have found a winning combination. Diarmuid was playing the best football of his career up to his injury against Armagh in Round 6 so getting his shoulder right for championship is of paramount importance to Kerry’s chances.
Joe is a guaranteed starter too but his assured display at wing forward against Armagh was interesting in that it opens the door for a third midfielder to start. Seán O’Brien and Barry Dan O’Sullivan both applied themselves admirably when called upon in the league and the manager should feel like he can trust them more now than he did 12 months ago.
Joe O’Connor’s arrival as a half forward candidate has improved Kerry’s options to the extent that it’s difficult to predict how they will line out from 10 to 12 in the Munster Championship. Micheál Burns has done quite well upon his reintroduction to the team after being dropped from the panel in 2024, and Paudie Clifford is looking sharp at centre forward. Tony Brosnan and Dylan Geaney are options along this line too, although Dylan has been operating as a withdrawn inside forward to date – a role Tony is also capable of playing.
Of course, Seánie O’Shea will have to fit in somewhere in this department when he fully recuperates from his knee ligament injury, so it will be interesting to see how Jack O’Connor works this conundrum out. File under ‘good problems’.
Dara Moynihan is still recovering from a hip injury and has not yet featured in 2025. He would naturally be an option at 10 if he can get back up to speed. Meanwhile, Darragh Lyne, Ruairí Murphy and Cathal Ó Beaglaoich all featured at half forward in the league.
David Clifford and Paul Geaney will play at 13 and 14 with Dylan Geaney in pole position to start at 15 on the back of a really good run of form, perhaps excepting the league final in which he was relatively quiet. Tony Brosnan is a prime candidate to challenge Dylan for that spot; the Dr Crokes player has kicked some fantastic scores in each of his last three appearances as a substitute.
As for out-and-out inside forwards, Conor Geaney and Killian Spillane are likely to be used as impact subs.
All told Kerry do appear to have better depth than they had last year, particularly with the emergence of second season players like Bourke, O’Brien and Dylan Geaney as legitimate options, and with Breen beginning to fulfil his potential. Burns’ comeback and Joe O’Connor’s newfound ability to play the 12 position also help.
As always, though, the proof will be in the eating. We will have to wait for the suffocating heat of do-or-die championship matches to find out if this squad is as deep and dependable as it looks on paper.
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