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data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/your-money" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Money</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_your-money" aria-label="Show Your Money sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_your-money"><li class="subsection-item" 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data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Property</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_property" aria-label="Show Property sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_property"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/residential" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Residential</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/commercial-property" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Commercial Property</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/property/interiors" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Interiors</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/food" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Food</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_food" aria-label="Show Food sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_food"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/food/drink" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Drink</a></li><li class="subsection-item" 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viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_health"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-family" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Family</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-fitness" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Fitness</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-wellness" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Your Wellness</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/health/your-fitness/get-running" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Get Running</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Life & Style</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_life-style" aria-label="Show Life & Style sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_life-style"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/fashion" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Fashion</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/tags/beauty/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Beauty</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/fine-art-antiques" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Fine Art & Antiques</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/gardening" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gardening</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/people" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">People</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/life-style/travel" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Travel</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/culture" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Culture</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_culture" aria-label="Show Culture sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_culture"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/art" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Art</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/books" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Books</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/film" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Film</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/music" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Music</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/stage" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Stage</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/culture/tv-radio" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">TV & Radio</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/environment" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Environment</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_environment" aria-label="Show Environment sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_environment"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/environment/climate-crisis" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Climate Crisis</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/technology" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Technology</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_technology" aria-label="Show Technology sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_technology"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/big-tech" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Big Tech</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/consumer-tech" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Consumer Tech</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/data-security" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Data & Security</a></li><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/technology/gaming" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Gaming</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/science" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Science</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_science" aria-label="Show Science sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_science"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/science/space" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Space</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/media" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Media</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/abroad" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Abroad</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/obituaries" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Obituaries</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/transport" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Transport</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack b-header-nav-chain__subsection-anchor subsection-anchor " data-style-direction="horizontal" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="center" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><a class="c-link" href="/motors" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Motors</a><button aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="header_sub_section_motors" aria-label="Show Motors sub sections" class="c-button c-button--medium c-button--default submenu-caret" type="button"><span><svg class="c-icon" width="20" height="20" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 512 512" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M256 416C247.812 416 239.62 412.875 233.38 406.625L41.38 214.625C28.88 202.125 28.88 181.875 41.38 169.375C53.88 156.875 74.13 156.875 86.63 169.375L256 338.8L425.4 169.4C437.9 156.9 458.15 156.9 470.65 169.4C483.15 181.9 483.15 202.15 470.65 214.65L278.65 406.65C272.4 412.9 264.2 416 256 416Z"></path></svg></span></button></div><div class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-container "><ul class="b-header-nav-chain__subsection-menu" id="header_sub_section_motors"><li class="subsection-item" data-testid="nav-chain-subsection-item"><a class="c-link" href="/motors/car-reviews/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Car Reviews</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><a class="c-link" href="/listen/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1">Listen</a></li><li class="section-item" data-testid="nav-chain-section-item"><div data-testid="nav-chain-section-item-subsection" class="c-stack 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Forecast</a></li><li class="section-menu--bottom-placeholder"></li></ul></div></div></div></nav></header><section role="main" tabindex="-1" class="b-it-right-rail-advanced__main" id="main"><div class="c-stack b-it-right-rail-advanced__full-width-1" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><div id="arcad-feature-f0fJKL80l2wX2PY-17e627eb55ef91" class="default__StyledAdUnit-sc-1moicrg-0 gKEhzJ arcad-feature" style="min-height:107px;--mobile-display:none;--tablet-display:block;--desktop-display:block"><div class="arcad-container width_100" style="max-width:970px"><div id="arcad_f0fJKL80l2wX2PY-17e627eb55ef91" class="arcad ad-970x90"></div></div></div><div class="c-stack b-section-title" data-style-direction="vertical" data-style-justification="start" data-style-alignment="unset" data-style-inline="false" data-style-wrap="nowrap"><h1 class="c-heading">Cycling</h1></div><hr 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height="333"/></a></figure><h3 class="c-heading"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/cycling/2024/10/29/mont-ventoux-returns-for-2025-tour-de-france-with-pogacar-aiming-for-fourth-win/">Mont Ventoux returns for 2025 Tour de France with Pogacar aiming for fourth win</a></h3></div><hr class="c-divider"/><div class="b-results-list b-results-list--show-image"><figure class="c-media-item"><a class="c-link" href="/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-1"><img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="Lara Gillespie speeds to bronze medal at track world championships" class="c-image" loading="eager" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM.jpg?focal=3213%2C156&auth=b9c2dd7d824a5f59b808f433a7d36f6a26467c99bf2f4f6a9406291215c30cfa&width=500&height=333" 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However, she has an Irish grandmother and subsequently declared for Ireland, making her debut in a green jersey at the Dublin cyclocross World Cup in December.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QT3SWEUWYFGNZHRXFKKN644TXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552486},"content":"The talented 18-year-old has inked a contract with the Hess Cycling Team, a UCI Continental squad, and should have a good programme of racing this season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UOU7GPG5GVEH5HXWPPJRB2MBJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552487},"content":"<b>National Cyclocross Championships, Ballinasloe, Co Galway</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"XYGGYYGOWBCSHKGGAN3ZEGRL6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552488},"content":"<b>Men:</b> 1 Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing) 1:03:53 (U23), 2 D Moore (Team Caldwell Cycles) 1:06′26, 3 T Harkness (Lyon Sprint Evolution) 1:06′42 (U23), 4 T Killeen (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) 1:06′43 (U23), 5 R Barry (St. Finbarrs CC) 1:08′42","type":"text"},{"_id":"EY3MYPLM4BDLTOMDQHYX7HKRFU","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552489},"content":"<b>Women: </b>1 Esther Wong (Hess Cycling Team) 39′57, 2 G Lawless (Team WORC) 40′18 (Junior), 3 H McClorey (Doltcini – Cycle Division) 42′48, 4 M Larking (Cuttin Crew/Donkey Label) 43′03, 5 R Lally (Loughborough Lightning) 43′25","type":"text"},{"_id":"PMKQY7DVWFGNVASUNREZ2QDR5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552490},"content":"<b>Junior men:</b> 1 Conor Murphy (Team Caldwell Cycles) 36′58, 2 C McKee (Spellman-Dublin Port) 37′28, 3 R Daly (Scott Racing IRL) 37′42, 4 J Armstrong (VC Glendale) 38′39, 5 H Og Mulhearne (Asvillemur Cyclisme) 39′29","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZXD3CW5CNJGM3OZAE3YWA2UJRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552491},"content":"<b>Masters women:</b> 1 Jean Wilson (EPIC MTB Expert Cycles) 48′43, 2 A O’Connor (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) 49′32, 3 H White (Stamullen RC) 51′17, 4 H Murphy (Yellow Furze Road Club) 39′48, 5 C Martinez (First Tracks) 40′07","type":"text"},{"_id":"43ECQVS27VB55DVACRGCAZH7PA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552492},"content":"<b>Masters 40 men:</b> 1 Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles Cycling Club) 49′07, 2 R O’Flynn (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) 49′09, 3 M Flavin (Dungarvan CC) 50′14, 4 E Ryan (Team WORC) 50′34, 5 K Keane (St Tiernans Cycling Club) 50′53","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Esther Wong best in women’s race, battling junior rider Greta Lawless early on before pulling ahead"},"display_date":"2025-01-12T20:17:02.471Z","headlines":{"basic":"Third consecutive title for Dean Harvey at national cyclocross championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"7EKMHJYVL76WRDDZYXQPYQ544M","auth":{"1":"b6fa3dee1733a58c4a0fce5eab26742603201415516d2ce6bab094b385394f80"},"focal_point":{"x":1422,"y":270},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/7EKMHJYVL76WRDDZYXQPYQ544M.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2025/01/12/third-consecutive-title-for-dean-harvey-at-national-cyclocross-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"PXDBYCRQURGFRCOHYJGOJ5YXLY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":342,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/71764925-ce35-4c1c-94b3-60e15d16b475/versions/1734534118/media/6403b2aebf19bcaa1153edda4c03b801_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/31/i-am-really-excited-to-try-the-big-races-lara-gillespie-takes-the-next-step-in-her-burgeoning-pro-career/","content_elements":[{"_id":"AITZBTIVRJEYDN6YNICEWWENUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642519},"content":"She’s had a great year already, but this month brought an additional boost for <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/lara-gillespie/\" target=\"_blank\">Lara Gillespie</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6XI6A2RNRJEXBKHNIELZZRIHWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642522},"content":"Competing at the UCI Champions League in London, she judged things perfectly in the tactically-difficult elimination race on December 6th. The track event sees the last rider across the line on each lap eliminated, with the final two riders ultimately sprinting it out for the victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OWZLIFGQQ5AW7KOKGYXUHO3OXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642523},"content":"Gillespie remained in contention all the way, pipping Sami Donnelly (New Zealand) in the third-last sprint, lunging past Anita Yvonne Stenberg (Norway) in the next gallop, and then hammering Canadian Sarah Van Dam in the final flat-out effort to the line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A3L4RDACFFH5TGGVI7S4BEEJVE","subtype":"twitter","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"XFQC226CXFAWDARWDKSATCJY4Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642525},"content":"She finished a superb third overall at the end of the five-round league series. It was another big result after her <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">bronze medal in the points race</a> at the track world championships in October.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YNBO72XMGBFKFMNETF2X5D442M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642526},"content":"“It was really cool to get third overall just behind two pretty legendary riders,” Gillespie tells The Irish Times, speaking from her pro team training camp in Benidorm, Spain. “So I am pretty pleased with that.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7OQAV76QZDILB7E7R3TT4RPCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642527},"content":"The Enniskerry rider has been a star in the making for a long, long time, having won gold and silver medals at European Championships as a junior and under 23. This year she made that big breakthrough at elite level with her bronze at this year’s track worlds. Being part of the national record-smashing Irish team pursuit squad at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris Olympics</a> was also a highlight.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W7TQ3RLC7FEYFEP46COREECATY","additional_properties":{"_id":"FFCWVPXDHJHLDBGX2L4JQRJBK4"},"content":"Lara Gillespie climbing the cycling ranks and finding that extra gear despite adversity","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"ARFDMFX4FBDKVPWHWIVYHDYINA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642528},"content":"But Gillespie isn’t just a talented track rider. She has also proved her worth on the road and scooped two big wins this year while racing with the UAE Development Team. Things are gathering pace and she sounds excited.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HIMUY7WUEVGTXJCDPFIOG3RHKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642529},"content":"“My highlight this year on the road was winning the Antwerp Classic Race,” she says, referring to her bunch sprint success in the 1.1 UCI ranked race in May. “It showed that I really enjoy a hard race. It was 50 per cent gravel and cobbles that day. And I was able to not just sprint but to race and be in there amongst some of the best in the world. So that was really fun.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZWIUFHGLCJGG3AIMUGQRCHKNME","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZWUD6UWWAVHE5POB62GQAEY75E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SA4BGKDNBNBURAHNME6JNFMQVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642531},"content":"One month before than she dominated the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa stage race in Italy. Second on day one, she won stage two solo by over three minutes, seizing the race lead. The following day she tightened her grip by winning a big bunch sprint. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/04/23/lara-gillespie-takes-biggest-road-race-success-of-career-with-italian-win/\" target=\"_blank\">She ultimately triumphed overall</a> by 3′01, a huge margin over five days.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KW544TJBRNGJ7AQ5HOB5QLZN7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642532},"content":"“That race was another highlight,” she says. “I didn’t go in there as the leader. I think I surprised people that I wasn’t just a track rider, and wasn’t just a sprinter. I could also win on the hard, hillier stages.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FXFRX3YYWVANBOC6HN3PBCTOWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642533},"content":"Gillespie was increasingly in demand after those victories. Unsurprisingly, the UAE Team ADQ squad <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/06/06/lara-gillespie-inks-first-worldtour-contract-in-major-career-boost/\" target=\"_blank\">swiftly promoted her from its development team</a>. The 23-year-old is now readying for her first full year at the top-rank WorldTour level and is raring to go.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H7OVNN36Y5DMROVAT42QVMBQ34","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642534},"content":"Gillespie’s squad is the sister team to the crack UAE Team Emirates squad, also at the camp in Spain. It won the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and many other races this year with <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/tadej-pogacar/\" target=\"_blank\">Tadej Pogačar</a>, the biggest name in the sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FTE3SZ4HRVCBFESS6L653YCGFU","additional_properties":{"_id":"7ZFBQ7FVYNFFRDWU7VO3UEE4NY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QDVYE3UCBVDA7CDWQOTPZO4KFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642536},"content":"The women’s team is also highly ambitious and Gillespie is thoroughly enjoying her time thus far.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GLMKNC4M5NFKLJVFNDOKV5RULU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642537},"content":"“It’s been really jammers on the camp, but really good,” she says. “I am really enjoying the whole environment. Everything is going really good. The riders and staff are great, and also the equipment. It is really 100 per cent here.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y3TNYUZNJBGCJB3M3FQU2ZUPXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642539},"content":"Gillespie is yet to get her race schedule but hopes to begin her 2025 season with racing in Mallorca, then the UAE Tour in early February.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RIRCPUI7FBCZ7FGLLFFHQZBMDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642540},"content":"“After that I really want to do the spring calendar,” she says. “We have a really good sprinter and Classics group here on the team. I really want to be part of that and get into all those WorldTour races that I have never done before.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CZG7WCZLA5BLNCNFMRGHZ6GNTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642541},"content":"Gillespie also plans to keep mixing in track racing too. She will do the European track championships in February and hopes to ride the track worlds in October. Other than that, though, the road will be her main focus.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ANQJ2FOAQBGBJA6VHB36YRDSJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1735568609374},"content":"And she’s clear on what she would like to achieve in 2025. “My goals for the road are definitely winning as part of the team. And learning what kind of rider I am, specifically.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XF2U4C6UU5GI3E4FYDHROWT4BM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642543},"content":"“I know what I really enjoy. Hopefully that aligns with what my physiology matches towards when I am riding more on the road, getting more hours in, getting more of that mileage and that proper road training in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5LL3XX5YNFC7BBFSGNHVAKRNXM","additional_properties":{"_id":"WVHZQJSVXRE2TGXYYCSQF7BFTU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"IEFAAQ7WIVBOVP74ACRZ2HOXGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642545},"content":"“Because that wasn’t a priority the last couple of years with the focus on the team pursuit.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UY5ARDJ5NVAFHC73QOZGYV6KEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642546},"content":"Gillespie has bundles of talent and now has the opportunity to explore how much she can progress.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7I3U4CSZYRC7TIPVVUEBYSDZ3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642547},"content":"“I am really excited to try the big races. Of course, being on the development team before, we were never able to do the WorldTour races. This seems like a perfect step forward and I am really excited.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FQWLW6SUNNFNBICIHZHGYOVC5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642548},"content":"Velodrome fans needn’t worry though, as she believes her time on the road will also pay dividends on the track.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQQSTM5I4RFXBHPB4TWS6BP5SM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642549},"content":"“With the track, I will hopefully keep gaining that confidence in getting podium spots at the top level,” she says. “I really want to go to the LA Games knowing that I have the consistency behind me over four years, rather than going in like this year thinking, ‘okay, maybe on a good day I can be top whatever…’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Wicklow rider is increasingly looking forward to the year ahead, her first full season in the WorldTour"},"display_date":"2024-12-31T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘I am really excited to try the big races’: Lara Gillespie takes the next step in her burgeoning pro career","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ICJB4NINHJDHLCC5VWVYSCROSQ","auth":{"1":"d6518174c2b6eeccb8af366b1dea6012986fa5ce4ec5a3e4c633dfc3f13041eb"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ICJB4NINHJDHLCC5VWVYSCROSQ.JPG"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/31/i-am-really-excited-to-try-the-big-races-lara-gillespie-takes-the-next-step-in-her-burgeoning-pro-career/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"OEWYAH5XHBAQZNAS6F4WZUCM6Q","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":978,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/d12d50e5-ca7e-4618-a92c-d60270c9ed21/versions/1734027032/media/3ea01cd39c409e225066a3aa27ac2a77_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/12/28/sports-speak-2024-the-wit-and-wisdom-from-damian-duff-to-daniel-wiffen-kellie-harrington-to-rory-mcilroy/","content_elements":[{"_id":"5UQ6A4YNU5HFJDPPEP7CEAWO74","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500673},"content":"<b>January</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"6LBNJ6QYI5H6HLQJ7FDSC6D66Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500674},"content":"“I realised that my resources are not endless . . . we are not young rabbits any more and we don’t jump as high as we did.” <b>Jurgen Klopp catching Liverpool fans on the hop by announcing that he would be leaving them at the end of the season.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DRIGB35TJFKRISDKILS77O4SE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500675},"content":"“I honestly wish it was my wife leaving me and not Jurgen.” <b>A soon-to-be single Liverpool-supporting caller to talkSPORT after Klopp’s announcement.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"UASL2OHS4RDEJGXVXZJXSO3GEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500676},"content":"“I enjoyed that, I really did. I started the week feeling a bit rough but I bought myself an air fryer and started eating a bit better.” <b>Ronnie O’Sullivan after finding his inner Ninja in his comeback against Judd Trump in the World Grand Prix final.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IG4SJIREXMAX2QZYP6GNHJUDHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"XTSRY7QKJFBNBNLADMBHGOXOOI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VABLY446JNCGVGXZBMKCN3FZOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500677},"content":"“I just wake up, play on my Xbox, have some food, have a chuck at the board, go to bed and that’s it.” <b>Luke Littler on his life before reaching the World Darts Championship final at the age of just sixteen. It’s changed a fair bit since then.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EM4XEHFYAJHF5CJ2CGEF2NC2QY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500678},"content":"<b>February</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"DALWHI4CMFASVKNBYLFK6H7HMY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500679},"content":"“Speaking from experience, when you have a barnet like that, you have got to play well – and my God, did that boy play well.” <b>Brian O’Driscoll doffing his cap to Joe McCarthy (and his hair-do) after his most excellent Six Nations display in the victory over France in Marseille.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5Z5IOKAZP5HLPGZ63ZWVORSR2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500680},"content":"“I’m in awe of Willie Mullins. He’s at the top of his profession and has been for over a decade. Some people are suggesting he should be restricted. Well, you don’t tell Taylor Swift to stop releasing albums so that other people can win the Grammys.” <b>Jane Mangan salutes trainer Willie Mullins and his crop of Swiftie horses.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"XCCQOSTHUFAZXEPGKQSASZCWS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500681},"content":"“I stopped someone following me in to the toilet the other day. They were like, `oh, can I get a photo?’, and I was like, `yeah, but do you mind if you wait for a bit?’.” <b>And this was before Daniel Wiffen won his Olympic medals. They’re probably snapping him at the urinal this weather.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KD245WDCRCU7PSPRQJSKWEJSA","additional_properties":{"_id":"E34PQLGEJJEZDKYBKS6WRXIXVE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42EAPKULOVBO7I2HAC7FOHHSQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500682},"content":"“How do I word this? Maybe through someone through someone through someone, someone asked me would I be interested in speaking to someone.” <b>Damien Duff on whether the FAI contacted him about becoming Stephen Kenny’s successor during their interminable search for one. That was a definitely maybe.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JXNRDRQSW5GQDDOG5HBN276ATI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500683},"content":"<b>March</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WM5ZP2JSR5HGBEZBH52OC62JNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"CH4SVKW76RDGLN3EEADQ4PLDGE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"R6AW4JAT3FH4LMJEN6Q7UY263U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500684},"content":"“She’s such an incredible rider. As good as she is everywhere else, she’s even better here. We’ve had some incredible days.” <b>Trainer Henry De Bromhead after Rachael Blackmore rode Captain Guinness to victory in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Having already won the Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles, that secured Blackmore the third jewel in the festival’s crown.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KDZJWSARQJBVNCUKTKB3E7UVSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500686},"content":"“We unknowingly used a divisive expression. We deeply regret this error and apologise to those we have offended.” <b>MLS club Minnesota United after signing off their announcement about hosting St Patrick’s Athletic in a friendly with: “Tiocfaidh Ár Lá.”</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QQCCO757TZBDFN5L7ZNZORHO3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500688},"content":"“I have a poster of Novak on my wall. Every night I go to bed, I see him. He’s the best player ever. I will keep this moment with me for the rest of my life.” <b>Luca Nardi, the 20-year-old Italian who, when ranked 123 in the world, beat his poster boy Novak Djokovic at the Indian Wells Open.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"S27OLOOZUJAN5ANSJWBG2UNYUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500690},"content":"“I told John that I’ll chase balls into the bushes or go look at players, whatever he needs. I’m delighted he feels I’ve something to contribute after all these years.” B<b>rian Kerr on returning to the Republic of Ireland set-up as a technical adviser to interim manager John O’Shea, 19 years after he was the gaffer himself.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MC3XVODHZBADJAKC3NGARAOCNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500692},"content":"April","type":"header"},{"_id":"GXK3PURBAFBTDODU7OTN7I7I4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500693},"content":"“He’s transformed the club from a place when they had people like me playing for them – that’s how bad it was.” <b>Peter Crouch saluting Jurgen Klopp as he closed in on his final game in charge of Liverpool.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"J3U5QVLBYMZTBUY47Z5ZYRJJQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"SZR4O5D3SFCUBGJPHPEBAK2H2I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ID2KSA6BD5GQ3H5ILQUESI747E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500695},"content":"“I sort of liken it to when Northern Ireland went through the peace process. Catholics weren’t happy, Protestants weren’t happy, but it brought peace and then you just sort of learn to live with whatever has been negotiated.” <b>Rory McIlroy reckoning that a Good Friday agreement is needed to resolve the LIV v PGA war.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"4PBWKJK6HJCFZOYMUCFYZNFGYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500697},"content":"“Bristol Rovers Football Club would like to apologise for any offence caused by an error in wording in a recent communication. No harmful intention of meaning was ever intended.” <b>That “error”? “We will provide all disabled fans with free electronic ticket cards upon request. As for normal fans and older fans, they can purchase the card for £15.” Oh my.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"7R5BH7LYTJHZJNRDUNZZ6WYIUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500699},"content":"“He’s an intellectual earthquake that transforms itself into this athletic majesty. It’s not bomb and gouge, it’s laser-guided missiles that you’re watching here.” <b>Brandel Chamblee swooning, as only Brandel Chamblee can, over Bryson DeChambeau’s opening round of 65 at the Masters. The missiles were misdirected thereafter, DeChambeau finishing nine shots behind winner Scottie Scheffler.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"3MZIPARJGRBPRMLB4K3VC3JNV4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500701},"content":"May","type":"header"},{"_id":"W3LUFJ2C4GGQ2YOWVODL5OSVNA","additional_properties":{"_id":"TTCPVJ3KONF6JBY5HCTOHWT4W4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"K4BENKEC2JA7TBIG7DXP6O22FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500702},"content":"“We’re going in full guns blazing.” <b>An unfortunate enough turn of phrase from Northampton Saints’ Tommy Freeman ahead of the Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster in Croke Park, just after he and his team-mates were told about the stadium’s history.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"44EGDGSVLRGKRM7Q67ZM6BNDXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500704},"content":"“Bruce had to be played, I suppose. They had to dance in the dark up here for a couple of days but the pitch was the one to suffer.” <b>Wexford manager Keith Rossiter none too impressed with the state of the Nowlan Park surface a couple of weeks after senior hurler Springsteen played on it.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q5PLJKY3VRGE5LJHXKKO53F5VA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500706},"content":"“Clearly, there is something rotten in Irish rugby for its finest ambassadors to bend the knee whether at international level or in the Champions Cup. There is no question here of shooting at the ambulance. We greatly sympathise with Leo Cullen and his kids.” <b>French newspaper Midi Olympique offering a, eh, heartfelt hug to Leinster after that Champions Cup final defeat by Toulouse.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WWZPMTJQGNGVNAPD7ENY5ALEAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500708},"content":"“I was pretty rattled to say the least. I was shaking the whole time. It was definitely a new feeling for me.” <b>Scottie Scheffler on that bizarre moment he was handcuffed and arrested outside Valhalla Golf Club ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship. He had mistakenly tried to drive past a police stop following an accident that resulted in the death of a spectator.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBZIHCR4INGERNYH4R5FUY7N6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500710},"content":"June","type":"header"},{"_id":"HOVU7N57IREVXMZ3EATFREQEUE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500711},"content":"“I went out on that track today super nervous but with a plan and a mission and that was to hear Amhrán na bhFiann. When I was getting boxed in I thought I had nowhere to go, but I didn’t grow up playing camogie to get boxed in.” <b>Ciara Mageean doffing her cap to her first sporting love for helping her battle her way to European Championship gold in the 1500m.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"CITCKLFED5E6HIOHUAEXJHO6NU","additional_properties":{"_id":"6TUG4RZ55VHD5ATNMXQ35T6K64"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6VKCSB65PRBENL5XNI2BHS6RX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500713},"content":"“The Picasso of the radio.” <b>Tomás Ó Sé's tribute to Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh who died at the age of 93 in June.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"XAM2H2HQLRF7ZBVJYB3V5Y4HMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500715},"content":"“If it was an old dog, the GAA would be telling us that good old hurling was being taken to live on a lovely farm in the country, while texting the local vet about having it put to sleep.” <b>How happy was Dónal Óg Cusack with the GAA’s promotion of his beloved game? Not a lot.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"HBSSMOWJ55HHVP7UFWCXVQO554","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500717},"content":"“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer. But I’ve shown my resilience over and over again and I will again.” <b>Rory McIlroy on that crushing conclusion to the US Open, three bogeys in his final four holes handing the title to Bryson DeChambeau.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WKIOT73JRFE4DE55R7BBM6WJ4U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500719},"content":"July","type":"header"},{"_id":"MKRI45KNZJCRBGOGVHZE4JCVXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500720},"content":"“It’s nearly destroying it talking about it, we should just shut up and watch.” <b>Dónal Óg Cusack calling for silence from the RTÉ panel so they could just quietly marvel at Tony Kelly’s other-worldly All Ireland final goal for Clare.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQKABSSXLBGKTOLK63U22TWTMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500722},"content":"“What can I say? We’re All-Ireland champions and Olympic gold medallists – what a great county!” <b>Daniel Wiffen on Armagh striking gold twice in the space of three days thanks to himself and their footballers.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IYILG65UKVG3XOID32HNPMH4RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500724},"content":"“I’d rather ate cowshite. Don’t let him near the place.” <b>Former Galway goalkeeper James Skehill somewhat ruling out working with Davy Fitzgerald if Fitzgerald was appointed boss of his county. (He wasn’t, he took over Antrim instead).</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"75NAMY4RAXU2VVZIUMGSHVMJLA","additional_properties":{"_id":"3HDPPMFF3VCO5MWSMCSKOXGXJQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XXRGTRMUBVBHZFDGUVP2NECSGU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500726},"content":"“My brother texted me and said, ‘if 14-year-old Kellie had thought she’d be here now she probably never would have believed it’. I forwarded the message to my mam. She said, “No, you’re right, you were a little shit back then! Still a little shit now but you have two Olympic medals!’ <b>Kellie Harrington on her loving messages from home after guaranteeing herself at least a bronze in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FLR3EELDGRARDCIVBV5NASTHEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500728},"content":"“Days like this felt a very long way away. I started crying on the podium, it’s just unbelievable, it’s the pinnacle of sport to have all your hard work pay off in something like this.” <b>Mona McSharry on her bronze in the Olympic 100m breaststroke final, not even her goggles filling up with water could thwart her.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ECZBYYRMCBC7RPVMKO63MHMGWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500730},"content":"August","type":"header"},{"_id":"4VFRHXBLGZDWVNM5OYLBZETWLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500731},"content":"“It feels like a dream, but it’s a dream well earned. If I fell on my bum today, I still would have loved this journey, every second of it. But I didn’t and today I’m walking away with an Olympic gold medal.” <b>Rhys McClenaghan on his golden day in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"R6U7HGITEVC47N6PEIU3VLO3QU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500733},"content":"“The first impression is that they are really good team players, really good characters… maybe a little bit too nice. Sometimes you need a bastard in your team. I am looking for him. Maybe we can develop him.” <b>New Republic of Ireland gaffer Heimir Hallgrímsson on the hunt for a ruffian in green.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MCEA264IB5DPJPHYKBPVM7PDCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500735},"content":"“It was really hard because we couldn’t really focus on the race. We had to focus on not swallowing water. I saw some brown things…. I hope it’s not what I thought it was.” <b>Hungarian marathon swimmer Bettina Fabian on the joys of taking to the Seine at the Olympics.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"N2FJPDQT7NAVJAEIBOCZVD36WI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500737},"content":"“That’s it, done, dusted, there are no more mountains to climb. I’ve nothing more to prove, not even to myself, which is the most important thing. The next chapter is going to be my life chapter.” <b>Kellie Harrington signing out in some style, as a two-time Olympic champion.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGIOIAGK3JGJLNISWXCGSIFBVA","additional_properties":{"_id":"JIQYMFB2AFE23EXG6URNHNYN4A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EHSIU2ENLZCSNF2WOGYZ4FGIWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500739},"content":"“Seventh? Yeah, something like that. But I think I was dragged along by other people for most of them.” <b>Boastful as ever, Paul O’Donovan loses count of how many World Championship golds he’s won – it was number seven in Canada along with Fintan McCarthy, just three weeks after he became the first Irish athlete to medal in three successive Olympics.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULRTTU76T5F2NGD5HRVRKLNSEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500741},"content":"September","type":"header"},{"_id":"XPOZMGNMCJDXLA6466SNYDDDQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500742},"content":"“I had a little cry in the call room. It’s a really emotional day, this is coming to an end. Winnie the Pooh said it best when he said, ‘how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard’.” <b>Ellen Keane on ending a sparkling swimming career at the Paralympics in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JPPJH77NJX7D5MB3YJ3D7U2TZE","additional_properties":{"_id":"K7TWUHM5KZANZEI4JXLMVDHQ3Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AIV27MRA5JCEFLVDTVCRQ56A4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500744},"content":"“Lee Carsley needs to zone out of his Irish republicanism and learn to sing God Save the King. Otherwise, no one will believe he cares about the England team he wishes to lead.” <b>Renowned football pundit Jacob Rees-Mogg getting hot under the collar after Carsley, 2024′s Wolfe Tone and England’s interim coach, revealed that he’s not an anthem singer.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G2UUONRMTZHTBDVXCPOYMYRRHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500746},"content":"“Why didn’t you win the gold?” <b>Rower Daire Lynch, who won Olympic bronze with Philip Lynch, on the first question he was asked by youngsters on his tour of his native Clonmel’s schools. Harsh.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZJ7TQAZZZFA3VOLC3GKLLNAGHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500748},"content":"“I couldn’t work out whether Ireland are more similar to Andorra, San Marino or the Faroe Islands.” T<b>ony Cascarino a touch unimpressed by Ireland in their 2-0 defeat by England in Dublin. To be honest, he probably ended up offending Andorra, San Marino and the Faroe Islands.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"PK774ZLTLRCSBKR3JTNXC56OPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500750},"content":"October","type":"header"},{"_id":"I3Z2NTMN7JH4HLTPQEYSCFUWTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500751},"content":"“This is a guy that was all man. When he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there and said, ‘oh my God, that’s unbelievable!’” <b>Donald Trump telling his supporters at a rally in Arnold Palmer’s Pennsylvania home town about the magnitude of the late golfer’s, em, manhood. Why? No clue.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FN7V4DT2U5BRNKAPAYNHWFHD44","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500753},"content":"“How can a foreigner urge Englishmen to do or die on football’s battlefield…. rouse the troops like King Henry V when he implored his men: ‘On, on unto the breach dear friends or let close the wall up with our English dead.’ This is a dark day for English football.” <b>The Daily Mail’s Jeff Powell welcoming the appointment of German Thomas Tuchel as England gaffer.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"VFSSPZLWSJGPRDCPLPPNL2LY3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500755},"content":"“My maths wouldn’t be great, so I was struggling to figure out what the score was.” <b>Man of the match Rian O’Neill admitting that he had no clue whether Ulster were winning or losing to Connacht in the final of the interprovincial series thanks to the rule-tweaking two-point arc and four-point goal.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QU7R4EKK5SKCTFQT4ZVHUDIVBY","additional_properties":{"_id":"NXQKIDCIR5AVHJUBNQ7YUVE3PI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZDJKX25XDRAZRHUDO3IW2CJE24","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500757},"content":"“My conker was obliterated in one hit, and that just doesn’t happen – I’m suspicious of foul play.” <b>Alastair Johnson-Ferguson suggesting that 82-year-old David ‘King Conker’ Jakins might have used a steel nut to win their World Championships final. Jakins was indeed found with one in his pocket, but happily he was cleared of actually using it to obliterate anyone’s nut.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BLLOB3DSGBHPHCERQGDQYJHZAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500759},"content":"“I’ve had many challenges growing up, I think that just made me very resilient. A broken collarbone and illness? I was like, ‘oh, I’ve gone through much worse than this’. When you stand on that top step of the podium, you forget about all the bad times, they just melt away.” <b>Katie-George Dunlevy reflecting on a September that saw her win … deep breath… Paralympic gold with Linda Kelly, Paralympic silvers with Kelly and Eve McCrystal, and two World Championship golds with Kelly.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EA2VBIZ4XRGSTMZWV2P2VB6D6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500761},"content":"November","type":"header"},{"_id":"4RO3GRGMDNBNPN4E6HAIJA4QCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500762},"content":"“It is amazing, a letter addressed to “Pat the b******s, County Kerry” posted in Armagh arrived in the door. It just goes to show how good the postal service is in Ireland.” <b>Pat Spillane saluting his postman for somehow delivering a love letter from up north.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BY2PEG5KQNASNJJJ6ZHFFYSBLY","additional_properties":{"_id":"2QKZGCRB35EJPPLDSNTOFK3WRE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VBHGFM7KOVF7DOBFFU4UIXDKTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500764},"content":"“Congratulations to Katie Taylor. Tempers are flared when you’re in the heat of battle and you say things you shouldn’t say. She and I are cool outside the ring and the best dance partners in it. Whenever our teams can agree on a trilogy, I’ll be ready.” <b>Amanda Serrano withdrawing her allegation that Taylor intentionally head-butted her during their fight for the ages in Texas. Round three coming up?</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PQKSPC54FHSTPXBJDZJ3BPSYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500766},"content":"“He has a Boost, a meal deal, a curry and a couple of those little half pink and half white sweets – Squashies – and he walks up there and smashes me like that. This boy is a joke. He is absolutely awesome.” <b>Martin Lukeman on the darts sensation that is Luke Littler after the 17-year-old beat him 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts final.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"R5WWLF2UZFA7VENUUQEFYLW3WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500768},"content":"“It’s not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you.” R<b>oy Keane on being asked about his “future son-in-law” Taylor Harwood-Bellis after he scored against Ireland on his debut in England’s 5-0 win at Wembley.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBBKGY3ZI5E2BNWXVW4BC3AVFU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500770},"content":"December","type":"header"},{"_id":"L6HBXQPBKJFBTIJ5ZF2L4M7M24","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500771},"content":"“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but Leinster are up there with the National Children’s Hospital for returns on investment – no one has seen anything.” <b>Donncha O’Callaghan being a touch naughty about Leinster’s European woes.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KZB2PFJMBVD6PBMWNIQOMTUJZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500773},"content":"“Dessie has always been like a second father to me. It’s like breaking up with someone. There were two days of tears. There was a week of carnage. The dust is settled now. Life moves on and the world spins, and you’re out.” <b>Dublin legend Brian Fenton on breaking the news to manager Dessie Farrell that he was retiring from intercounty football.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DFLRN5BM2FIR7Y56UDJJ5NG7OU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZWH25BXQVRHQLNH3WT26UKQ7H4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HO3CXD3YV5FQNPT43OQW7LXPNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500775},"content":"“I remember when teams started warming up on the field before a match and Willie Duggan turned around to me and said, ‘listen, I can do the warm-up or I can play the match, but I couldn’t do both’. It’s come a long way.” <b>Donal Lenihan on rugby before all this training intensity lark.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"X5FW3ZXF25DXLNJUP3ZAV5PGTQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500777},"content":"“I drove here with my dad beside me and he kept looking down at me with no trousers on. Mam was in the back with the needle and thread.” <b>Damien Duff completing a memorable year by splitting his pants en route to the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers awards where he won the Personality of the Year gong. Mercifully, his Mam had mended them by the time he took to the stage.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The winning quotes of the year in sport"},"display_date":"2024-12-28T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The year in sports quotes: The wit and wisdom - from Damien Duff to Daniel Wiffen, Kellie Harrington to Rory McIlroy","native":"The year in sports quotes: 'I wish it was my wife leaving me and not Jurgen'"},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DA4ZQGRCJKYZYEYL3D2LJL3XSU","auth":{"1":"801519a89ae0021fbd58aacd87d7db63523e392a7aca59af3670df8f27529ff0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DA4ZQGRCJKYZYEYL3D2LJL3XSU.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/12/28/sports-speak-2024-the-wit-and-wisdom-from-damian-duff-to-daniel-wiffen-kellie-harrington-to-rory-mcilroy/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/soccer","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Soccer"}}}},{"_id":"BT2Y52F465ADNLYZF65OWCPTRQ","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":464,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/97785bfe-3dbe-400b-a5b0-d748dd018b8f/versions/1734973228/media/75985a8960081d6f9f0a09d3466626b9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/26/four-of-irelands-top-five-most-admired-sports-people-2024-are-women/","content_elements":[{"_id":"OEH2J7WYDBBNTIXI6NBRCRHQ44","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082414},"content":"This year delivered incredible performances across the board in Irish sport, but it was our female athletes in particular who provided so many of the standout moments and achievements.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYMSEIEQYBEYDER55YVM6FSJ2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082415},"content":"Significant history was made over the past 12 months. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> was the first Irish woman athlete to win back-to-back gold medals at <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Games</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> was the first Irish woman to make an Olympic sprint final, claiming an incredible fourth place. Ireland’s 4 x 400m relay team obliterated their national record to claim silver in the European Championships in June, qualify for the Olympic final and claim fourth place there. Incredible, inspiring performances – which have come to be expected by the Irish public.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2S4E5ONOFFCVHDTIKRWLZQZBBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082416},"content":"These performances, and many more, have been clearly recognised in the annual <a href=\"https://sportforbusiness.com/team-ireland-and-katie-taylor-top-teneo-public-survey-2024/#:~:text=The%20TSSI%20is%20a%20comprehensive,sport%20and%20their%20sporting%20heroes.\" target=\"_blank\">Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index</a> (TSSI). This 1,000-person, nationally representative piece of research has been exploring Irish people’s attitudes towards sport and sponsorship for 15 years and has had a particular focus on women’s sport since 2018.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EXNQ3S2BTBACZAKTOU5QSYKMPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082417},"content":"Women athletes claim four of the top five spots when it comes to our “most admired” athletes in 2024. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a>’s dominance at the top continues; she occupies the number one spot for the eighth year in a row, having garnered 15 per cent of the vote.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GUNYPF4CRBFRNFXLHPSJ7FYHLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082418},"content":"The person who looks most likely to topple her in the coming years is Adaleke, who is Ireland’s second most admired athlete (11 per cent) followed closely by Harrington (10 per cent). Adaleke is a new entry to the top five, and with the most votes from 18-24 year-olds, her popularity is clearly on the rise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3LPYW7YS5BFSRNJDLKEHM53ZZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"VJ6TO4ECSFGNDGTFHNEEZMNC3Q"},"content":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"HUJMK5LMTVBWPFSMSQ2N6UODYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082419},"content":"Rachael Blackmore continues to make her mark; she is in fifth place, on 5 per cent of the vote. These athletes’ performances over the last 12 months have been world class, regardless of their gender, and Irish people recognise this.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKFQUFXVJJGJVDN5DGHI4JU2YA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082420},"content":"Appreciation for our female athletes because of their sporting achievements is also evident in other areas. Katie McCabe (3 per cent) is our most admired footballer, with Evan Ferguson following her closely on 2 per cent, while Leona Maguire is Ireland’s joint-second favourite golfer with Shane Lowry (2 per cent) – our favourite being Rory McIlroy (3 per cent).","type":"text"},{"_id":"5C4QDYYDNRC55AEZL5Y4O6XW2U","additional_properties":{"_id":"BRS3CUSOLFDDNOWXK35CBZPGAY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"4BXCPARIIZFW3OXIAC2OT3ACTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082421},"content":"When looking at Team of the Year, the Irish Women’s 4 x 400m relay team were voted third favourite (14 per cent) and the Irish women’s rugby team were recognised in fifth place following their qualification for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and famous win over New Zealand.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UJDQ24ZA6BBL3ADMHK2EPEYC6E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082422},"content":"These results show that Irish people recognise and admire sportspeople for their achievements, and these achievements in 2024 certainly have a female bias.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NMVVGCBGTNC7VOMZJRJI6FTKEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082423},"content":"Media and attendance","type":"header"},{"_id":"PIUYF5INZNCVRJQO53I6P2XULM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082424},"content":"These athletes have commanded significant media coverage for their performances, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games dominating both the news and sports-news cycles for much of the summer. RTÉ figures show that the most viewed Olympic events were the finals that included Kellie Harrington, with a peak of 1.4 million viewers, and Rhasidat Adeleke, with a peak viewership of 926,000.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7OKW6X5P7CMFEYBO7WO2DWI4CU","additional_properties":{"_id":"TVE3EXEMW5GBBOCV3PNDVQ6U2E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PXGSPJOWBRBZNC3POZ4IKCCGVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082425},"content":"Even with these significant viewership figures, the number of those who said they watched a female sporting event either on TV or online has remained fairly static year-on-year, with 55 per cent saying they did so in 2024, a slight decrease on 2023, which was at 59 per cent.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GH3CGD4YVVB6BFUWO57S3VKGUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082426},"content":"A concern consistently raised by Irish people is around sports coverage, with only 43 per cent saying women’s sport received sufficient media coverage in 2024, although three-quarters say that both the quality and volume has improved in the past 12 months. It is an area that needs constant monitoring and awareness, but things are going in the right direction.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5QE2AL7BBFENDH7VNZJKQ4ILQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082427},"content":"When it comes to attending in person, again the numbers are much the same year-on-year – this time last year almost a quarter of people said they intended to go to a women’s sports event in person while the reality was that 16 per cent of people did. This jumps to 24 per cent for those aged 35-44, which is the cohort who attended female sports events the most, and by a significant margin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7W4Y7N6V5DSHN3BZHL6GXYAXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082428},"content":"We have seen major women’s sports events incorporate other types of entertainment to enhance the product – Tom Grennan performing at the AIG Women’s Open being a good example of this. But, when the question was asked about what else would encourage Irish people to attend a women’s sports event one in three, which was the majority, said they wanted to attend “only for the sport”. Discounted ticket prices, which we can see in the likes of the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States, would add extra motivation to one in four people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XC5645CLHFGSTFVTXCNAY5W32I","additional_properties":{"_id":"WRQCTZXIIVA57LGXKWUVSDZCBI"},"content":"The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"F3AZPK4BNNH7REA5FFW22VBPA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082429},"content":"Another clear sign to me of the progress being made regarding women’s sport is the Women’s Uefa European Championships being in the top five events that Irish people are most looking forward to next year, even though we aren’t competing in it. This again shows that Irish sports fans appreciate and recognise high performance sport, regardless of the gender.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RSRF44CJUVDD7AADBA6CBRSOS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082430},"content":"Gender balance in leadership","type":"header"},{"_id":"AGSJHPEOVZA4RGDS5RPSAPLXIM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082431},"content":"Those at the top of their game are making a significant mark; breaking boundaries and inspiring generations of boys and girls. A significant amount of work has been put in, particularly by organisations such as Sport Ireland, to ensure these athletes have the right environments and resources to excel. But what about those leading the various sports in Ireland?","type":"text"},{"_id":"HS2GM3JLMJG5ZJMVV5G7VM34EQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082432},"content":"Sport Ireland achieved a significant objective in 2024 with the overall percentage of women on boards in the Irish sports sector standing at 48 per cent in December. While this demonstrates that Sport Ireland and the Government’s approach has worked, the next important step will be maintaining this level into the future.","type":"text"},{"_id":"62CBBBJQJVHKVNKBXZZAEEHLYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082433},"content":"In order to do this I believe it is important that women put themselves forward for voluntary positions at grassroots level so that they can progress through the boards, committees and systems which ultimately lead to leadership positions at provincial and national levels.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PP4CGF6V5VCZBBPKKSHQM5JAUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082434},"content":"As it stands our research shows that currently only 16 per cent of women volunteer, compared to almost a quarter of men. This figure needs to change if we are to maintain the ambition of meaningful gender balance on boards at a national level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZFHZTO7HKFBTRNQHCNKVXPKSB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082435},"content":"The primary motivations for women volunteering are to support their club in its development and growth (54 per cent), to give back to their community (48 per cent) and because their children are involved (43 per cent). It is imperative that those who are volunteering because of their children are motivated to stay on even when their children have graduated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PPRTFYGDCVAQBFKAU56TKFIRGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082436},"content":"Our elite athletes and their outstanding performances on the world stage in 2024 have had a large impact on Irish sport, not just Irish female sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZYBEEPD4LNF27KFH546ADUBJ7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082437},"content":"Attendance at and media coverage of women’s sporting events continue to need attention but with the Irish system producing world-class athletes there is no doubt that these areas will change for the better.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MVA7CM6WEFEU3MM52WYZB77I2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082438},"content":"This, coupled with gender balance in leadership of our sports organisations, means that women’s sport in Ireland is on solid ground and the future for all involved and those they are inspiring is very exciting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Kelli O'Keeffe"}]},"description":{"basic":"Survey shows big performances mark major milestones in a historic year for women in Irish sport"},"display_date":"2024-12-26T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Four of Ireland’s top five most admired sports people in 2024 are women","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IDQX2YMNI5GQCQRS3AAMZYGC64","auth":{"1":"9850d1433a0fe2a6c6b5516f4057a180d28aebddb0c54ad7f71d2390da8b607c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IDQX2YMNI5GQCQRS3AAMZYGC64.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/26/four-of-irelands-top-five-most-admired-sports-people-2024-are-women/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/boxing","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Boxing"}}}},{"_id":"DEABPEXLZJD5TPMAQIYO6XMO5A","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":319,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/1e6d8529-a74a-4fef-bc23-1b01f2382c8b/versions/1734718099/media/40f78f945d2886fda1e7599d22c01695_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/irish-times-sportswoman-of-the-year-awards-the-greatest-collection-of-women-in-irish-sport-in-one-place-ever-assembled/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4CI3TZHN45CSPPXVGXZZAJKUJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199712},"content":"The journey through the past year, especially, has been hugely satisfying for so many of Ireland’s elite sportswomen and the final few steps – fittingly enough, climbing red-carpeted steps into the Shelbourne Hotel in the heart of Dublin city – had that sort of glitz and glamour far removed from the punishing training regimes of blood, sweat and tears that brought many such honour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VE4X4TMHMFGGVIUBGL3QH4GPOM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199713},"content":"So it was that those on their final Friday of Christmas shopping or preparing for a long lunch or later nights stopped and stared. Mobile cameras were raised. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie</a>. Ciara. Mona. Louise. First names that have found a way into the heart and soul of Irish sporting life through their deeds in the ring, on the track, in the pool, on the pitch. Fingers pointing at them, shouts of recognition from women and men, girls and boys stopped in tracks.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BSNHXKJLFGLTJONTU5IT5KXLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199714},"content":"The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Awards were celebrating a 20th year since its inspired conception and the mood inside the old ballroom of the hotel was festive and celebratory with those honoured rightly enjoying their moments, a time to acknowledge and be acknowledged with mutual respect from one sportswoman to another.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EAHJ6KQJF5ECJHDNYGUMXEOOQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199715},"content":"“The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled, there is greatness everywhere,” is how Master of Ceremonies Des Cahill of RTÉ informed one and all of those present.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YFPSXHHPZZFLHMTGUMWNHNNZNE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199716},"content":"Some, unfortunately, couldn’t make it. But there were good reasons. Swimmer <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/roisin-ni-riain/\" target=\"_blank\">Róisín Ní Riain</a>, the double medallist at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympics</a>, had a college exam. Sevens rugby player Lucy Mulhall is on honeymoon. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a> was unable to attend. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> was away with her sister Latifah.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RK7PPOED2PZTJ4RVG6PPDAC6QQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"QG3GW5KDBJCJDBX63VPCUPIMME"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZCTORDJOLFHYXIAVOFBIXMYFQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199717},"content":"But Rhasidat’s mother, an emotional Ade, stole the show in accepting the monthly award for May on behalf of her daughter and of her pride, while revealing the heartache of seeing her daughter come so close – fourth – to a medal at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/Paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympics</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULQZXTAK4ZFCJKH44GPQKSB7Y4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199718},"content":"“Can you feel the love?” Des asked her.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GRSZZHPOQ5CSLBBQYM6LGJ5MKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199719},"content":"“I know,” she replied, the tears coming.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6GKSYUC4FDP3EV222GNXIWYRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199720},"content":"“I’m sorry, I don’t have a tissue,” whispered Des.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVX7UD7X35G57MMZECQZ5DM7RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199721},"content":"Silence, though, was a rare commodity on the day that was in it with Olympic double medallist Kellie Harrington showing the way in whooping and hollering as European 1,500 metres champion <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> was called to collect her June award for her magnificent victory in Rome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPT5IX5OURH5LCZSBG32ANGP5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"JLUKWD6ERJAQ3JHJWMI7KP7YEM"},"content":"Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"U2ULH525ONEUDLA2HMOICL3YXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199722},"content":"Ciara was one of the very few who hadn’t donned high heels. Having undergone surgery on her ankle three months ago, the more comfortable – and sensible – option of trainers were the Co Down star’s choice of footwear.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6KTHEXA2MZFEBPILSBHFMSC5EI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199723},"content":"First things first, however, Ciara – following Ade to the stage – spoke through the crowds and the round tables to Rhasidat’s mother.","type":"text"},{"_id":"23H6SZXBVFC33FBEX7MKYX3HNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199724},"content":"“I can sit here as a 32-year-old athlete and say that Rhadisat is so young and we all know the future that she has in the sport, it is so bright so I know that even when my spikes are hung up I am going to be watching her bringing medals home,” said Mageean, to widespread roars of approval from those gathered.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G3C6LCKWENEIZGFFVEUDIASVHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199725},"content":"Of her own moment of glory in Rome, Mageean – who seems to have a smile permanently fixed to her face (unless, as Des reminded us, she’s pitchside at a hurling match!), revealed that it’s not all glamour. She’d to go for a drug test post-final and by the time she got out to her family the celebrations involved “cold pizza and a can of coke.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NO4CLR4J2YFZPPX4G4EIU4JR6I","additional_properties":{"_id":"IHMNYCN5YZHN5LXIYRUGEMRXWE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BAC6PKGAABBBXLBEZDTBNMUB4Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199726},"content":"Mageean has moved back home to Ireland and has no plans to hang up the spikes just yet, as she revealed: “I am looking forward to this next chapter on Irish soil. I have my eyes firmly set on getting ready for the World Championships in the summer and another four year cycle towards LA (for the 2028 Olympics).”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6ZSHMO2ZFBCXFMSFJTVNMT34U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199727},"content":"Katie Taylor couldn’t make it but another Katie – the legendary <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> – certainly was, in a year of years where she overcame a shattered shoulder blade to recover and win Paralympic and World gold medals in taking the award for September. If that was a great year, it was made even better in being named along with her pilots Linda Kelly and Eve McCrystal as the recipients of the Team of the Year award.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BULCGU3XDBFJFOOM3OLEE7FBDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199728},"content":"The broad range of sportswomen excelling on the international stage is, surely, quite extraordinary. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rachael-blackmore/\" target=\"_blank\">Rachael Blackmore</a>’s win in the Champions Chase at Cheltenham – her mother Eimir revealed she’d gone to the restrooms and put on the hand drier so she couldn’t hear the race, only emerging for the final few fences – added to her great career CV, while Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s brilliance in the Kerry jersey in leading her side to the All-Ireland title after 31 years was celebrated in her August award.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KMXIWN65VHRLOGJ62Z5RDOQ5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199729},"content":"“Gorta mór,” said Louise of the time away from the Brendan Martin Cup.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FMUMQL3EQJEBPK5547JHZGUM44","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199730},"content":"This, for sure, was another celebration of Irish sportswomen where, it seems, the bar is raised ever higher each year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C72HGQKSS5CHDPUYTD7A6BW2PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199731},"content":"And in accepting her award as the Sportswoman of the Year, Harrington, another with a tear in her eye, had a special word for all of the mammies of Ireland. “Win, lose or draw, just keep on doing what you are doing (in encouraging daughters to achieve in sport) ... because it’s great!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Philip Reid"}},"name":"Philip Reid"}]},"description":{"basic":"Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T18:03:06.099Z","headlines":{"basic":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SSSW3LZ77BC3ZLSQ3WEWCGHWII","auth":{"1":"92ba5d2de7376199be3b6c4e82d180c82c3403294597350d54e3eb4d80419e5b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SSSW3LZ77BC3ZLSQ3WEWCGHWII.JPG"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/irish-times-sportswoman-of-the-year-awards-the-greatest-collection-of-women-in-irish-sport-in-one-place-ever-assembled/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"56EDKMB2IFG27BAV7NAIQY5YGM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":272,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/370675ba-4460-40f1-8019-ac01fc1a5cfd/versions/1734719946/media/32643e5ff13f768115172dd215c1a87e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/two-time-olympic-champion-kellie-harrington-named-irish-timessport-ireland-sportswoman-of-the-year-2024/","content_elements":[{"_id":"BTMNICXND5HEPLHQ4L65TCKRBY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Right to the very end of the year, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> still had them out of their seats – this time after she was named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIO2L7TILZA45OXPUQH7ELTE4I","additional_properties":{},"content":"When <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> walked up to accept her monthly award an hour earlier, Harrington roared from the table, ‘Go Ciara.’ Game recognising game. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXSLN7OP3RFS3MRYRFTAUCWEDA","additional_properties":{},"content":"But who has had more game than Harrington in 2024? When she was announced as the overall winner those in the function room of The Shelbourne Hotel rose simultaneously.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MPU54ISDYVD4FDDVYP7MNS4DJE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mageean, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/mona-mcsharry/\" target=\"_blank\">Mona McSharry</a>, Sonia O’Sullivan, the great and the good. All spontaneously out of their chairs. Harrington is adjusting to life as a former boxer these days, but double <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic</a> champions don’t bow out unnoticed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VENCJ46V2NCIPHAACVDW7AKEIQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the lobby afterwards, one of the first people over for a photo was <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a>’s mam, Adewumi Ademola. They enveloped each other in a long, warm embrace beforehand. Others followed. Her achievements in Tokyo and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris</a> have set her apart. This is who Harrington is now, and forever will be, the Irish boxer who retained her Olympic gold medal. Unprecedented stuff.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YQZECB3RZVAMHINBTQWLQUTYHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Team of the Year award was won by Paralympic cyclists <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/linda-kelly/\" target=\"_blank\">Linda Kelly</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/eve-mccrystal/\" target=\"_blank\">Eve McCrystal</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UXP7HZ3FOY25SBWG7YM6RZMGUU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3RJFWYWCMBCYZLA6VF6QD5JS4U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BK23FAJ43NBDNOC4S54LEAWXZY","additional_properties":{},"content":"For Harrington, it has been a challenge adjusting to life outside the bubble of being an athlete. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"5622IAOBSZGOZCR3MVQJWUFGAI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Part of that is probably because I am usually so focused on what’s next,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R7QCJ45ETBBZ3EGGHVOLEBQLEE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And now I just don’t know, I’m in limbo land – I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t know who I am, I don’t know anything. I’m just taking the rest of this year off to enjoy doing nothing, and it feels so strange. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"CYEVYPKKPJH47N4FWUGBTK5OFU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It really feels so strange to not have to get up and go training, not to have to check my weight every morning, not to try and think of what things I want to work on in training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZY67UUW46BGGHOEDZUZEUTS5AY","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I would be constantly always thinking about stuff like that, thinking about how I can get better, what’s that one per cent that I can work on today. But now it’s like, ‘What am I going to have for my breakfast today – will I have porridge or will I have a fry?’ I definitely miss it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2LJWW5JJKFGOHMH3C7HVDO5AHA","additional_properties":{},"content":"But to help with the transition, she has kept her eye in – popping out to Abbottstown to train in the high-performance unit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ENWLLUXAK64PWGKOJIVWGZIRGA","additional_properties":{"_id":"3YKAN46LXZHOVJRDG4MXEZN63Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VNDA6VLBPRBO5KRLMTST2B3YDY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Zaur Anita has even suggested she join the team when they travel to China in February, to help prepare the boxers with some sparring. She might. But there is no grá within her to become a coach. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ENKSH2L4NGXHGR7TDIGVOKMSU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I don’t think that’s me. I think if I was to go to a coaching role I’d probably lose my cool. But I do think there is something there that I have to give back, but I just don’t think it’s in a coaching role, not to the extent that is in the high performance.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MH6NYGFWFBESXDSNR4WXHDCMY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"She recently moved back to Portland Row with her wife Mandy, buying a house just a quick shuffle away from Harrington’s childhood home. They’ll be hosting Christmas dinner this year. Life moving on, as it should.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BACGUGQIEVCEDDTXWLJ52WEHUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"QLTQWYVTVNGDDCODYGBCYYYRQA"},"content":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"TVIE6YRCYZCPPL5DKOBEZDLAB4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I feel this is a new chapter for the two of us.” ","type":"text"},{"_id":"AB7ORZ5ANJE5VKDFGDVLIUP37U","additional_properties":{},"content":"But sport will remain an important part of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZJ4AWFXYB5DFZDGHC3NDGJPIQU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Every woman or man who get up in the morning and are trying to do something in sport, they are already winning because somebody is looking up to them, it could be their niece, nephew, cousin, their next-door neighbours’ kids – somebody is looking up to them. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"A2VQPDR3HVEHLFWTE6SOKB2R5A","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Whether you are winning on the field or the pitch or whatever, you are winning at life and that’s the most important thing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7IWQDPLEXNF5TGIVITVBUOXYCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"5TONMUAWZNBHLCUAAZDRZUP2AQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GIEH224W4VCANMMHF5SRZUBS3A","additional_properties":{},"content":"It’s that same perspective that will see Harrington pull the front door behind her on Christmas Day for a few hours and travel the short distance to Fairview Hospital to punch in for work. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"OIKCYSXY2BDBJMX4HAFOJQU25A","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"AQEVZ4ITGBDN7C3P6WDCIR4XPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“In the past I used to have the ward and I used to have all the patients in the ward and it would be absolutely magical. On Christmas Day I would bring them all in presents and we’d open them together, I just used to love it,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ESI3NYPEI5FBDCPFIQ3O7GXLVI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Work is not the same at the moment because the hospital is bit by bit closing down, all the patients on my ward have been moved to nursing homes. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"YIQILTOU25HB3IFDC2IK5QOUDE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“They are going to build a new hospital, so I’m holding out hope that I will still be there when they do build the new hospital and we’ll go back to the way it was on the ward with the patients. It won’t be the same patients, but I’ll still give them all the love that I have.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FOK2ZEUVMFARDEBYGTQYTOHCPQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"As Kellie Harrington found out in The Shelbourne on Friday, the love flows both ways.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Olympians, paralympians, All-Ireland winners and more celebrated at annual awards in Dublin"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T15:23:13.504Z","headlines":{"basic":"Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"3WGEYMS3OVGNLEGBX7B3YR62XU","auth":{"1":"5a314a12da2be568d0316df7f8b96d3ce69e0834443189433278ec8e237eda1d"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3WGEYMS3OVGNLEGBX7B3YR62XU.jpeg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/two-time-olympic-champion-kellie-harrington-named-irish-timessport-ireland-sportswoman-of-the-year-2024/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"DQAELRV525FLNFNQ7AIDGQABSI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":414,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/7cb2f2fa-9f55-4de9-bd5d-985fd8082241/versions/1734626899/media/6902c2c6c0c1cf0733d1abab16df061a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/sportswoman-awards-preview-celebration-of-womens-achievements-hits-its-20th-year/","content_elements":[{"_id":"VECWODI5UJBCVBJ7WAJJFNCXSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075243},"content":"When we launched the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sportswoman-of-the-year-award/\" target=\"_blank\">Sportswoman of the Year</a> awards back in 2004, it’s arguable that just two of the people on the list of monthly winners, Sonia O’Sullivan and Cora Staunton, were household names.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CIMZZXJB3JEHVK6JGC3H6MHKQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075244},"content":"Fast forward to 2024 and our list of contenders for the overall award doesn’t just feature names well known to us, it’s sprinkled with some of the biggest stars in Irish sport – among them <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rachael-blackmore/\" target=\"_blank\">Rachael Blackmore</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E233IJNLSBCHJK6FALWWNJJKSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075245},"content":"That is, of course, a measure of the depth of their achievements, all of them once again treating us to unforgettable moments through the year, but it is also a sign that they are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6QYH7LQQSVH2NJQBCLIKRRNN5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075246},"content":"And that was our chief hope back in 2004 when the awards got under way, that they would help shine a light on the largely underreported feats of our sportswomen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZAVDG7TX6ZHI5LB5M22D57Z5LI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075247},"content":"A lot done, more to do, as they say, but there has, undeniably, been progress – and how could there not be when these women have produced some of the most memorable moments in Irish sport over the last two decades?","type":"text"},{"_id":"VA6RJAUPE5ATLGK5XDTNTOZLF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075248},"content":"It’s been a thrill and a pleasure for us to report on their feats, a scroll through our list of overall winners a reminder of just how many magical days they have given us – from Katie Taylor’s gold in London, to Rachael Blackmore’s Grand National triumph, to Fiona Coghlan captaining Ireland to a Grand Slam, to Kellie Harrington retaining her Olympic title. Days we’ll never forget.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RVZTYY6NORCATLFMIPSOP2XE3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075249},"content":"In all, 147 sportswomen have won monthly awards through the years, and at least a dozen more deserved one in 2024, but such was the quality of the list of contenders, our judges were spoilt for choice.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QV7F42OHB5EVVITCLUWGKFCA54","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075250},"content":"Here’s to another 20 years of such excellence, and many more magical moments. We won’t be short of them, we can be sure. – <b>Noel O’Reilly, Sports Editor</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JX56IFAQ5FBWTIHNVH4JYBKJ7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075251},"content":"<b>Monthly Winners</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WUWEDV6HXBFWNPITNI7JL3GQHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739017},"content":"<b>December – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Fionnuala McCormack</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"YYSLDJLZ45AXNCYWJPXA2PFRMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739018},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NCJAXYVN3YQMOTINXHHQDEG64U","additional_properties":{"_id":"CBOHHTXE4VBJJMEQF5HTEN5UYI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PP3PX62OWRHEFEYFLXSYD2UHK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739019},"content":"It was in December of last year that McCormack became the first Irish woman to qualify for a fifth successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the required mark at the Valencia marathon. Before making history in Paris, McCormack finished just 18 seconds away from a medal at the European Cross Country Championships and ended her year by running the fastest marathon of her career.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGP3Z6ZUT5BRPGIA3VBELPBUF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739020},"content":"<b>January – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Lucy Mulhal</b>l</mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"6OZQAJZEHZBING35YV476HA7YA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739021},"content":"<b>Rugby</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"VXL647LOZ5FPXFIYXAVFVCZY3E","additional_properties":{"_id":"4PNATCWTNREQRLUDNTBEYYZLMM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HZE6VS6V3VBNBO7GO33WNJTGUU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739022},"content":"It was a memorable year for our Sevens side who made their Olympic debut in Paris where they reached the quarter-finals. But it was back in January that captain Lucy Mulhall led them to their first World Series gold medal when, after seeing off Britain in the semi-finals, they beat Australia in the final with the help of Mulhall’s player-of-the-match display.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HRRGHQITCNDKTBVR7HWUSUWIGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739023},"content":"<b>February – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Mona McSharry</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"3PEKLH35QRAHFDDTH7PV6Z5GAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739024},"content":"<b>Swimming</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5BGHX4PGP4SKQBIQP4VFAVL3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"7CT4TJ52EZB4FKE3VD5VC2U5QM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42QWYBMT7BHRVGF64W2M3NDZGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739025},"content":"Even before Mona McSharry became the second Irish swimmer to win an Olympic medal, her name was on our monthly list of winners. On returning from her strong performance at the World Aquatics Championships in February, she became the second woman in history to break the 56-seconds mark in a 100m breaststroke medley relay. Then came that magical moment in Paris when she took bronze in the 100m breaststroke.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5P7IWBCH5FCRPQYAJFLMUFXXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739026},"content":"<b>March – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Rachael Blackmore</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"UM5QYKVPPVBIHH2UUDJJK4O4DE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739027},"content":"<b>Horse Racing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FC6LHF4CXH5GDV4AAJG7P4LIQU","additional_properties":{"_id":"BQLEJO7WNRF25CW7EZYG5CK25I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"3YPKI3J34NDWZF7NJXUGFD5F5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739028},"content":"Cheltenham was already a special place for Blackmore, but in March she had yet another day to remember there when she won the Champion Chase on Henry De Bromhead’s Captain Guinness. Having already won the Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles, that completed the Festival’s Triple Crown for the brilliant Tipperary jockey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HNWSFHCYJ5GPLEWQUMPQDJGRZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739029},"content":"<b>April – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Róisín Ní Riain</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"M73JSM2JGBH7JI4B7TQ6M62OEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739030},"content":"<b>Swimming</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPDBQJIVZPNSJ6C7NMW5KXQPVE","additional_properties":{"_id":"N27J5P3VVRFTRHHCTP3H2FT4AA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NHOZF4I2MJAHBFK5SDWPMTO4PI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739031},"content":"Another of our monthly winners who excelled before Paris came around, Ní Riain returned from the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal in April laden with five medals, among them two golds. And the Limerick teenager completed an outstanding year by winning silver and bronze at the Paralympics, in the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IO62J7XGJVEYTEGY36KO4W5M5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739032},"content":"<b>May – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Rhasidat Adeleke</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"Q2GOJ4WKDVAITMYJMTSY2DH3RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739033},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MFBRF6KPKO6XHVLWPVH2LUSMJU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZRLAVJQPONGKHCYZOUJRUZT3JE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"47TNCO25DVBQLK32VFS4ID6OYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739034},"content":"Adeleke’s year began with a spate of record-smashing, and among the highlights thereafter were three medals at the European Championships: gold with the mixed 4x400m and silver with the women’s 4x400m relay teams and silver in the individual 400m. And agonising as they were, those fourth-place individual and relay finishes at the Olympics only served to underline the 22-year-old’s promise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AEQQFQ3PD5BVPORPISZYT2X6IE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739035},"content":"<b>June – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Ciara Mageean</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"S3IN32RJQ5E5LBJALON6RF756A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739036},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"TMMQJWXQHNBPLO6ALPI25YYBTY","additional_properties":{"_id":"2WVU2U7ZCBATXFYGHX4SQQLKJE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"33U7HBPV7NE5RKB67MILEYWM5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739037},"content":"She was left heartbroken when injury forced her to withdraw from the Olympic Games, but by then Mageean had produced the performance of a lifetime at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, a brilliant finish down the homestretch seeing her win gold in the 1,500m. It was just the third gold medal for Ireland in the 90-year history of the European Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SS6HFZEEUVEERBOIFFUBTLL6EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739038},"content":"<b>July – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Kellie Harrington</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KJO4WTHAU5HWDBOYPA44Y6JI34","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739039},"content":"<b>Boxing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RB3OHD7EPZDVBK5NLYZDBM3BCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ROPA7JS445CD7NO3EBFT7DYF6A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DI7JDGBWDFDV5PPRVRCMHAIR5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739040},"content":"Harrington was already a history maker before she took to the ring for her Olympic final in August – when she won her quarter-final she became the first Irish woman to win medals in two Olympic Games. And come that unforgettable night at Roland Garros, in front of a (mainly Irish) crowd of 15,000, she retained her Olympic crown with a 4-1 win over China’s Wenlu Yang.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QBNP3WMAHVAD5DJOQVOWFQQZFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739041},"content":"<b>August – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"3WJ47MCLWJEDRH62MHLJY63P4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739042},"content":"<b>Gaelic games</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MGJUF4FSYXUKCOPOJHKUQMICUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"NC5ICXZJXZDNBBFZE6FUI7TFF4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QRRKH7EWWFGYTKUZNMZ3T5QKJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739043},"content":"To her immense relief, Ní Mhuircheartaigh will never again be asked how it feels to be one of the greatest footballers of all time never to have won an All-Ireland. That question became obsolete when Kerry ended a drought that stretched back to 1993 by beating Galway in the final. So, she’s now one of the greatest footballers of all time with an All Ireland winner’s medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3BNL55WRQREEBDGX47WAIJN45Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739044},"content":"<b>September – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Katie-George Dunlevy & Linda Kelly</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"EKBDYHMFF5GOJGHGZHFXXFYSWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739045},"content":"<b>Paracycling</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGMJ42HTO2SPYMI5GPTNEXS5HE","additional_properties":{"_id":"SL43G5QTOZELVJJIIBNR5GE54Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JUQICRLM7FDJZFH5ZOUNC747IA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739046},"content":"September 2024 is a month Dunlevy and Kelly won’t forget in a hurry. In the space of 25 days they won Paralympic gold and silver in Paris and two World Championship golds in Zurich. And, for good measure, Dunlevy also won Paralympic silver with her long-time pilot Eve McCrystal. Considering the number of injuries and illnesses Dunlevy and Kelly suffered through the year, their achievements were remarkable.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5PBVHAMWZZEOBKGY5LSBSTEGZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739047},"content":"<b>October – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Lara Gillespie</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KL6RZHHTVJASJM36YSBCPRYSL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739048},"content":"<b>Cycling</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM","additional_properties":{"_id":"JE2WOY7T2JGFBKFJZRRGMWE2KY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LCL6RWLBFZHSPLA7Y3Y4GHK7OI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739049},"content":"Another of our sportswomen of the year who has had to battle through illness and injury, Gillespie put it all behind her in a year that culminated in a bronze medal at the Track World Championships. By then she was part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, she won the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and the Antwerp Port Epic, and was awarded a contract that saw her step up to World Tour level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJW6UGSGZZHCNFNEHQEHNCQKPE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739050},"content":"<b>November – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Katie Taylor</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"RMWI4R4KW5BZDGHHHMAAXADDD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739051},"content":"<b>Boxing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BY2PEG5KQNASNJJJ6ZHFFYSBLY","additional_properties":{"_id":"HJKD7FFLFNCMLHA5M2LFIRTMNQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CZNIU7Z3OJAB7K5CA4J2PQHJ5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739052},"content":"Our five-time Sportswoman of the Year was involved in yet another fight for the ages with Amanda Serrano, four years after they first met at Madison Square Garden. Nobody ever thought that contest would be topped, but somehow the pair achieved the feat in front of a crowd of over 60,000 in Arlington, Texas. Taylor got the nod from all three judges who each scored it 95-94.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Monthly winners this year included Kellie Harrington, Rachael Blackmore and Rhasidat Adeleke"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sportswoman of the Year Awards: Celebration of women’s achievements hits its 20th year","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4J3O26TQR5DMBHC6KORXGDKR4U","auth":{"1":"c53a284a1bd1b7fae6664f39905f28896f1fd2eba62b20eed520a7ef34dd452b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4J3O26TQR5DMBHC6KORXGDKR4U.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/sportswoman-awards-preview-celebration-of-womens-achievements-hits-its-20th-year/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"X36PCAD5SFASBAJDNFO6DXQSGY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":1512,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/33a8f3a1-cc8d-4871-880d-ee5e88e49df8/versions/1734267416/media/0c0814b808337616ea37194927e1d502_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/14/a-stellar-year-for-irish-women-in-sport-kellie-rhasidat-katie-mona-and-so-much-more/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4F3IJ7QFMFEK5IZG7DSKEJCTIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038643},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>25 Danielle Hill’s Gold in 50m backstroke at European Championships</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"XXZ6TF5ORM5CPNGZ5WM7JAZYGI","additional_properties":{"_id":"7S2QQW5CJNA6BKBEIC7AQTXHP4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RZ3DVHXIHBGLHPZ3I7NU3A6WJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038644},"content":"2024 was a remarkable year for Ireland in the pool. Belfast’s Danielle Hill is one of three swimming entries on this year’s list, the 25-year-old earning her spot after ending Ireland’s 27-year wait for a European long-course medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UD336RFAHJCYPKVZJ35SYYLO2U","additional_properties":{"_id":"KV4HGZZYMVF63KJFSMBVOMKRLQ"},"content":"Danielle Hill wins backstroke gold at European Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JMGOROKKGZC35KLG7HNROTTSSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038645},"content":"In Belgrade, Hill hit the wall in 27.73 to win gold in the 50m backstroke, an event in which she holds one of her four individual senior Irish records. Two days later, she was back in the pool to take silver in the 100m backstroke, just four-tenths of a second off gold. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"W64DQETZR5EBZDKYGM45GOWKEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038638},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>24 Vikki Wall’s performance in AFLW grand final for North Melbourne</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OEE7B647Y2NAWXWU77PITARB5I","additional_properties":{"_id":"JXDNLBRR6FA33OHYJSLL45N4OA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"TZSHR4P7JBGOLM5YOVX5AZZ24Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038639},"content":"Aussie Rules is one of the great appreciators of Irish talent, and Vikki Wall’s performance in North Melbourne’s triumph over Brisbane to win the club’s first AFLW title was a showcase of just how successful the “Irish experiment” has been.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ETYU56VKJRD2PGW7X65VMPV27Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038640},"content":"The Meath two-time All-Ireland winner – part of a three-strong Irish contingent in the Kangaroos alongside Cork’s Erika O’Shea and Tipperary’s Niamh Martin – scored two goals in last month’s grand final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6I2M3PX2TFDK3B27Y3XW4327NI","additional_properties":{"_id":"43FTTQM2DBD57LUEOMVXXSN2ZM"},"content":"From missing out on the Olympics to winning an AFLW title, nobody had a year like Vikki Wall","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6DUPCTF6IRBDDK4M6XIAFUBVBM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038641},"content":"And an honourable mention must go to Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer and Dublin’s Jennifer Dunne, who both put in characteristically solid shifts for the Lions in the decider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WXYX56STNDARGB7HJIZ6Z24GQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038642},"content":"Exceptional talents at home and away. Sorry, I’ll see myself out. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"F2I32EPCMRD37F4ZK2WEFRHWOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038634},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>23 Cork senior camogie team retain O’Duffy Cup</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"I7NFMLSM7JH3LE7F7SYHUCDOFI","additional_properties":{"_id":"4F3DAFPM4VASXOCFQKWQNAGMU4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZYXAY5YCGFCMDNWJBVZOUNAEPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038635},"content":"Does winning ever get old? For the Cork senior camogie team, it’s fairly safe to say the answer is no. A record-breaking 30th title was likely just as sweet as the county’s first back in 1934.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TDWK4LCV7ZFDPOVIDWTTTTUYLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038636},"content":"A goal, albeit a contested one, was the difference between the Rebels and old foes Galway, the counties having met in nine previous All-Ireland finals, the most recent of which – in 2021 – went the way of the Tribeswomen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"INGV7OZH5FAGZK3VXD3NXBSCUY","additional_properties":{"_id":"Y3YVUSYEE5DEPHQ6XF72CUZ2U4"},"content":"Cork record 30th senior camogie title as they see off Galway fightback","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"7E2GSEJTUZHYRASM5VTNZRF5EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038637},"content":"In a fiercely close decider, Cork had that little bit extra to seal the win as the clock ticked to the death, sending the O’Duffy Cup back to the Leeside for another year. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ANEEQTOV7JHIDCKS6PVQXNRUWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038631},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>22 Ireland play Israel in basketball</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"V7SGZNWBOFEHNKNDWMYN3QHMWY","additional_properties":{"_id":"RCYXQXPPHBGFVP46RX7GC7ASIE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"44MJRFRCPFEY3AOIQGEFEFIUGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038632},"content":"The Ireland team found themselves in an impossible situation in February. With the war in Gaza playing itself out in grim dispatches every night on the news, a EuroBasket qualifier against Israel in Latvia was always going to present a huge quandary for them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FA2M6OVTCFFR5PJVXJCP2AQCZY","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZHLGMDT56ZCLFBRL6PQB7YLLME"},"content":"How did the Irish women’s basketball team become embroiled in controversy over Israel?","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"5HGBC6RTW5DVZCNH7FZH2IPSRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038633},"content":"A boycott would result in a welter of fines and suspensions. Playing the game would result in accusations of supporting the Israeli regime. In the end, they ended up taking criticism from all sides. They went ahead with the game but refused to shake hands, in protest at an Israeli player baselessly calling them antisemitic. Israel got the result but nobody won. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G7CQS5OQL5D23KR4G5IFAEPT2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038628},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>21 RTÉ Investigates abuse of players by coaches</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"P3BWHOLSFZC5NKRLBZ3HV4L7HI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HHQOBSEUKZC6NBBDCQL7PJCYYU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PZXCMZS3XNAYBD6WVXA7HIP57A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038629},"content":"If it was a grim year on the pitch for Irish women’s football on the senior international front, it was worse still off it, the lowest moment coming back in July when Marie Crowe and Mark Tighe teamed up for an RTÉ Investigates probe in to what female players had endured at the hands of some of their FAI coaches in the 1990s.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QW55HDMPJRGO5MJ3GCT563T2OI","additional_properties":{"_id":"N4WHH7YRUNBUTMN5JFVTVXABXI"},"content":"FAI coaching allegations: There is no resolution to this story, no happily ever afters. Careers were stalled, trauma inflicted","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"EDY3NJ6QGND73NY7PZYS3YVCU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038630},"content":"Multiple players alleged they had been subjected to sexual advances, some describing how their international careers were impacted – or ended – by standing up to their abusers. The FAI said they were “shocked and appalled” by the allegations, all of which were deeply depressing. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"OGSXRTRDYVFWXFONWQIDW4UJWM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038625},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>20 Ireland win a first ever World Series title in rugby sevens</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BZQXAJIMXJFPZFCDWV3CMYT7FE","additional_properties":{"_id":"OUBHUPFX4ZBD7OY34J7CNW6K3Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PM4DPDWGDJH5BJW2DKNMCIOSSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038626},"content":"This was Lucy Mulhall’s final year with the sevens squad – the Ireland captain retired after the Olympics, capping a decade-long career in which sevens went from a curio that nobody really had much interest in to something far more solid on the sporting landscape.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XVGMM5LWGFGGFHL7JGXDLIHRT4","additional_properties":{"_id":"VV4XZSTSLRC3TLAXSCLBVQIWHE"},"content":"Ireland women win first ever World Series rugby sevens gold medal in Perth","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"4P6PGJV7JREHFGZSPTKARDJ4RE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038627},"content":"This World Series win in Perth in January was unimaginable for most of Mulhall’s career but they pulled it off with wins over Fiji, Great Britain and Australia. The final against the home side – and World Series leaders – was a stunning effort, all coming down to Eve Higgins’s late try to seal the 19-14 win. The high point of the sevens year. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WR7ZKFJ5ARE2ZEKEEURZBW5FSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038622},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>19 Athlone Town win league title </b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"NMFAJTYTRMZICNE5IR3PJ7GXVI","additional_properties":{"_id":"LXGNMTQ2RZDOFNROU7CGYQTNLA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LQAGYBA2MFFFVCZLWNTWPN7VQE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038623},"content":"Some story, this. It was only in August 2020 that Athlone Town played their first ever senior League of Ireland game, but just over four years later they only went and won the title, wrapping it up on home turf with a 2-0 win over Bohemians. A humdinger of a title battle it was too, with Shelbourne and Galway United pushing them all the way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HWGJNNS3SREIBC4O5Y4LOV5I5A","additional_properties":{"_id":"GBVZ23SHQZFZ7CT7442OBFDAIM"},"content":"Athlone Town complete fairy-tale by winning Premier Division title","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"TPVGIGIHJNDULPXTDUFRBYAADM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038624},"content":"Athlone’s dreams of a double were, though, well and truly crushed by Shels who beat them 6-1 in the FAI Cup final, after which Athlone manager Ciarán Kilduff stepped down from his role, later appointed boss of Dundalk’s men’s team. Still, a hell of an achievement by a club that should, strictly, still only be finding their feet at this level. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KPZBTGMNJVFK5JQO4IEZL3AQWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038619},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>18 Missing out on Euro 2025</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BKIAJ6LZPXRWX6YKT67Q7UPPTM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ILPDJDFGUFBDHKGLFF6PEUZIBI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"23NBRSU5F5CVFMA2IOYAW5W324","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038620},"content":"Not one of the happier moments from 2024, but it was a painfully significant one. After making their World Cup debut in 2023, the hope was that the Republic of Ireland would push on and make qualifying for major tournaments a habit. But a calamitous night in Dublin in December put paid to that ambition.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GTAGOLABXVEFPBHQLJC5KEJSCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"TR4HVULOLVDYPNOC5RW6PVEPGI"},"content":"Ireland let glorious Euros opportunity slip from their fingers after heartbreaking Welsh defeat","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JDTRGIGU2NGURHDBDWYUORKSTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038621},"content":"The killer moment in the second leg of the play-off, the first having ended 1-1 in Cardiff, came in the 67th minute when Wales doubled their lead on the night through Carrie Jones. Anna Patten’s late reply was too little, too late. There’ll be no trip to Switzerland next summer, then, a horror of a conclusion to a difficult year for the national team. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"PWLHOP2KXRC4TA6GDQ4MCIHFDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038615},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>17 Orla Prendergast leads way in win over England</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"SBSMN5GWJLT7UJABT45C7FXXVE","additional_properties":{"_id":"W3B2DT76HBBL3PUC7EHTDGUKZU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ARDJ5RS2YJAI3GL3VNUTNWHRGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038616},"content":"The Irish cricket team concluded a year sprinkled with memorable moments by beating Bangladesh 3-0 in their T20 international series, but nothing quite topped that September day in Clontarf when they got the better of England for the first time in the same format.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6T4Y2B44LNGOLI56664WSS4K5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038617},"content":"Once again, Orla Prendergast demonstrated what a world class cricketer she is when she scored 80 runs off 51 balls, despite suffering from a badly grazed hand, her innings interrupted when she had to have the wound cleaned and dressed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7M66VDFQFEWJO7YBAYL7VD7K4","additional_properties":{"_id":"V65KOK5B5RCEPA7G2OG5VONZLM"},"content":"Ireland secure first win against England in 20-over women’s cricket at Clontarf","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"YHIF7ANRMZCU7CGEOSE73XEWEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038618},"content":"Having already played her part with the ball, the all-rounder taking two key wickets in England’s innings, Prendergast then stepped up with the bat, her thrilling knock, which featured 13 boundaries, sending Ireland on their way to a famous victory. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JHJHYMWEKJCPHHP6SG3UKG7BQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038612},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>16 Lara Gillespie wins bronze at the World Championships</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"B3N7P6XMEBFVVCOXVT2HXAJ4LQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"XKSA2GWHJZEEXPHH236CN5YAS4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"N3IZI6VHFFBA5BYGN5KNPGA34U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038613},"content":"Katie-George Dunlevy described cycling as a “sufferfest”, and Lara Gillespie can attest to that. No more than Dunlevy, she’s been through the mill, her well-documented battle with a debilitating gynaecological condition followed by a heap of injuries, among them a dislocated collarbone and broken shoulder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OSMAFVBUERECPE3DVF3S6O2VTI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2TP276473ZBLRDNV5QHZPGAKXA"},"content":"Lara Gillespie speeds to bronze medal at track world championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"XPA47O4K6ZAK7NZACIFFV6V27I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038614},"content":"Despite it all, the Wicklow woman can reflect on a sparkling 2024 that saw her being part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, win the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and the Antwerp Port Epic, and being awarded a pro contract that saw her step up to World Tour level. And, to round her year off, she won bronze at the World Championships in Denmark. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2M67TFM2LRHZFG35YH5GUK2OWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038609},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>15 Ireland beat New Zealand at the WXVI</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"QC3CKJGREDQXEK6WSHXDTNV5FY","additional_properties":{"_id":"4L4YM4G3HJB4ZCD66RGPDWWVWA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WDR7AYM6DBHYRI2NYEZYINU6P4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074590},"content":"It’s fair to say the WXV tournament hadn’t particularly caught the attention of the Irish sporting public ahead of this, its second year. Nothing like a win over New Zealand to change minds on that score. Ireland qualified for the top tier of the competition by coming third in the Six Nations and hit the ground sprinting in Vancouver with this 29-27 win over the Black Ferns.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5AP3Y3ZDC5BZHJKS3SPPIXFGDU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3IUILCMKUZCO7C25UCLCGXPDJU"},"content":"Ireland stun world champions New Zealand with win in opening clash","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"EPDXRTRW4NDXXJYYWOYTXMSQ2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038611},"content":"Aoife Wafer snagged two first-half tries before substitute Erin King announced herself with a couple of her own in the closing quarter-hour, a performance that went a long way to earning her the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RYXJZM6ZCNGNHJVHXG2HQEDFFM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038605},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>14 Fionnuala McCormack</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZRU3KUYVW5GCNJ6WSN3AGUPSAI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HKSEMOLENJEY7ED745INEMARCQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"W4AQCKAEDFE5ZELVORLLFW3A24","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074595},"content":"It’s a whole 18 years since the names of two Wicklow women first appeared on our monthly roll of honour: Fionnuala McCormack and a certain Katie Taylor. Since then? Not just longevity, but excellence too. With a large dollop of history-making thrown in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VIODSRDECFHQFNMILBYZSL7OPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733867243223},"content":"It was this time last year that McCormack, now 40, became the first Irish woman to qualify for a fifth successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the required mark at the Valencia marathon. She was far from happy with her 28th place finish in Paris on a course she described as “torture”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"II2WDAWLV5DGNJGQX57ZPYDR7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733867243224},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/08/11/fionnuala-mccormack-finishes-28th-in-olympics-marathon-as-sifan-hassan-makes-history/\" target=\"_blank\">“But at least I’m still alive,” she concluded.</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"HIXA3RABLBH4LMYKDIVC3OQTC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038608},"content":"Is she done? Is she heck. On the first day of this month she returned to Valencia where she ran the fastest marathon of her career, taking 12 seconds off her previous best. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"UKOHFCZJNJBZHHHVVXAWGVHXFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038601},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>13 Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – Kerry’s first All-Ireland senior title since 1993</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OBX72PLQKRBR3P37WSQQJ4R2YM","additional_properties":{"_id":"NQHBUKHIMJEITNKK7SHRZ36D5U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GMYCW7SDDZB7RABMVJY3AK3RDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734020550393},"content":"For the Kerry footballers, 2024 proved some things are worth the wait, finally coming good against Galway to end their 31-year wait to return the Brendan Martin Cup to the Kingdom. Their emphatic win marked the end of an era for Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh; no longer would she bear the burden of being the greatest player without an All-Ireland medal for her 17-year service.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DTNPHZF3JRE4BCCB37YXW7XCLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"YEX6JZO6HZA4FIZ3YE6TZ7IUSU"},"content":"Kerry finally make their All-Ireland dream come through after years of heartache","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JFIM3XT6RJFUDJDBO4DXWFUFXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038604},"content":"Ní Mhuircheartaigh supplied six points on Kerry’s way to victory at Croke Park, her free-taking a study in composure, stamping her name on her fifth All Star. Of the numerous All-Ireland medals that have found a home in Kerry, Ní Mhuircheartaigh can be counted among the most deserved recipients. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7AH6BXMY5CQZMTQTTFK5LUVZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038598},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>12 Bohemians v Palestine</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZK3EARD6B5HFPMJLED2CTUBTDU","additional_properties":{"_id":"RRE334LLYBDYFJAGAF52DSGNJY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QNHXKGQ5SNER7MEVZIZ6PZR6W4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074606},"content":"It’s unlikely that there were any more emotional days in the Irish sporting year than when the women of Palestine took on Bohemians at Dalymount Park in May. It was the first match played in Europe by any senior Palestine national side, Bohs inviting them to Dublin as an act of solidarity in light of the carnage inflicted on their homeland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RKXWW6AIPNDM5EFOA3AMIPI45A","additional_properties":{"_id":"W2IDVR5C4NHDBMPTS46Y243LOE"},"content":"Bohemians v Palestine: ‘In Gaza, our fields and our stadiums have been demolished’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VRRD5D3GKZG4RGEYT6GZW7Y7AU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074607},"content":"A full house welcomed them to Dalymount, the team having been received at Áras an Uachtaráin by President Michael D Higgins, the players overwhelmed by their reception in Ireland. “In Palestine we’re not even allowed to fly as many of our flags as we’ve seen flying here,” said their manager Deema Said. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FU4PBHSFGJGCPM5Y4NKUUUSXAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038594},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>11 Orla Comerford – Paralympic bronze</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"C3GBQ57GFCG423YCGYNWNSC5Z4","additional_properties":{"_id":"URUCYJERBVFBHE6PJYCEFKTNXE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YUPGXQQY4NEN5OIZNICHBBWE6A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074611},"content":"Orla Comerford had barely stepped off the track at the Stade de France having earned her first Paralympic medal – bronze in the T13 100m final – but her mind had already turned to LA 2028. The Dubliner banished any lingering doubts from Tokyo to take third in a race in which both the gold and silver medallists ran under the world record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TB7J6EMDYBEGFIMX5C7METPXFY","additional_properties":{"_id":"NUBRWQGDTRHSNGTTHXX4XSNVCQ"},"content":"‘There is lots more in the tank’: Orla Comerford happy with Paralympics bronze, for now","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"DKZKX5UME5EJPKPLPOEB767V5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038597},"content":"Beaming with her medal around her neck, Comerford said her initial feeling after crossing the line was disappointment, although the reality of her achievement quickly set in to turn that to delight. Still, there’s little doubt as to what medal she has her eye on next time. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6LGMYFKHYJAQVBNWWCX4DMBTXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038590},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>10 The 4x400m mixed relay team</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"TRUHODS3NZBGNCWMKSNXSAX7SQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"T7PVX2BKSFEUDBYL5WYAW7XO54"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2RZZBXTJ2RHV5GHQ7W7CXDE72A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074616},"content":"Ah, what a night at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley combining to produce 3:09.92 of pure gold in the 4x400m mixed relay final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TAU7F4VUKRD4VGO3PBZTYJ3JLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038592},"content":"Before that evening, only Sonia O’Sullivan had ever stood atop the podium for Ireland at the European Championships, but there had been a hint of what was to come in Nassau the previous May when the team – Cillin Greene in that line-up instead of O’Donnell – triumphed at the World Athletics Relays.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GA7PKPEG2FHYXN7UF3M67M5NVI","additional_properties":{"_id":"POZJDMEIVJDOPBBLDLFDVRBQGE"},"content":"Ireland win gold in 4x400m mixed relay at European Athletics Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"5FWY4LXADBEPFD4KZTRIKM4HL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038593},"content":"They turned up trumps in Rome, O’Donnell and Barr doing their bit, Adeleke blitzing the second leg, before Mawdsley’s stunning anchor leg. Magical. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDBKV735AFCERA22BLZXOO2TII","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038586},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>9 Róisín Ní Riain – Five medals at European Championships and two at Paralympics</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HZEZCOW76267YJSVJBTILKYOS4","additional_properties":{"_id":"G5GIJH26DFBPZKNQBKMPERXVOE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CDL2TYAL5BDR3BWZM3TOX52PXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074622},"content":"Not since Atlanta 1996 (remembered with fondness or regret, you decide) would the pool have been considered Ireland’s arena of choice, but 2024 did mighty work to help change that. Róisín Ní Riain stormed the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal back in May, claiming five medals – two gold, two silver, and a bronze – from her six events.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IMMA7PXTWRHSRKBLAAAS64CUGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733917509168},"content":"As Paralympic warmups go, you couldn’t ask for better. Paris was the Limerick woman’s second games having been Ireland’s youngest Paralympian in Tokyo, and she walked away with silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 200m IM. More to come in LA perhaps? <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBK3XP4V6VEMDAMF2QOWVPSAB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038583},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>8 Rachael Blackmore completes the Cheltenham triple crown</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"VCBK5YEX5W42IKYCNBAEMXL534","additional_properties":{"_id":"E64GPPIHOZGGBA4KW42MMADY24"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VEBIEEH4HRD73L6763PGRCTHQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074626},"content":"In the past 50 years of the Cheltenham festival, only eight jockeys have put together the elite triptych of Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase. It goes without saying that Rachael Blackmore is the first and only woman on that list.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCZPQTGK5RDCXF32IQMLDJYJVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"6WXKN2MW7RDX7G6V2WOVWZFZRU"},"content":"Cheltenham: Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore secure Queen Mother Champion Chase","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"LGBZM66CVZFVNICXJBVPE4F2IU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734124713474},"content":"Captain Guinness’s victory in the Champion Chase was her 16th festival winner. In an event-filled race, she steered Henry De Bromhead’s horse to a hard-earned victory, staving off a late challenge from Mark Walsh on Gentleman De Mee. It was everything we’ve come to expect from her – unflappable, expertly timed, imperious. She makes it all look routine, which of course it isn’t. MC","type":"text"},{"_id":"E5FQDQ6KEVG3TKDK4HL25YMXUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038580},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>7 4x400m women’s relay team - silver at the European Championships, fourth at Olympics</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HNQZLVUSSTQOKMBO6POCJEFNLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"LVCBP2IMING4RHT7EJ5EUGIHFM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KQO3VKGWUFAGHGIDFF4HVMNYPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074631},"content":"The quartet of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley have done an almost unheard of thing in Irish life. They’ve colonised the imagination of the general public in a team sport that doesn’t involve a ball.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NOPUTCCXGFF4XCU2P5TBNS35NY","additional_properties":{"_id":"SMNEEIO73JHHPJL4P7522CISUY"},"content":"Ireland women claim silver medal in 4x400m relay at European Athletics Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"SSNJMFVZ75CPHJCVC6ESIJPISM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038582},"content":"They did it first in Rome in June by winning the silver medal at the European Championships. Then they followed it up in Paris in August when they came so close to an unprecedented Olympic medal, with Mawdsley only just run out of it in the dying yards. It was emotional, inspirational, heartbreaking stuff and it held the nation captive in a way no relay team has ever done. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G45ED4HGUZCZFGEOAD22WPHJHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038577},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>6 Mona McSharry’s Olympic bronze</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KKYVEMVD5FEIVXVWPXUANBEILE","additional_properties":{"_id":"TAW4I5F6NFDJXPAOXIC35U3CPA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UM6GTEZWAVFSBGFVD36P4DN4WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074636},"content":"By her own admission, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/07/30/how-mona-mcsharry-went-from-hating-swimming-to-a-remarkable-olympic-bronze-medal/\" target=\"_blank\">Mona McSharry hadn’t just fallen out of love with swimming, she was beginning to hate it</a>. The sport had been at the centre of her life for as long as she could remember, but she was beginning to feel like it wasn’t giving back anything close to what she was putting in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L5VYXDZRDFBCZCMIXO6RAM5DXY","additional_properties":{"_id":"QPGIJNGBNFAZTPAYWE6WOOSVCI"},"content":"In pictures: Mona McSharry secures famous bronze medal for Ireland in the pool","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FRVMNE7KBJC7HPOT5LIOWVAYRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038579},"content":"Then came that July day in Paris when she stood on the podium after the 100m breaststroke final with a bronze medal draped around her neck, having become only the second Irish swimmer to medal at the Olympics (a certain Daniel Wiffen made it three the day after). Not even her goggles filling up with water prevented her from finishing third in a race that featured four of the event’s finest specialists. Her tears flowed. The sport had finally given back.<b> MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IKZ2FM757FDHBC6O3NIMTKB6TE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038569},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>5 Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win Paralympic and World Championship golds</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"V4MCCYVEGF6ZJCKNWG6X3BCSIE","additional_properties":{"_id":"VSKNZ6DIQNHYTLVKZDFHFT5SXM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CKJNNR2WDJBRLDDIIWA5HLKXGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074641},"content":"Even before September came around it had already been a fruitful year for Katie-George Dunlevy and her pilot Linda Kelly, but then they went into overdrive by winning two Paralympic and two World Championship medals in the space of just 25 days – three of them gold.","type":"text"},{"_id":"765XLTMYA5GXBA44W474LFTLRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038571},"content":"What made their achievements all the more remarkable was what the pair had had to endure through the year in terms of injury and illness – concussion, a broken collarbone, leg and arm infections, and two bouts of Covid. And that was only the half of it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P6VIUTSJKFEDRHCXC3UOAY4XPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038572},"content":"They’re made of steely stuff, though. Dunlevy, for example, got back on her bike after a crash in a qualification event in Italy and finished fourth – and only later learnt that she’d done so with that broken collarbone. But as she put it herself, “if I’m not in a world of pain and am not falling off the bike at the finish, I haven’t worked hard enough”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S5NJ7VSDVBCO3MOUE56XCK24RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038573},"content":"The rewards were great come Paris, Dunlevy bringing her tally of Paralympic medals to eight, two of them won with Kelly, and one with her long-time pilot Eve McCrystal who was making her final international appearance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RYMFG46INFBGFAXWVVC2AJQXUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"5LABKF45WZBTHKY2RDRDKCMYEM"},"content":"Paralympic cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy: ‘I want to inspire visually impaired children and the LGBT community to not give up’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"KERH4DEDN5HQ3FUCJUGTIVWZ64","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038574},"content":"It was her gold with Kelly, though, in the individual time-trial that meant the most, Dunlevy successfully retaining her Tokyo title and Kelly winning the first Paralympic medal of her career just two years after taking up tandem riding for the first time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVL6UYDBFFAV5DJW4OITXDUCSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038575},"content":"It was a stunning victory by the pair who had trailed Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holly by over 10 seconds at the first split, but produced a surge thereafter that saw them overtake and hold off the Britons, winning gold by 1:23.60 seconds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C5CLLNOSN5HC5EUR27QRU5ODAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038576},"content":"And lest they be accused of being lazy, they were back in their saddles a fortnight later for the World Championships in Zurich where they only went and won gold in both the time-trial and road race. A September like no other. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DPTLIITUVEZ3A562J3OXQQ274","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038560},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>4 Katie Taylor beats Amanda Serrano</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"5XUEVLO6FULTTWGJBL7IQAD3TY","additional_properties":{"_id":"PS466OIORVE5ZOOJHTALWCOTFE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"IIKOMSMYMJGOPM5YGTAK3ZIFTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074651},"content":"What is a list of Irish women’s sporting moments without Katie Taylor?","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC5CENWQUNAMPJHJ2H6SEZVLWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038562},"content":"A performance to warrant her inclusion in this year’s iteration may have been delayed by forces beyond her control, but by god did she end up earning her spot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SNBFNDSK65FSDBKW5VLPYR4QD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038563},"content":"In November, the Bray fighter returned to the ring for a rematch against Amanda Serrano, the pair having previously met in a history-making fight at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2022, the first women’s fight to headline the iconic venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WS3JTA2G2VBLDA3G6FEA2F35OE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038564},"content":"Taylor won that bout on a split decision to retain her lightweight titles, her hand hardly raised above her head before the Puerto Rican fighter sought a rematch. Given the show they put on it was a dead cert, promoter Eddie Hearn bigging up the idea that the second instalment could be a homecoming for KT, floating Croke Park as a potential venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AOUX2VCVHZBJBOBSJOAP4I55GM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZERPI5R23FALTKHATLZ3XHU42Y"},"content":"Katie Taylor narrowly defeats Amanda Serrano in brutal contest","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"O5MIRUG7ABFXBMHMLV73UJWS54","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038565},"content":"Alas, not to be, and instead it got wrapped up as a co-main event in the glorified vanity project that was Mike Tyson v Jake Paul (the event delayed from May due to a Tyson illness), providing the only shred of true sporting action on an otherwise ridiculous night in Texas.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC6JTAHXDRBABNZU6FFK3C3RWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038566},"content":"Just as they were at MSG, Taylor and Serrano were remarkably evenly matched. After 10 pummelling rounds, the judges had their verdict: 95-94 unanimously for Taylor. Serrano and her team didn’t like it (shooting off some nasty accusations that Serrano later retracted), the crowd didn’t like it, Netflix’s bumbling commentators didn’t like it – but that doesn’t make the decision wrong. A modicum of impartiality would have gone a long way at AT&T Stadium, but rage gets better ratings.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKQIVQQCDFD7ZPVUXOK2MJD2RY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038568},"content":"Despite the mudslinging, Taylor was the ever-gracious champ, rising above the painful pageantry of the wider occasion and going home with her light-welterweight titles intact. Long may she reign. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCFXPJHO3NDU7IF4NQI4S4O7EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038553},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>3 Ciara Mageean becomes European 1,500m champion</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"24D2MKEYFZBQZMQR4JK3ZFA5E4","additional_properties":{"_id":"2NUL2UNAXBBG5LFZMBRHCIVUYY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2T2XRTOETVBELI3OWHRVYROQLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074661},"content":"Paris was a disaster for Ciara Mageean. The Achilles injury she has been carrying for most of the past decade picked the exact wrong time to flare up, causing her to pull out on the eve of the games. The timing couldn’t have been worse – she was in the form of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGEHLVY6OJD27NHQQZPVIV5YSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038555},"content":"That was clear to everyone at the European Championships in Rome just six weeks earlier. Throughout her career, Mageean has been there or thereabouts at European level in the 1,500 metres. She won bronze in Amsterdam in 2016, silver in Munich in 2022. She went to Rome as one of the medal contenders in everyone’s book, even though her injury profile means you’re never too sure how much hope to hold out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OLMLAP5GNBGPXO7MP53QXBDBYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038556},"content":"As it transpired, she was the best of the field. She ran three-and-a-half laps on the shoulders of British pair Georgia Hall and Gemma Reekie, waiting until the top of the final bend before grabbing a gap between them and striking for home.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MZ2HXLSZXJCEHCRVUVJ66XVHNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038557},"content":"She ran with a confidence that very few of us who were in the Stadio Olimpico shared, certain in herself that she had the kick to take the gold. When she crossed the line, she flung her two arms in the air, the pinnacle of her career reached at last.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C3ALCATGKJEYJKWKCCPFG4KGEM","additional_properties":{"_id":"TPMEZCXOM5FD5FM53FQKZZ6HVU"},"content":"Ciara Mageean: ‘I just felt numb. It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6CE5G2PKOFAZZJHMSKKCGUX62Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038558},"content":"At that moment, everything else fell away. All the bad days, all the dashed hopes, all the ups and downs of a career where the occasional fragility of Mageean’s body has betrayed her. It would turn traitor on her again in the weeks that followed, meaning that 2024 will always be unavoidable bittersweet in her memory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I4YWNQMG4ZCH3HDADN3HEATEAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038559},"content":"But for that night in Rome, nothing else mattered. She got what she deserved, finally. And what a beautiful thing it was. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZUASPNFSNFCTFPFSX2TWWIXKQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038545},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>2 Rhasidat Adeleke’s record-breaking year</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"AYK6YOCOBYTB5PHIIYD5V3QFZA","additional_properties":{"_id":"EERMLXTPANFXDEYY3SDBG4C4LA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HXIAVYIIEFDEXOVQW6CCMSDZJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074670},"content":"Another remarkable year for Rhasidat Adeleke gave us any number of moments to warrant her inclusion. Despite heartbreak in Paris, 2024 proved the Dubliner’s star remains firmly on the rise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6UBY7PP3VJDQJE2LRSLCHVB65A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038547},"content":"If you want cold, hard figures, how’s nine for you. That’s the number of Irish records the 22-year-old holds at year end – seven individual, two relay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHN6OQZ6N5BQ5GCAQT4VJUCDGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038548},"content":"By <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/01/21/rhasidat-adeleke-breaks-two-irish-indoor-records-with-first-races-of-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">mid-February Adeleke had already bettered three of her Irish indoor records over 60, 200 and 300 metres</a>. Then in May, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/05/05/sensational-rhasidat-adeleke-leads-irish-relay-teams-to-paris-olympics-on-the-double/\" target=\"_blank\">she put in masterful runs at the World Athletics Relays to help Ireland qualify for the Olympics in both the women’s and mixed 4x400</a> metres relays, taking bronze in the mixed relay final for good measure. Not a bother to the girl from Tallaght with the ribbons in her hair.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U554VLU2JFBHDFA2MLDL4M2YGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038549},"content":"But the zenith of Adeleke’s year was yet to come. June saw her travel to Rome as part of an Irish contingent that claimed a record haul of medals at the European Athletic Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPL3Y4N3ZRAVPP3OIWNN2K5GXI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038550},"content":"Of Team Ireland’s four medals from the competition, Adeleke was party to three. She <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/06/07/ireland-win-gold-in-4x400m-mixed-relay-at-european-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">first took gold with the 4x400 metres mixed</a> relay team (besting their Irish record from May), before her solo silver in the 400 metres which so nearly could have been gold (again smashing her own Irish record in the process), following it up with silver in the women’s 4x400 metres relay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K2O7F24ABNA7VFIYGA3POKD3KI","additional_properties":{"_id":"LJR7E5CQMREWBNHDSFJMY3WWNA"},"content":"Rhasidat Adeleke takes silver in 400m at European Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"Q4F4H6X7XZATNNIUB66K4GIDSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734267574130},"content":"From that high, an Olympic medal looked within her reach. The agony comes in the narrow margin by which it ultimately didn’t come to pass. Fourth in both the 400 metres and the women’s 4x400 metres relay finals (another Irish record performance) spelled heartbreak in the city of love, an unfair takeaway given the glittering year she’s had. But perhaps that’s the mark of her talent, and our collective anticipation that her race is far from run. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZSUN3SCS2BHBPI4VSYXR5ZSRDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734018546322},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>1 Kellie Harrington wins Olympic gold</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BEXMKBEZL5AXPEKPIW5ML3T3VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038537},"content":"There has never been an Irish Olympic boxer to compare to Kellie Harrington. Over the course of a century, 116 fighters wore the Ireland singlet at the Olympics. Of those 116, 19 fought at more than one games. Of those 19, eight won fights at multiple games. Of those eight, just two medalled twice. Whittle further and Harrington has history all to herself, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/boxing/2024/08/06/kellie-harrington-becomes-double-olympic-champion-with-display-of-pure-gold/\" target=\"_blank\">the only Irish fighter with two Olympic gold medals</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"32P3SJPJGNDK7FMT3OV5DXAQXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038538},"content":"As the rest of the Irish boxing team fell around her like skittles this summer, she forged her own path, oblivious. There were 10 Irish boxers in Paris but the tournament was mostly a disaster. They came home with just five wins between them – Harrington was responsible for four of them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C67DGGTMPSXZ7AMOE2DWS22ONI","additional_properties":{"_id":"KBYF2GN2NVGB7AWN7XM4UGVCUA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"A5KQH7JG2VBG5JYK2IUB5GGBXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074681},"content":"Her Olympic gold medal was a mental triumph as much as it was a physical one. She began the year unsure of herself, worried about her place in the Irish public’s affections, counting the days until her Olympic final when it would all be over and she could get on with her life. In the Olympic village, she ate alone and retreated to her own solitude. All in service of the four fights it took to make her champion again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3OKPEIVAN5BIJOU5EI346HTFAM","additional_properties":{"_id":"LHLGZVADR5AJNJOF52H2P4T4TQ"},"content":"Kellie Harrington stands alone, the first Irish woman to win gold medals at two Olympics","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"KLC2U3COMZDBRHFADZ3MUSBVWU","additional_properties":{"_id":"6LC6Z6TH4NFP7GKIJDVXNXP2WY"},"content":"In Pictures: Kellie Harrington savours another golden moment as she makes Olympic history","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VRRD5D3GKZG4RGEYT6GZW7Y7AU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074682},"content":"If there was a signature performance, it was the semi-final against Beatrice Ferreira of Brazil. Ferreira is a professional world champion who was out for revenge after Harrington had beaten her in Tokyo. But though it was a virtual tie going into the final round, Harrington produced a masterclass of movement and hitting to launch herself into the final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NE3HZ3HJMRE6HISAYDJ2EUI2GM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038542},"content":"When she got there, she built an unassailable lead over the first two rounds and kept us all safe from heart attacks. It meant that between Tokyo and Paris, her full record read: Two Olympics, Two gold medals, eight fights, eight wins, for a combined score of 36-4 on all judges’ cards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DIRWOUMZSNEMLGFGPVAPAOC3FU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038543},"content":"She is immortal. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Muireann Duffy"}},"name":"Muireann Duffy"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"Our countdown of the 25 moments that defined women’s sport in Ireland this year"},"display_date":"2024-12-15T13:02:44.606Z","headlines":{"basic":"The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RJRNMNWN2RBZPAXU46HL35OYHE","auth":{"1":"02a0e639f68bf5c96f93239c3c81ca8213de5f2682853df450d3579a75ca3ea5"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RJRNMNWN2RBZPAXU46HL35OYHE.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/14/a-stellar-year-for-irish-women-in-sport-kellie-rhasidat-katie-mona-and-so-much-more/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/boxing","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Boxing"}}}},{"_id":"74TVGT42CNGTLM5NUQMXHVTMYU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":105,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/58502ce8-fe17-45b6-9ae2-c01ccbe96c76/versions/1733322782/media/c1737749c72a0d1d12358cfa634245a4_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/04/cyclist-remco-evenepoel-undergoes-surgery-after-horror-training-crash/","content_elements":[{"_id":"QNWTGMIHRJG5FPCD52MHXWWCWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265686},"content":"Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel is on the road to recovery as he underwent successful surgery following a crash during training, the Belgian said on Wednesday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JZQJ2EEDV5HZZJJBQXFHSBTSU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265687},"content":"The 24-year-old said he had suffered fractures to his rib, shoulder blade, and hand, contusions to his lungs, and a dislocation of his right clavicle leaving all his surrounding ligaments torn.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UHRO7DL2T5HA7BTLMAGYNZXFSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265688},"content":"Evenepoel crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a training ride in Oetingen on Tuesday, Belgian media reports said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U6D7HW54MZHHJLB7UMAAMNTOWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265689},"content":"“The comeback starts now. After a scary accident on training yesterday, I underwent surgery last night and everything went well,” Evenepoel posted on Instagram. “...It’s going to be a long journey but I’m fully focused on my recovery and I’m determined to come back stronger, step by step.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"PLNRUJJ5LJHEBHFXNXCBDLF5UM","subtype":"instagram","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"2YF57YQ7QRH33MSYG7XP52AJFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265691},"content":"Evenepoel, who claimed gold in the men's road race and time trial at the Paris Olympics this year, was taken to the Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht and was then moved to a hospital in Herentals, where his injuries were assessed further.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EG5UBAL4IRE4JHKKGXSONDV3RY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265692},"content":"“I’m very grateful for all the help and support I received the last 24 hours. From the emergency services, the neighbours that helped me in the first moment, the medical teams in Anderlecht and Herentals, and our team doctor,” he added.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FRN742GYFDF5G2UUW7SM2ABLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265693},"content":"\"Also a special mention to my wife, and my family for standing by me in these difficult moments and to everyone for their supportive messages. I also want to express my support to the woman involved in the accident.\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"QZDRNFTSNNDA5DKGGRSOL24ECQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265694},"content":"The impact of the incident also broke the Belgian’s bike, reports added.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"The 24-year-old Belgian claimed gold in the men’s road race and time trial at the Paris Olympics this year"},"display_date":"2024-12-04T14:27:52.405Z","headlines":{"basic":"Cyclist Remco Evenepoel undergoes surgery after horror training crash","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"7CGCNLY6WUUGFYHK6AW54ONGLU","auth":{"1":"afce1f2bf7a57d5b7a50b00cfa4633cd9f7b85a4b41cbb6f82e1872f6ddd2312"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/7CGCNLY6WUUGFYHK6AW54ONGLU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/04/cyclist-remco-evenepoel-undergoes-surgery-after-horror-training-crash/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"6GXC4LMMJBEBHJ65G2YQOZ5GFA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":86,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/2d721fa9-2476-49ce-b9d1-3c39e074a490/versions/1733243116/media/c4f09262d557611d72b3ee6ec7cc876c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/03/remco-evenepoel-suffers-multiple-fractures-in-crash-during-training-in-belgium/","content_elements":[{"_id":"D7DHWNGBGFDSFGIV652KC5Y57I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385222},"content":"Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel suffered fractures to his rib, shoulder blade and hand, his team Soudal-QuickStep said on Tuesday, following reports of a collision with a vehicle in Belgium.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DCVABTHYIBC2PPL6H5YUXZLO6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385224},"content":"According to Belgian media reports, the 24-year-old crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a training ride in Oetingen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N6TENB3E3BFWFAG26YAA4Q3JQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385225},"content":"“Following an incident while training today, Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital where it was revealed that he has sustained fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and his right hand,” a Soudal-QuickStep statement said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MYBCYOFALFAIHCS4Y2NGDQT2KE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385226},"content":"Evenepoel, who claimed gold in the men's road race and time trial at the Paris Olympics this year, was conscious after the incident with the impact breaking the Belgian's bike, reports said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HRX5QRYJ3BHZTPUXZIMQTWO4LA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385227},"content":"“Remco has pain in his shoulder and his hand. Our doctor is working on it,” Soudal-QuickStep’s manager Patrick Lefevere told Belgium’s state-funded sports website Sporza.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QAAGJGBR75CPTIBUOGL5GKR24U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385228},"content":"“His bike broke in two in that incident. But it’s better to split his bike in two than his arm.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZPZA5WKSOFBGPFYGXBIW6YTLLY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385229},"content":"In an update to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Evenepoel’s father, Patrick, said: “He has already sent us a message, so we hope everything is okay.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YC3GR7C4PJCS7FLSEFQYYRCGLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385230},"content":"Evenepoel was taken to the Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht after the incident and will now be moved to a hospital in Herentals, where his injuries will be assessed further. ","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"The 24-year-old crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a training ride in Oetingen"},"display_date":"2024-12-03T16:19:58.872Z","headlines":{"basic":"Remco Evenepoel suffers multiple fractures in crash during training in Belgium","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"J6YATL3HF5Q3OATFGKI3GSHTLI","auth":{"1":"fea54ef1ef57cb23e4865b510f1ffe4a3a880e41feacd121583f2f3e37dcf9a8"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/J6YATL3HF5Q3OATFGKI3GSHTLI.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/03/remco-evenepoel-suffers-multiple-fractures-in-crash-during-training-in-belgium/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"YB5TUTDNBRH5XCQRVVW25TCVMA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":191,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/e163a5c0-98d7-4d19-acfb-61f1b0a0f5e5/versions/1733081929/media/4d119a6ad81919b861df8af25a8f372c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/01/michael-vanthourenhout-and-lucinda-brand-victorious-in-dublin-cyclocross-world-cup/","content_elements":[{"_id":"NFR22HBWZBGFVELPUUZO6K74JA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672263},"content":"Past European champion Michael Vanthorenhout and 2021 world champion Lucinda Brand proved best in the Dublin round of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup on Sunday, taking the elite men’s and women’s races in fine style.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2JSVP7YXVVDMJOKFV2PCWWREVY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672266},"content":"Vanthourenhout swooped on the final lap of the Sport Ireland campus race after Pauwels-Sauzen Bingoal team-mate Eli Iserbyt ran wide on a corner and clipped a barrier, losing speed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7B63HWE27BDF3FEDYVEWY7VYTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672267},"content":"The Belgian put in a big dig to gap the rest, then held off Toon Aerts (Team Deschacht-Hens-FSP), Felipe Orts (Ridley Racing Team) and Iserbyt over the final minute of racing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KO5DAQDMYRA3NKPMWHTB2BUIDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672268},"content":"“I feel I was very good, so I tried to wait until the end,” he said. “I think it was a good decision.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZXQAMZBXUBHF3HKF6IMJG2UILU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672269},"content":"Brand (Baloise-Trek Lions) had a clearer victory in the women’s event, beating current world champion Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) by 24 seconds and Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM) by 1:03.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F2OW5Z2ROX2XSXGXGY5S3NA2E4","additional_properties":{"_id":"7LWRYYD3QNDUBH6JWCRJGS3BF4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EYL4RIIDHZCCRJEGRXPWVEJ6ZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672270},"content":"Race favourite Van Empel lost time early on with a puncture. She fought back to rejoin Brand, but then was gapped in one of the sand sections.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MFP5UPL45JCD5HBYZYCJ5XP7WM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672271},"content":"“I don’t know if she had a problem again with her bike or something, because in the beginning she looked strong and confident coming back,” Dutchwoman Brand said of Van Empel. “But maybe it cost her too much energy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGAGXRYWCNCVLOG3RGDCKALDEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672272},"content":"Both Vanthourenhout and Brand took over as leaders of the World Cup after this second round.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5OXYE7233ZAHNJGXZYIT3UZY2A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672273},"content":"Greta Lawless was best of the Irish, taking a fine 10th in the junior women’s World Cup race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PD45IEX6F5CG3KIYIPOKYDYZYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672274},"content":"“I didn’t really expect it,” she said. “I had exams this week and I was sick the week before so not the most ideal run up. 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This is a stone cold classic. The story of Conor Niland’s life in professional tennis, told along with Gavin Cooney of The 42, recently became the third Irish book ever to win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. And deservedly so.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LIPELKNKRRBBFL5RTJBANJMJSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218640},"content":"Niland is the best Irish tennis player of the open era. He was born six weeks after Roger Federer – not for nothing is the book subtitled On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99%. The story, then, is one of getting closer than almost everyone on the planet to the sport’s gilded inner sanctum without ever quite making it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MMDC5ERAXBGQFBPRGH4QFBYQCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218641},"content":"Some of it would break your heart. The drip-drip of him throwing away his one match at Wimbledon after leading 4-1 in the final set is harrowing, all the more so because the prize for winning would have been a Centre Court match against Federer. The travel, the injuries, the grimly observed differences between the haves and have-nots – all of it would grind anyone down.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NUQ6YQRP5DDPJAVZHJAXT4G3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218642},"content":"But this is no misery lit adventure. It’s very funny throughout because Niland and Cooney have packed a lifetime’s absurdity in here too. Like the time he played a set against the 15-year-old son of one of this sponsors, the weirdest match of his life. “Am I really allowed to beat up on my sponsor’s son? Or will he wonder why he’s spending his money on a guy who can’t beat his son easily?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AXPCU2NTC5HZFNTTCUNI6A5W4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218643},"content":"Niland retired in 2012, injuries finally calling a halt. The fact that he has let a decade pass before writing this book has done it a world of good. The tone isn’t bitter or maudlin – Niland has more perspective than that. He has painted a wonderfully detailed picture of a world most sports fans know next-to-nothing about and kept his sanity while doing so. That’s a win, all by itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XXMVENZ5CBEC7CT3CFDRFTJAZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218644},"content":"<u><b>Obsessed by Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Reilly (Penguin, €24.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"3ZJYIDVQQ5BSTDQSWRCJ7M6DFA","additional_properties":{"_id":"EO6FGPFXLZFRJMGQ537GN3MG7U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"MRF4QB2UYVE2NM54LUIB2JNI3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218645},"content":"There is a fantastic tension that runs throughout <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/johnny-sexton/\" target=\"_blank\">Johnny Sexton</a>’s autobiography, made all the better for the fact that he probably would have got away without dwelling on it at all. On the one hand, he was (is) a demonic competitor, a relentless setter of standards, a person who calls out deficiencies when he sees them. On the other, that doesn’t always make for a particularly pleasant person to be around.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPP44OW6HFBTVPSGWWIOG2ZFD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218646},"content":"In someone else’s hands, that side of his character could have been dealt with in a single chapter of a book that, let’s not forget, chronicles one of the greatest ever Irish sporting careers. Sexton and Peter O’Reilly could have thrown in a couple of anecdotes of him losing the rag, leavened it all with a bit of self-deprecation and moved right along to telling everyone about his drop goal against France in Paris.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WF37N3XB4JH25D43KDMC2OZKG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218647},"content":"But what makes this such a rewarding read is that fact that Sexton is willing to paint himself in an often unflattering light. His spikiness, his abrasive nature, his unwillingness to float along – these are a feature of his make-up, not a bug in the system. So much of the book is him wrestling with this side of himself. How did he get like this? Why does he have to be this way?","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ZKCU2MIHVC3POXAXEGQG25DFY","additional_properties":{"_id":"W4PYHJY4BJDJZLKVPNK6ZG7BJE"},"content":"Obsessed. The Autobiography by Johnny Sexton: One of the best Irish sports books ever written","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"R2A52XEAJBCGDJPVGYYPLTG4EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218648},"content":"“Be yourself everyone – except you, Johnny,” was <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/andy-farrell/\" target=\"_blank\">Andy Farrell</a>’s instruction at one point, making it clear to Sexton that he had to change his nature as Ireland captain, become more of a chameleon, work out who he can’t lose the rag with and who needs to be spoken to more softly. In the next breath, Sexton growled at John Cooney for a mistake in training but later rang him to apologise – “Though it went against every fibre of my being”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ERBXONWKRGHLJGVKW3OJKV5UM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218649},"content":"The push-and-pull of that, the constant unsparing questioning of himself, lifts this book above the vast majority of the autobiographies of his contemporaries. A brilliant portrait of one of Ireland’s most fascinating people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZPMZNNSHFECFPK2S3DA7HT6RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218650},"content":"<u><b>My Story by Joe Canning and Vincent Hogan (Gill Books, €21.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6HAXHRPFUZBNBEJQVCHM3B5DWI","additional_properties":{"_id":"Q2M6K7KI7JF6VDQODF5E7SCJ54"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"T6FR676VXRDFFGH3V7IWF4PNLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218651},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/joe-canning/\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Canning</a>’s father, Seán, has the best line in the former Galway hurler’s autobiography. At one stage, Canning is writing about the fact that he has kept a number of critical articles and headlines on his phone, years after they were written. He accepts that this doesn’t really say anything good about his ability to let things go.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WGID42VM3NADNHUQ56PZ2RQ24U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218652},"content":"“My father has this expression when he hears me giving out,” Canning writes. “‘Christ Joe, everybody can’t be a prick!’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PEH5QJMPRFI5OHDWO2T5Q3GMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218653},"content":"This is not to say that Canning’s book is a whingefest or an exercise in score-settling. It’s not that at all. The picture of Canning that emerges from his autobiography is of a man who has always known that his talent would mean finding an accommodation with the outside world – and one whose instinct is to feel uneasy about striking that bargain.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HOJQHVQGOJFMVJKACDW6K67CZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218654},"content":"Consequently, there is a sometimes contradictory sense about him. He has always battled to retain his own privacy and to keep his head generally down. But at the same time, he’s not one bit shy about loading up both barrels and picking off targets when he feels the need.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HH7WMH7WVNDHDGUMFTAKLODTBI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218655},"content":"Ger Loughnane gets a clip or two unloaded on him here, various clubs and county board members in Galway as well. Even Micheál Donoghue and his backroom, the men with whom Canning won his All-Ireland – catch a few strays in the book’s closing chapter, on account of them taking over Dublin and coaching against Galway in the championship.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L2XX2H5S4FEJ3B5TMJXDTV7C3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218656},"content":"Expertly put together along with Vincent Hogan, the picture of Canning that comes out of the book is someone who got everything out of his hurling career while staying true to himself along the way. That was never a given.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KKEKOL5G4BB2XAYBNBHGCG4WJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218657},"content":"<u><b>Whatever It Takes by Richie Hogan and Fintan O’Toole (Gill Books, €21.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BQLLHPV6NNANXINX2BJEOYOQOE","additional_properties":{"_id":"4LOINULKFBD6RGPQXXTKLBAM6Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"L54HZ2YG5ZGLJJDLPTZP6MDQCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218658},"content":"Richie Hogan doesn’t have a lot of time for waffle or flannel or even really shades of grey. Right throughout this pacy, enjoyable autobiography that he has written with the help of Fintan O’Toole of The 42, Hogan is at all times admirably straightforward. You prepare, you hurl, you win or you lose. You go again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WHYSCQA5EJGTPIDT2TWJKWAGQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218659},"content":"That’s why it feels such a betrayal towards the end of his years with Kilkenny when, after a few dire seasons with injury, he is back fit and firing but can’t get on the pitch. It doesn’t seem to matter that he is lighting up training – Brian Cody and his management can’t be convinced he’ll last the pace. Hogan has it out with Cody – he eventually gets on for the last 10 minutes of the 2022 final and scores his last ever point in Croke Park.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WAVANMH26VEPZDFE6ICQBBKENM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218660},"content":"That Hogan’s back dogged him throughout the second half of his career will come as surprise to nobody. But the extent of it and the lengths he had to go to in order to be able to train and play is jaw-dropping at times. His back spasms have left him lying on the ground in the middle of the street or panned out on the cold floor of a dressingroom toilet, just to be able to get in position for throw-in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W2OYPRFKDJAEPI5ZBNV5UJ5FLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218661},"content":"His relationship with Cody is fascinating. He’s not shy about expressing his frustration that Kilkenny never developed along with the game’s tactical changes and confronts the Kilkenny boss on a few occasions in the book with the sort of candour that others would have baulked at.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7NPDEUMFJBQ7ITPC3ALMVMHQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218662},"content":"Throw in some very funny moments – Cha Fitzpatrick’s Cancún adventures would make for a screenplay in and of themselves – and it’s a highly entertaining addition to the Kilkenny canon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6OS7IWXRM5H65NKAATNWOOTQCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218663},"content":"<u><b>States Of Play by Miguel Delaney (Seven Dials, €15.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNPGCL2IWFA5LABBT76UYAW2S4","additional_properties":{"_id":"GPTVHHATINC23NQXEE6XIEVTUU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RUEBPOSWDBEKZOQWSC6G6J3ATI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218664},"content":"The boiling frog analogy can feel a little overplayed these days but sometimes needs must. The hijacking of professional football by corporate greed and state-aided finance has been such a gradual process that it can often be difficult to assess exactly where we stand with it all. That’s what makes a book like this so necessary.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YF26YOBFQBG3TKQJPW5M34E5HE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218665},"content":"Miguel Delaney is the chief football writer for the Independent in London and his book is an exhaustive account of how the game got itself into state it’s in. It charts the rise of uber-capitalism within soccer, initially in England but throughout Europe and the world as well. The changes over the past 30 years, from the setting up of the Premier League to the involvement of nation states are all in here, expertly gathered into a coherent timeline.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CMLAUX6N65E4DA47NMPIGNOALM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218666},"content":"How Sportswashing Took Over Football is the subtitle but it feels like the term is there as a hook, rather than the whole. While the story of the involvement of the oil nations of Middle East is told here in great detail, it’s only one part of the overall disaster. Football was never meant to be about geopolitics and yet here we are.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSQNGCJAEJFHXN7TAZRKRCT5XE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218667},"content":"“There can sadly be no illusions about [football’s] role in the 21st century,” Delaney writes towards the end. “It has been a force for autocracy, populism, vested interests, commercialism, hyper-capitalism, ultra-liberalism, the fragmentation of the working classes, the overclass, culture wars, tribalism, soft power and hard power ... It doesn’t need to be like this, though.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AIVNU2IMDJCXZLGRSZTMLVL3XI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218668},"content":"Football needs this book to be read and heard. Part-investigation, part-primal scream, it’s a monumental piece of sports journalism.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Rest</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"EADASPVDK5HTLAHNM5MFCWVTOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218671},"content":"With integration (apparently) coming down the tracks, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the LGFA is as good a time as any for <b>Unladylike by Hayley Kilgallon (New Island, €23.99) </b>to hit the shelves. An in-depth history of women’s Gaelic football, it is rich in detail and beautifully illustrated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QNGV2XL2TVFT5F2VTYOTAFE3KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218672},"content":"On a completely different historical plane is <b>Lost Gaels by Peadar Thompson (Merrion, €28.99)</b>. A meticulous and heartfelt work, it is a collection of accounts of the lives of GAA members who died during the Troubles. Like all matters to do with the conflict, it is a complex book about which readers are entitled to have mixed feelings. A vital slice of oral history, all the same.","type":"text"},{"_id":"STFALYRARZCUDCPRBPHHETRJF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218673},"content":"Two other GAA books are worth a look. <b>The Epic Origins of Hurling by Joeys Alumni (MCH, €32.00)</b> is a translation of scholarly Irish work done by Brother Liam Ó Cathnia of St Joseph’s in Fairview, Dublin in the 1980s, tracing the initial stirrings of the game back in the 1700s. And <b>Our Finest Hour by Edwin McGreal (Mayo Books, €28.00)</b> is a phenomenal collection of yarns gathered in across every club in Mayo (47 football and five hurling), each telling the story of the greatest day in their history.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WZVXNKQIIRHP7GPYKMVL7MT6GM","additional_properties":{"_id":"RH2WQ5MOARFIBIRYGEWIJKMEGY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RDNSCO3AERE23DNPMD3QYJ3G4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218674},"content":"On the soccer front, <b>Munichs by David Peace (Faber & Faber, €23.20)</b> is a fictional retelling of the 1958 Munich air crash and its aftermath. Epic in scale and depth, it has been gloriously reviewed in most quarters. Turning real life into a novel isn’t to everyone’s taste – and Peace’s insistence on repetition as a writing flourish can be a bit grating at times. But there’s no denying his sincerity in honouring the men who were lost.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QUUHWDOOOJHVJFJ747TTJ5CVIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218675},"content":"Elsewhere, two titans of the TV football game have books out. <b>The Hamilton Notes by George Hamilton (Merrion, €22.99)</b> is the great commentator’s follow-up to his 2021 memoir. His sunny, warm character shines through a collection of travelogues, anecdotes and recollections.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HF53VK64FNEQPE5ELICDDWXPH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218676},"content":"In a similar vein, <b>Saturday Afternoon Fever by Jeff Stelling (Headline, €15.99)</b> is a delightful jaunt through the Sky presenter’s career and if the yarns maybe aren’t always as funny as Stelling himself imagines, there’s more than enough of them to keep the whole show rolling along.","type":"text"},{"_id":"53XDJHKRHZBNFDSTU4IRTX6PNU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218677},"content":"This being the 150th year of the IRFU’s existence, a couple of timely skips through history have hit the shelves. <b>Blood And Thunder by Liam O’Callaghan (Penguin, €22.99)</b> is the livelier of them, a deeply-researched social history of the game in Ireland that isn’t afraid to poke at the stuffed shirts that have run the game over the years. <b>Together Standing Tall by John Scally (Gill, €27.99)</b> is a more official affair, an oral history covering the games and players from down the decades.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KFFJ4INJNRFUPAKB7GDWKML2FI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218678},"content":"Next, two very different autobiographies by two very different Irish sports personalities. <b>Bend, Don’t Break by Frank O’Mara (O’Brien, €17.99)</b> is the former middle-distance runner’s story of his fight with Parkinson’s disease. Though it’s a bracing, uncomfortable read at times, you are left in total admiration for O’Mara in his battle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DOWBQ6EF2VGJFKM7RESFYN7Z3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218679},"content":"Davy Russell hasn’t faced serious illness but like most jockeys he’s had no shortage of injury to overcome down the years. They’re a feature of <b>My Autobiography by Davy Russell and Donn McClean (Eriu, €22.00)</b>, along with the people he’s fallen in with and out with over the course of a long career. Russell has always been one of the most interesting jockeys in the weigh room and the sense you get here is that he leaves it with very few regrets.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2VVTPGKIE5BPBGZTXTIYBBFRLM","additional_properties":{"_id":"GTGG5KL36JCYBONA6PV5SI3YTU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SP36BI3MGZA2XJZBTGECWBZ2YY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218680},"content":"To finish, some books that are mercifully NOT autobiographies. <b>Death Of A Boxer by Pete Carvill (Biteback, €23.20)</b> is not quite This Bloody Mary Is The Last Thing I Own but it’s fishing in similar waters to Jonathan Rendall’s 1997 classic. Carvill interrogates boxing and specifically he goes rooting around in the psyche of those who get into the ring, even though they know it can end in their death. Even if it’s a little disjointed at times, it’s always thoughtful and always probing, chasing the elusive why.","type":"text"},{"_id":"77IJR6ZO3VDGXF4YNAVEH4OVRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218681},"content":"<b>A Farewell To The Fairways by Dermot Gilleece (Red Stripe Press, €19.99)</b> is a gorgeous sign-off from the doyen of Irish golf writers. Gilleece graced the pages of just about every paper in town over the course of six decades and this is his reflection on it all. The words are exacting and precise now as they ever were, needless to say.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CMJRM72JIBC7TDKAAWFWLXULAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218682},"content":"On which note, <b>The Year’s Best Sports Writing 2024 edited by Jane McManus (Triumph Books, €24.00)</b> isn’t to be missed. Get it for the Sally Jenkins masterpiece on Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert – Bitter Rivals. Beloved Friends. Survivors – which genuinely worth the cover price all by itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Kids</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HSCMGTWYTJBNXHVKXVGVVOUYAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218685},"content":"Never has there been a greater spread of sports books aimed at young people, from illustrated histories to biographies to YA novels and beyond. <b>The Story of Irish Rugby by Gerard Siggins (O’Brien, €19.99)</b> is the perfect primer for a young person just getting into the game, artfully written by Siggins, author of the popular Rugby Spirit series. Beautifully illustrated by Graham Corcoran, it’s a must for any rugby mad youngster.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MLRSKZ6KWNGQDJKXNCXOGKDOPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218686},"content":"<b>Ireland’s Call by Paul O’Flynn (Gill, €14.99) </b>is a lightly fictionalised retelling of the 2024 Grand Slam, aimed at the 8-11 year-old age range. It keeps to the general story of the Six Nations campaign and scatters a few imagined conversation between players and coaches throughout.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5XFAKKDRNCR7DGYXYMDFOR6ZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218687},"content":"And for younger readers – or older ones who want to read to them – <b>‘Twas The Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue (O’Brien, €16.99)</b> is a lot of fun. A reworking of the most famous Christmas poem of them all, it’s set in Croke Park and illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald. Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"Johnny Sexon, Joe Canning and Richie Hogan all have highly readable offerings and Miguel Delaney’s book on the hijacking of modern football is not to be missed"},"display_date":"2024-11-30T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sports Books of the Year: Conor Niland’s The Racket the best in a year dominated by autobiographies","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"HSQIAFL7CBDJFPMAUYCWFBEUM4","auth":{"1":"57955f1488272f7f96f48ea653fd839cbf4942161db89faa479143c41e53601b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/HSQIAFL7CBDJFPMAUYCWFBEUM4.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/tennis/2024/11/30/conor-nilands-the-racket-is-the-best-sports-book-in-a-year-dominated-by-autobiographies/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/tennis","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Tennis"}}}},{"_id":"G24KP7LDSBBO5JUOTBJYYSDF3M","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":829,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/539f9165-1a54-4053-b528-c104d7e5c49d/versions/1732272511/media/e2cf7ae506a15e6ba525b76df89c757e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/23/the-bird-shaped-obsession-that-drives-james-crombie-one-of-irelands-best-sports-photographers/","content_elements":[{"_id":"WPTQVDNLEZCPJJVT7A6GYB3NZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571234},"content":"James Crombie knew nothing about birds when this all started. Couldn’t have told you a starling from a swallow. When a friend told him he should take some pictures of the murmurations around Lough Ennell, his first job was to go away and google what the hell a murmuration was.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YDXBPRGVFBHPJP5NM7MIMKUTKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571235},"content":"That was four years ago. Ireland was in the maw of the pandemic and the normal run of his day job as a sports photographer had slowed to a crawl. He was looking for something to divert himself and also to distract his buddy, who had recently been through a family tragedy. And so began, in December 2020, a project that would produce the most famous photograph he is ever likely to take.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7YHHZAMPCNB43OVG4KHQMIXGPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571236},"content":"Crombie’s astonishing bird-shaped murmuration didn’t just go viral, it went global. It appeared first on the front page of The Irish Times on March 4th, 2021 and from there, it went everywhere. To parts known and unknown – National Geographic, CNN, The New Scientist, everywhere else.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KZNPGYDFNBHR5PGRKXD4HZYCOI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2LWP7EWSTFATFKEGLSXGGOGWIY"},"content":"Lough Ennell murmurations seen on video just as James Crombie captures the famous photo","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"I3REI6Z5INC7FAQZQGTK4ZF2KQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571238},"content":"“In the three years since I took it, I’d say not a day goes by without someone mentioning it to me,” Crombie says. “I’ve taken pictures since then that I personally think are better but they will never get the attention that that picture got. I go to the UK and run into photographers over there and they go, ‘Here’s the Bird Man’. Every weekend, it happens somewhere.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZKGCAZR765DNBEXXXWW25XDJUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571239},"content":"“Which is fine and great – it’s not as if I’m hiding from it. I’m publishing a fecking book off the back of it! But it is funny trying to live up to it. And I don’t think I ever will or ever can, really. I spent the year after I took it half-annoyed because I was going, ‘How am I going to get the next thing that causes that sort of reaction?’ I felt this pressure to deliver something else as good as it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6OAGE3QJUJATZILFW5VIH2KU6U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571240},"content":"But as everyone who ever did anything good knows, reaction is an unstable pleasure. It’s a dopamine hit. It doesn’t last and it can’t be why you do it. Crombie took The Bird photo on his 50th night going to Lough Ennell. He kept going back for another 250 nights over the following three years. Why?","type":"text"},{"_id":"3PI6MUVQPKXVYUPQAJVZYBHDVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"2L4SUKSP55C7NCO4QYRJJJESQ4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JT3P5DQV3ZHVFAYL6VEZ54664U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571241},"content":"Well, he did it because it became a way to spend time with his friend. He did it because he made another friend, a local farmer, along the way and the three of them became ever so slightly obsessed with these birds. He did it because it was a change of pace too, because there’s only so many kicks you can get from the rolling schedule of live matches.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BDFEAKMND5CZ5OQW4VSOMRWKJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571242},"content":"“It’s funny because I get completely consumed by sport. Last weekend I was at the Aviva and there were 50,000 rugby fans there. And then I was in Twickenham with 82,000 people and then I was in Cardiff with 52,000 people. So at the weekend, I worked in front of nearly 200,000 people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XPKJFAWRRDQPMCKCVLSQBNZYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571243},"content":"“And then on the Tuesday night I went to the lake where there was nobody. It was quiet and peaceful and I just thought, I love the contrast in that. I kind of need that as well. Because you go from game to game, they often just become the same thing at a different venue. I’m as mad into it as I ever was but I know it’s not possible to produce amazing photographs from every event you go to. I know that sometimes you do a match in cruise control.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FIMLZ7OPJG2RJDZ2VLCCRFNZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571244},"content":"“So to go down to the lake and just be there, knowing that nobody is going to care what I produce or if I don’t produce anything, I like that. I’m there on my own, I’m not on the phone, there’s no pressure.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JLGWYMQDGZD6LCL7BWRZWIBX3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571245},"content":"Crombie has won plenty of awards down the years, twice taking the overall PPI Photographer of the Year gong. And yet, much like with the starlings, he ended up being a snapper almost by happenstance. He did an aptitude test in secondary school and somehow the career guidance answer that came back said he should be a fishmonger. He ended up in IT and went to London for three years, working in a bank. That was never going to be it, either.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5SNCONO2LVHJY4RC7QVZUAJAUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"5PGTKKJSEZFXJMJDMSLUFIRGNA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CCDEAOW35FEXNFL7ZOXPZ3IXQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571246},"content":"All the while, he was interested in photography, as a hobby as much as anything. He came back to Ireland and tootled about in a couple of other jobs for a while until a chance came along to take part in a reality TV series called No Experience Required. The idea was that various companies – among them the Inpho sports photography agency – would audition people who had never worked in a particular area before and at the end, take them on to the staff for six months.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HT73SWP3MNGIFODXJTSM5TW7KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571247},"content":"“I always joke with Billy [Stickland, founder of Inpho] that if I hadn’t won that show, I’d be earning 300 grand a year now and have a second villa down in Spain. But no, I chose sport and photography instead. And it’s been amazing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J63UGHRMHZG4NMYDLHGSYMRQ5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571248},"content":"“I would say it took me 10 years to get comfortable with it. I was obsessed from the start. For most of that first six months, I was sitting in the office obsessed with how the other lads were cropping pictures, obsessed with settings, obsessed with the equipment. Eventually, near the end, one of them said to me, ‘Here, are you not going to go out and take any pictures? They won’t keep you on if you don’t.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"O5Y6JHVT7RHR5LEM2E4HGFT7EA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571249},"content":"“It nearly hadn’t occurred to me that I could go out and take them, weird as that sounds. I half-thought I had to stay in the office. So I went out every night to a different football match – Dublin championship, intermediate games, junior games, down to Wicklow for more games then. I still have those pictures and they’re brutal. But that’s how it started.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2WBDUKYNAZFAVGKTUWNKKOY7SI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571250},"content":"The bulk of the job is matches. Rugby, soccer, hurling, football, wash, rinse, repeat. He brings an analogue radio with him to every match – digital radio commentary is always about 40 seconds behind the action. It means that he can be looking around during a game, staying engaged but still able to find pictures away from the pitch.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5Z5KWLJQGVFRBLH3ABMB27QFNM","additional_properties":{"_id":"4WK5YTBCLJBCXPOVFBWEBPZUAQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SX3G4MQSENFHPDC6JHRXIALT7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571251},"content":"“I think you need to keep some element of nervousness when you go to games. You don’t want to be too comfortable. If Dublin or Limerick are attacking in the last play of an All-Ireland final, your nerves have to be high because you don’t want to miss the shot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M56DQVFNCZHSRFV5WIXMY3L5VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571252},"content":"“I remember this year with Clare and Cork in the All-Ireland final, the Clare guy pulled the Cork guy’s jersey – I got a great shot of it. The jersey is nearly off him. I really thought, ‘How is that not a free?’ This is going to be the pivotal shot. And it didn’t become the pivotal shot because the free wasn’t given.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7HYUXRLKBE5TL3ANMYUONBF6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571253},"content":"“Those last shots are where you have to be nervous. I’d say something like that happens maybe 10 times in a year. You know it, you can feel it in the stadium, the last play is so important and you don’t want to mess it up. You need that little bit of edge.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GINBGRWVKZCDHFL25TXYHDGOKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571254},"content":"The murmuration project was entirely without edge, of course. Which was kind of the point. Crombie is married to Ann – they’ve been together since they were teenagers and have four kids. Having a day job that takes him away at weekends and sometimes for weeks at a time is bad enough. Heading off to hang out with a couple of thousand starlings for 300 nights over four years requires a fair bit of understanding on the home front.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OFBPU25H6VBFRCA6OWVP4DLRZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571255},"content":"“I would definitely say it’s selfish on my part. I’m gone a lot with sport in the first place. And then to find another reason to be away, it’s a lot. But I met my wife when we were 17. We know each other that long. She manages me, as much as people would have managed Paul McGrath back in the day. Occasionally she’ll say, ‘Right, cop on here.’ But she knows me better than anyone.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2O726S5CQRCTRLICMWPKWS6ZJE","additional_properties":{"_id":"RGDSYRHTXJA5VPGTIHHQ76YMGQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UTPUWOGV4NBT5DTXS2YT3K7MKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571256},"content":"When the book arrived a couple of weeks back, Crombie’s initial reaction surprised him a little. Delighted and all as he is with it, he couldn’t help being sad at the whole thing coming to an end. Or at least an end of sorts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TAFXVJWI45FQNG2NYRHSGNLDLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571257},"content":"The starlings have been coming to Lough Ennell to roost in winter for as far back as anyone can remember. It’s about half an hour’s drive from his house. He’ll never not be able to head out with his camera to shoot them. Will he ever snap another picture like the one he did three years ago? Probably not. Will he ever stop being asked about it. Equally probably not.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PRS4ORNROZAGLOCVHHYO6KOT7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571258},"content":"One answer that has never been properly nailed down is the why of it. Why did those thousands of starlings form themselves into the shape of a bird of prey that evening in April 2021? Murmurations are for protection, that much is well known. But why that particular shape for that particular millisecond? Pure coincidence? Or something deeper?","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRV42PVP3FBF7HLACXOQJPLKJA","additional_properties":{"_id":"GCCIAYMVNBBKZKOJJ6FOXMYT3A"},"content":"How Ireland won relay gold in June 2024: Ten photographs that tell the story of a golden night for Irish athletics","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6YJALFHY3FCFNI2V6EIM5ISCNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571259},"content":"“I’d like to think it’s something deeper,” Crombie says. “There was another shape that looked like a water wren that same night, within three or four minutes of the one I got. But I’m pretty sure it’s just by chance. I’ve had comments over the years saying it’s a sign of the end of the world, praising Allah, praising God, whatever else. I don’t know.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZBH6HLWSENCPVC3FO7YGWPMCNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571260},"content":"“I don’t think they did it on purpose. If I was standing at a slightly different angle, it wouldn’t have looked like a bird. We just happened to be at the exact perfect angle. So I don’t know. It was probably just pure chance.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GFT2JUJNVFYZP2SKHN6ERPVSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571261},"content":"♦ <i>Murmurations by James Crombie is published by Lilliput Press</i>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QPPNCSYXZJCMJJMHPPFHFGBFBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571263},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><u><b>The art of sports photography: How It Works</b></u></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WAK347OGJ5H2LOGAVRX6YNAKLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571264},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Fionn McGivern (2) watches Kilkenny v Clare, July 2023</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"C3ZS43T4DFGZVJL7NZT2UAMP7I","additional_properties":{"_id":"TANYOHGPHZGN7HFGMJIPNK5ZK4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GY6OIZLS5VAUJJDU7OTXJSORCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571265},"content":"I was watching this little kid for about seven or eight minutes while the game was going on. I was very relaxed that day. I was looking for something different and I remember spotting that little kid out of the corner of my eye. I had the game going on in my little analogue radio so I knew I could turn and get anything if I needed to.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQXRS2RJTVF5NMEXUWDDZRMD5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571266},"content":"But this little lad was just there and I followed him for about seven or eight minutes, maybe nine. Just waiting for him to get into that perfect stance, the way he is in the shot. I got a great buzz out of it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6RVSHG7E5CHTGM65P6ZFZSXJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571267},"content":"The kid was from Antrim. His parents were massive Kilkenny fans. They were down for the game. Somebody found them afterwards and did a story on them and they ended up getting tickets for the final because of it. The kid ended up being interviewed on Kilkenny radio. That one was good fun.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TERUBBZQXBBW5OJGWMT7TATVMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571268},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Supporter at Covid-era club championship match, September 2020</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WKYH26EULJC53CBW5ZMXK5X7DQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"7DJA2QWJBRBK5DUT6ZA6FBTSDM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZPRHSIW7UZBHRLWTFZ5TIZJZUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571269},"content":"Sport had just started back but no crowds were allowed at games yet. This was a Roscommon semi-final between St Brigid’s and Boyle. I was taking pictures of it when I saw this head poking up over the wall behind the goal. So I said I’d go out and have a look.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OGSLXOEIQFCPTPTRDCXSFC5Z6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571270},"content":"I got out into this graveyard behind Dr Hyde Park. This guy had carried his ladder all the way through the graveyard and propped it up. I didn’t want to disturb him in case he fell off so I took a few snaps and happened to get this one just as Boyle scored.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SWVPBHFZUFGJRNZHRQRS54QIIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571271},"content":"I went over to him then and asked could I publish the photo. “Oh Jesus no,” he said. “I’m not supposed to be here.” There were still restrictions at that stage on how far from your house you were allowed to go. But I said I wouldn’t use his name and would only show him from the back so he was okay with it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7MJDUH5N6FDD3IWQ4VG52CWUQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571272},"content":"A few weeks later, his daughter got on to me and asked could she get the original. Apparently it went viral and everyone recognised him. He ended up doing a two-page spread in the Roscommon Herald.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JUQWNP6PJVGELOVE3YBLGZB4PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571273},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Connacht bench at a Challenge Cup game in Siberia, January 2016</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OU3RZX3H5VFNPJ345V6ZT5KFK4","additional_properties":{"_id":"BOQMHUSUFVAD3LPVGMOXNYIVAM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AFPKXQKOWRFEFOGF62HR3CMJMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571274},"content":"This was a mad adventure. Enisei-STM were the first Russian club to play in the Challenge Cup and Connacht went to Siberia for the game. We were told there could be up to 30,000 at it – we turned up and there were about 400 there. It was the coldest I’ve ever been, the harshest conditions I’ve ever seen a match be played in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3T2VO6K5ENF6DN4MCXLU5LLDRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571275},"content":"I had about a dozen layers on me and I was still frozen solid. I saw the Connacht bench from the far side of the pitch but it took me about 10 minutes to walk around because I nearly seized up with the cold. They had blankets and hot water bottles and hot chocolates for when they came off the pitch.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XLAHJY22SZAXDDO3E25X46IWSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571276},"content":"It took us about a week to get home. The charter plane Connacht had hired hadn’t moved for four days and was completely frozen solid when we got back to it. So we had no way of getting out of there. By the time we did, our five-day visas had run out. We had to fly to Moscow to get our visas renewed just to leave the country. Players got processed first, officials next. I’d say I was pretty much the last one out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"It started as a pandemic distraction but ended up producing probably the most famous photo the Westmeath man will ever take - the murmuration that went around the world"},"display_date":"2024-11-23T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The bird-shaped obsession that drives James Crombie, one of Ireland’s best sports photographers ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","auth":{"1":"9c9585a82889598a9b724aeaa7c117136eb5fae92b5527345c4515158f27bbc0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","type":"image"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","auth":{"1":"9c9585a82889598a9b724aeaa7c117136eb5fae92b5527345c4515158f27bbc0"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/23/the-bird-shaped-obsession-that-drives-james-crombie-one-of-irelands-best-sports-photographers/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Gaelic Games"}}}},{"_id":"RTTPKAET2RA3RAEJJOBRZPMM3U","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":509,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/ac159224-ed65-4212-a342-0c5ba9f8cc46/versions/1731685733/media/7e87a8d229f8a1772794aa25af075030_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/11/16/lara-gillespie-climbing-the-cycling-ranks-and-finding-that-extra-gear-despite-adversity/","content_elements":[{"_id":"O2W2NNLT3BA5PEBKTBE54YLPJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731616006400},"content":"<b>The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman Award for October: </b><a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/lara-gillespie/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Lara Gillespie </b></a><b>(Cycling)</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"SZI663E57FC4BBPKDKPHCOSXOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731060},"content":"Being tough on yourself is, no doubt, a basic requirement for athletes competing at the elite level of sport, just so they keep pushing to squeeze every last drop of potential out of themselves. Lara Gillespie can take it to whole new heights, though.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DP4KL3OYXJCEXA2SI4FUWAVJRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731061},"content":"You note how emotional she appeared to be after <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">winning bronze at the Track World Championships in Denmark last month</a>. So you ask if that was because she was thinking back to the dark days when even being able to cycle again seemed improbable, never mind winning world medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P7P5PG3HVRBEJDRCEMSZREKSBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731062},"content":"“No. My only emotion that day was annoyance that I didn’t win. I definitely wasn’t thinking, ‘oh, that was amazing’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"S3JB22NY3JFJJJXAUQUQFRHK2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731063},"content":"Ah, Lara.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5CYWOSAPDBF4BFWDWWTERMGXNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731064},"content":"She laughs. “I am hard on myself, yeah, but I think every athlete does have a bit of that in them. And I think that’s how you keep getting better.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OWHNOFS6XBAPXGJCGHIXCYFSBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731065},"content":"It’s a fair indication of how much the 23-year-old has gone through the last few years that she describes breaking her shoulder a couple of weeks out from the Olympics as “a bit unfortunate”. For most, it would have been a calamity, for Gillespie it was just another hiccup on her journey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NC7LTETKWJH5DIDXIMC656OX5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731066},"content":"After the year she’s enjoyed, she probably deserves to be spared yet more questions about all her health and injury battles, but they put in context the measure of her achievements through 2024, on both the road and track, and demonstrate just how much of the warrior there is about this Wicklow native.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZNDXWOJF5ANNG2UIVLMGJW43E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731067},"content":"The gist: A debilitating gynaecological condition that eventually needed surgery, glandular fever, a torn hamstring, a dislocated collarbone, that broken shoulder, sundry injuries from crashes, and, just to cap it all, Covid as she was shaping up for her Olympic debut.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JSIVYNA3UFFYPL7MLPKORWH4SA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731068},"content":"So, after being annoyed with herself in Denmark for finishing just four points behind gold medallist Julie Leth and only one behind the superstar that is Lotte Kopecky, she reflected on her path to that podium and gave herself a break. A brief one, any way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B4CEM3XHCRFD7CPPS3CD4YAKS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731069},"content":"“Yeah, I do feel proud about getting through all the hard days, and I’m endlessly grateful to the people who helped me along the way. When I was sick back in 2020 and 2021, I couldn’t even get out of bed, that’s how mentally draining it was. Sport is my life, it’s what makes me feel good, so when I’m not able to do it, it’s really, really hard on my brain, my nervous system, my whole body.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L3ZAAMIMZFAQXP5QRU2M23OE7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731070},"content":"“And there was definitely a period when I really didn’t think I’d ever be racing again, so there’s not one day that goes by when I’m not grateful to be back on the bike. Everyone experiences hard times, though, but once things start going good again, you kind of forget about them. But yeah, I really overcame a lot of obstacles, so 2024 was quite a big step considering I’ve only been healthy for a year or two.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MA6LDSOQMFDMLOVUFMLDGE3IX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731071},"content":"She was, she says, able to put the “disruptions” to her career “to bed” last year, but you’d need a supplement to detail the highlights of 2024 — among them: <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/04/23/lara-gillespie-takes-biggest-road-race-success-of-career-with-italian-win/\" target=\"_blank\">winning two stages plus the general classification in the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa</a> in April, sprinting to victory in the Antwerp Port Epic race in May, being part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, smashing the national record en route to a ninth place finish, and being <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/06/06/lara-gillespie-inks-first-worldtour-contract-in-major-career-boost/\" target=\"_blank\">given a contract by UAE Team ADQ which saw her step up to WorldTour level </a>in June. And then there was Denmark.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PVMTADI77BG7TK5LR35RWTIWB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731072},"content":"“It was a dynamic year, but I absolutely loved every moment of it. I wasn’t just participating, I was actually able to compete at the highest level and I felt like I learned so much. My bronze in Denmark was definitely my big peak of the year, it was incredible to be in the top three in the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YJYG24ZSNFFT7JTUUQGFOULVJU","subtype":"instagram","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"MK32O6TO4NG3REC64S6UKZWIBA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731073},"content":"“But I was so proud to be part of that Olympic team too, the four of us traipsed around the world trying to qualify, and for us to achieve that, when we can’t even train at home, was something special.” That velodrome in Abbotstown can’t be built quickly enough.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ETKEU3TZNVGEFFSWPIZ72P64HI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731074},"content":"Needless to say, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/08/12/irelands-olympics-were-emotional-deeply-achingly-and-beautifully-so/\" target=\"_blank\">she was hard on herself after her fifth, 10th and 11th placings in her various Olympic events</a>, but she was hardly off the bike when she had Los Angeles 2028 on her mind. Before then, though, she has a jammed schedule, starting with the UCI Track Champions League — “basically like the Diamond League in athletics” — which gets under way on November 23rd. This is why she’s in Spain this week doing some personal training, rather than being back home in Wicklow relaxing after a hectic year. Cycling is unrelenting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HR444YNX2FDC7DI7767MR4CGSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731075},"content":"But after a hugely successful junior career, at European and World levels, Gillespie is savouring the chance that has finally come to realise her potential in the senior ranks, her signing with ADQ opening up a whole new world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYDJB6UHZZCTFFNHDOEWYSD7JM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731076},"content":"“That was massive for me, you can’t get any higher than that. I’m so excited to be a part of it because every single rider on the team is a champion in their own right. It’s a whole new chapter of discovering what suits me [and] what type of rider I am. I’m learning a lot about myself and other people are learning maybe not to put me in a box.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DLZQRC4GTZCTJPGAPVOILNIACM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731077},"content":"“A lot of times this year I surprised myself, and my coaches too. They only thought I was a sprinter or a track rider, and then I would do a big 40km solo breakaway and they’re like, ‘woah, where did that come from?’","type":"text"},{"_id":"CRH4YDJZWNBHZCPKS6IDLVSOJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731078},"content":"“So yeah, I’m learning about myself, what I can be. And I always think I can be the best. That’s just my nature. Every athlete should go into every race thinking they can win — otherwise, what’s the point? Maybe that’s why I’m so hard on myself because I know that’s where I can be: winning.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZRBCIRNM6FWD6XGYSAKQRZLHBI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2MIGHCRE5VCJXFXUL53MZ6XTCU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"FFLSXQENYNFJPBKDJNVFO7MG5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731079},"content":"A German connection is helping. Not least in transporting her bikes and all her worldly possessions when she’s travelling the circuit. “Yeah, 99.9 per cent of the time I’m living out of a suitcase, I don’t have a home base, I’m moving from training camp to race, training camp to race, to race, to race, it’s life on the road. And I love it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MPSWEF4O3VDRTKAEIB65GLLMEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731080},"content":"“My boyfriend, Luca Spiegel, is German, he’s an elite cyclist too, and dating a cyclist works out really well because you’re not feeling bad for being away the whole time — he understands. We both got to experience the Olympics and the Worlds together, so that was really special. And it also helps because the German team transported some of my bikes and stuff to the Worlds so, logistically, that helped a lot.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BHDXGVXOVBL3HEDP4GZD4YEGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731081},"content":"No regrets about giving up ballet, Irish dancing, football, hockey, athletics and swimming? “Ha, no. But I do miss them sometimes, I miss that proper team environment. Although I got those feelings back in Abu Dhabi a couple [of] weeks ago with ADQ, it was really cool because you could feel a team click.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DT7IO5WLIRHJXGA5FGUY25BTRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731082},"content":"“I still do a little bit of dancing, it makes me feel good, and I have a little jog here and there. I’ll go back to them someday, maybe when I’m a mom, but for now it’s cycling.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AN67PP5JU5CFPDYBGM5DN6N4LE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731083},"content":"<b>Previous monthly winners</b> — <b>December</b>: Fionnuala McCormack (Athletics); <b>January</b>: Lucy Mulhall (Rugby); <b>February</b>: Mona McSharry (Swimming); <b>March</b>: Rachael Blackmore (Horse racing); <b>April</b>: Róisín Ní Riain (Swimming); <b>May</b>: Rhasidat Adeleke (Athletics); <b>June</b>: Ciara Mageean (Athletics); <b>July</b>: Kellie Harrington (Boxing); <b>August</b>: Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh (Gaelic football); <b>September</b>: Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly (Paracycling).","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"‘I am hard myself ... but I think every athlete does have a bit of that in them. And I think that’s how you keep getting better’"},"display_date":"2024-11-16T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Lara Gillespie climbing the cycling ranks and finding that extra gear despite adversity ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ITAFFOSACMG5SZEDORWRPM6UOQ","auth":{"1":"f9832386002c528d0adebacc429a2b65866318ce0ce4b9db571655dcde407d10"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ITAFFOSACMG5SZEDORWRPM6UOQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/11/16/lara-gillespie-climbing-the-cycling-ranks-and-finding-that-extra-gear-despite-adversity/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"ZGZ56D2JSRENJDJREYIZVEK7WE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":349,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/16696ad1-8eff-4f00-bfdf-8cc343ad1719/versions/1731088520/media/feef627c9fad19f465477a19413265f3_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PNBY4Q6DTBCQBLUF2BT4F7NMZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806368},"content":"Just because you live in the Dublin Mountains doesn’t mean you’re far enough away from hearing any of the rumours coming down from <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/donegal-gaa/\" target=\"_blank\">Donegal</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7TYEKJLW4ZGHXBYTX77EQZ3LXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806369},"content":"As a matter of fact, a close neighbour with strong ties in the highlands reliably informed me a few weeks ago that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/michael-murphy/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Murphy </a>was unquestionably still playing the best club football in Donegal, and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/jim-mcguinness/\" target=\"_blank\">Jim McGuinness </a>will have him back next year, just wait and see.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z7RDAC3NKZBMDMQA3Y2WCLQWJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806370},"content":"The problem with any of these sporting comeback rumours is that there’s no knowing the exact source. What is certain in Murphy’s case is that he was done with intercounty football, announcing his retirement this time two years ago at age 33 and building a wall of reasons — including starting a <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/10/17/michael-murphy-played-well-gaa-football-is-as-good-as-any-game-in-the-world-we-set-out-to-improve-its-chances/\" target=\"_blank\">popular column with news organisation </a>— as to why he wouldn’t be changing his mind on that. Forget about it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JVRWOKPPUFBGNKVE376YLC3B5A","additional_properties":{"_id":"57KKULA4JNF4NJF3OXRBQI6ZII"},"content":"Michael Murphy ends intercounty retirement to rejoin Donegal footballers","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"Z5BZNVEBB5D5XH3NUZ6XTAIG6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781987},"content":"So when the Donegal county board announced on Wednesday that they were <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/06/michael-murphy-ends-intercounty-retirement-to-rejoin-donegal-footballers/\" target=\"_blank\">“happy to confirm the return of All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy to the Donegal squad for the 2025 season”</a>, well that had the famous McGuinness power of persuasion written all over it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NLKY4VDCWBC6DGHR34MWH2KMSE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806372},"content":"As sporting comebacks come and go in this country this is big, and while Murphy is still only 35 — or as repeatedly pointed out this week the same age as Paul Conway from Galway, who has just been named the 2024 Footballer of the Year — his two-year absence from the intercounty game must be of some concern.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JKUEAKUVFNFATLQHML5QMYPKLI","additional_properties":{"_id":"OYY7ISJQRJAMNENSOZQMOY36WI"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"NYNJLS7KZ5HA3PBI52SXKM67TU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781990},"content":"The drive for any comeback on this scale needs to come mostly from the within the player. With five Ulster titles and five All Stars along with his 2012 All-Ireland, Murphy has nothing more to prove. The talk of the new playing rules having something to do with his decision, and Murphy himself was part of the draft process, may carry some weight, but this is not an entirely risk-free exercise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TLSDOXMLDFE3DELFHRBCHZ4CCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806374},"content":"Compare it to the other big sporting comeback of recent years, when Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton showed up unannounced for a league match against Louth in Croke Park in March 2023. Like Murphy, Cluxton had been two full years away from the game. Unlike Murphy, he was 41.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZVW2JQOGZFWNFHCFVP2Q44MJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806375},"content":"There are lots of people who will tell you that Dublin would not have won back the All-Ireland that same year without Cluxton, but that comeback was his decision and his alone. His was possibly unique too in that he may not have seen any risk involved.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GLQTKBOQQFCSTHUTPL3Y5WCVRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"WMY56ZAZANCIPJ3FB5EFZFRZLE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KK2AMR52UFFXBFS4CDNA7YXKRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731082450758},"content":"One of my favourite stories of the football comeback is that of Kerry defender Mike McCarthy, who retired at the end of 2006 after a towering performance over Mayo in the All-Ireland. When Jack O’Connor made his own comeback as manager in 2009, he tried repeatedly to lure McCarthy out of retirement, had effectively given up, until McCarthy showed up at training one evening. Just like that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SBTIVCQ6HJCN5LX3FNHOZCQ6XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806377},"content":"F Scott Fitzgerlad said that in American lives there is always room for a comeback, but you just can’t come back all the way. Every sport has its own set of comeback possibilities, effectively depending on its level of physicality; and in boxing we know no great career is complete without at least one comeback too many.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNIIEX3DD5AXRF2VR3KHO4WTRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806378},"content":"In a sport of sheer athleticism, such as athletics, once that power of peak performance starts to fade it’s never coming back. And as tempting as it must have been for Usain Bolt to extend his career beyond the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, when he was just shy of turning 31, most people will say he choose wisely. When about two years later Bolt touched base with his old coach Glen Mills about the possibility of making a comeback, he was politely told to forget it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PYANOB5LVCE3P7XHCOR235CPI","additional_properties":{"_id":"JW3PEIC3URBJFIRBU3G2HBU42E"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"OXVEEZIEDJEOHHJKBFH5BIMBO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781998},"content":"“When you retire, that’s it, we’re not going to do any comeback tour,” said Mills.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DYRXZA7QZZFJ7NSELKGXBQCWLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806380},"content":"There are athletic comeback possibilities in other ways, and after Eamonn Coghlan retired after the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, 12 years after finishing fourth in Montreal in 1976, he was already getting on past the peak of his running power too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WE24YH6UVFGXZKLKJYQIYAINRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806381},"content":"Still, after a couple of mildly fattening winters Coghlan felt he simply had to get back on track in some shape or form, so starting with the 1993 season set himself the goal of becoming the first man over 40 to run a sub-four-minute mile. Just when it seemed that might prove slightly more difficult than Coghlan had imagined, he ran 3:58.15 at the Harvard Indoor Track, at age 41, and never raced competitively again. But what a beautiful sign-off.","type":"text"},{"_id":"APCFWVKN4ZHEVMGVQ5DWYFLR3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806382},"content":"Behind every sporting comeback there is also the question of what price? Lance Armstrong will forever stand out on this one, given his comeback from cancer to win the Tour de France on seven consecutive occasions, from 1999 to 2005, selling 30 million yellow bracelets along the way, before then announcing his comeback from retirement in 2009 when he finished third in the Tour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ET2VCBVKJRC5DD7RBJXQUPU22I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806383},"content":"There is no reason not to believe Armstrong might never have been caught for his systematic doping regime during those seven Tour wins if hadn’t returned in 2009 to try to win one more. But it was all the ammunition that US anti-doping needed to try to nail him one last time and so Armstrong’s sporting comeback would instead prove the ultimate sporting downfall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SIGDXRDPXFACTNTPRYMNWSKELQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"M3QS47527JFNDOUMKGCM5SKZ7I"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"ADCXTIBNJJCRZETDXNAMHV2XKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085782004},"content":"“Listen, I deserve this,” he told Oprah Winfrey on that revelatory January night of 2013. “It was win at all costs. When I was diagnosed [with cancer] I would do anything to survive. I took that attitude — win at all costs — to cycling. That’s bad.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HGEBUMPDC5HXJIF7MFU5NNCLZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806385},"content":"“I see the anger in people, betrayal, it’s all there. People who believed in me and supported me and they have every right to feel betrayed and it’s my fault and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to earn back trust and apologise to people.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZZH4MVYNZBUVBXK5LPSIE3HBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806386},"content":"Armstong paid the ultimate price for his comeback, but there was an element of greed about it too, which is also why any sporting comeback should also be driven by modest ambition. Such as walking back up the steps of the Hogan Stand. In Murphy’s case that’s not risk-free, but certainly worth the gamble.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Donegal’s decorated Michael Murphy the latest sporting talisman to roll the dice a successful return"},"display_date":"2024-11-09T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"No sporting comeback is entirely risk-free, but always worth the gamble","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA","auth":{"1":"ba4de126c28c7117d99358e8d2e6179738bfec018c9a82eb618247a3fd9279bc"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Gaelic Games"}}}},{"_id":"4ARTUHILDFGMDNP7LTXVWUIPNI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":160,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/49b766c4-1ac8-4307-95f2-8b65641fac15/versions/1730895222/media/ea1cd9a4429044894f6bb2b010989a71_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PUGRZ2CLVJDNHNV4CTT4D2UTMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475542},"content":"The <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-federation-of-ireland/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Federation of Ireland</a> (OFI) have confirmed that two existing board members will contest the election to replace Sarah Keane as president at their extraordinary general meeting in Dublin on December 5th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L4ZZY34C4FDEFDXTFIWUZIO3G4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475543},"content":"Keane is stepping down from her position having been on the board since 2014. She will have completed two successful terms as president, having first assumed the role in 2017 at a time when the federation underwent a major governance review following the 2016 Rio Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VQGMHK3XFVDARPY5L6VCYC2W5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475544},"content":"It was agreed under the restructuring of the federation that all those elected could serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Keane will continue in her role of chief executive of Swim Ireland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KPZ2X7J3S5FRPGG6M7CQODUEEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475545},"content":"Board members Moira Aston and Lochlann Walsh have put their names forward to replace Keane. Aston is chief executive of Canoeing Ireland and has extensive sports administration experience, having also worked with Athletics Ireland for 12 years in senior roles, while Walsh has a 20-year track record in sports administration, from grass roots to the chair of the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSZFMGO5WJAC5PSL75U3I5FBWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475546},"content":"Sarah O’Shea is unchallenged in her bid to become vice-president, with six non-officer positions also to be contested on the night for the four-year period 2025-2029.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UAEDUAJDURBP5HDBUOJ3LIK524","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475547},"content":"OFI chief executive Peter Sherrard will combine his current role with a new general secretary position, from the date of elections, for the purposes of international representation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VWPQP3AKLVD3HCGF4FI2RX7CEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475548},"content":"In all, 14 candidates have been nominated for the positions of non-officer members, including three existing board members and two former Olympians in John Menton (athletics) and Sonya McGinn (badminton).","type":"text"},{"_id":"X2CXCPBXPZAE3P3DCJPZKIJZ2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475549},"content":"Also challenging for a non-officer position is Roddy Guiney, whose father Dave competed in the 1948 Olympics in London, along with Aston, Eric Brady, Michelle Carpenter, Georgina Drumm, John Feehan, Aaron Guli, Eadaoin Keane, Aidan McLaughlin, James Quilligan, Siobhán Scarlett and Cecile van Steenberge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7LPCJV5U5VAGZNCSWFQY7A442U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475550},"content":"In addition to these elected positions, the OFI board contains two independent directors (Nigel Cowman and Sean Hawkshaw). A further two independent directors may be co-opted in the next Olympic cycle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sarah Keane will be succeeded by either Moira Aston or Lochlann Walsh"},"display_date":"2024-11-06T12:08:34.086Z","headlines":{"basic":"Olympic Federation of Ireland confirms two candidates running to be new president","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM","auth":{"1":"9e3549d5d8d8c2505da4a347b8b65c1826543128fc2bf834a4c915ebae528c43"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"VJ5HICQTYJFO3MUBGKZND3DEUU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":253,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/c32b1aea-dac5-4e73-83da-f8f35aaf9c76/versions/1730725334/media/835dcfee056d8beb88a93fa9e7e2c282_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/11/04/bohemians-secure-247m-in-government-funding-for-dalymount-park-redevelopment/","content_elements":[{"_id":"YJ7VOTMCYFBGFJ25ZRYRZBNFS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578798},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/bohemians/\" target=\"_blank\">Bohemians</a> have been allocated €24.7 million in funding for the development of a new Dalymount Park. 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There will also be four GAA pitches, a hockey/multi-sport synthetic pitch, and a cricket practice area with catch-nets, all of which will be floodlit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKBI7FQ6B5G6ZEITVMVL7J5IKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578810},"content":"“This is a major stepping stone for Cavan GAA, Cavan LGFA and Cavan Camogie who signed a landmark memorandum of agreement for the shared use of facilities, earlier this year,” stated Cavan GAA.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6WRBRTU4ZFD4FAF7VWS2I5QXO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578811},"content":"Among the other multi-sport projects to be allocated funds are Sallins Park in Naas (€3 million), East Coast Hub in Gorey (€4.9 million), Shannonside Centre in Leitrim (€3.3 million), Hyde Park in Dalkey (€4.6 million), Letterkenny Regional Hub in Donegal (€8.7 million), Mayo Sports Campus (€7.5 million) and City North Arena in Limerick (€7.5 million).","type":"text"},{"_id":"W5M2ENGWRFFK7KIC6K64XPVAUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578812},"content":"Ministers Catherine Martin and Thomas Byrne were in attendance at Dalymount Park on Monday to announce the timely pre-election funding.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRTR5NAR2NDJNCCEFWCDA6ORSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578813},"content":"“The advantages of engaging in sports, regardless of age, are profound both mentally and physically. To meet our ambitious goals of increasing participation in sports, it is essential to have facilities like these,” said Minister Martin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"466D6VCYTRGNFMHPP5LZARRLG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578814},"content":"Applications for the 2024 round of LSSIF closed on July 1st. 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She is unlikely to encounter the same problems next year.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"name":"Jeremy Whittle"}]},"description":{"basic":"Tour de France begins in Lille on July 5th and will return to usual Paris finale, having missed out in 2024"},"display_date":"2024-10-29T15:29:06.743Z","headlines":{"basic":"Mont Ventoux returns for 2025 Tour de France with Pogacar aiming for fourth win","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"KJLC5Z4ILAWIBR6J4RHJM5HAX4","auth":{"1":"dcf54c9096ab2daa77123889886eb64620c59b6be579515d7dfa4a061783f3a2"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KJLC5Z4ILAWIBR6J4RHJM5HAX4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/29/mont-ventoux-returns-for-2025-tour-de-france-with-pogacar-aiming-for-fourth-win/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"MVGBJNQY6ZEEHFXLVKEJXP2DRE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":165,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/d89d2d44-ac79-425e-a7c4-519c289a9dec/versions/1729439695/media/c2304f34d61a23186997f839a734eda2_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"AVXVNWJST5H3TEZKWIM3WK4UBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395995},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/lara-gillespie/\" target=\"_blank\">Lara Gillespie</a> has ended her track world championship campaign on a high note, taking a fine bronze medal in the points race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UWF6SE5UQNCJXIEMSSULVRK6QQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395996},"content":"The Enniskerry rider clocked up 39 points, just four off the total of gold medallist Julie Leth (Denmark) and only one point behind Lotte Kopecky of Belgium, arguably the biggest woman star in the sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y337MSAVA5DVTPKXLPSK737KKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395997},"content":"Gillespie previously won European points race titles as a junior and under-23 rider in 2018 and 2023 respectively.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F3UYW44MQFGQHBNEDSLFAOQL7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395998},"content":"“I am so relieved with this medal because I knew I could do it,” she said on Sunday. “I have the legs and every time I’m racing I’m getting closer and closer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IRMKDDYWAZBORO5KKVXVHTYLEU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395999},"content":"“This medal means a lot to me and I’m so proud to do it for Ireland. We have a small but mighty team and all of us and the staff have put so much effort this year prepared for the Olympics and for our performance and development.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBXG4FANAJG5NJMKOMDJ4XF6HA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396000},"content":"“I felt my coaches and everyone here believed in me and that really drove me on the extra bit. I’m very grateful.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T627ZOWW6RGBDCPI4O4OWBFTIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396001},"content":"Still just 23 years of age, Gillespie is one of the best young Irish riders in the sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ITAFFOSACMG5SZEDORWRPM6UOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"6QLZLSAN2VCXXGWNILNJNM25GI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6OFZ7AWELBBWZA6YRUS4NSOZJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396003},"content":"She was part of the team pursuit squad which became the first from Ireland to quality for the Olympic Games, and which shattered the national record en route to ninth in the competition. She was also tenth in the Omnium there.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HA6JP4XVPBGBNHLO5A2BSOVZAI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396004},"content":"Gillespie was one of several Irish riders competing in the track world championships in Denmark. She was fifth in the elimination race on Thursday and then eighth in the multi-discipline Omnium competition on Friday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2NKU7IKYOZH4DLJLWY4DPVBMNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396005},"content":"She teamed up with Mia Griffin in the Madison race on Saturday, placing seventh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NMLKFAHVTRF7DCJMGYWRB57OUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396006},"content":"Lucy Bénézet Minns was the third member of Ireland’s world championships squad in Denmark. She is still a junior rider but finished 16th in the women’s individual pursuit on Saturday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EVF5XXD3RNEHJPS7LASDNGOZW4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396007},"content":"Gillespie will exit the championships on a high after her achievements. In addition to being a highly promising track talent, she has plenty of potential in road racing. She won two stages plus the general classification in the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa in April and then sprinted to victory in the Antwerp Port Epic Ladies race in May.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LDHLEKMLTFHBLNAL3K33GVV2FI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396008},"content":"She was competing as part of the UAE Development Team but her results secured a rare midseason transfer. Gillespie stepped up to the WorldTour level in June when offered a contract by UAE Team ADQ, and recently took placings of fifth and seventh on stages in the Simac Ladies Tour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MVFXQQYYAZGCLFXK2VGVKBWJZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396009},"content":"She will compete with that team until at least the end of the 2026 season.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"The Enniskerry rider clocked up 39 points, just four off the total of gold medallist Julie Leth"},"display_date":"2024-10-20T15:50:11.551Z","headlines":{"basic":"Lara Gillespie speeds to bronze medal at track world championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM","auth":{"1":"b9c2dd7d824a5f59b808f433a7d36f6a26467c99bf2f4f6a9406291215c30cfa"},"focal_point":{"x":3213,"y":156},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"2O4RZGOL6RC6BFW47VF4CAQ62A","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":139,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/7e680b1a-b569-420e-ab42-fdf0ee7c220e/versions/1729423359/media/1e958c2b12895a102b8a4e54c92814fa_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/chris-hoy-has-two-to-four-years-left-to-live-after-terminal-cancer-diagnosis/","content_elements":[{"_id":"D524IPQAGBCWNF7TKHPWTP7QIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662707},"content":"Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medallist, has disclosed he has “two to four years” left to live after a terminal cancer diagnosis.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FXJOQ2B2DVCCBGVOHL2RW2L2U4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662708},"content":"The 48-year-old Scot told the Sunday Times that a scan in September showed a tumour in his shoulder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2IHNYIVLXVFENIS7WGN6K23RF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662709},"content":"And a second scan two days later found the main cancer to be in his prostate which has since metastasised to Hoy’s shoulder, pelvis, hip, ribs and spine and was stage 4.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q7TBGFLBW5EETLVL6FRNQ7QPZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662710},"content":"Hoy had announced in February that he was being treated for the disease.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VGVGP3F7C5AW3OPOWFRSAKQGNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662711},"content":"The 11-time track cycling world champion told the newspaper: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZRPREONKBJDS7OJGQBPMRR2XHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662712},"content":"“You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5L4GXTBQIJCHNMWGGBMPJKRZYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662714},"content":"He added: “You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKUKIDVNT5EIHMSJUE4NH4AQ4Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662715},"content":"The father of two said his chemotherapy had “no guarantee” of shrinking his tumours but on “the sliding scale” of predictions it achieved the most promising results.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZHZOBTKNZGYZE5SNBNXKAMUZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662716},"content":"Of the men who first trialled in 2011 the medication he is taking, a quarter are still alive.","type":"text"},{"_id":"APL2H5EIFZF4JOED3S4MIX4HVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662717},"content":"Hoy, whose grandfather and father both had prostate cancer, added: “One in four may sound like a terrible stat. But to me that’s like, one in four!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5K6VXFOQS5F47O4KQGKA6QLOT4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662718},"content":"“I do have faith that there are amazing things happening all the time,” he added.","type":"text"},{"_id":"46AIYB6M45BOZERTC5EZFRZIOE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662719},"content":"In his new book All That Matters, the former track cyclist discloses that his wife, Sarra, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IFN6WZ6ASNGHBPNIAMLT3QM47Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662720},"content":"The couple, who married at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh in 2010, have a son and daughter.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRC7ADBC6FDC7N34GMGEZ47TGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662721},"content":"Hoy wrote of Sarra’s diagnosis: “It’s the closest I’ve come to ... why me? Just, what? What’s going on here? It didn’t seem real.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FBMCSI63BGPBEC677YHRRLLWQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662722},"content":"“It was such a huge blow, when you’re already reeling. You think nothing could possibly get worse.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U5GIZTA4DNHRDDF4GYGSYYIFMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662723},"content":"“You literally feel like you’re at rock bottom, and you find out, oh no, you’ve got further to fall. It was brutal.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2IE7CDJ5ORCWFGWKWTJYDIDE4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662724},"content":"On his wife’s optimism, he said: “She says all the time, ‘How lucky are we? We both have incurable illnesses for which there is some treatment. Not every disease has that. It could be a lot worse.’”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"name":"Nadeem Badshah"}]},"description":{"basic":"Six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, 48, says he has stage 4 cancer which has metastasised from his prostate"},"display_date":"2024-10-20T11:17:28.437Z","headlines":{"basic":"Chris Hoy has ‘two to four years’ left to live after terminal cancer diagnosis","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DMZVS3C2SNMQM7D4I4E2PYXTWA","auth":{"1":"b485175c4cee66da79a65552c05d83118d0a3b0e55e9fa16f1777ed2fce5687d"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DMZVS3C2SNMQM7D4I4E2PYXTWA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/chris-hoy-has-two-to-four-years-left-to-live-after-terminal-cancer-diagnosis/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"ZAJF36HFPRES3EYMYVGMAOBKAA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":1402,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/439d07ae-076d-4896-9193-6167a8a74e00/versions/1729258173/media/64fb4384040d3899755f0f2dbb42f1b6_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/19/the-trials-of-stephen-roche-there-are-things-ive-done-the-last-few-years-im-not-proud-of/","content_elements":[{"_id":"FXDIVZGJABEIDIIOJVYI74MMME","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145785},"content":"To get from Nice to Port-Fréjus, where <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/stephen-roche/\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen Roche</a> suggests we first meet, the motorway sweeps up and around the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/france/\" target=\"_blank\">Cote d’Azur</a>, bypassing familiar names such as Sainte-Maxime, St-Raphaël, and Saint-Tropez.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVCBZYTZHVE6PIMBUFQKTIKCBA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145786},"content":"These are some of the same places where Roche announced himself to the cycling world in 1981, including when at age 21 he arrived, drenched in class, from the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin</a> suburb of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dundrum/\" target=\"_blank\">Dundrum</a> and became the only person ever to win Paris-Nice as a first-season <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/\" target=\"_blank\">professional</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"33SSEI7UFNDKHH4DYQ4EBNNSVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145787},"content":"The plan is Roche will let me know when he’s on route from Grimaud, to aim for around 5pm. It’s about two hours after that when my phone rings.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRDQWI6BFRAB3I3EO7IAHRUBXA","additional_properties":{"_id":"26EUTQCRD5ETFB4INWYZYX6TQM"},"content":"Tadej Pogacar becomes first male cyclist since Stephen Roche to win triple crown","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"CIW4BSYNGRAUHPBUWKVFG5IMGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145788},"content":"“You’re not going to believe this,” Roche says, panic in his voice. My first suspicion is he might be giving me the slip, but it turns out one of his two Weimaraner dogs – the one named Shamrock – had just bitten a neighbour, entirely out of character. The police were called, and Shamrock had to go to the vet, all that carry on.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3RJYX4A7IJBAPOOVOD2RNO7F4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145789},"content":"It strikes me later that Roche frequently uses such expressions of wonderment – “believe it or not ... would you believe … ”. When we do rendezvous at the originally assigned spot, he is utterly apologetic for the delay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OOI2OYF4TP7MXWKPJELGZJZI7I","additional_properties":{"_id":"IPJAVXX7CZCT5NFLCG6B5QYHEA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2GA2CG2SUVAQZGZNSURH3QZ4D4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145790},"content":"He appears healthy and upbeat, showing no visible scars despite the complete meltdown of his business and much of his reputation over the past five years. After first losing his cycling holiday business of over 20 years in Mallorca, which left him with heavy debts, Roche ended up losing his hillside villa in Antibes, his pension, all his investments and many of his closest associates.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O7H675NXPREFXLL4XQURSMVXLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145791},"content":"He appears slightly smaller than anticipated, his piercing blue eyes set against the soft Mediterranean tan of his face and neat silver-white hair. He admits he’s a long way off his once racing-fit physique, but then he turns 65 next month. One thing Roche hasn’t lost is his charm, or his curious enunciation of words, as if he’s speaking English to a foreigner.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4EEX7QF4MBGSVCP223YTGJZ2OI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145792},"content":"“Would you believe, I fell over with the dogs there recently, when they pulled on the leash, and I was outstretched on the ground, tore some ligaments in my shoulder. So I haven’t been able to get out on the bike for very long.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRPEGSL2APLIZQQ3FJPCSGDTME","additional_properties":{"_id":"Q6FCD74NJVGQTGEKDIUQJLWLZQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7IC2Q2BPWNBIRC2ITUOKZDV734","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145793},"content":"“Apart from the weight, and this shoulder injury, I’m okay. The last few years, all the moving around, that was taking a toll on my mind, the mental side. But at the same time, there’s not much point in moaning any more about my issues, what’s happened has happened. It’s time get on with it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VLHHP4RFZ5ES7LK7WK4HAGZPRY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145794},"content":"“Morally, it was difficult to pick up the pieces. I think I was always an athlete, number one, not a businessman. When I retired from cycling, 30 years ago, I was in the same situation, had to start from scratch again. I have to kind of re-enact some of the same mentality, otherwise I’d be still down there,” he says, pointing to the ground.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NP7WHGV5SNCZTGHDGP4RVHNMWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145795},"content":"It’s not the first time he’s been in a battle to salvage some of his credibility, even his legacy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OWJ5NEME25CPDC5BUVTNRVZNII","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145796},"content":"It’s easy to see why Roche has made this heavenly part of the world his home, and it also becomes clear from our conversations that he’s still trying to find some peace of life and mind here all over again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XZ3DMRHLCFAEROXHEIXERHYGW4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145797},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Casting a shadow</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"JAMZ7YA4TNCBJG5JQ7Y7SMDVTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145798},"content":"On the short walk for lunch at Brasserie Jacques on the Fréjus marina, Roche is recognised by five or six people, not always instantly, but it’s a suitable reminder that he wasn’t just a sporting icon in Ireland. In 1987 he became only the second rider in history to win the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and World Championships in the same season. His face was known all over Europe.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCUDCAZAQVDMFI45M4ZBCEKI7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145799},"content":"He tells me there’s a big bike show in town this weekend, which may explain things, yet once we sit down the sense is that plenty of people are glancing over at Roche thinking ... “is that him?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NZI6ORU2PBFABIK2LDHZMWAIHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145800},"content":"As a prop, I’ve brought along The Ascent, by Irish cycling journalist Barry Ryan, the excellent account of the rise and rivalry between Roche and Sean Kelly at the height of their cycling superpowers during the 1980s – and which also details the questions that remain about his association with Prof Francesco Conconi, given the evidence he’d doped riders at the Carrera team with EPO in 1993, including Roche.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BRAZIJAUTREIPOW45JABJQ5EVY","additional_properties":{"_id":"XSQJFOSU7RBDPAXT5TNUNAQDXA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GJ2LK2KJ5VBTBJHY6NIVAR5KWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145801},"content":"Roche shakes his head to say he’s never read it. My ploy to broach this subject is to tell him how, after texting a friend to say I was in the south of France to meet Roche, he replied with a one-word message: “Druggie”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2RS4GWOKIJHUNHCPBP6KBRRFOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145802},"content":"So how does <i>that</i> sit with Roche all these years later?","type":"text"},{"_id":"4MRDNVFYONE2NLKQZ2DMNBRDGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145803},"content":"“Of course it’s difficult, but there’s nothing you can do about it. At the same time, if people took the time to read everything about the Conconi case, they would see there’s nothing there. It’s a big smoke but there’s no fire really.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DV7LTFL2N5EODP74VU6WGDR52A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145804},"content":"“I was never, ever, ever convicted of doping. Never, ever even questioned about doping. Now you go on Wikipedia, you see that ... [his page includes a section with the heading “Doping”] I’ve been trying to get that removed, and every time I do it comes back.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2MXTE2TNXVCYHGLGAOSN2J2KXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145805},"content":"There is no doubt Roche is still deeply entrenched in his belief that doping had zero role in his cycling career, although he addresses the matter by turns with stern intelligence and childlike naivety.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CFGTTT7SWFEJ5GPBOXY532DQDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145806},"content":"“My first thing was never look at what other people are doing. I had my own programme of vitamins and minerals, whether in tablet form, powder form, or some injection form. And I never wanted to go to bed at night worrying about someone knocking on my door, saying you’ve got a positive test.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5AYXPQBD6NGNRPIZM2XPH55TQE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145807},"content":"“That’s why I never got involved in any conversation around doping, because it wasn’t something that concerned me.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNAVCZNANFBX5D3QIK7DGLJRVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145808},"content":"Surely it concerned him when one of his own Carrera team-mates, Guido Bontempi, tested positive for testosterone during the 1987 Tour?","type":"text"},{"_id":"F56NIP6O7JBD7H7AW2XWKNZXEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145809},"content":"“Whether it was himself that administered it, or the advice of a doctor, I don’t know. I never looked at what other guys were doing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"F7WBQPIDKZB7VNJYPSPZZM2SOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145810},"content":"The Conconi files first came to light at the end of 1999, six years after Roche had retired following 13 years in the peloton, when Italian newspaper La Repubblica broke the news that police in Ferrara had raided the offices of Conconi as part of an anti-doping investigation, uncovering computer files which showed that along with former Carrera doctor Giovanni Grazzi, Conconi had treated athletes with EPO in 1993. According to their evidence this included Roche.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7C66J2SR55AOFGR3G55EM5GNA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145811},"content":"“Well, I met Conconi once only,” Roche says. “When I first went to Carrera, in 1986, they were using the University of Ferrera for medical tests, so I met him for the first and only time there.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7K3KRDGQBB4FPXAOSQL5O6XUU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3J43N7UJ6ZFZ3BFD5EIWA5XL4E"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"V7ZAIENISRCTXIU4AJXFNVK3N4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145812},"content":"“In 1987 there was another doctor, Grazzi, a pupil of Conconi, who was the official doctor at Carrera. So he’d come to us once every three or four months, do our blood tests, bring them back to the university, then tell us we were low on iron, on vitamin B or whatever. End of story.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"W5BCYSL6NBDHNGRFBYAEIUY4M4","additional_properties":{"_id":"6CV7BHOPFNDZZJ4A3RVWIYCXK4"},"content":"From the archive: Some drugs in cycling are a matter of life and death","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"GXUYG3S6OZERZI26VWK2JRU5A4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145813},"content":"Would he entertain any possibility that something could have been administered to him without him knowing?","type":"text"},{"_id":"QXFIIFJP3NCOZBW7JENJK5OWVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145814},"content":"“No, never. For example, when I went to Dr Müller-Wohlfahrt, in Munich – and he’s still like a father to me, an amazing man – when I went to him with my knee problems, in 1989, he takes all these vials down, puts them into my knee. I took one home, had it tested, and it turned out to be extracts of calf liver, that kind of stuff.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X3KA3SBCXRCQBICXNZEDSJYEDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145815},"content":"“So later, I was back in his office again and I told Dr Müller-Wohlfahrt I knew what was in there. And he was shocked, and said ‘Stephen, I’m 40 years in this business. I would never, ever give anything if I thought there was something wrong with it.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"42KTZZUQTZBVPHETKJ36T3A5QY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145816},"content":"“But I would never, ever take something from anybody, even a drink, if I thought something was wrong with it. That’s why I can say today that no one might have given me something I didn’t know about. Impossible.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GXCLFF62SNDLHNIVK22O2AH3GQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145817},"content":"Roche is also adamant the first time he heard anything about the Conconi files was when he got a phone call from his biographer, David Walsh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F77KJWNJ6NCV7DLJMXTNWAMJ64","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145818},"content":"“I think it was New Year’s Eve of 1999, and David said he’d proof that I’ve taken EPO, had these files from Conconi, and it’s going to be front page news tomorrow. All that kind of s**t.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKVZBWENZFE3FCDRU5TG4X5CPE","additional_properties":{"_id":"2MD5JBGMTVAP7EWSR6YNBCBTGU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AQJMPXAMXVFVPJZ5VHZ67SQV3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729258388257},"content":"“The headline was very, very damaging, but if you blow up the details, anybody can see it’s totally impossible they were actually genuine results. All the values were all different on the same day even.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T2TO66DNCBGVLEGXZG2P7W5KBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145820},"content":"“Then they start relating all these surnames, that one name ‘Ronani’ was related to me. But why would I get into a programme at the end of my career, when nothing was riding on it?","type":"text"},{"_id":"RVTJ4GHWEZDOPM5FXQ7FVWQPUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145821},"content":"“In the end the judge came out and said after four years she cannot get the information that is needed to determine what has been going on, so she must conclude all these riders are on a programme.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5KMQWMZNFZCNRO64EYRKF4LW2A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145822},"content":"Three weeks after that news broke, Roche went on The Late Late Show, alongside Walsh, and the planned 20-minute segment ends up being extended to around 50 minutes by host Pat Kenny.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DINOGEXUMBDW5BUEEYEG3LCEUA","subtype":"youtube","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"FB32ZQ76WNDHFBP5SCYBEU363M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145823},"content":"“Well, that’s my problem, I’m a bit too open sometimes, but it was very intense. With these things, you’re never going to come out okay. People will interpret it the way they want. What can you do? I did try to take it further, was asked for 50 grand up front, just to start [the legal process]. For me, you could fight it, but not everyone is going to see the results. What’s said is done. But it was very damaging. Even today it is still very damaging.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5YSRRKW3M5H7FJUFGZ3J5BVRRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145824},"content":"“I never got a single phone call, nothing. I would have thought I would be at least interviewed to give my opinion. So in those conditions, you think it will just go away, because there’s nothing there. It’s easy to say now in hindsight I should have put up that 50 grand and fought it harder, but for me, I’d done nothing wrong.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NKXEPYFDIZHSZITXF4TSQXEIOE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145825},"content":"Does he regret not being more outspoken on doping?","type":"text"},{"_id":"56A2CTT3LFDUVNQS5D5RA6MXTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145826},"content":"“Well as a cyclist, I was never in that circle, because I wasn’t into doing anything. I was straight. People believe or they don’t believe. I know by saying it now, maybe people go ‘ah, he’s a hypocrite’ ... f**k it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZABX4GQM5RBT5OCAEV2CUDQH7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145827},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Business woes</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"JRQOXVM4AZF7FI3DF2LW4IJIPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145828},"content":"Like any tale of collapse into bankruptcy, what Roche tells me is complex and frightening. Things suddenly started to implode in 2018, when his company, Shamrock Events, which had organised his cycling holidays based out of two hotels in Mallorca since 1999, went bust.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BI2DOZLBLBG6RM543GF3KYVK34","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145829},"content":"In early 2019 the owners of the Ponent Mar and the Hotel Son Caliu petitioned the Spanish courts for the involuntary bankruptcy of Roche’s business, claiming unpaid debts of €392,446, before in 2022, Roche was ordered to repay €750,000 for negligently bankrupting his Majorca firm and removing assets to bankroll his lifestyle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7AIHV4ZTVGYHB66EKRPG6GV2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145830},"content":"He was banned from acting as a company director in Spain for seven years, although on appeal Roche got this reduced to two years, and his debts also reduced to under €400,000. It was still quite the fall from grace for a company that was once doing about €1.8 million in annual turnover.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B34VVPAKQJNX3LZXBREHN7MIJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"UENO337LGRHPPJTQBVW4XCPTPY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RZJX5KGTS5F5JJVUFI5H3TAU7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145831},"content":"“But in and around then, I made a couple of bad investments,” Roche says. “I wanted to grow the business, because a lot more people were getting into cycling tours, and one of the things was to buy my own unit, in Palma, my own cycling base.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RJDEQXEZVZHRXPBQVXFCCTWGY4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145832},"content":"“So for me, there was no problem pulling out a couple of grand for a deposit. I can always put it back in.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LQWRELL5ZFBPPGXN44B3GSYJPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145833},"content":"Around the same time, Roche invested €120,000 with a friend in Paris who was building a new luxury car company. He also had a share in a site near Saint-Tropez, originally valued at €6 million, of which Roche owned 10 per cent.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G7FEGJCIX5AZPFRMHIMWKEIB7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145834},"content":"“Then the site didn’t sell – a big problem with the planning on it – so it was wiped out. Well, it wasn’t wiped out, but it became a garden; the buyer ran away and we lost the money.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JERGMKZRA5HF3G7V7ZTTM7CF5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145835},"content":"“Then with this garage in Paris, we’d a theft – four cars were stolen and the insurance wouldn’t pay because the garage front door wasn’t conformed to the security measures.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CCV6S37K6NCGZEJZYXLOAQN6TE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145836},"content":"“For the new unit in Palma, because I couldn’t get the money together to complete that sale, I lost my deposit (€50,000). Everything just snowballed. I’m panicking, then of course you start back-pedalling, trying to sort things out. I knew the pressure was on then, financially, started ducking and diving, while trying to fill the holes, and it just didn’t work out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NE6UBKOGKBFCBMVENB5JKLZZHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145837},"content":"“I still don’t agree with it, but I’m settling for it [his debts being reduced to €400,000]. The problem was, I was totally negligent as to what actually was happening. A lot of people around me were close to me, I wasn’t really told ... someone should have grabbed me by the ear and said ‘Stephen, fix this’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CZKLZKQ2GVGUHJZQUE7BN7556E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145840},"content":"He adds: “Nevertheless, I am guilty of a lot of stuff. But nothing was done deliberately or maliciously. It was circumstances and panic, being surrounded by the wrong ... not wrong – some people who were too close to me, that weren’t really painting the right picture. And I didn’t know what situation I was in. So I made some bad decisions.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NB5XVNKR3ZAP3F5W3LCDFQ5GZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145841},"content":"The big regret, he says, is not facing up to his problems sooner: “And also that I didn’t show my face earlier. People were telling me horrific things, like ‘don’t show your face in Spain, don’t get on a plane, Interpol are looking for you’. All this kind of stuff.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JFZ67WVNI5ELTIFIFR6PQIHUNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145842},"content":"“The one thing I should have done, and would do tomorrow if it happened again, was go there and sit down, and say ‘what can we do?’. Instead, staying away, things got worse.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4G63IIZBINFXXEPZ37W7GMZB4Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145843},"content":"Indeed, worse was to come, when Roche lost his hillside villa in Antibes, worth in excess of €1 million.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D6KMPU66GNBCBNF3KF66PL77UQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"R4XE2YHTSVEGTKHDLFYGFG5BIU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42VVVQMDWRG5RIQV4FLQVAICTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145844},"content":"“That was separate again, but the result of it. I had a mortgage there, interest-only mortgage, because we were also running a business there, Airbnb, so this was my pension down the road.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3NGNQ5OJCFCQ5GI565ZWYCVWHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145845},"content":"“When the loan came up for renewal and the articles come out about the Spanish court case, the bank just said, ‘you understand, Stephen, we cannot renew your loan’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SHUZQFNALVGE7HNSEVHIFGINDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145846},"content":"“And this is coming out of Covid, no international buyers, so I found a guy who wanted a quick sale, I dropped the price ... meantime, the banks are charging me late repayment penalties, 10 grand a month. So I came out of it with my hat. It was really, really bad.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2V7VEXTCNFF43C3DHPURAGYLJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145847},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Family ties</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"UWJUHOXHUZCERCYGALTCO5Z7SA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145848},"content":"In 2022, in the middle of his financial crisis, Roche lost his father Larry and younger sister Carol within six months. His father had lived to 86, had never been badly sick in his life, He was taken to hospital with a nosebleed, where they discovered some kidney issues, and he died a month later.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GE45PXP6SVD4RLVT6XU56AC6XU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145849},"content":"Carol had always been careful to carry out cancer screening tests, one of which showed up a tumour in her colon; she was told she might only have six weeks to live; she died six days later, at age 61.","type":"text"},{"_id":"72ZEASR5ONDZXDOQZVRE7ZHQVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145850},"content":"“Of course that was very hard on everyone,” Roche says, welling up. “I have lost a lot, not just financially. And the lows have been very low. But at the same time, I’m not dwelling on that, have tried to use the lows to make me stronger, to fight back again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V4NQ5NTHZ5BOZBGF5NWHLYLJOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145851},"content":"“Sometimes it’s still difficult to come to terms with how things could have crumbled so quickly. The signs were there, why didn’t I pay more attention? I was so focused on making things right, then I became unreliable.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZZ3KTDLZ5EB5BPKAMRZYXZCEA","additional_properties":{"_id":"WQHH3LKZ3RFIDOE2GR645DNZIE"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"TE6QLZKUJNGVBE33EOVK2W5TVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145852},"content":"Roche has had breakdowns in relationships before, including his split and subsequent divorce in 2003 from his wife Lydia, who he married in 1980 and who is mother to their four children, Nicolas, Christel, Alexis and Florian.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DKCV3HIUMRFYHBLSHSFSKQZGKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145853},"content":"Earlier this year, his ex-partner of 10 years, French citizen Sophie Desobry, won a court action against him, claiming she was owed €300,000 for works she contributed to on the villa they shared in Antibes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RWRB7YF5ZNHA3A6JWUJYLZJM7A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145854},"content":"I later meet his wife, Hungarian citizen Csilla Roche-Henschl; they’re currently living in rented accommodation in Grimaud, next to Sainte-Maxime. To bring the subject back to cycling, I ask him, where is the memorabilia from his all-conquering season of 1987? His pink jersey, yellow jersey, rainbow jersey?","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZDAL5OBZAFEETPSPELRDAYWTSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145855},"content":"“Well, a lot of it is still in Spain, locked up in Palma. One of the hotels where I was working confiscated it, which wasn’t very nice, and now no one can find it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5FCAMNL7LFD4LL35TFWDCZCXDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145856},"content":"“But I’m not looking for any sympathy. I still love the work, sharing the passion of cycling [through the tours], still get a kick out of it. So there’s another chapter yet. There’s still a lot of stuff there that I couldn’t tell for the moment. To maintain credibility, and also some of my dignity as well.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HP2FEUYCEBG57O7NCXYK32E2YU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145857},"content":"“There are things I’ve done the last few years that I’m not proud of, there were certain situations I tried to manage as best I could, and now I can say they were the wrong decisions. But I can’t undo them.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LR4ZW4YBSZCQRPURGDTOSDMQEU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145858},"content":"I ask him what plans he has in place to help repay some of his debts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A2OKUYN2J5AKXD25GPCVGUHBOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145859},"content":"“So I’m still hoping to win the lottery,” he says (repeating that more than once). “And go back down there someday, put a cheque on the table, but say I’m only willing to give you the cheque if you return my memorabilia.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"C3KDPS5B7RADNATTJGU7EV2EYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145860},"content":"“I am using some of my contacts now, to help a developer with planning, and I get some reward for that. And I enjoy that ... [and some] corporate stuff, and some cycling tours around Nice. I’m going to build that back up a little bit, we have three cycling tours next year, on the far side of Nice, associated around the pro cycling events, such as Paris-Nice, cycling and wine tasting. And trying to rebuild the website.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YY5GRLK4OFCVXBCKJDS4GHPK4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145861},"content":"He’s hopeful too of rebuilding the full trust of old friends and family: “It’s difficult, because of my lifestyle, but it’s a work in progress, and I’m hoping with time things will sort themselves out. Because of the way things happened, they also have taken a little bit of a distance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RXJTSWIN6NHJBGVK4J72KODU3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145862},"content":"“But I’m not angry or upset with anyone. You make your bed, you’ve got to sleep in it. Nicolas, Christel, Alexis and Florian, they all have their own ideas of what happened but don’t really know, and someday when things finally turn around, I can sit down and tell them my side of my story.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KYK2SXPWRJHGNF3N3WYLFUM4JI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145863},"content":"“The problem is, time is going on – things have taken a lot longer to fix than I’d anticipated. But I have not put anybody off. I’ve distanced myself from nobody; anyone who has distanced themselves from me, it’s their doing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZY4YLVBLFZEDBFTXB5RCC5NCB4","additional_properties":{"_id":"CDQUCSMV3JBNTJPQEZ7KBYDVV4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NOZQHR4H2ZAARNUITZHRQTHQDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145864},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>New beginnings</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HPNYJ5RF5FHSNNMR4LTD5CN2UA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145865},"content":"Roche isn’t the first rider to use the word “depression” to describe his experience after retiring from cycling at age 33 and, looking back now, he says the physical void became as troublesome as anything financial.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNTDNCPJRBGNVIAZBGWX3ACL5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145866},"content":"“Basically, I first saw cycling as a chance to do something. But it wasn’t financially driven. My attitude was, the more races you win, and the less time you spend worrying about making money, the more money you’ll make.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EAFMXC72CZC57D73MOCZB7Z4ME","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145867},"content":"“I was already earning good money at 16, in Premier Dairies, worked nights too, and had my own car at age 18. Then when I retired from cycling, for the first time there was no pay-cheque coming in. That was difficult to come to terms with, but what made it harder was, after I finished my last race, I had all these business cards in my pocket, from all these people telling me how great I was, how easy it would be to find a job.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VM4NFUIEFVEPJGQBGST5JGNUEM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145868},"content":"“But no regrets about retiring too soon, no. Things were getting incredibly dangerous. Young riders coming through, pushing and shoving their way about, no respect for the older guys.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R3M3WVBUKJGZVBX4I37QFKKTC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145869},"content":"“In my last Giro, in 1993, I remember we got to the mountain stages, the last week, and when it came time to go on the descent, I’m hesitating ... ‘is there gravel on that corner?’ Before, I didn’t even think: I [would] get to the descent, and I’d be gone.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QZH4IHP7LVHLJCPCQGHGBQQHEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145870},"content":"He originally moved his family back to Ireland in 1996, buying a large house off the Ballychorus Road in south Co Dublin. Then, after three years, disillusioned with opportunities here, including for his children, they all packed up for France again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CG7FODNV4VEHFBJ653TLZINRVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145871},"content":"“It’s a bit sad but, again, no regrets. I’d invested in some property, in Ireland and in France, but still needed money coming in. Which is why I went into cycling holidays, which were only getting going properly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XWLZ2YZ3B5DMNHLFN45SXPVX3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145872},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"QX5VXXKHLBFTBILJKRYT2MOMEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145873},"content":"“But not being active was the big thing. One day when we were living in Dublin, and I hadn’t ridden a bike in a long while, I just realised something was missing. So I pulled out an old bike with flat tyres and rode down to my old friend, Peter Crinnion, living down in Kilmacanoge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T64CHJ7Z2BG35KDYO4N5CI5O7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145874},"content":"“There was a little hut of a shop on the way back into Shankill, and I stopped there, bought a bottle of Lucozade, three or four Mars Bars, sat there eating them all, and just thought, ‘this is what I’m missing’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5SP2ZOMRSFDDFN4QPCTZSPABZA","additional_properties":{"_id":"XR5JDCIXJ5HZDIU3DUG32NJBUI"},"content":"Roche goes to the limit and beyond in bid for Tour de France glory","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VGYD7BTGANG4XC6NN7CKDOQZ6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145875},"content":"Roche had hardly been seen anywhere in public for several years, until three weeks ago when he appeared at the finish of the World Championships in Zurich, where Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian superstar, became only the third ever male winner to win the Triple Crown in the same year, after Eddy Merckx (in 1974) and Roche (in 1987).","type":"text"},{"_id":"3L4L3WY3BRB4JALBBU6FFVGVXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145876},"content":"So who invited him there?","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATIYR2DGFZFLXJO3VM23RHEZQA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145877},"content":"“I invited myself, actually, I felt it was important. Well, not important, but it’s taken 37 years, it may not happen for another 37 years, and I thought associating myself with that is not a bad thing for me right now. And on the back of that I’ve already been invited to the Tour route launch in Paris later this month.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"BCHFMYVW6FATNPSQ5UNSP4OVPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145878},"content":"In what capacity?","type":"text"},{"_id":"EPFUHRYI6ZE6VHMXREG463IPKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145879},"content":"“Well, as an ex-winner.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UEVV55YBI5DQ7MTQFTRVNROMWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145880},"content":"No denying that whatsoever.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V34BDHLQS5EGHJGCHGK7Q6ZHC4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The Irish former world champion cyclist has lost his holiday business, his villa in the south of France, pension, investments and many of his closest associates. Does he have any regrets?"},"display_date":"2024-10-19T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The trials of Stephen Roche: ‘There are things I’ve done the last few years I’m not proud of’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Top Stories of 2024"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OXPELBLELBDOXN5YD7KSZR56E4","auth":{"1":"16e093915e6b6900a6064004a408f606bb1b38cde8fa37ea684d8230661f83a4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OXPELBLELBDOXN5YD7KSZR56E4.jpg"}},"subtype":"showcase","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/19/the-trials-of-stephen-roche-there-are-things-ive-done-the-last-few-years-im-not-proud-of/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"54G4YVPMSNALLJGN6YBR4MHU7I","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":113,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/2bd41024-29bd-42ea-804d-1b336a65e0a0/versions/1728242250/media/fbb7352b41007f3ba61c47bd7806c796_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/06/ronan-dunne-makes-irish-cycling-history-with-fourth-overall-in-downhill-world-cup/","content_elements":[{"_id":"MZYZBCWR4JC35BHQIO7QXTWRJM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ronan Dunne took the best overall World Cup result for Irish mountain biking on Saturday, finishing fourth in the 2024 UCI downhill series.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SODCBKK3BFE4LP7HXSA7WCBSAE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Dunne (Mondrager Factory Racing) went into the concluding round in Mount Saint Anne in Canada sitting third but had said beforehand that a top five overall finish was a big target. He was 12th last year, the best Irish result at a World Cup ahead of this weekend’s showing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"26Z2G3OMFFGRJHAKQIW4YQUNNQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It was a great season for me,” Dunne said after Saturday’s race. “I am super happy with how it went, finishing fourth in the overall. I was coming into this last World Cup pretty nervous, sitting in third place. My goal was to finish top five and it is super easy to lose out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"74HYUF6CINFMJNSKRAG7M2VVW4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It was definitely a dream come true to finish fourth. The race went pretty well. I got fifth place in qualifying and then just a slight mishap in my final run, but I still secured a top 10. That gave me enough points to finish fourth.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"EJKNFE3I5RGQLFBJORDRJMGAAU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Red Bull-sponsored rider placed 10th in Saturday’s final round, with Henry Kerr (Canyon CLLCTV Pirelli) the best Irish rider in eighth. Dunne had previously won the Poland round in May.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H33DAXNN7NGTBPJU2LH5BT666Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I was just nervous coming in,” he said. “It is nice that it is over now and we have six months off before a big season next year. I am super happy with how it went, it has been a dream come true, really.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UO6H45NXKFCE7K3BWUZAN3Z7PM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Meanwhile Marine Lenehan had a superb performance at the gravel world championships, winning the amateur 19-34 years race on Saturday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Dunne ‘super happy’ after concluding round of downhill series in Canada"},"display_date":"2024-10-06T19:12:11.571Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ronan Dunne makes Irish cycling history with fourth overall in downhill World Cup","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BOVSHTEBDFCTHGDCCRYTQ2H6MQ","auth":{"1":"93e3efff68b3056d97d6d03b365241a2d3dadebe1cc072203a08acb1e058c5d4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BOVSHTEBDFCTHGDCCRYTQ2H6MQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/06/ronan-dunne-makes-irish-cycling-history-with-fourth-overall-in-downhill-world-cup/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"TK5K5OAJLZDM7F2FIH5QT6D7QY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":324,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/c3a1476d-43ca-4ff2-90b1-5b07f6e5eba2/versions/1728039035/media/d4d237fb52e63ee337c502931369d7d9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/05/rising-cycling-star-ronan-dunne-is-going-downhill-fast/","content_elements":[{"_id":"UKGSBM7HA5DW7JPW2SOATFC4KY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561323},"content":"Ronan Dunne put things in stark terms back in May.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H563N7WYZNGYVBZ776BRTVTG3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561324},"content":"“I don’t normally look at the times, but this time I did,” he said, speaking before his final run at the UCI World Cup Downhill race in Poland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GUDNY3AGKFHHRCOTMII52NBD54","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561325},"content":"“I saw the time Bruni scored and I thought, ‘okay, let’s get to it, we’re not bluffing.’ I was ready to fight someone. “I had the mindset that I’d be going for a helicopter trip or coming down in first. We didn’t take the helicopter trip, we took the win.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CQ3I2SKA4BGLLGHPGVVJZRJNJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561327},"content":"The helicopter trip Dunne is referring to is being airlifted off the mountain if things went wrong. Instead, he beat world number one and current series leader Loic Bruni by 0.064 of a second to land the first World Cup victory of his career. It was a stunning success and now, months later, he is third overall before <a href=\"https://ucimtbworldseries.com/events/mont-sainte-anne\" target=\"_blank\">the final round this weekend in Mount Saint Anne, Canada.</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FNJPM2C6RJAPPN7DYPJONRSIYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561329},"content":"“I can’t believe it, it is pretty crazy,” he explains. “Last year I got 12th, which was the best overall position for an Irish rider ever. So it’d be pretty cool to top off with a third place, or even a top five.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OUCGSIYIJFFD7CYU5SHA4ZQ2GM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561330},"content":"The Mondraker Factory Racing competitor has had a breakthrough season. He won the Red Bull Hardline race in Australia in February, raced to that World Cup win in May, and then scooped another Red Bull Hardline event in Wales in June.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WUNLWEDWNA65ARBIFST5ASV2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":"34HST3P7PFD2HOPZFZT7C5IPEI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ISWROUMMGZCYXCXDCA5ZEYYHYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561331},"content":"Each result is a big triumph in downhill mountain bike racing, which sees riders speed, skid and even soar down highly technical, highly dangerous courses on runs that last several minutes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LL2WC2RLN5FZNA3DIWPTYEPWHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561332},"content":"Dunne describes the Hardline races as more extreme, with bigger jumps and greater risks. But while those two victories were of big satisfaction to him, the World Cup is what really stands out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"22TZ3DKGAFCPBKHDOUULLQKOZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561333},"content":"“Winning that was definitely pretty special. You can say you’re the fastest in the world on that day, which is pretty cool. It’s just so hard to win one of those races.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HKLCYQ2XYBGHBPJUA445Z2N3Y4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561334},"content":"“It’s given me real hope for the overall series,” he adds, referring to future years. “Now you’ve won one, you can be a contender for more races. It’s been pretty sick.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LVY2DK34IRDFFDMR3W3BCFTP5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561335},"content":"Dunne’s win came months after another by fellow Irishman <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/oisin-o-callaghan/\" target=\"_blank\">Oisin O’Callaghan</a>. The success late last year in Snowshoe, West Virginia, was the first-ever elite downhill World Cup victory by an Irish rider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L5UPUNVJWZFCXJ2HAUMHMVONFE","additional_properties":{"_id":"AGDCHL47ORFQXEHPASBJV5T26I"},"content":"Meet Oisín O’Callaghan, the downhill boy racer at home in cycling’s rainbow jersey","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"D7YVX7JGE5D2ZGKFJZI4JXZCXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1728041570674},"content":"Former world junior champion O’Callaghan<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2023/10/01/irelands-ocallaghan-and-dunne-claim-stunning-one-two-finish-at-uci-downhill-world-cup/\" target=\"_blank\"> finished 0.496 seconds ahead of Dunne on that occasion, who nabbed second.</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"SDPAYFDCGBARZLXCXHLNF5FLOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561337},"content":"They are 21 and 22 years of age respectively and are two of the most exciting young talents in the sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WOAWG7W5JDJRBOVKHGHKN3TEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561338},"content":"Red Bull had been paying attention and, following Dunne’s World Cup victory this year, agreed a contract with him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNHFLRVWVZGRXFLX4JIE2V6BSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561339},"content":"“I’ve always adored the brand, really,” Dunne explains. “It’s been a dream of mine for the past few years to become one of their athletes.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NE5XYF3QIVCBPDT5HKJS5BEX4E","additional_properties":{"_id":"5VR6QEZ4LFCWBDD6HZ623DVRLA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YIEI3CX5EJGZHBBUJMGL422NN4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561340},"content":"The brand has huge clout in mountain biking and backs some of the biggest names across a range of sports. Securing the contract should make a considerable difference to his career in the coming years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GS43UAVXMZDNBF5OUWFIZWJGCU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561341},"content":"World Cup leader Bruni is also part of their stable. He’s a big fan of Dunne.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XYDED24RSFG5VC3YVG3NLSCOC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561342},"content":"“Congrats to Ronan for his amazing season. It’s been really cool to see him progress and get better,” he says. “He has always been quite a loose unit, just sending it [throwing caution to the wind] and going for wins.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DBYTDLU5FCINKU55XS3HDQLII","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561343},"content":"“This year, changing programme, I think he understood how to make race runs a bit more consistent, and a little bit more efficient.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULMKNRLWGJGCZIAPXYNGCQ2ADU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561344},"content":"“It’s been cool to see he had it in him. His mindset was always quite fierce. When he won his first World Cup this year in Poland I was second by a small margin. It was really cool to be battling with him in that race and battling the whole season, pretty much.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"U5WVL73V4FD6NOFILPGTLLEULE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561345},"content":"Bruni is well clear in the overall standings and now looks to have the World Cup sewn up. Dunne sits third, with his closest rival very close to him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QGPVPGRCTJBNJIB3LJ27C2KFGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561346},"content":"With double points on offer for this final round in Canada, he knows a big clash is brewing over the weekend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CBOGA6C66ZGD3BE4CTJEPQ3UPU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561347},"content":"“It’s kind of all or nothing, really,” he says. “The guy in fourth place, Finn Iles, is a Canadian and won there previously. He is only seven points behind me, so it should be a pretty tight battle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X27LFTDK3JA6NBMU72VMZRAG4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561348},"content":"“First is secured, Loic Bruni has won that. And second place is pretty far ahead. But third and fourth is where our last battle is.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HUFERQ7Z2FFWRLVUXGQ7GNR7PI","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561349},"content":"“So to be considered in that category is pretty amazing. If I make third in the overall, it’d be crazy to say you are the third best mountainbiker in the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HB3MUD3AFJEI5OJBL7QGM2EGUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561350},"content":"“That would be pretty cool.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Enniskerry rider sits third overall going into final round of cycling’s downhill World Cup"},"display_date":"2024-10-05T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Rising cycling star Ronan Dunne is going downhill fast","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"KGUUJJZHNFAEZOT6OWMKTNY57I","auth":{"1":"17e48e793fd96da3e92f2ef9ad8de68d5f2f4325966b752393732b1ef92013cd"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KGUUJJZHNFAEZOT6OWMKTNY57I.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/05/rising-cycling-star-ronan-dunne-is-going-downhill-fast/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"RROYJMM7VNAN7MTURUKONTE5OM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":291,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/2a832bec-6143-49c9-9e17-49106282165b/versions/1727632735/media/c6b38e51f93c7b881a0b05eed656acda_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/29/tadej-pogacar-solos-home-to-first-world-championship-road-title/","content_elements":[{"_id":"TQVXJLW6TVFSHKFM7ZKDQGNJ7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727631928723},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/tadej-pogacar\" target=\"_blank\">Tadej Pogacar</a> made history in impressive fashion on Sunday at the road World Championships in Switzerland, joining Belgium’s Eddy Merckx and Ireland’s Stephen Roche as the only winners of cycling’s elusive triple crown.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NTOJX37HR5GMVBH46RWVLYAUO4","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Slovenian won the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France earlier this year and needed to take World Championship gold to match their feats, but did it the hard way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ORFPD7NJU5ACPMLMKBNUEOPALU","additional_properties":{},"content":"He attacked with over 100 kilometres remaining in the 273.9km race, bridging across to an early breakaway containing his team-mate Jan Tratnik and causing panic among his main rivals behind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O2SYI3MDQJDOLHXJZ2FQ5MZ5EY","additional_properties":{},"content":"He then went solo with 50km to go and fended of the persistent efforts of Irishman Ben Healy and Latvian Toms Skujins to get across.","type":"text"},{"_id":"242F76OFJVHL3LMYW5F5YCW3VI","additional_properties":{},"content":"The duo were caught with 16.5km remaining by a group containing defending champion Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands), Olympic double champ Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) and others.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DEYSU5UAFHKRJXTGOVYP4VZYQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Pogacar was just 42 seconds ahead there but while the duration of his effort had left him looking vulnerable, the stop/go racing behind plus his own stubbornness saw him stay clear to the finish in Zürich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DW6LLN5P2VCF7MBFUCG6YYTPGY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Australia’s Ben O’Connor jumped away in the finale to take silver, 34 seconds back. Van der Poel won the sprint for bronze, 58 seconds after Pogacar’s victory celebration. Healy was a fine seventh after being one of the standout riders on the day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VBA2OTD4HBFFTC3RTFFUDBRCJM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I cannot believe what just happened,” the 25-year-old winner said. “After this kind of season, I put a lot of pressure on myself for today. I had pressure from myself, from the team. We came here for victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YHNAYBOLQZBW5D6ZFUZFB2KM3U","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The race unfolded pretty quick. There was a dangerous breakaway in the front. I maybe did a stupid attack, but luckily Jan [Tratnik] was there with me. I never gave up until the final, it was an incredible day. I cannot believe what just happened.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SADO3WHJFZB6JOJ36TQQ5ARB4I","additional_properties":{},"content":"Healy was one of the strongest riders in the race, beginning his effort with Skujins with over 59 kilometres to go.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AKJKC6PF5ZGOPH776FH4EZE4CE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Despite a chase of over 40 kilometres, he remained solid after their recapture and launched two stinging moves inside the final seven kilometres. Both were brought back but he impressed nonetheless.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y6RMOZTTERB73OQ5YUS6VI5ZJA","additional_properties":{"_id":"XCXN3OD5T5HFPACRNSZ4UIOF4E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BIJUT2XMGFG7ZDWQQN5WB2LV6E","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It was bloody hard, to be honest,” said Healy. “Thank God I was with Toms Skujins, because he was insanely strong today. I did what I needed to do, but I didn’t quite have the legs. So thanks to Toms.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VTGEI2N4LZDD3EZR7ZPILYZSBM","additional_properties":{},"content":"The statement was a modest one; he was stronger than he suggested, showing form similar to his long breakaway during the Olympic road race in Paris, plus his aggressive Tour de France debut in July.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UIVICDCXWZB5XFNVTVSTE6M3UM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I just wish I could contribute a bit more and maybe we would have stayed away. I did what I could and then tried to play my cards in the final as well. But it just wasn’t to be, unfortunately.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"G2LFFLGZWNHNJP22RE4FJXYSF4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Still, mixing with the world’s top riders provides further confirmation that he is now on their level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M2S3NXDCSJB2FNFV6QD73NS474","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I am really, really happy with that. I laid it all on the line and it almost paid off, so that’s all you can ask for, I think.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"E3ULYMEPWNH7HK6HOYKD6PLZH4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Fellow Irishmen Archie Ryan, Eddie Dunbar and Conn McDunphy helped him early on. McDunphy was caught out by a crash and a dropped chain on the climb, while Ryan took a very solid 21st. Dunbar wasn’t in the same form as when he won two stages in the Vuelta a España, finishing 67th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L6PHI2TCOVFMHNY5ARCPSZ4CZ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ryan is a first-year professional and will take great encouragement from his performance, given that he was prominent on the climbs deep into the race and helped set Healy up for his big attack.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IJQCSW5XU5FLTEKKBDVQIHGFCY","additional_properties":{},"content":"All attention is on Pogacar, though, who continued a formidable season. Healy was impressed by the manner of his win.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PITCK2V6NRHSPA7LNSHIICQY6Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"“What can you say? Just absolutely insane,” he said. “I don’t think anyone expected him to go from 100k out today.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6TJJQ4JFWJBVVLJDNHHG3J7E64","additional_properties":{},"content":"Seventh by Healy was one of the standouts of a strong Irish campaign. The road championships in Switzerland were combined with the paracycling worlds, and Irish duo Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly won both the tandem road race and time trial. Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal took third in the road race and fourth against the clock.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HU52OVEE3FC6RGBFCSNLQIQQE4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Irish riders clocked up five other top 10 finishes, including Seth Dunwoody’s fifth and Conor Murphy’s 10th in the junior men’s time-trial, plus Darren Rafferty’s sixth and brother Adam Rafferty’s 10th place in the under-23 TT. Lucy Bénézet Minns was also 10th in the junior women’s road race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Unstoppable Slovenian adds rainbow jersey to Tour de France and Giro crowns; Ireland’s Ben Healy finishes seventh"},"display_date":"2024-09-29T15:55:09.237Z","headlines":{"basic":"Tadej Pogacar becomes first male cyclist since Stephen Roche to win triple crown ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"PIBKFAL5TB7XF3DOWH6VUURC74","auth":{"1":"a27889f02a3b8800e2f953f44bb5d083700829b6e39c8a3a2d87cbbf3869a6bb"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/PIBKFAL5TB7XF3DOWH6VUURC74.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/29/tadej-pogacar-solos-home-to-first-world-championship-road-title/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"LO7NVPTZKNB6HIROIPSTFHFYOM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":208,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/32aa98e8-a1f2-42d7-acb6-2bc3eaa0fa5e/versions/1727454196/media/5384b158c332e4fdd858a6c3f65d17b4_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/27/eighteen-year-old-rider-muriel-furrer-dies-after-fall-at-world-cycling-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"T4GE23T4LJHFFGXLBDSBSVOWJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767745},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/darren-rafferty/\" target=\"_blank\">Darren Rafferty</a> had a strong performance in a highly-competitive under-23 road race at the UCI <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/cycling/\" target=\"_blank\">Road World Championships</a> on Friday, racing to 12th in the 173.6km event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PU7NFOQZ6FCCNC7SYYK3KADCWM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767746},"content":"The Dungannon rider finished sixth in the time trial on Monday and hoped for a strong showing in the race. He was supported by Jamie Meehan, Liam O’Brien and Dean Harvey and bridged to a chase group of favourites with 44 kilometres left.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FRUBPEM25EG7KIOPW374XL4CU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767747},"content":"Rafferty has however looked fatigued after riding and finishing his first Grand Tour, the Vuelta a España, several weeks ago, with that event coming towards the end of what has been a draining first season as a professional.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DSEBK4IRLRDNXNVWH427VSLOOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767748},"content":"He faded on a tough climb with 24km remaining and finished 2′48 behind winner Niklas Behrens (Germany) and Martin Svrček (Slovakia), who sprinted for the win.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OJST6MVWCFFGXDI6ZMM2PYOAOE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767749},"content":"The day was marked by tragedy when news came that Swiss competitor Muriel Furrer had died after a crash during the junior women’s road race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E2ZRL463RRHTDN2GDBYT4JE7FQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767750},"content":"“The 18-year-old rider fell heavily yesterday, Thursday, during the women junior road race, and suffered a serious head injury before being flown to hospital by helicopter in a very critical condition,” cycling’s governing body the UCI, wrote in a statement. “Muriel Furrer sadly passed away today at Zurich University Hospital.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"F36VB2J7EBC7HGLTJBD5QKTZAE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767751},"content":"The UCI expressed condolences to her family, who reportedly said they wished for the championships to continue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SPARGHOCGVEORCJO6GW3T2KQ7M","additional_properties":{"_id":"LTIJCFWXRFAEXAOBW33I6AUZ5U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SJEWOIVS3VCYJAYX67F3OI5EAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767753},"content":"Saturday sees the elite and under-23 women’s road race take place. National champion Fiona Mangan and sisters Caoimhe and Aoife O’Brien will represent Ireland, the latter taking the place of Megan Armitage. She was originally selected but later withdrew from the squad for the 154.1km event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7WBV6GGNKNGR5ENGLJCK4N4TIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767754},"content":"The action concludes on Sunday with the elite men’s road race. All eyes are on Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia), who is seeking to be the first rider since Eddy Merckx in 1974 and Ireland’s Stephen Roche in 1987 to win the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the world championships road race in the same season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AQ36QAPQENEJ3DAMWCELYUMOOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767755},"content":"He dominated the Tour and the Giro, and was in fine form when he soloed to victory in the recent GP Cycliste de Montréal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3TKQI52PUFFTDKRH5HPGQZF37E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767756},"content":"Irish hopes in the 273.9km race will be represented by Eddie Dunbar, Ben Healy, Archie Ryan and Conn McDunphy. Dunbar will hope to have carried over some of the form which earned him two stage wins in the Vuelta a España, while Healy is one of the best Classic riders in the world when in top shape.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6TBIKXKKTFBTJEKRCQOWT4LEJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767757},"content":"Like EF Education EasyPost team-mate Rafferty, Ryan has had a fine first season as a professional. He won a stage and finished second overall in the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali in March and was fifth overall in the Lidl Deutschland Tour in August.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IOPS56TFVRDQXLEXGWW64VRZZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767758},"content":"McDunphy was a strong second in the Rás Tailteann in May and will likely play a support role for his more experienced team-mates.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"UCI confirm death of 18-year-old Swiss cyclist after suffering serious head injury in Zurich"},"display_date":"2024-09-27T15:57:00.503Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland’s Darren Rafferty finishes 12th in under-23 road race at World Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ARZKUZFNOJEODP2ZAZVE35TO6Q","auth":{"1":"b1f55d17ae75ab0f4101cbf1e7f8d68df62ed635c95cc7b5883a08410decaa16"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ARZKUZFNOJEODP2ZAZVE35TO6Q.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/27/eighteen-year-old-rider-muriel-furrer-dies-after-fall-at-world-cycling-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"YABUDD3U2VFFPNDKK4DZHDW2XM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":351,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/39b108c8-ddc5-4f16-98a9-bf660c6698df/versions/1727382269/media/b07ea4b3f1d1cff537464333568a8ad2_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/09/27/boxing-beaten-to-the-punch-when-it-comes-to-sports-capital-grants/","content_elements":[{"_id":"NVKEDNTA4FAFLKUKSOD2BTINAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881524},"content":"It takes a doctoral thesis to understand the minutia of how the sports grant allocation system works, who gets what and how criteria are weighted.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PE4D6IWZANFMPHCVH27C7EMYNU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881525},"content":"It seems, like the Irish tax system, it can be maximised if a federation or club has wealth, an organised administration with individuals who have skill sets or capital to invest into their projects. Those strengths will get you Government money. But not every sport has them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KTABE5WR2VDKPMG5Q6DDBJLUHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881526},"content":"This week millions were flying around, €230 million in all, with every niche sport and each governing body hoping the gods of the application system were winking down at them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UGKZYU4GBFHM7K6KJPAGEPF77A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881527},"content":"On Wednesday every blazer and alickadoo in the country was poised over their Smart Watch waiting for the wrist alert that told them what grant they did or didn’t get and in what category it was placed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YD5FV6HWZBEQHBWNUM3QOFTKSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881528},"content":"Even they probably don’t fully understand why Clonmany Shamrocks Sports & Athletic Limited are deservingly given a “New Mower, Defibrillator & Storage Container” worth €70,000 or the enlightened Carrigtwohill GAA Club in Cork are getting €17,285 for PV Solar Panels, while another club down the road gets nothing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LY6A2HAOQFFKREBNK5XRLZL27Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881529},"content":"What people do notice is, when the dust settles, it seems to be to the tune of a few million euros here and few million there, disproportionate across sports. Socio-economic disadvantage, female participation, technical merits of the project and level of self-funding, they all come into play. Or do they?","type":"text"},{"_id":"B4O5XGITPFH4XABLSKTW4G7GBE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881530},"content":"Apparently, the possible bingo windfall also depends on how expertly clubs fill in forms to make the successful application and whether they own or rent their premises. In short, owning is good, renting is bad.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HUBCGLJFJJHQNDNTCQRP35YELI","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881531},"content":"Either way, it has become a competitive event with some of the governing bodies and clubs at the standard of Olympic medal winners at doing it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XPOSPTRCX5E3VDGX4K76UP5GNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881532},"content":"Unwieldy and skewed towards sports with a high level of capital holding said one sports official, in an unscientific poll. A nightmare, said another. A third said their organisation had to run a series of workshops on explaining to members how to fill in the forms and empower them about how to correctly apply.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NNIOOHTEQVEC5OEN2PI5X3XEXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881533},"content":"You don’t need to be a solicitor said another, but it probably helps. A code breaker at Bletchley Park on the Enigma project might help too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P5HVOTOFMZHFPK3HDVMYPM5DWM","additional_properties":{"_id":"PCBAW5N65VH27EBOHX6PARWSS4"},"content":"<iframe title=\"Value of grants by sport\" aria-label=\"Table\" id=\"datawrapper-chart-3SRhD\" src=\"\nhttps://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3SRhD/3/\"\nscrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;\" height=\"531\" data-external=\"1\"></iframe><script type=\"text/javascript\">!function(){\"use strict\";window.addEventListener(\"message\",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(\"iframe\");for(var t in a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"][t]+\"px\";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();\n<\/script>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"PHIGQRK6QRCWTHHALVEV6PJL7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881534},"content":"Whatever way it works, people look at the figures and the smorgasbord of subventions, grants and allocations across the sports and the perception is that there must be an inbuilt bias about the process. That’s the look, one of a process that delivers lopsided, unbalanced outcomes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATYMM7TJCVB55DWJOTWHZNNE3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881535},"content":"Sure, there is buttock-clenching awe over the fantastic sums some sports get and a general feeling of delight that at least the money is finding a good home. But there is also a familiar sense of dismay about the left behinds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPXPIEPQ55CR5JRY6H4VGU6YRY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881536},"content":"So, chapeau to the form fillers of the GAA and soccer, whose combined allocation of €138 million, 60 per cent of the €230 million, eclipses all the other sports federations combined. You square it off as okay because your sister is in a soccer club and all your cousins play hurling and sure you dabble a bit yourself across several sports, although your main one is not soccer or GAA.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZVX4H6F25BJJPRLHIBBMEAJ5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881538},"content":"Add in rugby’s €10 million and €11 million going to golf and four sports take a €159 million slice of the cake.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3HJEZYR5VBCOVOYWPJJ4Y5CYQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727376433086},"content":"Journalist Sean McGoldrick highlighted one of the stark anomalies on Twitter/X this week pointing to boxing, which is the most successful Olympic sport going back to the foundation of the State. The sport has produced 19 medals since then and given us the likes of double Olympic champion Kellie Harrington. Yet.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GWYPFZQ7CRCH3C2XCS5NPVNVIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881540},"content":"Yet the sport gets €830,914 while the GAA gets €96 million. Again, congrats to the GAA, they have got the grants thing lit. Every time it comes around, they are bang on the bullseye.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WTQ7V7N7MFAKNA6E2W6KQI2MQM","additional_properties":{"_id":"3CPEURPTPBCWBCRSJY7CWZVNOQ"},"content":"<iframe title=\"Allocations for capital applications\" aria-label=\"Table\" id=\"datawrapper-chart-vIuCb\" src=\"\nhttps://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vIuCb/2/\"\nscrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;\" height=\"618\" data-external=\"1\"></iframe><script type=\"text/javascript\">!function(){\"use strict\";window.addEventListener(\"message\",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(\"iframe\");for(var t in a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"][t]+\"px\";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();\n\n<\/script>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"AIVPMWQ3W5CTZJ7QUHNL2EANGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881541},"content":"Then people begin to do their rough mental arithmetic and work out that boxing has around 20,000 members while the GAA has more than 500,000 members. It is a bigger organisation and that’s maybe a reason for the disparity.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N7E3I5E4QRCNVBMTFVF46OJEIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881542},"content":"Except GAA is not 96 times larger than boxing. It is about 25 times the size. That at least rules out two criteria. It is not numbers that’s involved nor success at the Olympic Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OVJXP7FMWFHK3E54NKYROIUMDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881543},"content":"A key criterion when applying for bigger regional projects is the level of self-funding available. It’s another inbuilt piece of bias that rewards sports with money to invest, and leaves you wondering how much other criteria, such as socio-economic disadvantage, are worth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YT2TMOO7WJB3FFWVRMMNP3QJD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881544},"content":"The question is whether the system is proportionate or evenly balanced. Boxing as a sport often tends to flower in disadvantaged areas, and it also reaches out to participants from diverse cultures and backgrounds, such as immigrants and the Traveller community. But boxing lacks investment capital and facilities.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PKLRDJVU6RGSZM736WBA6A6MPU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727374234824},"content":"On the flip side, tennis, for example, has facilities that can be upgraded and tends to own those facilities. Tennis clubs are also often found in non-disadvantaged areas.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3VDJWJ6IXBDHNJSKAFPM77VUOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727374234825},"content":"With no player at this year’s Olympic Games or in any of the Grand Slam events, tennis received €6,579,430 in this year’s grants. Hats off to them, they have clearly cracked the code.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7J7PSNCFSVEW5E2UZ55UZJK7DA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727374234826},"content":"But allowing sports like GAA, soccer, rugby, golf and tennis to dominate the funding chart just compounds the chasm between the sports.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PTCSCKMB3RH33L44OVKTXFZQNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881547},"content":"The system, while largely transparent, is far from satisfactory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U63PP6QYQZHLVOTXMPYRSKTEAE","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Johnny Watterson"}},"name":"Johnny Watterson"}]},"description":{"basic":"Despite producing 19 Olympic medals, the latest being Kellie Harrington, the sport gets a derisory €830,914 out of a €230 million funding pie"},"display_date":"2024-09-27T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Boxing beaten to the punch when it comes to sports capital grants ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LF3RSJQ5N5CVLF6DLIVR3BMDN4","auth":{"1":"6691fd364a23590d00e79860c993dd2ea77fbfc4e293d42c451836edd139275a"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LF3RSJQ5N5CVLF6DLIVR3BMDN4.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/09/27/boxing-beaten-to-the-punch-when-it-comes-to-sports-capital-grants/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/boxing","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Boxing"}}}},{"_id":"SDXO734IM5EURKK477K4MYDJ2U","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":105,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/5a6e2c81-908a-4417-b09a-8e86ef07bfd7/versions/1727373578/media/b6839d32f02e6fbd7a39899010fdfe5a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/26/benezet-minns-takes-10th-on-dangerous-day-at-cyclings-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"L2WZL2KHCZDKDCQLKSZNLSIXLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872841},"content":"Lucy Bénézet Minns was best placed of the seven Irish riders in action at cycling’s World Championships on Thursday, finishing a fine 10th in the junior women’s road race in Zürich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XXK5OP3ZQJAJVGF7J4YD76K6Q4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872845},"content":"She raced home as part of a group 1 minute 26 seconds behind a trio led home by British talent Cat Ferguson, who also won the time-trial on Tuesday. The race was run off in wet, slippery conditions. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"U5E4ADYQKRGATNS5X54MCQACWA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Minns said she was out of position early on and used a lot of energy to get back to the front group.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TXH4BGMEERH2VOP3Y43NMMFUIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872850},"content":"“Then I was just cooked. It was really sketchy in the wet, the roads were just like an ice rink. I didn’t fall off this time, I’m pretty happy about that.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SIALSDTH3ZGXVAGZIQDNWMZXUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872853},"content":"The tough conditions saw Aliyah Rafferty and Áine Doherty finish further back, placing 38th and 79th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"47CCJGYZUZGC5LIODVX7G6BX6E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872855},"content":"Seth Dunwoody was best finisher of the four Irish junior men, placing 26th behind the race winner Lorenzo Finn of Italy. The race was marked by many crashes including Albert Withen Philipsen (Denmark), who fell while in contention to defend his title.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P3O3DURSHFDGNK7I52DOZBPLAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872859},"content":"Muriel Furrer (Switzerland) fell during the women’s event and was described by the UCI as being in a very critical condition due to a head injury.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PDVEZSRITBCA7MS6R5RRQGK5GY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872862},"content":"The championships continue on Friday with the under-23 men’s race. Brothers Darren and Adam Rafferty compete after netting sixth and 10th in Monday’s time-trial. They will be joined by Dean Harvey, Liam O’Brien and Jamie Meehan.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer in a very critical condition after fall in senior women’s race"},"display_date":"2024-09-26T17:15:11.286Z","headlines":{"basic":"Bénézet Minns takes 10th on dangerous day at cycling’s World Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"PKYRVKHZWCSJFS4FESZIRIGOT4","auth":{"1":"1d2738840ba043877518e6486ebbd6e5becd7557775feb503aafa8fc83908bcd"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/PKYRVKHZWCSJFS4FESZIRIGOT4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/26/benezet-minns-takes-10th-on-dangerous-day-at-cyclings-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"ZTPOZVI7WRFRTLFVEUMNN6TCFA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":292,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/b39a2da7-5cb7-431f-b2b1-7de24881db3f/versions/1727269210/media/e5865a5e3c914e288d88b47b2321361e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/25/katie-george-dunlevy-and-linda-kelly-win-gold-again-at-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"LOTVDUIWUZAS7C5V24OBWOSL7A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487437},"content":"Irish duo <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> and Linda Kelly have won their second gold medal at cycling’s world road championships in Zürich, Switzerland, soling to a sensational victory in the women’s B (tandem) road race on Wednesday morning.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4R6UWPEPVREA3J2YUU7ANOZMVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487438},"content":"The duo attacked on the penultimate lap of four, having earlier gone clear with Ireland team-mates Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal, plus big rivals Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2IPVEIYCGNBR5AVABKV7Q6Z3S4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487439},"content":"Dunlevy and Kelly forged ahead of the other two tandems before the start of lap four, crossing the finish line three seconds ahead there and continuing to build their lead.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KCRPNY2ONVC4NOM4MAVIVU773I","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487440},"content":"Unwin and Holl ultimately finished 1 minute 23 seconds behind with Healion and McCrystal taking a fine bronze, 16 seconds further back.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SCNBY653MRFEXH3AVMKGSXG6WQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I am absolutely over the moon,” said Dunlevy, who has the sight-limiting condition retinitis pigmentosa. “To have two bikes on the podium, us and then Eve and Josie, it was just textbook. It was what we were hoping for, what we were dreaming of.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QJWKO3NJ2ZBYZDLYUJLRYBW6G4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We were hoping to get that in Paris and we didn’t, we came away with silver. I was disappointed in Paris not to defend my title. But to do it here at the worlds, I am so proud of us. It was an amazing race. I really enjoyed the course, it was a bit of everything, and just really exciting.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VC5VRG7MOJFGHHTNOUAMQSFM7Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487441},"content":"Dunlevy and Kelly won gold in the time-trial on Sunday, having done the same in the Paralympics TT in September.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I3CAPBPA2VDBPJUZUPOQUILC5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487442},"content":"They were beaten by Unwin and Holl in the road race in Paris, making Wednesday’s victory all the sweeter.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UEE3UOBWKFBXBFOAHDRLVN7QME","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487443},"content":"The Irish duo also won the road race last year in Glasgow, successfully defending their title this time around.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UCWRLAYWORAEDANOD5SCUCRBSY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Dunlevy suffered a fractured collarbone in the run-up to the Paralympic Games, and herself and Kelly had several other crashes. The latter suffered from concussion in one race, while illness also affected their build-up.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R6SMSX76RZH2HHV53XDHV7A3JM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We did have a good think about it afterwards when we got home,” Kelly said. “Before we got here we had a chat with our coach and a chat with our team-mates as well, Eve and Josie, just talking about tactics and power and speed and what you do around the course. And the type of course it is as well.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WR3VISFSZZBN5MTP6KPUAL4ZKI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We did play to our strengths up the hills, and also going very fast down the descents as well. We were hitting 70 to 80ks per hour, a lot of turns. We are just so happy to come back and do the double two years in a row.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UKKMWY4TUVBAXF4JJ2I7H2FAPE","additional_properties":{"_id":"IS4TKEPFOVAEFM2RYOYKCY4AWY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BXB3ZAW3QNBQXBGX2DEL2XKZAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487444},"content":"Healion and McCrystal will savour their bronze medal and the achievement of putting two Irish bikes on the podium.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VJNXBNLPKNBQHNLTIE3UBMY6E4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487445},"content":"McCrystal is bowing out of international competition at 46 years of age. She partnered Dunlevy for many years, securing three Paracycling gold medals plus several world titles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NTUFUG7RGBEXBICEYJK74FXWYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487446},"content":"She then switched to racing with Healion in road events as part of a tactic to chase more medals and also to share her experience and build towards the future.","type":"text"},{"_id":"STOH5E3OEFA2BI2VO4GGS3MEPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487447},"content":"The bronze medals are a fitting reward for a lot of hard work. They were fourth in last year’s world championship road race, fourth in the Paralympic Games road race and again fourth last Sunday in the time trial, but stepped up a level on Wednesday for McCrystal’s swansong event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGYRWORYQFFYNLYKYNYASWGE2A","additional_properties":{},"content":"As for Dunlevy, she is 42 years of age but will continue in the sport. It’s not yet clear if she will keep racing until the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, but she will be back in 2025 chasing more gold medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3KJ4HN4MJDMVOZE35F434AIKM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“[We will have] a long deserved break,” she said. “It’s been a long, hard year for us. We have had crashes on the bikes, illness ... mentally it has been a tough year. Mentally it’s hard to prepare yourself for these races. It takes a toll on the body.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXYMPAKBG5AWXOS33YF6GSMHYI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“So we’ll have a nice break and get back to it again for next year.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6MMV33I4GFEDDJ3OH7TSSYPGZE","additional_properties":{},"content":"What will help with motivation is having had such a good season. She and Kelly raced to gold and silver in Paris, with one final collaboration between Dunlevy and McCrystal also securing silver in the team pursuit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ILTWIAWMVD4NKSJ2ZIPPTLXIY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Dunlevy now has two more gold medals to her credit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NNSQKZM3HJAXRKVJVKVMQK57XE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s a dream, really,” she said. “Three months ago I was in a hospital bed, so to come here and to get three medals in Paris and then be double world champions here, I am kind of lost for words. It means an awful lot. I am very happy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OIWTINSTXZGFLCQXKQJQCD3YWE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Next up in cycling’s road world championships are the junior road races on Thursday. Lucy Bénézet Minns, Aliyah Rafferty and Áine Doherty go in the women’s event, and Patrick Casey, Seth Dunwoody, David Gaffney and Cal Tutty will line out in the junior men’s race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal take bronze in Zürich after string of fourth-place finishes"},"display_date":"2024-09-25T11:54:03.986Z","headlines":{"basic":"Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win gold again at World Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"UPPSSM3LBVFPLH3NT7OTXJ56BM","auth":{"1":"c7cfb8273e053480876b12ccccdb204c08c6a77ac38bbf0ad8b41c63083b4193"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/UPPSSM3LBVFPLH3NT7OTXJ56BM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/25/katie-george-dunlevy-and-linda-kelly-win-gold-again-at-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"BI5N6EEYHJDGFHMGUSN3HUB7VE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":112,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/8e68429a-a171-49d4-b62c-ccc5d67e7bf6/versions/1727117173/media/4c6d692f9472bc62e53700536ef6e9ca_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/23/seth-dunwoody-and-darren-rafferty-close-to-medals-at-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"B4JNJ6DHARB4DJCQNFI3KBL4RA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785779},"content":"Irish riders had a fine showing on day three of the UCI road world championships in Zürich on Monday, with Seth Dunwoody fifth in the junior men’s time trial and Darren Rafferty sixth in the Under 23 race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7TUVQ5IISRAJ5B33RNNU5VDB5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785780},"content":"Dunwoody continued the fine form he has shown this year to finish 24 seconds off race winner Paul Seixas (France), and 17 seconds off a podium place. Compatriot Conor Murphy was 10th, a fine performance for a first year junior.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2MLGWCWQOBHTHDMIWPZR62FYHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785781},"content":"“I managed to squeeze everything out of my legs today,” said Dunwoody. “Although not as much as I had expected but I can still be proud of this result. It’s my first major time trial championship and I hope to be at many more fighting for medals.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SWZ5FYNHBZHRVCIWOY46IKNIP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785782},"content":"Rafferty finished fifth in the under 23 TT last year and, having turned professional with EF Education-EasyPost this season, hoped to build on that. However he found he was lacking a little zip in the race, quite possibly as a result of riding the Vuelta a España at 21 years of age.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6M6VM7YUGRHU3NWT7PUNMMPGEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785783},"content":"“It has been a long season and I have done a lot of races. It is nice to be able to come here, represent Ireland and give it my best. Unfortunately it was not enough, but it is always nice and there is another opportunity on Friday,” he said, speaking about the road race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7VJMZVTIMRCFTBJOX4FQCT627Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785784},"content":"Brother Adam had a fine performance in his first year as an under 23, netting 10th. Spanish rider Iván Romeo won.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AUYBTDQM5NBDTL7BWYJVJ23USM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785785},"content":"The world championships continues on Tuesday with the junior women’s time trial. Sister Aliyah Rafferty and Lucy Bénézet Minns will represent Ireland. The latter was fourth last year.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Dunwoody continued fine form he has shown this year to finish 24 seconds off race winner Paul Seixas"},"display_date":"2024-09-23T18:27:59.329Z","headlines":{"basic":"Seth Dunwoody and Darren Rafferty close to medals at world championships ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"N2DK5DEMY2UKQGVPCYPROQ2HQA","auth":{"1":"d7286a95d00c844afb396fa295a03f87e5b071f2b9fe0ab0a327d386b2cdba17"},"focal_point":{"x":2341,"y":421},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/N2DK5DEMY2UKQGVPCYPROQ2HQA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/23/seth-dunwoody-and-darren-rafferty-close-to-medals-at-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"O7P7ZRRCOVCOJFHZUYWK2BNZOA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":203,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/813be2c1-3838-4d05-9fc1-0bd141d69ce4/versions/1727015241/media/e126eccca38e554d2f01cf5492c04737_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/22/irelands-katie-george-dunlevy-and-linda-kelly-win-gold-at-world-championship-time-trial/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JFIVIEGQ7VAZ5LDNF5FUVGBZ5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1727000677642},"content":"Paralympic champions <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> and Linda Kelly added another gold to their 2024 haul on Sunday, winning the women’s B individual time-trial at cycling’s road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IX4SY7TWEZA7DJUBBPQBWKYC3I","additional_properties":{},"content":"The duo smashed their rivals on the undulating 29.9km course, completing the distance 1:09.7 quicker than Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl. A second British duo, Lora Fachie and Corrine Hall, were at 1:38.44 back in third.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ITKUWZ4UMZCRRMUK73QAR2WU5Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"Irish riders Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal took a very solid fourth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"732J37BVUNBBREITBQ35MS6C4U","additional_properties":{},"content":"The victory by Dunlevy and Kelly sees them successfully defend the world title they took in Dumfries in August 2023.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GDNIH45HJRFBXIWM4BC2LSN2GY","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We really enjoyed the course,” said Dunlevy. “There were uphill and downhill sections so we knew, based on our race in Paris, that we would get time hopefully on the hills. We had to go over on our power on the hills and just really deliver a good solid ride. We’re delighted.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R54WB4X2ABHJNBBDS7DJCR3HA4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“You have to just attack each bit that you’re on, not think too far ahead when it comes to the time-trial.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MS7ZYCHLTVGTLJXJOSDMR3GRU4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Kelly pilots visually-impaired rider Dunlevy, and plays a key role in picking the right lines through corners in order to maximise speed while maintaining safety. She could see that they were closing on big rivals Unwin and Holl during the time-trial and drew encouragement from that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4O6AMVXXX5AKFJHXHNQF4WPITE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Towards the last seven, eight kilometres we passed the British bike. It was such a nice feeling.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WZKSFKDBJRDXNNW4QMMTBEJEWQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"They are next up in the women’s road race on Wednesday, and will hope to repeat their victory of last year. Healion and McCrystal will also be in action, with the latter due to retire from international competition afterwards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HYMVN7ZR5RHLRKVVASBP6QHSFA","additional_properties":{},"content":"She partnered Dunlevy for many years, clocking up multiple world titles and three golds, plus two silver medals, in the Paracycling Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F6TLBKFPQNH7HAKY2PSPJCPSQ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"The quartet are the only paracycling riders among Ireland’s 24-strong squad at the UCI road and paracycling world championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"52JWK5AGOJEORPPIM2FUMRXK7U","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland had no competitors in the elite men’s and women’s time-trials on Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"INNVGB4HVJAN7BUHDUZTR6HZYI","additional_properties":{},"content":"On Monday, Seth Dunwoody and Conor Murphy line out in the junior time-trial, while the brothers Darren and Adam Rafferty compete in the under-23 equivalent. Aliyah Rafferty and Lucy Bénézet Minns will then contest the junior women’s time-trial on Tuesday. Bénézet Minns was a superb fourth last year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IR4VGYKF45EVFOVRBLTJ746DDY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The road races will take place later in the week. Following the paracycling tandem road race on Wednesday, the junior men and women will be in action on Thursday, with the under 23 men racing on Friday. The latter group will include Darren Rafferty, who took a fine fifth in the time-trial last year, and who recently competed in the Vuelta a España.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RXV6WES75FDKVNHTMLDSUZBT2A","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sisters Caoimhe and Aoife O’Brien join with national champion Fiona Mangan in the elite women’s road race on Saturday, while double Vuelta a España stage winner Eddie Dunbar, Ben Healy, Archie Ryan and Conn McDunphy are the Irish riders in the elite men’s road race next Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Irish pair defend their title in Zurich as Josephine Healion and Eve McChrystal finish fourth"},"display_date":"2024-09-22T10:55:40.939Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland’s Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win gold in World Championship time-trial","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"UK2NVHDBU4H6KKVQ2ZTRFX6EWQ","auth":{"1":"ec6a04957978cf095a4f33bb9c23edb2d31e259c3e53c20ae89345b5863ab45c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/UK2NVHDBU4H6KKVQ2ZTRFX6EWQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/22/irelands-katie-george-dunlevy-and-linda-kelly-win-gold-at-world-championship-time-trial/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"IAWQVV26FNF2LEF7DTUCWLIDYU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":664,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/cfde3690-c684-4dff-9408-f2338ebb9574/versions/1726825465/media/bf32463772e2a347beba025ff62c8f31_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/21/after-losing-his-leg-to-an-israeli-sniper-alaa-al-dali-found-his-way-out-of-gaza-and-into-the-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"R3W4LZ4SARAR7OIIEQUQAZJADM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465157},"content":"Alaa al-Dali was watching the protest in his full cycling gear when he was shot in the leg by an <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-defence-forces/\" target=\"_blank\">IDF</a> sniper. He was standing beside his bike, 300m from the fence that separates <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/gaza-strip/\" target=\"_blank\">Gaza</a> from <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel/\" target=\"_blank\">Israel</a>. It was March 2018 and he was 21 years old.","type":"text"},{"_id":"33PC6JGPUZBM3JVLKZMISFZ4C4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465158},"content":"He had already qualified to compete in the Asian Games later that summer and was on track to become the first ever <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/palestine/\" target=\"_blank\">Palestinian</a> cyclist to compete at the Olympics. But the gunshot caused 22cm of devastation to Dali’s right leg and meant he’d have to get it amputated. No leg, no Asian Games, no Olympics. It was more than just his tibia that the sniper’s bullet tore through.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVE5H22AJNEZ3FTJZJ2DR6ZLBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465159},"content":"Six and a half years on, a small miracle will land next week. On Tuesday morning in Zurich, Dali will roll out for the time trial in the C2 category of the UCI World Paracycling Championship. Three days later, he’ll take his place in the field for the C2 road race. He won’t win but he will compete, in defiance of the odds, in defiance of everything. You don’t need to be on the podium to claim a victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZIASXT4HYVAKHLVWR3HW3ZBJR4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465160},"content":"“It will be the first time the Palestinian flag is flown on the international cycling stage,” says Karim Ali, co-founder alongside Dali of the Gaza Sunbirds Paracycling team. “It will be the first time any Palestinian has made it to a competition at this level. It’s an honour to be taking this step. It’s huge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FMSUO32C4BDNRMQGQUL6EKN4TM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465161},"content":"“Alaa only got out of Gaza in April. His family is still there, including his two young kids. He has travelled to eight countries through the summer and qualified for these championships even though he has had no permanent place to stay. In the space of five months, he has done something that takes some teams and countries years to achieve.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DPSLDF5VWJEU5PPMSCW5LA5WCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465162},"content":"That he has got here at all is down, at least in part, to Mark Rohan. The Westmeath man, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/motorbike-crash-survivor-mark-rohan-wins-gold-back-in-saddle-1.526329\" target=\"_blank\">a double gold medallist in handcycling at the 2012 Paralympics</a>, lives in Portugal now and coaches from his base in the Algarve. In Zurich next week, his stable comprises two Norwegian cyclists, one Icelander and one Portuguese, as well as Dali.","type":"text"},{"_id":"54NIZFWLPZGALNPSD3MTSS35QA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465163},"content":"“It was very ordinary in how it came about,” says Rohan. “I read about the Gaza Sunbirds and basically sent them a message saying something along the lines of, ‘I don’t know how I can help but I’d like to.’ I’m coaching Alaa but it’s as much coaching his coach Hassan as anything.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GKWVNDRHPRFMBOHZTES4G3S5RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465164},"content":"“What they’ve done is amazing. They really had nothing. I mean, nothing. They were getting aid workers to smuggle bike parts into Gaza for them. People were taking bikes out of skips in Israel and trying to get them into Gaza so they could work on them and make them raceable. They didn’t even have cleats to fit into the pedals – they were wrapping some of the cyclists’ feet on to the pedals with duct tape. It’s been such a hard slog for them.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FSLAO3RYDNBTBCZEPNXVFOOMMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465165},"content":"It started with Dali getting shot that day. The Great March of Return was a nine-month-long protest by Gazans in 2018, where thousands turned up daily to demand the right to return to their ancestral lands from which they were displaced in 1948. Dali made a point of attending in his cycling gear – he was having major difficulties in securing the right to leave Gaza to compete in international competition. He has always assumed that made him a target for the IDF sniper.","type":"text"},{"_id":"62FYMW3S6VDR3NM6BPXTVQBILU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465166},"content":"The official UN report on the demonstrations found that the IDF deliberately shot at the legs of protesters and that 156 amputations took place as a result. Dali’s was one of them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PRBUASEJDZFD5DGFP42BIAQDYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465167},"content":"“I begged the doctor to try his best before amputating it because my dreams as an athlete are tied up with these legs,” <a href=\"https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/6/2/riding-despite-gaza-palestinian-cycling-champion-alaa-al-dali\" target=\"_blank\">he later told Al-Jazeera</a>. “I spent eight days in the operating theatre. Every day I had a surgery on my leg. I felt so much pain and bullet fragments infected it all. I needed to make a choice – either the amputation or losing my life. After thinking a lot, I gave my consent to cut the leg. It was a very hard decision to make.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SCMF7LSTKRHT5DYTW6LUD2OUMY","additional_properties":{"_id":"YRKS2XR5LJEKZKQXFCACPRKGOI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CQDEONF225AHTIH4WPS57ZQLJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465168},"content":"Undeterred, Dali took a few months and decided to become a paracyclist. More than that, he decided that since the Gaza Strip had one of the highest concentrations of amputees on the planet, there had to be a way to pull together a paracycling team. A short film telling his story was shot and made in Arabic. The job of translating it into English landed on the desk of a 19-year-old student in London, a Cypriot Palestinian called Karim Ali.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BYH5BHXGBJEX3P7MVQ2THXORHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465169},"content":"“Translating is a pretty intimate experience,” Ali says. “You really have to listen to what the person is saying. What emotions are they feeling? What are the exact words or phrases that they use to describe their situation? I felt very close to Alla after translating his story. And as a result of that, I decided I wanted to help him. But I was super young and I didn’t know much about the world.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CM6FFM4VEFCU3NVHAMCKIKG22Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465170},"content":"That was how the Gaza Sunbirds were born. Over the next few years, with Ali in London and Dali in Gaza, they cobbled bits and pieces of gear together and got up and running. They were, from day one, a paracycling team rather than a cycling team. They were a place where amputees could come and learn to ride a bike. And, in time, to race a bike.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HPIDWLHHXZA37HGW4GEIRMEAOA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465171},"content":"“Our mission for year one was just to show that it is possible to train somebody under war circumstances,” says Ali. “It wasn’t to achieve any numbers. It was to see if it’s possible to get bikes, to train any number of these guys consistently for any period of time. That was it. That was the whole objective. There was nothing else. It was like an early proof of concept – as in, is it even possible to cycle in Gaza?","type":"text"},{"_id":"3NJLRR6Q4NCDPG4WZQBC5HSBPU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465172},"content":"“How difficult is it to ride a bike? Very difficult if you only have one leg.. Amputations in Gaza, they’re progressive conditions. People get one amputation, then another, then another, then another, then another. Then they get complications in their limbs because the prosthetics are never correct.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GABSRMUDLZHUJJ7RS7RIQ4TYB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465173},"content":"“So even if you have a good leg, how good does that leg stay when your entire body weight is on it? And if you’re prone to an crash and you get seen in the hospital or you get partial medical treatment for it, how can you continue to cycle on it? Maybe you can live a regular life with a slight leg injury, but then can you go and do professional sports?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VOKPBYLCMBFYTJAGW3PF5IGDLM","additional_properties":{"_id":"IGKKK5UAFRBDVOJKTTWRQSP3OI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HHYGKMK4C5HRVKSAZEXZERKGOE","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465174},"content":"Bit by bit, they built it up. This time last year, the Gaza Sunbirds had 22 athletes, ranging in age from 12 to 50. They were getting a better supply of bikes and trained five times a week, up and down the Gaza Strip. The best of them, Dali included, were aiming to compete at the Paralympics in Paris, at the time just 10 months away.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZMWK3JMVMRBBJD6DJR3RJBFBE4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465175},"content":"Then October 7th happened.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B43IZWAWBREP5FZAVR3NAUPYMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465176},"content":"Every day since, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-hamas-conflict/\" target=\"_blank\">the world has watched Gaza be turned to rubble</a>. The Israeli reaction to atrocities carried out by Hamas has made life on the strip intolerable. The death toll, as of this week, is 41,252 people, including 16,500 children. The UN says more than half of the homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged. More than 90 per cent of the population have been displaced since this phase of the war began.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2PV3VIZLKZEXDG6JOTVDQCXEMY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465177},"content":"In a particularly grim irony, cycling became the best way to get around Gaza. With fuel supplies cut off and 65 per cent of the road bombed to pieces, the Sunbirds went from being the most immobile people in Gaza to among the most mobile. With life as a sports team immediately suspended, Ali and Dali came up with the idea of morphing into a delivery service.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3J26D5DYMFDUTJZJYHCPMCGDDU","subtype":"twitter","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"LBWTJQUQJBCHBEPUNPWTZVDAWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465179},"content":"“Alaa said, ‘Why don’t I get some bread and cycle around bringing it to people?’” Ali says. “We made a video of it and put it out on the internet to see if we could raise money to help people. We set up a Just Giving page. The video was kind of weird but it worked. We’ve kept doing it ever since.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZGMWFQW6NNG7BFFANKSZ4E464E","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465180},"content":"All the while, Dali still wanted to try to get to the Paralympics. To do so, they would have to get him out of Gaza and into Europe where he could take part in some qualifying races. It took three months for him to make it across the border into Egypt, along with three other cyclists and two coaches.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6WKTLMZAVVDK3HOAXYBA7DLBBM","additional_properties":{"_id":"FVC5RRU6YJDCFAXPCNGG55J4WI"},"content":"Bohemians v Palestine: ‘In Gaza, our fields and our stadiums have been demolished’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"N4UKZNVNHFBLLFWQQWI7KMK4WQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465181},"content":"Everything since has been life on the hoof. They got to Ostend in Belgium to take part in a World Cup race in May. Dali finished last in his category but at least they were on the map now. That night, however, the news came through that the Israelis had begun their assault on Rafah and closed the border crossing they had squeezed out through only weeks earlier. There was, literally, no going back.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NIRCCEK3KFENZNX3RWQ2O5QXYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465182},"content":"Four of the group of six decided to apply for asylum in Belgium, there and then. But Dali and his coach ploughed on, to see if they could get a wild card into the Paralympics. They raced in Italy, Kazakhstan and Malaysia, all to show their hunger for a spot in Paris. But when it came down to it, the IPC didn’t grant him a spot. It was always going to be a long shot and this one didn’t hit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7KJRZ4DQB5GF3IO7OZ4LAX4SCQ","subtype":"twitter","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"JO2TYFY4U5G2VGCGHFGMONGLDM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465184},"content":"But along the way, he qualified for Zurich. Having spent the past two months living in a church basement in Padova, Italy, they drove the six hours north on Wednesday. They don’t know what the future holds past next week. Maybe Dali keeps competing where he can, maybe he waits out the war and tries to get back to his family. Nobody really has a clue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XV5OC2LRMZANJAMTPUOLT43RQM","additional_properties":{"_id":"EYHOMGV5ANDNFPBKSIPPZWGGDA"},"content":"‘We don’t have a life’: Palestinian shepherds struggle to graze amid growing settlements","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"2S526KJFZVDHTHYSVT2XEFQS54","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465185},"content":"For now, all they know is that on Tuesday and Friday, he will take his place among the sleek machines of the world’s best paracyclists and start pedalling his one good leg.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWNYW7QK7VAMLNYLQGBIW6ZL3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465186},"content":"Whatever the road in front of him holds, it can’t be harder than the one behind him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JYK26ZUUMJFFJJXJBF4USB3YVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465187},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"In Zurich on Tuesday, the Palestinian flag will fly on the global cycling stage for the first time as the founder of the Gaza Sunbirds takes his place among the best paracyclists in the world"},"display_date":"2024-09-21T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"After losing his leg to an Israeli sniper, Alaa al-Dali found his way out of Gaza and into the World Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ADV47ZPAIBEU3FTZ3V3UIAB3EQ","auth":{"1":"40877ecb5e835768028e657cfd5368d8cbe374060496fa0e8bd5cf90de5b1033"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ADV47ZPAIBEU3FTZ3V3UIAB3EQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/21/after-losing-his-leg-to-an-israeli-sniper-alaa-al-dali-found-his-way-out-of-gaza-and-into-the-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"IXU4FPHWQJB5PPMVXAJNPX6J6A","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":641,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/1e846b57-75f6-4861-bf45-a4c2f9cd4a34/versions/1726152954/media/eb7403de05b5951a65b05dd8c917676c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/life-style/people/2024/09/13/what-next-for-katie-george-dunlevy-no-irish-athlete-can-touch-her-medal-numbers-yet-la-2028-not-certain/","content_elements":[{"_id":"SJQ3M4KZ2VF2VNEZZ7BLCV3CLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125272},"content":"First it was medals, now legacy is creeping into the thinking of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a>. There is an abundance of the former, with the latter beginning to enter the conversation. Dunlevy will have a more serious discussion with herself following next week’s Para-cycle Road World Championships in Zurich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BLATVQ7WYVDUJOXJP6FEDBUEGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125274},"content":"But after the fireworks of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris 2024</a> the most decorated Irish Paralympic athlete of all time is at a crossroads. As she tells it, the answer is in her aching bones, the wilfulness, the solitary training regime and the hunger that have always provided an edge to what she does.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BUZ3RRXFZJC3NHJJ3MTW3I7MZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125275},"content":"The coming year will be one of self-discovery. She must divine if there is another <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympic Games</a> available to her 42-year-old body in four years’ time in Los Angeles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WD2GQDPMS5FXFLFMS62QM2ETP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125276},"content":"Either way, Paris represented another triumph, with three more jewels encrusted on to her crown to bring her overall Paralympic medal haul to eight; four gold and four silver. In World Championship competition, Dunlevy has 15 medals – six gold, six silver and three bronze, from road and track. No other Irish athlete can touch those numbers, yet LA 2028 is no certainty.","type":"text"},{"_id":"53FTSSYHAFA2FO4TX73GREY7RM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125277},"content":"“It’s whether I have that drive still in me,” she says. “To get to the top is hard but to stay at the top is much harder and I have been [there] for 10 years, ranked number one in the world on the road.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVOMP5YEKVGNZCUOJOE37CFD54","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125278},"content":"“It’s your whole life. Everything else is put to the side. You have to be very selfish. It’s you, training away on your own and you don’t have anyone around you. I wouldn’t have my coach with me. I wouldn’t have pilots with me. I’d be training months and months on my own, especially the year after the Paralympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"75KP6M4ASNASXKE56OO5HRWXDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125279},"content":"“It’s whether I can train indoors for six months. That’s one of the things. I don’t want to do it halfheartedly. You have to give the extra bit because competition is fierce.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JYHM4ZKGOJE5RCZ3KRPHHLHDYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125280},"content":"Pilots are the eyes on the tandem racing bike on which Dunlevy competes. In Paris they were Linda Kelly and Eve McCrystal in her visually impaired B category. Her sight has been degrading since she was a child.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CQDTU5ENMVCBRH6PRWMKGHADVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125281},"content":"When she was not yet 12 years old, it was a routine visit to the optician that first revealed serious issues. English-born Dunlevy had worn glasses from the age of five. But that day was the first time she had heard the words retinitis pigmentosa. Further inquiry and a visit to a hospital in London confirmed the fears of her parents and the genetic disorder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QPJM5WWNA2URPLX4LFYM2Z7VTA","additional_properties":{"_id":"VA7KS6PNQZDGHBJJUHQED2JJ5U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"5XKNBPJX4BBSVMSEU43K55VTQA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125282},"content":"The cells in her retina were breaking down and over time her vision would deteriorate. Her family were told she could lose her sight by the age of 30, as many affected by the condition do, to the point of blindness.","type":"text"},{"_id":"77ALFJHZLJAYBJED7JYMZQUFEU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125283},"content":"On the Paralympic scale, hers is a B2 classification which is not as severe a visual impairment as B1 but more severe than B3. B2 is significantly and limited vision, either in how far or how wide one can see. The diagnosis changed the course of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3JHRKCSHBBDPJH54T6EA5NYRTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125284},"content":"“I didn’t understand because I was used to seeing what I could see and didn’t know what everyone else could see,” she says. “It’s the same now. I know I can’t see some things and I’ll walk into stuff and kind of go, ‘Yeah, I can’t see well.’ I don’t know what everyone else can see so it’s [about] adapting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UH3ULYMQ3NA3DGBJX47GX6OXYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125285},"content":"“My family decided to send me to a special school in Kent for the visually impaired and blind. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want help. I didn’t understand what was going on. But the school was great. I was getting into activity and sport whereas the mainstream school I was in, I was left at the side of the PE class.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DQ6ZR45R3NAY7EUSMQ7NSYILQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125286},"content":"At the new school, Dorton House, she was drawn towards physical activity, had high energy for “doing things”. Previously, she sat out PE because she ran into other kids or didn’t see the ball thrown to her. As a low-self-esteem child, the new situation was a confidence-giver and Dunlevy was driven towards competition.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ARGTHKCXJKFX2ZWLV7CPKPKC7A","additional_properties":{"_id":"TNJ6AH3JZRC4XC34PAQDBROGJY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WY3ZFUF4YFCZFFFPYTOZLS2QZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125287},"content":"First it was running and rowing, and at 17 Britain selected her for the Blind Sports European Championships, where she won bronze in 400m. At university in Southampton she became more serious about rowing and received a call from a British rowing coach to try out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DLIDQSYJUNE5FH2ENX35YA44E4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125288},"content":"“Visually impaired. A woman. Sporty. I was like, well, okay, maybe,” she says. “I went and did a test indoors and then Iearned to row at my second year in uni.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"I5XLDGD3Y5EOJFHEVL3ICOWWJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"7SY2P4PN6ZFXTIMAUNBLAIEM6U"},"content":"Raucous Dublin Airport homecoming reception for Team Ireland Paralympians ‘brilliant to see’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FK3SIXJNJBFX3JTZN6PONFVZ5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125289},"content":"Several years were spent trying to push into British boats, and she did in 2004 and 2005. Then eventually a rib injury kept her out of the 2006 World Championships. The boat she missed won and she couldn’t break in for the 2010 World Championships. For the rest of the journey serendipity was at the tiller.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2STL4ZLGMVFU7DZB2WQNHRJZAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125290},"content":"Ireland then was trying to get a rowing squad to qualify for London 2012 and Dunlevy’s dad John, being from Mountcharles in Co Donegal, provided an opportunity. In 2011 she did the trial and missed out. Again. Enough, she said to herself. She couldn’t take it any more.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKMXUFEMZRHIDG2NV2GATGQMUU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125291},"content":"However, paracycling coach Brian Nugent threw a lifeline. With her core strength and cardio, he asked if she wanted to try out cycling. A couple of months later Dunlevy arrived in Ireland. She tried out and was selected for the World Championships at the end of the year. It was 2014 and she was on her way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FHABBL6BXNEPTENHUK65I5RX5I","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZT2AVZMXLRD3JLPYNNOK337BVY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"OYIOL3KFO5DOVHRADCMFS56J5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125292},"content":"A slew of World Championship and Paralympic medals later, her world is a different place.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BZ2VVW4LUVCKZCYYXNEISD6ZKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125293},"content":"“Every [Paralympic] cycle, the promotion and coverage, is so much better in the world [now] but also back in Ireland,” she says. “The number of athletes competing, and the number of women is increasing every Paralympic Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FG7HWABD3RASBPCLKV56WT5N5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062633},"content":"“Years ago, in Ireland you probably would not have been able to name a Paralympic athlete. But now you would. The communication is better. It is elite sport; we are just disabled. Visibility is important but there is definitely a long way to go. Not to put down any of the Olympians but they showcase them more.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CU7BLU6HQ5EOFLCD4RB43QGRLU","additional_properties":{"_id":"CQFSU6VK7BA7XN4V62NSNDWOAM"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"TJ7TR33TW5ESREGKQPPZY3SXIE","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062635},"content":"“I think you find at a lot of awards the Olympic medal would seem higher than a Paralympic medal, which shouldn’t be the case. So, a silver Olympic medal would be seen as something higher than a gold Paralympic medal. Right. You just go, eh, what do you need to do as a Paralympic athlete to been seen? So, there are barriers.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q7JU7EXTQBDNHCINSHZ26U7NQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125295},"content":"Dunlevy seems more acutely aware of the “legacy” element now as she faces into a brief stint of training leading towards Zurich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"75D7UB7RMRGITNAAPBTJHTJLDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125296},"content":"Her first World Championships in an Irish vest was a road race in Greenville, USA, in 2014. Since then she has won medals every year on the road and track, at Paralympic or World Championship level. That Zurich may be her last has sharpened her mind to other things.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2NQA3AVUDFBF5HZMUBTTU2S2FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125297},"content":"It will, she says, come down to a feeling, a desire. Only she will know when her body and mind are telling her to stop, if the same levels of vitality and drive are there to allow her not to just step out and compete against the best in the world but to beat them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LBK3DB7ASW2OB6HMZ2NGJEUK5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"E73GONEHQFCNZCRG24AWYFXRLI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7XHRGPVTJJHQFCWV7ZHWZT4PC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062639},"content":"“I’m getting old now,” she says. “I’m 42 years old. I haven’t got the same energy and my recovery is very different to what it used to be. I’m managing injuries all the time, so you are putting energy into that as well as getting yourself into the best physical shape. I’d be in pain most days. It just takes its toll on the body.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGK4DTSH2ZG35KMNNOUN2U5F4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125299},"content":"“But one of the reasons to carry on is definitely to inspire visually impaired children and the LGBT community, just to give anyone hope to be themselves.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GWKNBCPZMNAWBJWFIW72TY4QE4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062642},"content":"Dunlevy says she wants “to give back”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OYRAB6SJ4REKZCVDAPAS7C3L2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062643},"content":"“I want to go to schools – and will do in a few weeks – to show my medals to the children and let them hold my medals because I didn’t have that as a kid,” she says. “If I can inspire anyone just not to give up, that’s my job done. It will have been worth it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NXVMIQCEVRE4RNTGDAELNBANKM","additional_properties":{"_id":"MOURAXTPUVAXZMSWEAVCZV2DUY"},"content":"Paralympics: Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win silver in women’s B road race","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"ABRQAYGY75CFRIF5QQOZYA4NU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125300},"content":"By her own estimation, she “came out really late – at the age of 29″.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TGQQGO6S4FDZVHCWHSJ53RPPYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125301},"content":"“Coming out, I denied it. I was very confused. I didn’t know what it was,” she recalls. “The visibility wasn’t there as much as it is now. It wasn’t in schools or anything and there was no one around me like that. So, I thought that I have to be going out with boys and I have to marry a man, so I hid it even though my family are amazing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q5XIKCNDOVDFHJVQRW5334XMOA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125302},"content":"“So, if I can help people out there to be themselves ... I know I’m very fortunate and know not everyone has that support in their lives and don’t have a supporting family. It can be very lonely.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ADZDR6TOTNER5AFSTRYZGGJRLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125303},"content":"Exhausted and back in Crawley, the town in West Sussex where she lives, the competitive fires still burn. Paris barely over, Dunlevy is instinctively thinking of a recovery ride on the bike. Her return to Ireland for a homecoming with the recent gold and two silver medals, and a lack of sleep, are the sweeter pains of success.","type":"text"},{"_id":"573YXREICJEUZAPLHMYFFBC454","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125304},"content":"After a planned Late Late Show appearance on Friday night and the World Championships, there is also talk of a trip to southwest Donegal where she spent childhood holidays with her five sisters in Mountcharles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AKLRQ2CBTRDEVD3QSKUOTLBEK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125305},"content":"Only then can she sit back after a life of competition and heaped gold medals and ask herself the question of what to do next.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Johnny Watterson"}},"name":"Johnny Watterson"}]},"description":{"basic":"The most decorated Irish Paralympic athlete of all time on what keeps her going, family support and coming out out ‘really late at the age of 29′"},"display_date":"2024-09-13T07:29:26.878Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympic cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy: ‘I want to inspire visually impaired children and the LGBT community to not give up’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"YH4WXBZOUPBE4PPIF5AR7AINVI","auth":{"1":"6279c4b862462b8ce9d683f32534fd3b77e01750945c58489edcf3560050f835"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YH4WXBZOUPBE4PPIF5AR7AINVI.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"People"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Life & Style"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/life-style/people/2024/09/13/what-next-for-katie-george-dunlevy-no-irish-athlete-can-touch-her-medal-numbers-yet-la-2028-not-certain/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/life-style/people","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"People"}}}},{"_id":"RBUZ3SXLOFAN3ORBA54YLRG2BY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":191,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/de3f715c-318e-4713-9267-66716feb5b32/versions/1725824852/media/8e65c1d5a9fdbcbf65c986d5c8558311_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/08/primoz-roglic-reigns-in-spain-with-record-equalling-fourth-vuelta-title/","content_elements":[{"_id":"2JFYOKNJMNEVHAGNJMOD54ALAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597090},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/primoz-roglic/\" target=\"_blank\">Primož Roglič</a> finished off the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/vuelta-a-espana/\" target=\"_blank\">Vuelta a España</a> strongly on Sunday, taking second in the final-day time trial in Madrid to seal his overall victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K3Q5UXS7SFDSPDLEAPG2236EXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908762},"content":"The Slovenian rider finished 30 seconds behind the time trial specialist Stefan Küng in a fast, flat 24.6km race against the clock far better suited to the bigger Swiss rider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7PXSABIUBCBJGAGK3VQVAM7KE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908763},"content":"Roglič beat all of his general classification rivals to extend his overall advantage, ending the three-week race 2′36 clear of Australian rider Ben O’Connor (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) and 3′13 in front of Spain’s Enric Mas (Movistar Team).","type":"text"},{"_id":"CBVPPWERWJDK3CSZAG4AHNH4QA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908764},"content":"Irishman <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/eddie-dunbar/\" target=\"_blank\">Eddie Dunbar</a> defended his 11th place overall, ending the race 14′40 behind Roglič.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NC4ZOLGOBNBRPHZNGJWTDDQCWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908765},"content":"More importantly, he took two stage wins, triumphing with a brilliantly-timed final kilometre surge on stage 11 and then winning the hardest mountain stage solo on Saturday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P2XENOU4LVA4LNMMLRCBZBTCVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908766},"content":"The performances were the biggest of his career and show he has fully recovered from a run of injuries and moved to a new level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTG3W7NJPFGADKN5O6XG4RWRZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908767},"content":"“I’m feeling really good,” Dunbar said before Sunday’s final stage in Madrid. “I said jokingly yesterday morning it’s a shame it’s not a week longer. I’m really happy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QACDDKMI6FAPTOTRG4DFIG3WV4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908768},"content":"Dunbar told The Irish Times before the race that he was short on racing fitness due to injuries this year, but that he expected to ride into form.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQZ2GIZAVVAQPA2Z56IJOQDR3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908769},"content":"“I haven’t done any World Tour racing really since the Tour de Romandie, so I’m definitely probably a bit underdone compared to last year’s Vuelta,” he stated then. “But that mightn’t be a bad thing come the third week.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JPBLHAHPELCGPDHRU2NHRPWJ3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":"NUXNNZNPUNFBBP36UEZAFIUCFQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"5YD5OXABYZHYVLTQ4FE2D5KDSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908771},"content":"That’s precisely how things panned out and with the upcoming world road championships taking place over tough terrain in Switzerland, he should be in a strong position. He is likely to line out in the time trial on September 22nd and then to contest the road race seven days later.","type":"text"},{"_id":"23ETCAUSEVDXZF2NZTMHWZ3VNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908772},"content":"Dunbar’s Vuelta success has been a considerable boost to his confidence. The Corkman was stunned to take the first of his stage wins, but the assured manner of his victory on Saturday and his reaction afterwards shows how far he has progressed psychologically during the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SZD333DSJJF3PMTJ55XGGDKZPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908773},"content":"He took victories in two stage races in 2022 and was seventh overall in last year’s Giro d’Italia, but will emerge from the Vuelta knowing he has reached a new level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U43VR2LG7FC53PQQVGZJWIXRHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908774},"content":"That will spur him on in the world championships, and also during the 2025 season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3TJBJRX4NCAHPG2YLAUG7N3VY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908775},"content":"The same can be said for Darren Rafferty, who made his grand tour debut in the race. Still just 21 years of age, he was asked to perform team duties for EF Education-EasyPost squad and had very limited personal opportunities.","type":"text"},{"_id":"54GR3QML65GY5CAHTDXOKJRSMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908776},"content":"He showed his strength on many occasions and played a fundamental role in helping team leader Richard Carapaz to fourth place overall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6IFT5JXSE5FYTFYW3X5PUKPPC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908777},"content":"While he didn’t get the chance to chase a stage win, Rafferty will emerge from the Vuelta much stronger than before and should reap the benefits in 2025 and beyond.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UYNWZFGCAVF7JFFNAKPLEYT3ZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908778},"content":"As for Roglič, he will hope his fifth career grand tour victory will be followed by a long-sought Tour de France success next summer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7WIC7UCOSBGOXA43B4PH3K5WVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908779},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"2JFYOKNJMNEVHAGNJMOD54ALAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597090},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRQW2UK5CNCQ5MZGYXSLSHGP5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597091},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"R227OHZTH5FKXAAE76GKNWFV3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597092},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"MG73XNN6WFB6PHTUVNGSH6LKFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823418846},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z2LMRX5SLREMFBEJLKR5EAKAP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597093},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"N5ZKEEXEANBJJFOUV7Z3QWHFVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597094},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"YIJIFITMARA27JG5OQTJR5CAZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597095},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"CKS6IIW2ZVC3ZMCOIIUNOASGVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597096},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"V2CQ5VYHVNEWDPPHKAWPUQNHDY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597097},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"MD2YPMPPGFD7TB2QBQKI3ICD64","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908789},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"OX5IXI56VREI7JW36QTUP4ND6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908790},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"VGQ5RSOYPFFJRJYDS5MW43KEQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908791},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Corkman finishes 11th overall after claiming two stage wins, including victory in toughest mountain stage"},"display_date":"2024-09-08T18:35:06.378Z","headlines":{"basic":"Vuelta a España: Primoz Roglic reigns in Spain as Eddie Dunbar celebrates superb race campaign","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BAP4WHDNL5FE3CW2PFYFNSJ3TY","auth":{"1":"093d37b4b7761675ce87b8017b41c347487e87f8b2252be86e3726047cb8db36"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BAP4WHDNL5FE3CW2PFYFNSJ3TY.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/08/primoz-roglic-reigns-in-spain-with-record-equalling-fourth-vuelta-title/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"7SEHK5X3QVBSZBU4PGPZVN2UGU","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/09/08/mia-griffin-wins-ras-na-mban-to-become-first-irish-champion-in-11-years/","content_elements":[{"_id":"T5I7HLKVLVBAHPVGW5Y7AUAV3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575691},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/mia-griffin/\" target=\"_blank\">Mia Griffin</a> sealed a superb overall victory in <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/cycling/\" target=\"_blank\">Rás na mBan</a> on Sunday, becoming the first Irish winner of the race in 11 years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TF2NSFSAZVHGJCI52UFGS3NKOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575692},"content":"The Das Hutchinson Brother UK rider followed in the wheeltracks of Olivia Dillon with her success, further highlighting her talent after being part of Ireland’s team pursuit squad at the Paris Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PTPXQU3T4RBUPJ25MC5EPYKWL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575693},"content":"She finished six seconds clear of the Dutchwoman Noor Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy) and 11 ahead of defending champion Manon de Boer (NWVG-Uplus).","type":"text"},{"_id":"C3SAH2SVNRCODCNO47P56ZMN74","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575694},"content":"Fellow Irishwoman and team-mate Caoimhe O’Brien was fifth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNO6X7FSHJA45EYPLRNDDXDN6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575695},"content":"“It feels kind of crazy,” said Griffin. “I came into this week not really knowing where the body was at. I didn’t really expect to be going for the GC (general classification), I expected to more focus on stage wins.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MVHLPHXALVAP7GWONL5NUVDMCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575696},"content":"Racing on home soil with the majority of the stages based in Kilkenny, Griffin got off to a flying start with victory on day one. She was second to O’Brien on stage two, won stage three and defended the overall lead from start to finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L76ISZ7J4ZANPIUORUOG3D4MFE","additional_properties":{"_id":"F7AAVPPSUFGFXEA26VROOKJKYU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DY27CDQYONFY7JDASYLHOKE74M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575698},"content":"Sunday saw two stages: a morning 2.5km time trial around Kilkenny Castle, and an afternoon criterium in Kilkenny City.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GBB7OTCJSRAQPCKMRL44BFKKYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575699},"content":"Dekker was the winner of the former, beating De Boer by 1.36 seconds. Griffin used her track speed to fine effect, taking third.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SLXFRKTT6FEGVHJEOAXL6XFNSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575700},"content":"Her team-mate Lucy Lee won the criterium, outsprinting Dekker to the line after they went clear with two laps remaining. Aoife O’Brien was best of the Irish riders in fourth place, while Griffin rolled in as part of the peloton 11 seconds back, making sure of her final overall victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NT52OGFNNZCORCR4ILR5YRXMZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575701},"content":"She thanked her team-mates, saying they were vital in controlling her rivals, including De Boer. “I was wary of Manon going, and she went really hard a few times,” she said. “The fact that we could keep that under control was incredible.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JB4EUCGRKRA6NNNTNAMUX6ZXBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575702},"content":"In addition to her overall victory and two stage wins, Griffin also took the points classification. O’Brien was best young rider in the prestigious international event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q5TVHO4IYFE7JMYZXDFXO5KKDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575703},"content":"Elsewhere, Irish riders had a superb showing in the Loudenvielle round of the UCI downhill World Cup in France. They were fifth and sixth respectively, just over three seconds behind the winner Benoit Coulanges (Dorval AM Commencal).","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Kilkenny cyclist finishes ahead of Noor Dekker and 2023 winner Manon de Boer"},"display_date":"2024-09-08T17:43:59.217Z","headlines":{"basic":"Mia Griffin wins Rás na mBan to become first Irish champion in 11 years","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4TCJHO25RZB6TMDOLBR7CQNJOE","auth":{"1":"50e4ca7cdff8aa0772131611ba8c9693041a29fdc99c1a7873bcb02a12137702"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4TCJHO25RZB6TMDOLBR7CQNJOE.JPG"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Cycling"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/09/08/mia-griffin-wins-ras-na-mban-to-become-first-irish-champion-in-11-years/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"VTBDOGKMDNEHRI5J5J2TCD6VTY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":173,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/10af759c-d024-47e6-ae20-03616300f1fe/versions/1725731339/media/4f5d2d8afec104bd2697caaf18461273_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/irelands-eddie-dunbar-claims-best-win-of-professional-career-at-vuelta-a-espana/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JFIVIEGQ7VAZ5LDNF5FUVGBZ5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725724021706},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/eddie-dunbar/\" target=\"_blank\">Eddie Dunbar</a> clocked up the best win of his professional career Saturday, taking what was his second stage victory in this year’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/vuelta-a-espana\" target=\"_blank\">Vuelta a España</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MNIRW6HQXRH2ZHY7BTZ2WTII2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362149},"content":"The 28-year-old Cork rider had previously triumphed on stage 11 of the race but his success on the penultimate day was in more impressive circumstances, beating some of the world’s best riders on the final summit finish of the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QRASWR46G5CA3FC63F55P4YSIM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362150},"content":"Dunbar attacked five kilometres from the summit of the category one Picón Blanco, gradually drawing clear of the group of general classification contenders. He then caught and dropped lone leader Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) with 3.5 kilometres remaining.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTLJ7TTMWVBTJIY4KQTU6UJ474","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362151},"content":"While proven Grand Tour riders such as Enric Mas (Movistar Team), Mikel Landa (T-Rex Quick-Step) and David Gaudu (Groupama FDJ) put in big accelerations behind, Dunbar hovered several seconds ahead of them and was able to fend off all efforts to bring him back.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PQ5FJISZRBC2PNCA6JWQ72JE7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362152},"content":"“I always knew it was going to be a really difficult stage but with the way the last three weeks have been ridden I just thought that a lot of guys would be tired today,” Dunbar said. “Especially GC [general classification] guys who have gone to the limit every day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2VCNZTXVDZAPRPEE6FERNDQJGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362153},"content":"“I’m a bit behind on GC, I knew that if I stayed with them and did everything right in the last week, I’d have a chance to maybe get the stage win today. I was never going to be let go in the breakaway, but I always believed I could win today.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XP3SFC5KRBFYNPZK4LBLGCG2LE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362154},"content":"He reached the line seven seconds ahead of Mas, and 10 in front of race leader Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Given the difficulty of the climb and the standard of his rivals, it is his best win to date.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QWPUKPOWWVDAJLKBUSXW74TOSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362155},"content":"“I knew if I just kept pacing myself and kept riding at threshold, if someone was going to come across it was going to take a big effort,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PTUOKQN3JBEUXPAN3W75VDVVRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362156},"content":"“So I paced myself really well. It wasn’t until about 200 metres to go that I thought I could probably hold them off, when I looked back and saw a bit of daylight there.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ML7NTARS5NGFNK3RM6IBPQLUXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362157},"content":"Roglic’s team was hit by what Spanish media reported as a case of salmonella, with a staff member hospitalised as a result.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OVT625PZTBAU5MHX3D53XLCCTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362158},"content":"The Slovenian appeared a little off his usual level but holds a 2:02 advantage over former race leader Ben O’Connor (Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale) heading into Sunday’s final stage time-trial in Madrid.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2PW2HOAGZBAZRP6YXTNMYUL754","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362159},"content":"Mas is third, 2:11 back, meaning former Olympic champion Roglic has a substantial buffer and looks set for a record-equalling fourth Vuelta title.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QZWQ6AC3Y5HH5K2JASI2KOIN3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362160},"content":"Dunbar is up two places to 11th overall and has a big morale boost in advance of the upcoming road world championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"28-year-old from Cork pulled away on the gruelling climb to the finish line to win his second stage of the race"},"display_date":"2024-09-07T16:04:58.54Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar claims best win of professional career at Vuelta a Espana","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RW4LFN6S2UJ62MJQKPZTFEZC3Q","auth":{"1":"eccc85c03dbc00c1d16d479eb7938dcbe773c531e191f7a8813c1823eb134c16"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RW4LFN6S2UJ62MJQKPZTFEZC3Q.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/irelands-eddie-dunbar-claims-best-win-of-professional-career-at-vuelta-a-espana/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"IQY2HYZAW5F2TB6D6BOJLPPQVU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":480,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/07d6a72b-23c5-401a-af0f-acf7673a0ff4/versions/1725647805/media/608648b6be7d9667040056de2ab12dbb_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/paralympics-female-athletes-light-a-flame-of-hope-firing-the-art-of-the-possible/","content_elements":[{"_id":"36QS32DDNRBOPKOVQKF24MORZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365710},"content":"It seems fitting that Team Ireland’s last three athletes in action at the 2024 <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympic Games</a> today are Richael Timothy, Mary Fitzgerald and Britney Arendse.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZWUNZ6K7BEHXF6GMVIKAEAZH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365711},"content":"For these have been a Games where Ireland’s female Paralympians led the charge in terms of medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GYFKZG4IVZEAZDJBN4K6OXDZ3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365712},"content":"All six of Ireland’s podium finishes in Paris so far were achieved by women, all of whom have a vision impairment.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BZHOMFPCEFHHDDODTZXCPVEI2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365713},"content":"It is certainly no precedent for there to be more Irish female medal winners than male – it was also the case in Rio 2016 and Tokyo last time out – but this will be the first time since the inaugural Paralympic Games in 1960 that no Irish men medalled.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WXKFYL3KZVG27JAM2A2MO6CJME","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365714},"content":"Measured in the currency of gold, silver and bronze, these were the Games of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> (one gold, two silver), <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/roisin-ni-riain/\" target=\"_blank\">Róisin Ní Riain</a> (one silver, one bronze) and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/orla-comerford/\" target=\"_blank\">Orla Comerford</a> (one bronze).","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPICMQYUHNHIPDKOGNTDDCV5FY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365715},"content":"But they were also the Games of Dearbhaile Brady (17), Shauna Bocquet (20) and Deaten Registe (20) too – three Paralympic newcomers who qualified for finals in their maiden Paralympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y722KJAZP5A65BEJ5O5B2KBWGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365716},"content":"And they were also the Games where Ellen Keane, Eve McCrystal and Ronan Grimes bid farewell. As some folk arrive, there are always others preparing to leave.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FFLUZWBRWURLQ4N4VFJGRFTGFE","additional_properties":{"_id":"KTRV4U62WJE4PEFZJQMIRV3B64"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"R4IVRV7C3RDLRA5FS66AZOJJSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365717},"content":"They were the Games of fourth-place finishes for Ireland – Keane, Greta Streimikyte, McCrystal and Josephine Healion, Ní Riain twice.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O2DBJK3PCFFZHJQRBAF35QYXIQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365718},"content":"They were the Games where Irish twins Chloe and Judith MacCombe competed in the same event, and at the end of a gruelling triathlon, just two places and a gap of only 45 seconds separated the sisters.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BJ6S65OBZAD5KXYTQJ36UVLO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365719},"content":"But of course it’s not what these Paralympic Games <i>were</i> that ultimately matters, rather, it is the flame of hope for the future they ignited within homes right across the world for people with an impairment.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TPRJBHD3JBHMFDHGYP4UMSIWMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365720},"content":"The performances, more than the victories and losses, of more than 4,400 elite Para athletes over the last fortnight highlighted not what is impossible, but what is possible.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6AB4SCWLGVDDNBNGOQ3VMB32XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365721},"content":"On Wednesday afternoon, while talking with members of the Irish media just moments after winning gold, Dunlevy took a brief pause mid-answer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GIKC74HJBRDP3FL6W2OBUVCNPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365722},"content":"“I’ve got a message,” she said. “I said to the gang in Paralympics Ireland, all of the medallists from Ireland are women, and we’re all visually impaired women.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7MMPNOVP45DNTGAYIHHVHMLGT4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365724},"content":"“For any young children at home with a vision impairment, if they’ve seen any of our races, hopefully we can inspire them to believe in themselves and to dream big. Hopefully we’re inspiring the next generation in whatever they do, sport or anything else.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LYRCQLG2X5F2XAB74VMXS6T3HU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365725},"content":"Paris was Dunlevy’s fourth Paralympic Games, and few understand the impact Para athletes can have on kids more than the 42-year-old cyclist. She has lived it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NVDXN7EQ5DF3LSBKZ7UYTKLVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365726},"content":"“Even my younger self, I didn’t have anybody to look up to, any idols, so if it just inspires any child with vision impairment to just believe in themselves, then that’s my job done,” she added on Friday after claiming silver in the road race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BBA4WPJIH5CEHA2624PGAFIPME","additional_properties":{"_id":"3RCUEN3PSJH5JJWDCESR7P3OSY"},"content":"Sign of buoyant times as athletics clubs in Dublin struggle to meet demand","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"G4W6ECUPRRBVLBB3QEWEQFCATU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365727},"content":"It is fair to say it has been a good summer for Paris – both the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been a success. The strategy of repurposing venues and incorporating iconic landmarks as part of the show was an unqualified triumph. No white-elephant stadiums were hurt in the making of these Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KSWLDN33NJE5PN6LF2EPDMM35I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365728},"content":"The La Défense Arena, which is normally home to the Racing 92 rugby team, was reimagined as a swimming venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SG3JPNPQ2VGE5K2NWU2DQCH4HA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365729},"content":"The Paralympic opening ceremony took place at the Place de la Concorde. Athletes emerged from the Champs-Élysées and paraded through the largest square in Paris, which had been transformed into an open-air amphitheatre.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LZXN55NQEJGDHCLGPS6JYMN6JU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365730},"content":"The Grand Palais hosted wheelchair fencing and taekwondo, Château de Versailles was home to equestrian, wheelchair tennis took place in Roland-Garros, the Para triathlon started and finished on the stunning Pont Alexandre III.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TNDTEWWEMBBX7B3C3UFHPQNJRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365731},"content":"The Games truly took place in the heart of the city.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3LIGX2DC45AZHCZ73CQVHLD4MQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365732},"content":"A temporary, 12,860-capacity stadium was installed at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Boasting one of the most stunning backdrops of a venue anywhere on the planet, it hosted beach volleyball during the Olympics and blind football during the Paralympics. If Instagram did stadiums!","type":"text"},{"_id":"W7Z2ADF7QZH53HLQBLQT3R37DE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365733},"content":"The organisers put on quite the show, but the 45,000 volunteers were the day-to-day stars. They were hailed as the “hidden heroes”. Heroes, no question, but hidden they certainly were not. It was impossible to move around the city without spotting the volunteers in their bright uniform of bottle green, lime and blush pink.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7EBIY2SQNFDFIGW447HZYFVTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365734},"content":"They were omnipresent, helpful, cheerful, positive, joyful. It was inconceivable to be grouchy in their airspace. If the organisers created the physical structures, then the volunteers created the mood of the city – they gave these Games real energy, real soul.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LDWFS36OM5ECXGSMHIRSNY3D5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365735},"content":"Unless there is further success today, Team Ireland will return to Dublin on Monday with six medals. It would be the lowest medal haul since Beijing in 2008 (five), but just one shy of the seven garnered in Tokyo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5E5SAKTI4YUFHLMMXQ2OO2YERE","additional_properties":{"_id":"VOGLAL4EEVAHDIGIPQT4DGPQRY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"L4NNUSELTFAYVF57MO7RHLP3KU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365736},"content":"Prior to Paris, the chief executive of Paralympics Ireland, Stephen McNamara, expressed a hope for between eight to 10 medals. By that metric, Ireland came in below expectations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T63TLQHX6FGA7PEKPPI4627CTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365737},"content":"But there were significant positives to take from these Games – not least the career-defining form of Ní Riain and Comerford.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RKUFHXSA6BEMLGNLWROLYLBP6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365738},"content":"Ní Riain, at the age of just 19, swam in four events, qualified for four finals and won two medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JJMJSDOHMRB3JJH5BMWRGT3JIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365739},"content":"At the age of 26, and having appeared at two previous Paralympics, Comerford truly arrived in Paris as a world-class athlete.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VBUNAIX5BZASPAKGCGRQ2BIYA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365740},"content":"There are similarities between Ní Riain and Comerford, most strikingly their unflinching determination and belief they can and will be better, stronger, faster. That ambition fuels them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MDKBNH6EHFC7LIR3BU4AHV7JEE","additional_properties":{"_id":"M4SHC4TMQFCGBPQBFPEKM452EM"},"content":"‘There is lots more in the tank’: Orla Comerford happy with Paralympics bronze, for now","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6PDRPH257VBM7GCUBJQFGSV4HY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365741},"content":"The LA cycle begins in earnest now, the wheel keeps turning. There are people who watched these Paris Games unfold and have been inspired to research what Para sports options might be available to them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2UMM2H3X6JEXPGPN2URN5K5FLY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365742},"content":"How do you measure success? How do you measure achievement? What do you remember from these Paralympic Games?","type":"text"},{"_id":"3Q5LYBUTXBAPXAW2SGY4CDZBJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365743},"content":"Right now, sitting in a hotel room on the edge of the city centre, certain images spring to mind – Lu Dong and Guo Jincheng, neither of whom have arms, cutting through the water in the swimming pool like torpedoes; several triathletes getting lifted out of the Seine after a 750-metre swim and carried to their prosthetics, which they immediately fit before hopping on a bike for a 20km cycle and a 5km run; blind football under the Eiffel Tower as France played Colombia – the fans in the stand all singing “Allez les Bleus” but falling silent at kick-off as the players use the sound of a bell in the ball to figure out where it is, the ability of those players to dribble, shoot, their acceptance that getting mowed down is just part of the gig, and always having a willingness to immediately spring back up and go again. Football, reimagined.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OJYWOEMG7NGPTBSPH5PCLF7C7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365744},"content":"Perhaps it was best summed up by Orla Comerford’s mam, Siobhan. Speaking outside the Stade de France after watching her daughter win bronze, she said of the Paralympics:","type":"text"},{"_id":"KVRKLDIVOBEATP63CDOEELVK6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365745},"content":"“This is a wonderful showcase of ability, not disability.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"BNQTTMZJARHATJRAZZU6BZHTNU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365746},"content":"The 2024 Paralympic Games end tomorrow.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5QJHSR353FHZTGBXUDXFQPSP5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365747},"content":"But their legacy will outlast us all.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NETARYDM7ZHDTHR4HB2IOXIV5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365748},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"All six of Ireland’s podium finishes in Paris so far have been achieved by women - all of whom have a vision impairment"},"display_date":"2024-09-07T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics: Female athletes light a flame of hope, firing up the art of the possible","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"3LUKH2NOGBGNK2KPZ6UAYSDH34","auth":{"1":"63c9debc3f24e6649ff9396df6d052e1da0153405b527aeae40ec07cf46f627a"},"focal_point":{"x":2306,"y":2919},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3LUKH2NOGBGNK2KPZ6UAYSDH34.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/paralympics-female-athletes-light-a-flame-of-hope-firing-the-art-of-the-possible/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"EJ52CY5SGVCPNORANF6723HCIM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":245,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/34fc2b77-9cfd-4266-9a87-f8374bd52a57/versions/1725645702/media/8afcf6ad40b9a52a1fdcbf3f41d39707_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/more-than-the-games-alice-tai-measures-up-again-as-she-reaps-medal-haul/","content_elements":[{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Four-medals and counting for Tai</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"IWEX3HSX5JAZZMNZKLVOQUPHDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243280},"content":"Alice Tai is having a Paralympics to remember, the British swimmer having won two gold medals, a silver and a bronze – and she still has another event to go, Saturday’s 100m butterfly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UWKA2PNEUBGTFPTOCMQHYFHTMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243281},"content":"If you’d told her in 2022 that she’d experience this level of success, she’d most likely have laughed. It was then that she had her right leg amputated from below the knee because the clubfoot with which she was born was causing her so much pain.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6W7ASW5HYVB6LENWGG4GAF4KIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243282},"content":"That, then, meant that the 25-year-old effectively had to relearn how to swim – and in the earliest stages of her return to the pool, she had her doubts that she’d ever get back to the kind of form that won her a bronze in Rio and multiple world titles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6ZOB7B77AFAK5CA7GAG7XE7EJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243283},"content":"“I called my coach and I was like, ‘I am going to have to retire, I am not getting back down to my times, I am 20 seconds off in the 100m, I’m swimming really slowly.’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7SBASKIEKFHZNC5QVVQS7DRPYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243284},"content":"But?","type":"text"},{"_id":"NRD7S32N35FYRGPNY5OOGZAVNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642308684},"content":"“It turns out I was swimming in a 33m pool, not a 25m pool and I hadn’t realised. I was doing 30 per cent more distance than I was meant to.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QD4672SCEVGAJI4D2D3UXGBIQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642308685},"content":"It’s as well she didn’t retire.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Metelka tips his hat to unlucky Atkinson</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"CWMR55XFGNBDXB4XE7JVD37JDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243286},"content":"We’ve seen plenty of athletes suffer misfortune in Paris, but near the top of ‘the unluckiest’ list must surely come British cyclist Archie Atkinson who crashed with just two laps to go in the 4000m individual pursuit when he was leading Slovakia’s Jozef Metelka by six seconds. Atkinson had to settle for silver in the end.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FNC3EKNP2JHLZAOIHBAS3GYRUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243287},"content":"All of which prompted perhaps the most honest post-gold-medal-winning interview with any Paralympian at these Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XE33RDU3D5ENTDM2PJZMHOVKZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243288},"content":"“I won with massive luck, come on,” said Metelka. “The luck is like from here to the Eiffel Tower and back. Clearly, he’s a better rider, he’s stronger, I was six seconds down – you don’t recover from there. I won because Archie fell. I was incredibly lucky. I mean, when was the last time something like this happened? When T-Rex was around?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VNPXUU4SAJLFS6P5PHBLTQMSOI","additional_properties":{"_id":"CYXS4ATUVBAHPAZ245UQ5RGHTE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Cyprus pays homage to Karolina</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"TV27IAFLM5EHHEVFF45RKO77QY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243290},"content":"How excited was the Cyprus’s Paralympic Committee about Karolina Pelendritou winning a bronze medal, at her sixth Paralympics, in the SB11 100 metres breaststroke on Thursday night? Very.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R63CX56QARFK7AQTDBIBQGP7QM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243291},"content":"Their statement: “Cyprus, do you understand what a compatriot of ours has done? Cyprus, have you understood that from the loudspeakers of a packed stadium here at La Defense Arena, there was a special mention of her name? Cyprus, have you realised that Karolina Pelendritou has won two more medals? There is a whole rest of the planet which has bowed down to the talent, to the single-mindedness, to the strength, to the will of Karolina Pelendritou!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"HLD3FUG6HFCX7KM3GURVLBBTWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642308694},"content":"Sweet, Karolina.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Word of mouth</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"“Cyclists, we’re a weird bunch – the worse it is, the more we want of it.” –<b> After he and Mitchell McLaughlin finished eighth in Friday’s gruelling Road Race, Damien Vereker (44) insisted he’d be back for more in LA. A weird bunch, all right.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"M477JO57TIA7JIELP5GUKPFRDM","additional_properties":{"_id":"XKYSU4JLPFDULFANQ7EGLYTKHA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>In numbers</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"P2WBI5BCHFHUJGLYY4IJASPRKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639779518},"content":"<b>8 –</b> Four gold, four silver, that’s how many Paralympic medals Katie-George Dunlevy now has. Some career.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Persistence pays for Britain’s Bywater</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"45G6QIHLBZF2NJ4UMXSLS43TFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243293},"content":"Having been on the losing side in Paralympic semi-finals in 2004, 2008, 2016 and 2020, Terry Bywater was a touch on the elated side when Britain beat Germany to reach the final of the wheelchair basketball event against the United States tomorrow.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZQSIA6LO6FFBJHBOFY54WM7F3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243294},"content":"Reflecting on that losing streak before the Games, Bywater made mention of another sportsman who has struggled to collect silverware during his career.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXZCNK2GI5DN3MT2NQIZLB4SAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642308703},"content":"“I don’t want to be the Harry Kane of wheelchair basketball,” he said. Poor Harry.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Paralympics: British swimmer Alice Tai had her leg amputated below the knee in 2022 but has come back as strong as ever"},"display_date":"2024-09-07T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics: Alice Tai measures up again as she reaps medal haul","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OSIOYAD7JDMEXM4GYNXQ5HJWOU","auth":{"1":"102d1635c24ef5f395542d68fe08af3d8bdfc495105d346870e8f8bd344d0b09"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OSIOYAD7JDMEXM4GYNXQ5HJWOU.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"analysis","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/more-than-the-games-alice-tai-measures-up-again-as-she-reaps-medal-haul/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"ZPRF76PSPFHGFO4FRGYPKS47KI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":348,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/8dfe3027-ff96-48f5-8e6f-c4bb62ae2300/versions/1725652028/media/af1c73af3aed05866d7c3aa18a59a4c2_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/06/mia-griffin-wins-again-at-ras-na-mban-extending-overall-lead/","content_elements":[{"_id":"3YPJW45LGRDDZBA52PBIU3BJKE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mia Griffin boosted her overall lead in style on Friday, winning stage three of Rás na mBan into Gorey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OMHJ6TKDFNDIBJM7L5T6LRUUPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Kilkenny native clocked up her second stage win in three days, outsprinting Heidi Franz (Monarch Racing), Noor Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy), plus her fellow Irish riders Aoife O’Brien (Ireland) and Marine Lenehan (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) in the bunch gallop to the line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ED735KHLBD4HI43METY2JDMLY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Griffin also took the intermediate sprint in Kiltealy, gaining an additional time bonus.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QBWYW2MSLVB6RPUGQ36AHADWUU","additional_properties":{},"content":"That pushes her overall lead to 12 seconds ahead of compatriot and her Das Hutchinson Brother UK teammate Caoimhe O’Brien. British rider Robyn Clay, also with the squad, is third, 23 seconds adrift.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XDBIWOKRLBFGRFYTNKKFCQZXXI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We were all in for the sprint to keep me and Caoimhe as far up on the GC [general classification] as we can,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ADL5FVOYJDCFMQXC2A35C3GVI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And then the intermediate sprint, I got that. I was happy to do that and to give myself a bit more of a buffer.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XU2LOBQM5NGJZB4RRNT6PZFXVY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 104.4-kilometre stage began in Kilkenny and took in two categorized climbs. Sliabh Buí, the first of these, blew the peloton apart and whittled the lead group right down to the strongest competitors. Defending champion Manon de Boer (NWVG-Uplus) beat Griffin’s teammate Lucy Lee to the summit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SGIX6BJG5RAQRGZDUZQUVGUAGE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Another Das Hutchinson Brother UK rider went clear after this point, with Frankie Hall and Jazmine Lavergne (Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie) opening a lead of a minute and remaining clear over the day’s second climb, where Hall was first to the summit. They were caught with five kilometres remaining, with Griffin blasting home to win and to bolster her advantage in the overall standings plus the points competition.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2FYXUQ2I6RFZZDOYIG3NACNC44","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I nearly crashed after the intermediate sprint but I kept it upright. I got to the finish and Lucy [Lee] and Robyn [Clay] did a really good job with the leadout.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FHRH5SFFWBA4PMJYBA2S6BVI6E","additional_properties":{},"content":"The prestigious international race continues Saturday with a 101km stage from Kilkenny to the top of The Rower, concluding with two ascents of that climb.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CYW7VKFSKVFCRILJZ65L57HF3M","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Rás na mBan</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q767GDFUUBBYRG7WPAQO24M2HU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Stage 3, Kilkenny to Gorey: 1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 104.4km in 2 hours 50′36, 2 H Franz (Monarch Racing), 3 N Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy), 4 A O’Brien (Ireland), 5 M Lenehan (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei), 6 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK), 7 A Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active), 8 R Clay (Das Hutchinson Brother UK).","type":"text"},{"_id":"UEWZVS2QUFGTNHEDDQ5V6SDLD4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Intermediate sprint at Kiltealy: 1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK), 2 A O’Brien (Ireland), 3 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK).","type":"text"},{"_id":"LABKFULDOZAPZEJWEVGFSMX2CU","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Mountain primes:</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"I27TGH3PARA45CN3PGXZPNXLY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Category 2 climb at Sliabh Buí (km 70.8): 1 Manon de Boer 9 pts, 2 L Lee 7, 3 H Franz 5, 4 K Hill 3","type":"text"},{"_id":"MFMWLNZPGRBCJFY6A5XYXSXBE4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Category 3 climb at Ballymore (km 91): 1 Frankie Hall 5, 2 J Lavergne 3","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZVQQS7QSZJBRNHCUX5GJTDDITM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Paddy Doran best Irish team: 1 Cycling Ulster 8 hours 58′34, 2 UCI Cycling Club 8′40","type":"text"},{"_id":"PFQQX5XZ4RBTNHEXXJVNVIXOOY","additional_properties":{},"content":"General classification after three stages: 1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 7 hours 22′18″, 2 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 12″, 3 R Clay (DAS Hutchinson Brother UK) 23″, 4 H Franz (Monarch Racing), 5 A Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active) 25″, 6 N Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy), 7 A O’Brien (Ireland) at 26″, 8 M De Boer (NWVG-Uplus)","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y4KXLCVPZRGQ7F6HCGYCNHEVMQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Points classification: 1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 29 pts, 2 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 23, 3 R Clay (DAS Hutchinson Brother UK) 18, 4 A O’Brien (Ireland), 5 N Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy)","type":"text"},{"_id":"UZHYN2YP65HINI7BZP6QQYS3OU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mountains classification: 1 Lucy Lee (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 24pts, 2 M de Boer (NWVG-Uplus) 22, 3 H Franz (Monarch Racing) 11, 4 K Hill (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) 11, 5 F Hall (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 5","type":"text"},{"_id":"BPPYKTMXBNGK7BBHNDXT7J6ZZQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Young rider: 1 Caoimhe O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 7 hours 22′30″, 2 R Clay (DAS Hutchinson Brother UK) 11″, 3 A Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active) 13″, 4 A O’Brien (Ireland) 14″, 5 A Thomas (Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie) 17″","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZKY6U6R6IRCGJL2Y443GH5QNI4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Best Irish rider:","type":"text"},{"_id":"ARYWZSWVQRHR5OKRNIX4N5RR24","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 7 hours 22′18″, 2 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 12″, 3 M Lenehan (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) 29″, 4 E McDermott (UCD Cycling Club) 1′58, 5 G Fox (Greenmount Cycling Academy) same","type":"text"},{"_id":"U4ADIQIGC5H7RJFNBW7O6WNZRI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Team general classification: 1 Das Hutchinson Brother UK 22 hours 8′21, 2 Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei, 3 Ireland at 1′29, 4 CCB p/b Levine Law Group same, 5 Monarch Racing at 3′34″","type":"text"},{"_id":"7X7XLIQ2XVBKJPV4OI6LKWI3RE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Paddy Doran best Irish team: 1 Cycling Ulster 23 hours 11′04, 2 UCD Cycling Club at 8′03","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"The Kilkenny native clocked up her second stage win in three days"},"display_date":"2024-09-06T19:41:57.883Z","headlines":{"basic":"Mia Griffin wins again at Rás na mBan, extending overall lead 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ascent in the mountains of northern Spain secured Slovenian Primoz Roglic victory in stage 19 of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/vuelta-a-espana/\" target=\"_blank\">Vuelta a Espana</a>, as well as the leader’s red jersey, on Friday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CDQ66IV2FJGMTDXQKOPIVWA63U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205918},"content":"The 34-year-old had lost the red jersey to Australian Ben O'Connor after stage six but has since chipped away at the lead before reclaiming it with an impressive performance in the mountains of the La Rioja province.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UVTUXSRCNJHXBGVLGDPIAWPDSE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205919},"content":"“I had some really nice memories from this climb and I didn’t miss this opportunity, I’m happy,” Roglic said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FWVR7WNZJB5TJLLXBSU6245XM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205920},"content":"While a leading group maintained a narrow lead over the peloton for most of the race, none attempted a breakaway before the 11km climb leading up to the finish line at Alto de Moncalvillo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VW4GAJLVIRA3NALCUQEY7NZV3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205921},"content":"Roglic saw an opportunity halfway through the demanding ascent and seized it, never looking back. He crossed the finish line alone, 46 seconds ahead of Frenchman David Gaudu, who took second place. Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose finished third.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YGVSMXRX2ZC2FFYYUNTTS23S7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205922},"content":"O'Connor, knowing his lead was in danger, tried to keep up but finished 12th. Roglic now has a one minute and 54 second overall lead over O'Connor.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QKFOJ5YGIJGJRFLSQCJXBOZDZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205923},"content":"“I was a bit broken at the end. I actually felt pretty good until halfway,” O’Connor said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2DR7TSBINJGSHNPRSAC4QF6TC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205924},"content":"“I wasn’t really surprised, but I didn’t expect myself to be so bad at the end. I was a bit average to be honest. But that’s just the reality.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VE24HJRYZRDQVFSZLSAEIEEZJY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar was 61 seconds behind Roglic, but it was another impressive finish at this year’s Vuelta that saw him take a stage victory. The Cork cyclist in now 13th in the overall ranking.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BNY3C2XMVJCW5NFVMRKOPLHFKM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The guys did a really good job all day, keeping me out of the wind. We sat in a good position all day, then they did a super job in the run-in,” Dunbar said. “Got in the middle position, didn’t have to use much energy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T5AMWHAP4BCTLOI2WZAPXBYKFM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Obviously Roglic was on a high level today, the whole team was, it was pretty impressive but yeah I was around the other guys which was nice.”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Cork cyclist is now 13th in the overall standings"},"display_date":"2024-09-06T17:27:53.866Z","headlines":{"basic":"Eddie Dunbar finishes seventh as Primoz Roglic reclaims red jersey at Vuelta","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OTOIWN5X27IJZKLAOIXVSKUZDY","auth":{"1":"77e69296587045f66f91ecf8d51859e08ff03372169f261a503068785a13f06c"},"focal_point":{"x":2146,"y":946},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OTOIWN5X27IJZKLAOIXVSKUZDY.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/06/eddie-dunbar-finishes-seventh-as-primoz-roglic-reclaims-red-jersey-at-vuelta/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"VKCOYKOL6FASTC27XY5RRBM57Y","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":214,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/c56bdd2f-80fa-4032-b904-d482fabc5eee/versions/1725559916/media/d3d59dfc4ff67eb411911c3babb5903b_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/09/06/paralympics-day-9-irish-in-action-and-best-of-the-rest-as-katie-george-dunlevy-chases-gold-again/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ELBEFFIGTVFIFHXUKV4KPFQHX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098063},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\">Irish in action</mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"J4UI44KSGJCHRBIS6QKKGOB6MI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098075},"content":"<b>8.30: </b>Para Equestrian team event (Sarah Slattery, Michael Murphy, Kate Kerr-Horan)","type":"text"},{"_id":"3N2VKHUN65GKVCPNURMEZ32VP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098076},"content":"<b>8.30:</b> Men’s road-race, C4-5 (Ronan Grimes)","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQJ7CYDDIZBF3P7AGFXTFCGTNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098077},"content":"<b>9.18: </b>Men’s S9 100m butterfly heats (Barry McClements)","type":"text"},{"_id":"QAASMKPUWZBV3LJQARFDDFPEVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098078},"content":"<b>9.43:</b> T20 1,500m final (Aaron Shorten)","type":"text"},{"_id":"RQWWZC6XVJH7NBSXRLZVT7W36A","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098079},"content":"<b>12.0: </b>Men’s road-race B (Damien Vereker with Mitchell McLaughlin)","type":"text"},{"_id":"UN6JCSTMSRBEXM65TWUQVBVIYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098080},"content":"<b>12.10:</b> Women’s road-race B (Katie-George Dunlevy with Linda Kelly, Josephine Healion with Eve McCrystal)","type":"text"},{"_id":"P57SH4TPINE6DP6AUQKUUUVGFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098081},"content":"<b>*5.34pm:</b> Men’s S9 100m butterfly final, B McClements (*subject to qualifying).","type":"text"},{"_id":"22PVNDNICRDZ3NUEN3IRSLYGYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725557209758},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\">Team Ireland</mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"CFODE4IHUBDX5N2RADXFA73E4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098065},"content":"Katie-George Dunlevy and her pilot Linda Kelly will be looking to follow up Wednesday’s gold medal performance in the time-trial with another in the Women’s B road-race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DPXVS5KKLZFL3CB5GOPXCQB7SI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725558440729},"content":"It starts and finishes at Clichy-Sous-Bois with just the 99.2 kilometres in between. Dunlevy won this race with Eve McCrystal – the pair won a silver on the track in Paris – in the last Paralympics in Tokyo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6U7GO3YLWVCLHNC6OGYFDBKUDY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098066},"content":"Josephine Healion and McCrystal will also contest the B road-race. In the men’s version of the event over 127.8 kilometres, Ireland will be represented by Damien Vereker and his pilot Mitchell McLaughlin, one of 12 bikes set to contest the medals. Ronan Grimes competes in the C4-5 road-race, in a peloton consisting of 29 bikes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4LGLUDZWDJCFJBCLAQC7L4ICNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098067},"content":"Ireland’s Barry McClements will be up against the in-form Simone Barlaam in the S9 100m butterfly with the Italian looking for an equally dominant performance to the one he enjoyed in winning the S9 50 freestyle by over a second and en route to breaking his own world record. He is now looking to translate that form to the S9 100m butterfly, with McClements one of his rivals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L5OX2CTR4BFNPJEHR2KQ6EXDZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098068},"content":"Carlow’s Aaron Shorten, the sole male athlete on the athletics team, competes in the T20 1,500m. The St Laurence O’Toole’s athlete debuted at the Para Athletics World Championships in Paris last summer and has been training with renowned running coach Feidhlim Kelly’s group since the start of the year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BIWDTUAICBHR7AZWQ7JCCBQH7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098069},"content":"In the Para Equestrian team event Ireland will be represented by Sarah Slattery (Grade 5) on Savona, Michael Murphy (Grade 1) on Cleverboy and Kate Kerr-Horan (Grade 3) on Lykkebo’s Don Akino.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GCOBFVU27ETWUZ7LGP6HPB3JNA","additional_properties":{"_id":"KFIXEVC6JBDGFBRDEBC5OGLV4M"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7HCL2FGNQBGMBNYWVDKGGTNA6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098070},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\">Worth a Watch </mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"2CBGXQKORZF6JH53HKPQ42TEEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725557209766},"content":"American Ellie Marks has a remarkable backstory. Due to compete at the 2014 Invictus Games in London, a respiratory infection left her in a coma in Papworth Hospital in Cambridge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q3UGRRB6EFH63J5C5CWSC6ECFM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098072},"content":"She recovered and after winning four golds at the Invictus Games in 2016 presented one of the gold medals to the hospital staff who saved her life. She made her Paralympic debut in Rio, winning breaststroke gold, and in Tokyo claimed S6 backstroke gold and will aim to defend her title.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LW65UX5DJRAF7F36X4QBV45V2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098073},"content":"Italy will hope for another Para-athletics clean sweep in the T63 100m (8.22pm) where Ambra Sabatini, Martina Caironi and Monica Contrafatto finished in the medal positions in Tokyo and again at the 2023 and 2024 Worlds.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"John O'Sullivan"}},"name":"John O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Paralympics Day 9: Katie-George Dunlevy with her pilot Linda Kelly will feature in the 99-kilometre Women’s B road race as will Josephine Healion and Eva McCrystal"},"display_date":"2024-09-06T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics Day 9: Irish in action and best of the rest as Katie-George Dunlevy chases gold again","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IZIFNCICAUCZ56XPAZHVEXXS34","auth":{"1":"eb7536768a05aba3d1f194aba25bbe779bb3dcf63b6480d22942a6cc7fe41285"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IZIFNCICAUCZ56XPAZHVEXXS34.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Cycling"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/09/06/paralympics-day-9-irish-in-action-and-best-of-the-rest-as-katie-george-dunlevy-chases-gold-again/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"Y5HQ33RLKVBB3IFGOCZ3UAD224","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":274,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/8f4d8fa6-8902-42e8-b5dc-6b2e8a83efb5/versions/1725555876/media/965569967867335d4bc59760a865ab66_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/09/06/paralympics-more-than-the-games-goncin-busily-giving-back-to-the-land-of-his-birth/","content_elements":[{"_id":"NXDGF23R65CRZCJKXXFZA5HKR4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471039},"content":"Team Canada wheelchair basketball player Nikola Goncin helped his country reach the semi-finals where they will take on the defending <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympic</a> champions, the USA. When not involved in sport, his day job is designing prosthetics for disabled children in Bosnia.","type":"text"},{"_id":"56XM7MSBUFGAZC25H7NUH35M4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471041},"content":"Goncin, who was born in the Balkan state, played a key role in Canada’s 79-67 victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. But despite relishing the stage and the atmosphere, basketball is not the biggest thing in his life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNOSDHREEBDRDIEM7BOC4XH43Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471042},"content":"Goncin fled Bosnia with his parents in 1994 to escape the Balkan war. However, at the age of 15 he broke his leg because of cancer. The leg had to be amputated and that’s when his other life began.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4SUFX3V3CFG4NBS7HGUKVZWEIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471043},"content":"Goncin discovered wheelchair basketball after the accident. He had to adapt and find a new direction in life. He also dedicated himself to his studies, earning a degree in biomechanics and then a master’s degree in exercise physiology.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SOLIP6MDDJFE3ON2NQ3JWFAZYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471044},"content":"He explained that his experience as a teenager helped guide him to his current line of work.","type":"text"},{"_id":"73QMTSCV5ZDM3LEPG24QDSBZUE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725553683697},"content":"“My prosthetist, when I first lost my leg, had a big influence on me. So, I thought maybe that was something I could be interested in.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"BBJCKKDIAFVG7DAXDDJHHXFGKU","additional_properties":{"_id":"FDVSOUB5VVD4RL4HRXRZFP3HTI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BGS4RVKBOBAL5BVTV7YZIPRI5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471045},"content":"Ottobock employees’ essential service","type":"header"},{"_id":"NZN6EAJMW5B27MHNVQUQGSKJ2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471046},"content":"Every day is a busy day at the repair centre in the Paralympic village, whether it’s adjusting a prosthetic leg or replacing the damaged wheels of a wheelchair, technicians are busy at the repair centre in the Paralympic Village maintaining the para-athletes’ gear.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AVCVFVAOZBFAFJHHJAWT6DBKWM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471047},"content":"Canadian Katy Dandeneau, a wheelchair basketball player, waits patiently to have the cushion on her new sports chair fixed. The workshop services are provided free of charge by the century-old German company, Ottobock, which has been associated with the Paralympic Games since 1988.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WTXGNNDYXRAHTDKFMB246YHMIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471048},"content":"Peter Franzel, head of the repair centre explained: “We repair equipment of all brands, from walking prostheses for everyday use to wheelchairs for racing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OW6NNJ544FDG5B2BTXTSYYN7JQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725553683703},"content":"He and his team expect to carry out more than 2,000 repairs during this edition of the Paralympic Games. Three hundred repairs alone were carried out in the first three days.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJIJDGLIARBTDOTHL6ANIA27PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471049},"content":"In total, 160 Ottobock employees from around 40 countries are on hand to handle repairs in the Paralympic Village and at the competition venues.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HC3CCG3PUPY2EVASAQI2Q5RHTE","additional_properties":{"_id":"ATD36EUX5BGTJBSHZ252GOA55A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BGS4RVKBOBAL5BVTV7YZIPRI5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471045},"content":"Unhappy Story as women’s race distance halved","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZVTQWXBE3FB3JEWCMOFFSPAWIE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471054},"content":"Britain’s Sarah Story has hit out at Paralympic organisers after winning the women’s C5 time-trial, the 18th Games gold medal of her career. She was annoyed that the women’s race was shortened to 14.1 kilometres, half the distance of the men’s equivalent (28.3 kilometres).","type":"text"},{"_id":"KNSTZFMDNNFSLN2UMSRB4TB52E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471056},"content":"She said: “You have to ask the organisers, but there’s plenty of time in the day for us to do two laps like the men. And having fought so hard for parity in women’s cycling, to not have it in para-cycling after what we had in Glasgow last year is a real disappointment.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CYQF4XIWZBFVPNEGQZZ4NIOA2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471057},"content":"“I’ve had to put that disappointment aside and just concentrate on what I can control because I couldn’t control the race distance. But I really hope that they never do this to the women again because I think it’s been appalling.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4JXWCONFDVGN7D2V6FSTSD47XM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471058},"content":"According to the Press Association, organisers decided to shorten the distance of some courses due to the busy schedule of 19 races.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IS4SPUPAJJ35QAMO3SN5OG3I6A","additional_properties":{"_id":"XDINRMTSJJCTND7UOH74GJMC6U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BGS4RVKBOBAL5BVTV7YZIPRI5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471045},"content":"Remarkable Aussie Palmer doubles up","type":"header"},{"_id":"3K34OEMTEFD7NPDHE3TJK26GCA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471060},"content":"Lauren Parker became Australia’s first dual-sport Paralympic medallist in 44 years after claiming silver in the women’s H1-3 individual time-trial to add to her triathlon gold. After finishing first in the para-triathlon on Monday, Parker was facing a lofty task to match a feat last achieved by Eric Russell, who won a gold (shot put) and two bronzes (discus and pentathlon) in 1980.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FAE7TZDLDFAFDIO2SRVFAJOSZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471061},"content":"But the remarkable Parker was undaunted by the historical challenge facing her in the Parisian satellite town of Clichy-sous-Bois and could well have finished first with a gold to her name, but instead finished 9.5 seconds behind American winner Katerina Brim.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2RTZARGNH5EZZBGOICW5X6HUMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471050},"content":"Number: 250,000","type":"header"},{"_id":"5ZUGJPEG2VBSLB2FWWWIWWTXXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725551068904},"content":"The number of followers that Brazil’s ‘rocketman’ swimmer Gabriel dos Santos Araujo, or Gabrielzinho as he is known, boasts on Instagram, a fan base that has seen him win three gold medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"66REQRUG5ZHYDJKXLGFOILHRKA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471052},"content":"Quote of the Day","type":"header"},{"_id":"EOYZXGD4OFDNLEXS5BGEYZXPZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471053},"content":"“They’ve been the perfect Games for me. Carrying the flag, lighting the cauldron, and winning that gold medal. It’s a winner. It’s not too bad at all.” – France’s 38-year-old flag bearer Alexis Hanquinquant, who has gone on to win two gold medals, the second of which was in the triathlon defending the men’s PTS4 title he won in Tokyo.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"John O'Sullivan"}},"name":"John O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Team Canada wheelchair basketball player Nikola Goncin designs prosthetics for disabled children in his native Bosnia"},"display_date":"2024-09-06T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics: Goncin busily giving back to the land of his birth","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LQMZWCGHZKV4E2EB6YZHDKL3WI","auth":{"1":"93232340ed43d359870d75b251833edabace1b2a52e7926db931cf24ac6e26e4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LQMZWCGHZKV4E2EB6YZHDKL3WI.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/09/06/paralympics-more-than-the-games-goncin-busily-giving-back-to-the-land-of-his-birth/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"CJ6TLTLZZJEJNEDIQNML33W5XA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":131,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/256362eb-c50e-44ec-a583-a9040a5b6bfa/versions/1725563977/media/313a23c1ea925c69ddd525f5722aabc7_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/05/caoimhe-obrien-edges-mia-griffin-for-second-irish-stage-win-in-ras-na-mban/","content_elements":[{"_id":"C737SFGK3FCT3N2H4L4JMDR2PY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446795},"content":"Caoimhe O’Brien scooped another Irish win on day two of Rás na mBan on Thursday, outsprinting team-mate and compatriot Mia Griffin to the line in Mountrath.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FOKHX4SM5VHGDPH3INHV3UY5FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446796},"content":"The Das Hutchinson Brother UK team riders were head to head on the finishing straight, with O’Brien getting the edge over Wednesday’s stage one winner Griffin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JO7W5YUZU5ELHG62AJ36ZYHWFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446797},"content":"O’Brien picked up a time bonus during the stage and ended the day level on time with Griffin. However, the latter holds the overall lead on countback.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VLVIHW3QIFGZ5L24JTHZVXYNVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446798},"content":"“It is so special,” O’Brien said. “I remember being here four years ago and getting dropped on every single stage. The gap to where I wanted to be was so big and so to be here is very special.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UWGAFHW62NBIFHK2Y53FF426PU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446799},"content":"Last month O’Brien won the Emptinne and Brasschat kermesse races in Belgium and said that having confidence in herself has made the difference. As for Griffin, she was part of Ireland’s national record-breaking team pursuit squad at the Olympic Games and has her own turn of speed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YVFOKXFZMZHURL7TFXHSFR2VUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446800},"content":"“For a few seconds before the line I thought I was there,” she said of what would have been a second consecutive win. “And then I saw a shadow at the side. She had come with so much speed, it was brilliant.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XZJYJMOI3RDZVP2V5BQNA43U2I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446801},"content":"The 104km stage from Kilkenny took in the 7.4km ascent of The Cut in the Slieve Bloom mountains. O’Brien and Griffin’s team set a hard pace to set things up for a prime win by team-mate Lucy Lee, who led the mountains competition after her prime win on Wednesday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IQ6ZJ3EIGVGCXPDH7LGXM4GU4E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446802},"content":"This pace reduced the group to 23 riders. Defending champion Manon de Boer (NWVG-Uplus) took top bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint ahead of O’Brien and her sister Aoife. 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The stage closer to home, with all my family watching me, friends, in the last stages of La Vuelta,” said Berrade.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVQ27NRON5FZ7IMMFUBXKCMLMA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I didn’t see myself as the winner until I crossed the finish line. 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My goal was to come into that corner fast and just sprint to the line as hard as I could.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"TVSIWIPTZJD4TDH52ZWHJCNZTA","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 75km race ran from Kilkenny to Callan. The peloton split on the day’s categorised climb of Curragawn, with Griffin’s team-mate Frankie Hall, fellow Briton Katy Hill (Dan Morrissey-Primor by Pissei) and Danish rider Freederikke Aafeldt (Team Aalborg) breaking clear afterwards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4XZ4HGERMBDENGOHIZIC6AQRIE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Their lead grew to 55 seconds but they were hauled back with 3km to go, after which Griffin’s team worked to set her up for the sprint.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UITFTAFRVNDADIT7I7QTKIEWFM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“For quite some time Frankie was up the road and we thought that she was going to stay away. 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Italy’s Filippo Zana (Jayco-Alula) and Britain’s Max Poole (DSM-Firmenich PostNL) came home in second and third place respectively.","type":"text"},{"_id":"25BJUKNICNDYBHFQKQWHG7GNXU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar finished the stage in 23rd, seeing him hold on to 15th in the general ranking, while Darren Rafferty was 48th, bringing him up to 71st overall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XRJQWPIHND37MZLIHP33HC2BA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725382308295},"content":"Primoz Roglic, who trailed Ben O’Connor by 1 minute 3 seconds at the start of the day, began to build a lead over his title rival on the uncategorised final climb. 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They had dreamt of going out like this, but sport and life had knocked them off the bike enough times for them not to entertain fantasies of such a last dance together.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K2SDQXACXNF2FHH4AHAFQENNSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409271},"content":"But in the mixed zone after the qualifiers, the moment seized the cyclists – McCrystal couldn’t keep her emotions at bay any longer. She tried to wipe her eyes, tried to regain her composure but the tears kept coming. Eventually, she just let them. You want to know what it meant? It meant everything.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QBJC6G7GMZDDDKITOKMPWNFTRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409272},"content":"“She [Katie-George] has been sick. This morning she woke up and said, ‘I’m not feeling great.’ As a pilot I was like, however s**t I feel as a tandem pairing you have to take each other’s s**t, so to speak,” sobbed McCrystal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AR2PIGQZFZBRHD5NW3PWZY72I4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409273},"content":"“We’ve always backed each other, if I’m injured or if she’s injured, the other one will always give that 10 per cent extra that you’d never have ordinarily. Today is probably the most nervous I have ever been in my whole entire life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T3SAQBUHTNAYPAREXXNZ5D3YLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409274},"content":"“It’s just the 10 years, it’s just the kids and work, I’m a single mother, it’s been f***ing hard. I lost my father and it’s just all ... I think I just kept grief and everything in. To retire, I can retire now so f***ing proud.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JGXV7F32C5DWFJBRS76GGETUNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409275},"content":"“I’m so emotional and I’m the f***ing strong one in this relationship, I’m the bitch in this relationship!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5WTNFZ4LRDQRFNV7IT52M4DOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409276},"content":"At that moment, one wondered if it would be possible for them to regain focus and deliver a performance in the final just over two hours later. Deliver they did.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BGEV2DZDMIIFT2VQ7RIKGUUMGM","additional_properties":{"_id":"PSV4JODELBFKBPJV3YSTLH2ZTA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"K7WMXOCFINEWDHEPEWOB6ZIWZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409277},"content":"“When you’re so close to gold, you’re slightly disappointed you didn’t get it but we’re absolutely ecstatic with silver,” said McCrystal after the decider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YHFVMKJMYFGOPPCQO5R2VGTHTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409278},"content":"“The staff that we have around us, I just want you to mention them. I just want to say thank you to every single one of them. Without them, we wouldn’t be here today with a medal around our necks.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YRXYIF5TLVBSNDZYJRARV5MBCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409279},"content":"The story of Irish cycling has had a fair dusting of Cool Runnings around it over the years, Irish cyclists just rocking up to velodromes across the world, competing and winning medals in big tournaments. Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, it’s pedal time. Having waited forever for a velodrome, two are now promised.","type":"text"},{"_id":"47LUXRQDF5G6NJLXKY3F67D57Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409280},"content":"If you have never been to a velodrome, it’s like sitting inside a large sauna, fully dressed, with dance music pumping over the PA system while riders look for the temperature to be ramped up even higher.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PKIDC64MTNCGZCBKATCPCPDYTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409281},"content":"Most spectators appeared to come prepared for the sauna saddle showdown in Paris with sleek mini-electric fans, though some debonair locals opted for a traditional brisé fan. They all looked so suave and dignified, and unsweaty.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ZAX7WGEYJHANLDIODZLMEKNQM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409282},"content":"Meanwhile, the Irish among the 3,350 in the velodrome were marked out by ruddy faces. Every now and then they would exchange exasperated eyerolls with each other, wondering why somebody couldn’t just open a bloody window.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PROHTFW7FZBZJM4P4YZHCIKPVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409283},"content":"Among the Irish contingent present were McCrystal’s daughters, Ava (16) and Nessa (14).","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYHGDX76YFBNVNXQNA53AMNDAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409284},"content":"“From when my kids were born, they have seen me training in the kitchen on turbo trainers, every single day,” added the full-time Dundalk-based garda.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZVYRJ7ORVVBEFAYW2NHDIAWHPQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409285},"content":"“For all of them to see all of our hard work, that resilience, that determination, for them to see that and then a medal, I can’t put that into words. I am 46 years of age!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AZLZKRV6SJC2DC6XXA4Q5KLXTY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409286},"content":"And while they will both race on the road later in these Games, the fact this was the last time Dunlevy and McCrystal would ride together was not lost on those in the arena. They were afforded a standing ovation when they went to meet friends and family at trackside.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7UGYHKQ3FUPWNFMFSLAR53RRUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"2VHT6FEYURBY7NNFSYF2OJCHUQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YHX7PTLRYBGVLHVED6RWYRTZTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409287},"content":"“We are in our 40s, and we are up against 20-year-olds. Age is a number,” smiled Dunlevy. “My dad was crying his eyes out. It makes me very grateful to see my parents cry, I don’t see them cry very often.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"X23FFEGBBZGGPF4PM74AQUD6KE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409289},"content":"And as if winning a silver medal in their last race together wasn’t enough of a prize, the pair reckon the ride to finish second in the qualifiers on Sunday morning was possibly their most complete on track over the last decade.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MN6PRO4CQRAT5PNT7ATA4KHHHI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409290},"content":"“That first ride was the best performance we have ever done in our life,” said McCrystal. “It wasn’t a national record, our national record was in hotter conditions on a faster track with a swirl on the track, so as a ride goes that was our best ride.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7AZDT7V2FBGBNJ6BKDKOVLKNOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409292},"content":"It is hard to imagine one without the other, this crew of para cycling trailblazers. They won medals, they changed perceptions, they altered the landscape.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XYYSYEMVYFDTXK7OKYAQGJAMOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409293},"content":"“Six days a week, every single week, for a decade we have trained,” added McCrystal. “We have never ever faltered or taken our foot off the gas. We have committed every single day.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"PKGKLLJTMJFG3DAJQTLCNVKAQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409295},"content":"All the way to the very last one they had in the saddle together.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XGA7LTLLDFD2RHRTA2JCI5MPMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409296},"content":"In the end, Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal got to cycle off on a silver lining.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Paralympic Games: The duo were not expecting a fairytale ending to their 10-year partnership, but their last race together was a dream come true"},"display_date":"2024-09-01T20:10:18.19Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics: Silver lining at the end of the track for Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4ATJUIYIB3IGWNT67YBPWCLEVE","auth":{"1":"cf66eb5f9b2f0969e45f399134e159c257ecee55f3c3f74f04b43dfb783b411b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4ATJUIYIB3IGWNT67YBPWCLEVE.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/01/silver-lining-at-the-end-of-the-track-for-katie-george-dunlevy-and-eve-mccrystal/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}}],"count":599,"_id":"ca89f4957f77db88981917365893299efde54432ffc1f5a851b2fb84ab98d922"},"expires":1740673794488,"lastModified":1740673493793},"{\"feedOffset\":0,\"feedSize\":50,\"includeSections\":\"/sport/cycling\"}":{"data":{"content_elements":[{"_id":"IACNYXDIPFBALKDRJXBL4RYIZM","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2025/02/14/sam-bennett-lands-first-win-of-2025-at-tour-de-la-provence/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PM5XDEK4INH3TNQMG5KAGWI574","additional_properties":{"_id":1739558806692},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sam-bennett/\" target=\"_blank\">Sam Bennett</a> took his first victory of the new season with a blistering sprint on Friday, blasting past former world champion Mads Pedersen to land the opening stage of the Tour de la Provence.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AO2RPQZEUBG5FAENNMR472OCHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1739558806693},"content":"The Carrick-on-Suir rider judged things perfectly in the finale, sitting on Pedersen’s wheel when he opened up his sprint and then squeezing through a gap between the Dane and Marijn van den Berg (EF Education-EasyPost). They faded to fifth and sixth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M7VKGNFICNHGLBUUXD4SZZHR5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1739558806694},"content":"“We came here trying to secure our first win of the season,” Bennet said. “We knew it was going to be a tough fight, but we managed to get through the first climb, and the team did a fantastic job.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5BQDFTMHHBBZXNGVTDV2PYG2EY","additional_properties":{"_id":1739558806695},"content":"“The race was challenging with strong winds, which worked to our advantage, especially since it was mostly headwind on the climb.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SRH6EAHGP5FLLCKUESMOQMQOZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1739558806696},"content":"The Decathlon Ag2r La Mondiale rider will draw considerable encouragement from the win. The stage was a tough one with three category two climbs, and just 37 riders finished in the front group.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NIGIDL274JHT7C2BOFCKPP4NWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1739558806697},"content":"Bennett took four victories last season, much fewer than he was aiming for, but appears to be already in fine form. 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She showed her strong road racing form at the UAE Tour last week when she won the black jersey as best rider in the intermediate sprints.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CH74Z2EPENDCPB5XTRIFTP3T7A","additional_properties":{},"content":"Gillespie will be in action again on Friday when she contests the omnium.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"23-year-old from Enniskerry was completely in control during the tactical event"},"display_date":"2025-02-13T20:35:47.097Z","headlines":{"basic":"Lara Gillespie wins elimination race at European track championship ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RZ2NTFGUFBGCXDF57QWKN5MMJQ","auth":{"1":"a0f5a052b69a228b2608d59d075f0ad588ae8d5d347680b6c44a546173569c33"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RZ2NTFGUFBGCXDF57QWKN5MMJQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2025/02/13/lara-gillespie-wins-elimination-race-at-european-track-championship/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"GA22U7JELNE57D5Z5WWWZF6B2A","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":63,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/d77d0570-7bc0-45f1-a8c8-3123080700a2/versions/1739387957/media/0279d673b255b41df91be104fe570ded_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2025/02/12/mia-griffin-best-of-the-irish-on-day-one-of-european-track-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"FJQRS7ELKNA4HHFYOQP5SJO5XE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Five of the six selected Irish riders were in action on day one of the European Track Championships in Belgium on Wednesday, with Mia Griffin riding prominently in the women’s scratch race before taking seventh. 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","type":"text"},{"_id":"YAQLZIJGWNDAVOGYUAHZ4ODFGM","additional_properties":{},"content":"This year’s event will include 13 climbs, five fewer than in 2024, and is 761 kilometres in length.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Women’s team pursuit qualify eighth and move on to Thursday’s action"},"display_date":"2025-02-12T19:14:07.788Z","headlines":{"basic":"Mia Griffin best of the Irish on day one of European track championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"EQ4DNZAAQ63BRAZK5XW4Q3V6NU","auth":{"1":"8dc61619cb5ad6c6c35a68c30b390882e85099fae7e7b488c58486f36fa7317e"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/EQ4DNZAAQ63BRAZK5XW4Q3V6NU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2025/02/12/mia-griffin-best-of-the-irish-on-day-one-of-european-track-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"UWOXIGCAAVCTPPSCMCEMSCL5YE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":256,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-cdn-b7fyckdeejejb6dj.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/dffbb96c-efcf-4a64-add5-b2777f5b78a1/versions/1736713344/media/e799086a52ae4d60a83f2309d7bfc7f3_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2025/01/12/third-consecutive-title-for-dean-harvey-at-national-cyclocross-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"XL5D3BHRQFAJXBRZH7JIOFANLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552481},"content":"Dean Harvey showed his class once again at the national cyclocross championships, taking his third consecutive title with a dominant win in Ballinasloe on Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"67R7LDAV4VHITBMRGVXASDS4FY","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552482},"content":"The 21-year-old went clear early on and build a commanding lead, eventually beating Darnell Moore (Team Caldwell Cycles) by close to three minutes. 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However, she has an Irish grandmother and subsequently declared for Ireland, making her debut in a green jersey at the Dublin cyclocross World Cup in December.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QT3SWEUWYFGNZHRXFKKN644TXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552486},"content":"The talented 18-year-old has inked a contract with the Hess Cycling Team, a UCI Continental squad, and should have a good programme of racing this season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UOU7GPG5GVEH5HXWPPJRB2MBJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552487},"content":"<b>National Cyclocross Championships, Ballinasloe, Co Galway</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"XYGGYYGOWBCSHKGGAN3ZEGRL6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552488},"content":"<b>Men:</b> 1 Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing) 1:03:53 (U23), 2 D Moore (Team Caldwell Cycles) 1:06′26, 3 T Harkness (Lyon Sprint Evolution) 1:06′42 (U23), 4 T Killeen (Kilcullen Cycling Club Murphy Geospacial) 1:06′43 (U23), 5 R Barry (St. Finbarrs CC) 1:08′42","type":"text"},{"_id":"EY3MYPLM4BDLTOMDQHYX7HKRFU","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552489},"content":"<b>Women: </b>1 Esther Wong (Hess Cycling Team) 39′57, 2 G Lawless (Team WORC) 40′18 (Junior), 3 H McClorey (Doltcini – Cycle Division) 42′48, 4 M Larking (Cuttin Crew/Donkey Label) 43′03, 5 R Lally (Loughborough Lightning) 43′25","type":"text"},{"_id":"PMKQY7DVWFGNVASUNREZ2QDR5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552490},"content":"<b>Junior men:</b> 1 Conor Murphy (Team Caldwell Cycles) 36′58, 2 C McKee (Spellman-Dublin Port) 37′28, 3 R Daly (Scott Racing IRL) 37′42, 4 J Armstrong (VC Glendale) 38′39, 5 H Og Mulhearne (Asvillemur Cyclisme) 39′29","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZXD3CW5CNJGM3OZAE3YWA2UJRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552491},"content":"<b>Masters women:</b> 1 Jean Wilson (EPIC MTB Expert Cycles) 48′43, 2 A O’Connor (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) 49′32, 3 H White (Stamullen RC) 51′17, 4 H Murphy (Yellow Furze Road Club) 39′48, 5 C Martinez (First Tracks) 40′07","type":"text"},{"_id":"43ECQVS27VB55DVACRGCAZH7PA","additional_properties":{"_id":1736712552492},"content":"<b>Masters 40 men:</b> 1 Glenn Kinning (Kinning Cycles Cycling Club) 49′07, 2 R O’Flynn (Orwell Wheelers Cycling Club) 49′09, 3 M Flavin (Dungarvan CC) 50′14, 4 E Ryan (Team WORC) 50′34, 5 K Keane (St Tiernans Cycling Club) 50′53","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Esther Wong best in women’s race, battling junior rider Greta Lawless early on before pulling ahead"},"display_date":"2025-01-12T20:17:02.471Z","headlines":{"basic":"Third consecutive title for Dean Harvey at national cyclocross championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"7EKMHJYVL76WRDDZYXQPYQ544M","auth":{"1":"b6fa3dee1733a58c4a0fce5eab26742603201415516d2ce6bab094b385394f80"},"focal_point":{"x":1422,"y":270},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/7EKMHJYVL76WRDDZYXQPYQ544M.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2025/01/12/third-consecutive-title-for-dean-harvey-at-national-cyclocross-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"PXDBYCRQURGFRCOHYJGOJ5YXLY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":342,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/71764925-ce35-4c1c-94b3-60e15d16b475/versions/1734534118/media/6403b2aebf19bcaa1153edda4c03b801_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/31/i-am-really-excited-to-try-the-big-races-lara-gillespie-takes-the-next-step-in-her-burgeoning-pro-career/","content_elements":[{"_id":"AITZBTIVRJEYDN6YNICEWWENUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642519},"content":"She’s had a great year already, but this month brought an additional boost for <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/lara-gillespie/\" target=\"_blank\">Lara Gillespie</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6XI6A2RNRJEXBKHNIELZZRIHWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642522},"content":"Competing at the UCI Champions League in London, she judged things perfectly in the tactically-difficult elimination race on December 6th. The track event sees the last rider across the line on each lap eliminated, with the final two riders ultimately sprinting it out for the victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OWZLIFGQQ5AW7KOKGYXUHO3OXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642523},"content":"Gillespie remained in contention all the way, pipping Sami Donnelly (New Zealand) in the third-last sprint, lunging past Anita Yvonne Stenberg (Norway) in the next gallop, and then hammering Canadian Sarah Van Dam in the final flat-out effort to the line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A3L4RDACFFH5TGGVI7S4BEEJVE","subtype":"twitter","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"XFQC226CXFAWDARWDKSATCJY4Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642525},"content":"She finished a superb third overall at the end of the five-round league series. It was another big result after her <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">bronze medal in the points race</a> at the track world championships in October.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YNBO72XMGBFKFMNETF2X5D442M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642526},"content":"“It was really cool to get third overall just behind two pretty legendary riders,” Gillespie tells The Irish Times, speaking from her pro team training camp in Benidorm, Spain. “So I am pretty pleased with that.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7OQAV76QZDILB7E7R3TT4RPCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642527},"content":"The Enniskerry rider has been a star in the making for a long, long time, having won gold and silver medals at European Championships as a junior and under 23. This year she made that big breakthrough at elite level with her bronze at this year’s track worlds. Being part of the national record-smashing Irish team pursuit squad at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris Olympics</a> was also a highlight.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W7TQ3RLC7FEYFEP46COREECATY","additional_properties":{"_id":"FFCWVPXDHJHLDBGX2L4JQRJBK4"},"content":"Lara Gillespie climbing the cycling ranks and finding that extra gear despite adversity","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"ARFDMFX4FBDKVPWHWIVYHDYINA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642528},"content":"But Gillespie isn’t just a talented track rider. She has also proved her worth on the road and scooped two big wins this year while racing with the UAE Development Team. Things are gathering pace and she sounds excited.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HIMUY7WUEVGTXJCDPFIOG3RHKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642529},"content":"“My highlight this year on the road was winning the Antwerp Classic Race,” she says, referring to her bunch sprint success in the 1.1 UCI ranked race in May. “It showed that I really enjoy a hard race. It was 50 per cent gravel and cobbles that day. And I was able to not just sprint but to race and be in there amongst some of the best in the world. So that was really fun.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZWIUFHGLCJGG3AIMUGQRCHKNME","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZWUD6UWWAVHE5POB62GQAEY75E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SA4BGKDNBNBURAHNME6JNFMQVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642531},"content":"One month before than she dominated the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa stage race in Italy. Second on day one, she won stage two solo by over three minutes, seizing the race lead. The following day she tightened her grip by winning a big bunch sprint. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/04/23/lara-gillespie-takes-biggest-road-race-success-of-career-with-italian-win/\" target=\"_blank\">She ultimately triumphed overall</a> by 3′01, a huge margin over five days.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KW544TJBRNGJ7AQ5HOB5QLZN7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642532},"content":"“That race was another highlight,” she says. “I didn’t go in there as the leader. I think I surprised people that I wasn’t just a track rider, and wasn’t just a sprinter. I could also win on the hard, hillier stages.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FXFRX3YYWVANBOC6HN3PBCTOWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642533},"content":"Gillespie was increasingly in demand after those victories. Unsurprisingly, the UAE Team ADQ squad <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/06/06/lara-gillespie-inks-first-worldtour-contract-in-major-career-boost/\" target=\"_blank\">swiftly promoted her from its development team</a>. The 23-year-old is now readying for her first full year at the top-rank WorldTour level and is raring to go.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H7OVNN36Y5DMROVAT42QVMBQ34","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642534},"content":"Gillespie’s squad is the sister team to the crack UAE Team Emirates squad, also at the camp in Spain. It won the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and many other races this year with <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/tadej-pogacar/\" target=\"_blank\">Tadej Pogačar</a>, the biggest name in the sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FTE3SZ4HRVCBFESS6L653YCGFU","additional_properties":{"_id":"7ZFBQ7FVYNFFRDWU7VO3UEE4NY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QDVYE3UCBVDA7CDWQOTPZO4KFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642536},"content":"The women’s team is also highly ambitious and Gillespie is thoroughly enjoying her time thus far.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GLMKNC4M5NFKLJVFNDOKV5RULU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642537},"content":"“It’s been really jammers on the camp, but really good,” she says. “I am really enjoying the whole environment. Everything is going really good. The riders and staff are great, and also the equipment. It is really 100 per cent here.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y3TNYUZNJBGCJB3M3FQU2ZUPXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642539},"content":"Gillespie is yet to get her race schedule but hopes to begin her 2025 season with racing in Mallorca, then the UAE Tour in early February.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RIRCPUI7FBCZ7FGLLFFHQZBMDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642540},"content":"“After that I really want to do the spring calendar,” she says. “We have a really good sprinter and Classics group here on the team. I really want to be part of that and get into all those WorldTour races that I have never done before.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CZG7WCZLA5BLNCNFMRGHZ6GNTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642541},"content":"Gillespie also plans to keep mixing in track racing too. She will do the European track championships in February and hopes to ride the track worlds in October. Other than that, though, the road will be her main focus.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ANQJ2FOAQBGBJA6VHB36YRDSJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1735568609374},"content":"And she’s clear on what she would like to achieve in 2025. “My goals for the road are definitely winning as part of the team. And learning what kind of rider I am, specifically.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XF2U4C6UU5GI3E4FYDHROWT4BM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642543},"content":"“I know what I really enjoy. Hopefully that aligns with what my physiology matches towards when I am riding more on the road, getting more hours in, getting more of that mileage and that proper road training in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5LL3XX5YNFC7BBFSGNHVAKRNXM","additional_properties":{"_id":"WVHZQJSVXRE2TGXYYCSQF7BFTU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"IEFAAQ7WIVBOVP74ACRZ2HOXGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642545},"content":"“Because that wasn’t a priority the last couple of years with the focus on the team pursuit.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UY5ARDJ5NVAFHC73QOZGYV6KEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642546},"content":"Gillespie has bundles of talent and now has the opportunity to explore how much she can progress.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7I3U4CSZYRC7TIPVVUEBYSDZ3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642547},"content":"“I am really excited to try the big races. Of course, being on the development team before, we were never able to do the WorldTour races. This seems like a perfect step forward and I am really excited.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FQWLW6SUNNFNBICIHZHGYOVC5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642548},"content":"Velodrome fans needn’t worry though, as she believes her time on the road will also pay dividends on the track.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQQSTM5I4RFXBHPB4TWS6BP5SM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734530642549},"content":"“With the track, I will hopefully keep gaining that confidence in getting podium spots at the top level,” she says. “I really want to go to the LA Games knowing that I have the consistency behind me over four years, rather than going in like this year thinking, ‘okay, maybe on a good day I can be top whatever…’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Wicklow rider is increasingly looking forward to the year ahead, her first full season in the WorldTour"},"display_date":"2024-12-31T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"‘I am really excited to try the big races’: Lara Gillespie takes the next step in her burgeoning pro career","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ICJB4NINHJDHLCC5VWVYSCROSQ","auth":{"1":"d6518174c2b6eeccb8af366b1dea6012986fa5ce4ec5a3e4c633dfc3f13041eb"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ICJB4NINHJDHLCC5VWVYSCROSQ.JPG"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/31/i-am-really-excited-to-try-the-big-races-lara-gillespie-takes-the-next-step-in-her-burgeoning-pro-career/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"OEWYAH5XHBAQZNAS6F4WZUCM6Q","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":978,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/d12d50e5-ca7e-4618-a92c-d60270c9ed21/versions/1734027032/media/3ea01cd39c409e225066a3aa27ac2a77_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/12/28/sports-speak-2024-the-wit-and-wisdom-from-damian-duff-to-daniel-wiffen-kellie-harrington-to-rory-mcilroy/","content_elements":[{"_id":"5UQ6A4YNU5HFJDPPEP7CEAWO74","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500673},"content":"<b>January</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"6LBNJ6QYI5H6HLQJ7FDSC6D66Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500674},"content":"“I realised that my resources are not endless . . . we are not young rabbits any more and we don’t jump as high as we did.” <b>Jurgen Klopp catching Liverpool fans on the hop by announcing that he would be leaving them at the end of the season.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DRIGB35TJFKRISDKILS77O4SE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500675},"content":"“I honestly wish it was my wife leaving me and not Jurgen.” <b>A soon-to-be single Liverpool-supporting caller to talkSPORT after Klopp’s announcement.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"UASL2OHS4RDEJGXVXZJXSO3GEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500676},"content":"“I enjoyed that, I really did. I started the week feeling a bit rough but I bought myself an air fryer and started eating a bit better.” <b>Ronnie O’Sullivan after finding his inner Ninja in his comeback against Judd Trump in the World Grand Prix final.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IG4SJIREXMAX2QZYP6GNHJUDHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"XTSRY7QKJFBNBNLADMBHGOXOOI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VABLY446JNCGVGXZBMKCN3FZOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500677},"content":"“I just wake up, play on my Xbox, have some food, have a chuck at the board, go to bed and that’s it.” <b>Luke Littler on his life before reaching the World Darts Championship final at the age of just sixteen. It’s changed a fair bit since then.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EM4XEHFYAJHF5CJ2CGEF2NC2QY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500678},"content":"<b>February</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"DALWHI4CMFASVKNBYLFK6H7HMY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500679},"content":"“Speaking from experience, when you have a barnet like that, you have got to play well – and my God, did that boy play well.” <b>Brian O’Driscoll doffing his cap to Joe McCarthy (and his hair-do) after his most excellent Six Nations display in the victory over France in Marseille.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5Z5IOKAZP5HLPGZ63ZWVORSR2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500680},"content":"“I’m in awe of Willie Mullins. He’s at the top of his profession and has been for over a decade. Some people are suggesting he should be restricted. Well, you don’t tell Taylor Swift to stop releasing albums so that other people can win the Grammys.” <b>Jane Mangan salutes trainer Willie Mullins and his crop of Swiftie horses.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"XCCQOSTHUFAZXEPGKQSASZCWS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500681},"content":"“I stopped someone following me in to the toilet the other day. They were like, `oh, can I get a photo?’, and I was like, `yeah, but do you mind if you wait for a bit?’.” <b>And this was before Daniel Wiffen won his Olympic medals. They’re probably snapping him at the urinal this weather.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KD245WDCRCU7PSPRQJSKWEJSA","additional_properties":{"_id":"E34PQLGEJJEZDKYBKS6WRXIXVE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42EAPKULOVBO7I2HAC7FOHHSQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500682},"content":"“How do I word this? Maybe through someone through someone through someone, someone asked me would I be interested in speaking to someone.” <b>Damien Duff on whether the FAI contacted him about becoming Stephen Kenny’s successor during their interminable search for one. That was a definitely maybe.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JXNRDRQSW5GQDDOG5HBN276ATI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500683},"content":"<b>March</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WM5ZP2JSR5HGBEZBH52OC62JNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"CH4SVKW76RDGLN3EEADQ4PLDGE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"R6AW4JAT3FH4LMJEN6Q7UY263U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500684},"content":"“She’s such an incredible rider. As good as she is everywhere else, she’s even better here. We’ve had some incredible days.” <b>Trainer Henry De Bromhead after Rachael Blackmore rode Captain Guinness to victory in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Having already won the Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles, that secured Blackmore the third jewel in the festival’s crown.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KDZJWSARQJBVNCUKTKB3E7UVSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500686},"content":"“We unknowingly used a divisive expression. We deeply regret this error and apologise to those we have offended.” <b>MLS club Minnesota United after signing off their announcement about hosting St Patrick’s Athletic in a friendly with: “Tiocfaidh Ár Lá.”</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QQCCO757TZBDFN5L7ZNZORHO3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500688},"content":"“I have a poster of Novak on my wall. Every night I go to bed, I see him. He’s the best player ever. I will keep this moment with me for the rest of my life.” <b>Luca Nardi, the 20-year-old Italian who, when ranked 123 in the world, beat his poster boy Novak Djokovic at the Indian Wells Open.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"S27OLOOZUJAN5ANSJWBG2UNYUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500690},"content":"“I told John that I’ll chase balls into the bushes or go look at players, whatever he needs. I’m delighted he feels I’ve something to contribute after all these years.” B<b>rian Kerr on returning to the Republic of Ireland set-up as a technical adviser to interim manager John O’Shea, 19 years after he was the gaffer himself.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MC3XVODHZBADJAKC3NGARAOCNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500692},"content":"April","type":"header"},{"_id":"GXK3PURBAFBTDODU7OTN7I7I4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500693},"content":"“He’s transformed the club from a place when they had people like me playing for them – that’s how bad it was.” <b>Peter Crouch saluting Jurgen Klopp as he closed in on his final game in charge of Liverpool.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"J3U5QVLBYMZTBUY47Z5ZYRJJQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"SZR4O5D3SFCUBGJPHPEBAK2H2I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ID2KSA6BD5GQ3H5ILQUESI747E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500695},"content":"“I sort of liken it to when Northern Ireland went through the peace process. Catholics weren’t happy, Protestants weren’t happy, but it brought peace and then you just sort of learn to live with whatever has been negotiated.” <b>Rory McIlroy reckoning that a Good Friday agreement is needed to resolve the LIV v PGA war.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"4PBWKJK6HJCFZOYMUCFYZNFGYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500697},"content":"“Bristol Rovers Football Club would like to apologise for any offence caused by an error in wording in a recent communication. No harmful intention of meaning was ever intended.” <b>That “error”? “We will provide all disabled fans with free electronic ticket cards upon request. As for normal fans and older fans, they can purchase the card for £15.” Oh my.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"7R5BH7LYTJHZJNRDUNZZ6WYIUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500699},"content":"“He’s an intellectual earthquake that transforms itself into this athletic majesty. It’s not bomb and gouge, it’s laser-guided missiles that you’re watching here.” <b>Brandel Chamblee swooning, as only Brandel Chamblee can, over Bryson DeChambeau’s opening round of 65 at the Masters. The missiles were misdirected thereafter, DeChambeau finishing nine shots behind winner Scottie Scheffler.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"3MZIPARJGRBPRMLB4K3VC3JNV4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500701},"content":"May","type":"header"},{"_id":"W3LUFJ2C4GGQ2YOWVODL5OSVNA","additional_properties":{"_id":"TTCPVJ3KONF6JBY5HCTOHWT4W4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"K4BENKEC2JA7TBIG7DXP6O22FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500702},"content":"“We’re going in full guns blazing.” <b>An unfortunate enough turn of phrase from Northampton Saints’ Tommy Freeman ahead of the Champions Cup semi-final against Leinster in Croke Park, just after he and his team-mates were told about the stadium’s history.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"44EGDGSVLRGKRM7Q67ZM6BNDXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500704},"content":"“Bruce had to be played, I suppose. They had to dance in the dark up here for a couple of days but the pitch was the one to suffer.” <b>Wexford manager Keith Rossiter none too impressed with the state of the Nowlan Park surface a couple of weeks after senior hurler Springsteen played on it.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q5PLJKY3VRGE5LJHXKKO53F5VA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500706},"content":"“Clearly, there is something rotten in Irish rugby for its finest ambassadors to bend the knee whether at international level or in the Champions Cup. There is no question here of shooting at the ambulance. We greatly sympathise with Leo Cullen and his kids.” <b>French newspaper Midi Olympique offering a, eh, heartfelt hug to Leinster after that Champions Cup final defeat by Toulouse.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WWZPMTJQGNGVNAPD7ENY5ALEAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500708},"content":"“I was pretty rattled to say the least. I was shaking the whole time. It was definitely a new feeling for me.” <b>Scottie Scheffler on that bizarre moment he was handcuffed and arrested outside Valhalla Golf Club ahead of the second round of the PGA Championship. He had mistakenly tried to drive past a police stop following an accident that resulted in the death of a spectator.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBZIHCR4INGERNYH4R5FUY7N6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500710},"content":"June","type":"header"},{"_id":"HOVU7N57IREVXMZ3EATFREQEUE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500711},"content":"“I went out on that track today super nervous but with a plan and a mission and that was to hear Amhrán na bhFiann. When I was getting boxed in I thought I had nowhere to go, but I didn’t grow up playing camogie to get boxed in.” <b>Ciara Mageean doffing her cap to her first sporting love for helping her battle her way to European Championship gold in the 1500m.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"CITCKLFED5E6HIOHUAEXJHO6NU","additional_properties":{"_id":"6TUG4RZ55VHD5ATNMXQ35T6K64"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6VKCSB65PRBENL5XNI2BHS6RX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500713},"content":"“The Picasso of the radio.” <b>Tomás Ó Sé's tribute to Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh who died at the age of 93 in June.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"XAM2H2HQLRF7ZBVJYB3V5Y4HMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500715},"content":"“If it was an old dog, the GAA would be telling us that good old hurling was being taken to live on a lovely farm in the country, while texting the local vet about having it put to sleep.” <b>How happy was Dónal Óg Cusack with the GAA’s promotion of his beloved game? Not a lot.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"HBSSMOWJ55HHVP7UFWCXVQO554","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500717},"content":"“Yesterday was a tough day, probably the toughest I’ve had in my nearly 17 years as a professional golfer. But I’ve shown my resilience over and over again and I will again.” <b>Rory McIlroy on that crushing conclusion to the US Open, three bogeys in his final four holes handing the title to Bryson DeChambeau.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WKIOT73JRFE4DE55R7BBM6WJ4U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500719},"content":"July","type":"header"},{"_id":"MKRI45KNZJCRBGOGVHZE4JCVXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500720},"content":"“It’s nearly destroying it talking about it, we should just shut up and watch.” <b>Dónal Óg Cusack calling for silence from the RTÉ panel so they could just quietly marvel at Tony Kelly’s other-worldly All Ireland final goal for Clare.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQKABSSXLBGKTOLK63U22TWTMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500722},"content":"“What can I say? We’re All-Ireland champions and Olympic gold medallists – what a great county!” <b>Daniel Wiffen on Armagh striking gold twice in the space of three days thanks to himself and their footballers.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IYILG65UKVG3XOID32HNPMH4RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500724},"content":"“I’d rather ate cowshite. Don’t let him near the place.” <b>Former Galway goalkeeper James Skehill somewhat ruling out working with Davy Fitzgerald if Fitzgerald was appointed boss of his county. (He wasn’t, he took over Antrim instead).</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"75NAMY4RAXU2VVZIUMGSHVMJLA","additional_properties":{"_id":"3HDPPMFF3VCO5MWSMCSKOXGXJQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"XXRGTRMUBVBHZFDGUVP2NECSGU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500726},"content":"“My brother texted me and said, ‘if 14-year-old Kellie had thought she’d be here now she probably never would have believed it’. I forwarded the message to my mam. She said, “No, you’re right, you were a little shit back then! Still a little shit now but you have two Olympic medals!’ <b>Kellie Harrington on her loving messages from home after guaranteeing herself at least a bronze in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FLR3EELDGRARDCIVBV5NASTHEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500728},"content":"“Days like this felt a very long way away. I started crying on the podium, it’s just unbelievable, it’s the pinnacle of sport to have all your hard work pay off in something like this.” <b>Mona McSharry on her bronze in the Olympic 100m breaststroke final, not even her goggles filling up with water could thwart her.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ECZBYYRMCBC7RPVMKO63MHMGWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500730},"content":"August","type":"header"},{"_id":"4VFRHXBLGZDWVNM5OYLBZETWLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500731},"content":"“It feels like a dream, but it’s a dream well earned. If I fell on my bum today, I still would have loved this journey, every second of it. But I didn’t and today I’m walking away with an Olympic gold medal.” <b>Rhys McClenaghan on his golden day in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"R6U7HGITEVC47N6PEIU3VLO3QU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500733},"content":"“The first impression is that they are really good team players, really good characters… maybe a little bit too nice. Sometimes you need a bastard in your team. I am looking for him. Maybe we can develop him.” <b>New Republic of Ireland gaffer Heimir Hallgrímsson on the hunt for a ruffian in green.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MCEA264IB5DPJPHYKBPVM7PDCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500735},"content":"“It was really hard because we couldn’t really focus on the race. We had to focus on not swallowing water. I saw some brown things…. I hope it’s not what I thought it was.” <b>Hungarian marathon swimmer Bettina Fabian on the joys of taking to the Seine at the Olympics.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"N2FJPDQT7NAVJAEIBOCZVD36WI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500737},"content":"“That’s it, done, dusted, there are no more mountains to climb. I’ve nothing more to prove, not even to myself, which is the most important thing. The next chapter is going to be my life chapter.” <b>Kellie Harrington signing out in some style, as a two-time Olympic champion.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGIOIAGK3JGJLNISWXCGSIFBVA","additional_properties":{"_id":"JIQYMFB2AFE23EXG6URNHNYN4A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EHSIU2ENLZCSNF2WOGYZ4FGIWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500739},"content":"“Seventh? Yeah, something like that. But I think I was dragged along by other people for most of them.” <b>Boastful as ever, Paul O’Donovan loses count of how many World Championship golds he’s won – it was number seven in Canada along with Fintan McCarthy, just three weeks after he became the first Irish athlete to medal in three successive Olympics.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULRTTU76T5F2NGD5HRVRKLNSEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500741},"content":"September","type":"header"},{"_id":"XPOZMGNMCJDXLA6466SNYDDDQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500742},"content":"“I had a little cry in the call room. It’s a really emotional day, this is coming to an end. Winnie the Pooh said it best when he said, ‘how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard’.” <b>Ellen Keane on ending a sparkling swimming career at the Paralympics in Paris.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JPPJH77NJX7D5MB3YJ3D7U2TZE","additional_properties":{"_id":"K7TWUHM5KZANZEI4JXLMVDHQ3Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AIV27MRA5JCEFLVDTVCRQ56A4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500744},"content":"“Lee Carsley needs to zone out of his Irish republicanism and learn to sing God Save the King. Otherwise, no one will believe he cares about the England team he wishes to lead.” <b>Renowned football pundit Jacob Rees-Mogg getting hot under the collar after Carsley, 2024′s Wolfe Tone and England’s interim coach, revealed that he’s not an anthem singer.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G2UUONRMTZHTBDVXCPOYMYRRHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500746},"content":"“Why didn’t you win the gold?” <b>Rower Daire Lynch, who won Olympic bronze with Philip Lynch, on the first question he was asked by youngsters on his tour of his native Clonmel’s schools. Harsh.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZJ7TQAZZZFA3VOLC3GKLLNAGHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500748},"content":"“I couldn’t work out whether Ireland are more similar to Andorra, San Marino or the Faroe Islands.” T<b>ony Cascarino a touch unimpressed by Ireland in their 2-0 defeat by England in Dublin. To be honest, he probably ended up offending Andorra, San Marino and the Faroe Islands.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"PK774ZLTLRCSBKR3JTNXC56OPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500750},"content":"October","type":"header"},{"_id":"I3Z2NTMN7JH4HLTPQEYSCFUWTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500751},"content":"“This is a guy that was all man. When he took showers with the other pros, they came out of there and said, ‘oh my God, that’s unbelievable!’” <b>Donald Trump telling his supporters at a rally in Arnold Palmer’s Pennsylvania home town about the magnitude of the late golfer’s, em, manhood. Why? No clue.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FN7V4DT2U5BRNKAPAYNHWFHD44","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500753},"content":"“How can a foreigner urge Englishmen to do or die on football’s battlefield…. rouse the troops like King Henry V when he implored his men: ‘On, on unto the breach dear friends or let close the wall up with our English dead.’ This is a dark day for English football.” <b>The Daily Mail’s Jeff Powell welcoming the appointment of German Thomas Tuchel as England gaffer.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"VFSSPZLWSJGPRDCPLPPNL2LY3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500755},"content":"“My maths wouldn’t be great, so I was struggling to figure out what the score was.” <b>Man of the match Rian O’Neill admitting that he had no clue whether Ulster were winning or losing to Connacht in the final of the interprovincial series thanks to the rule-tweaking two-point arc and four-point goal.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QU7R4EKK5SKCTFQT4ZVHUDIVBY","additional_properties":{"_id":"NXQKIDCIR5AVHJUBNQ7YUVE3PI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZDJKX25XDRAZRHUDO3IW2CJE24","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500757},"content":"“My conker was obliterated in one hit, and that just doesn’t happen – I’m suspicious of foul play.” <b>Alastair Johnson-Ferguson suggesting that 82-year-old David ‘King Conker’ Jakins might have used a steel nut to win their World Championships final. Jakins was indeed found with one in his pocket, but happily he was cleared of actually using it to obliterate anyone’s nut.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BLLOB3DSGBHPHCERQGDQYJHZAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500759},"content":"“I’ve had many challenges growing up, I think that just made me very resilient. A broken collarbone and illness? I was like, ‘oh, I’ve gone through much worse than this’. When you stand on that top step of the podium, you forget about all the bad times, they just melt away.” <b>Katie-George Dunlevy reflecting on a September that saw her win … deep breath… Paralympic gold with Linda Kelly, Paralympic silvers with Kelly and Eve McCrystal, and two World Championship golds with Kelly.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EA2VBIZ4XRGSTMZWV2P2VB6D6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500761},"content":"November","type":"header"},{"_id":"4RO3GRGMDNBNPN4E6HAIJA4QCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500762},"content":"“It is amazing, a letter addressed to “Pat the b******s, County Kerry” posted in Armagh arrived in the door. It just goes to show how good the postal service is in Ireland.” <b>Pat Spillane saluting his postman for somehow delivering a love letter from up north.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BY2PEG5KQNASNJJJ6ZHFFYSBLY","additional_properties":{"_id":"2QKZGCRB35EJPPLDSNTOFK3WRE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VBHGFM7KOVF7DOBFFU4UIXDKTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500764},"content":"“Congratulations to Katie Taylor. Tempers are flared when you’re in the heat of battle and you say things you shouldn’t say. She and I are cool outside the ring and the best dance partners in it. Whenever our teams can agree on a trilogy, I’ll be ready.” <b>Amanda Serrano withdrawing her allegation that Taylor intentionally head-butted her during their fight for the ages in Texas. Round three coming up?</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PQKSPC54FHSTPXBJDZJ3BPSYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500766},"content":"“He has a Boost, a meal deal, a curry and a couple of those little half pink and half white sweets – Squashies – and he walks up there and smashes me like that. This boy is a joke. He is absolutely awesome.” <b>Martin Lukeman on the darts sensation that is Luke Littler after the 17-year-old beat him 16-3 in the Grand Slam of Darts final.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"R5WWLF2UZFA7VENUUQEFYLW3WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500768},"content":"“It’s not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you.” R<b>oy Keane on being asked about his “future son-in-law” Taylor Harwood-Bellis after he scored against Ireland on his debut in England’s 5-0 win at Wembley.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBBKGY3ZI5E2BNWXVW4BC3AVFU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500770},"content":"December","type":"header"},{"_id":"L6HBXQPBKJFBTIJ5ZF2L4M7M24","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500771},"content":"“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but Leinster are up there with the National Children’s Hospital for returns on investment – no one has seen anything.” <b>Donncha O’Callaghan being a touch naughty about Leinster’s European woes.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KZB2PFJMBVD6PBMWNIQOMTUJZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500773},"content":"“Dessie has always been like a second father to me. It’s like breaking up with someone. There were two days of tears. There was a week of carnage. The dust is settled now. Life moves on and the world spins, and you’re out.” <b>Dublin legend Brian Fenton on breaking the news to manager Dessie Farrell that he was retiring from intercounty football.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DFLRN5BM2FIR7Y56UDJJ5NG7OU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZWH25BXQVRHQLNH3WT26UKQ7H4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HO3CXD3YV5FQNPT43OQW7LXPNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500775},"content":"“I remember when teams started warming up on the field before a match and Willie Duggan turned around to me and said, ‘listen, I can do the warm-up or I can play the match, but I couldn’t do both’. It’s come a long way.” <b>Donal Lenihan on rugby before all this training intensity lark.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"X5FW3ZXF25DXLNJUP3ZAV5PGTQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733870500777},"content":"“I drove here with my dad beside me and he kept looking down at me with no trousers on. Mam was in the back with the needle and thread.” <b>Damien Duff completing a memorable year by splitting his pants en route to the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers awards where he won the Personality of the Year gong. Mercifully, his Mam had mended them by the time he took to the stage.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The winning quotes of the year in sport"},"display_date":"2024-12-28T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The year in sports quotes: The wit and wisdom - from Damien Duff to Daniel Wiffen, Kellie Harrington to Rory McIlroy","native":"The year in sports quotes: 'I wish it was my wife leaving me and not Jurgen'"},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DA4ZQGRCJKYZYEYL3D2LJL3XSU","auth":{"1":"801519a89ae0021fbd58aacd87d7db63523e392a7aca59af3670df8f27529ff0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DA4ZQGRCJKYZYEYL3D2LJL3XSU.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/12/28/sports-speak-2024-the-wit-and-wisdom-from-damian-duff-to-daniel-wiffen-kellie-harrington-to-rory-mcilroy/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/soccer","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Soccer"}}}},{"_id":"BT2Y52F465ADNLYZF65OWCPTRQ","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":464,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/97785bfe-3dbe-400b-a5b0-d748dd018b8f/versions/1734973228/media/75985a8960081d6f9f0a09d3466626b9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/26/four-of-irelands-top-five-most-admired-sports-people-2024-are-women/","content_elements":[{"_id":"OEH2J7WYDBBNTIXI6NBRCRHQ44","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082414},"content":"This year delivered incredible performances across the board in Irish sport, but it was our female athletes in particular who provided so many of the standout moments and achievements.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYMSEIEQYBEYDER55YVM6FSJ2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082415},"content":"Significant history was made over the past 12 months. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> was the first Irish woman athlete to win back-to-back gold medals at <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Games</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> was the first Irish woman to make an Olympic sprint final, claiming an incredible fourth place. Ireland’s 4 x 400m relay team obliterated their national record to claim silver in the European Championships in June, qualify for the Olympic final and claim fourth place there. Incredible, inspiring performances – which have come to be expected by the Irish public.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2S4E5ONOFFCVHDTIKRWLZQZBBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082416},"content":"These performances, and many more, have been clearly recognised in the annual <a href=\"https://sportforbusiness.com/team-ireland-and-katie-taylor-top-teneo-public-survey-2024/#:~:text=The%20TSSI%20is%20a%20comprehensive,sport%20and%20their%20sporting%20heroes.\" target=\"_blank\">Teneo Sport and Sponsorship Index</a> (TSSI). This 1,000-person, nationally representative piece of research has been exploring Irish people’s attitudes towards sport and sponsorship for 15 years and has had a particular focus on women’s sport since 2018.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EXNQ3S2BTBACZAKTOU5QSYKMPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082417},"content":"Women athletes claim four of the top five spots when it comes to our “most admired” athletes in 2024. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a>’s dominance at the top continues; she occupies the number one spot for the eighth year in a row, having garnered 15 per cent of the vote.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GUNYPF4CRBFRNFXLHPSJ7FYHLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082418},"content":"The person who looks most likely to topple her in the coming years is Adaleke, who is Ireland’s second most admired athlete (11 per cent) followed closely by Harrington (10 per cent). Adaleke is a new entry to the top five, and with the most votes from 18-24 year-olds, her popularity is clearly on the rise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3LPYW7YS5BFSRNJDLKEHM53ZZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"VJ6TO4ECSFGNDGTFHNEEZMNC3Q"},"content":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"HUJMK5LMTVBWPFSMSQ2N6UODYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082419},"content":"Rachael Blackmore continues to make her mark; she is in fifth place, on 5 per cent of the vote. These athletes’ performances over the last 12 months have been world class, regardless of their gender, and Irish people recognise this.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKFQUFXVJJGJVDN5DGHI4JU2YA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082420},"content":"Appreciation for our female athletes because of their sporting achievements is also evident in other areas. Katie McCabe (3 per cent) is our most admired footballer, with Evan Ferguson following her closely on 2 per cent, while Leona Maguire is Ireland’s joint-second favourite golfer with Shane Lowry (2 per cent) – our favourite being Rory McIlroy (3 per cent).","type":"text"},{"_id":"5C4QDYYDNRC55AEZL5Y4O6XW2U","additional_properties":{"_id":"BRS3CUSOLFDDNOWXK35CBZPGAY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"4BXCPARIIZFW3OXIAC2OT3ACTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082421},"content":"When looking at Team of the Year, the Irish Women’s 4 x 400m relay team were voted third favourite (14 per cent) and the Irish women’s rugby team were recognised in fifth place following their qualification for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and famous win over New Zealand.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UJDQ24ZA6BBL3ADMHK2EPEYC6E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082422},"content":"These results show that Irish people recognise and admire sportspeople for their achievements, and these achievements in 2024 certainly have a female bias.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NMVVGCBGTNC7VOMZJRJI6FTKEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082423},"content":"Media and attendance","type":"header"},{"_id":"PIUYF5INZNCVRJQO53I6P2XULM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082424},"content":"These athletes have commanded significant media coverage for their performances, with the Olympic and Paralympic Games dominating both the news and sports-news cycles for much of the summer. RTÉ figures show that the most viewed Olympic events were the finals that included Kellie Harrington, with a peak of 1.4 million viewers, and Rhasidat Adeleke, with a peak viewership of 926,000.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7OKW6X5P7CMFEYBO7WO2DWI4CU","additional_properties":{"_id":"TVE3EXEMW5GBBOCV3PNDVQ6U2E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PXGSPJOWBRBZNC3POZ4IKCCGVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082425},"content":"Even with these significant viewership figures, the number of those who said they watched a female sporting event either on TV or online has remained fairly static year-on-year, with 55 per cent saying they did so in 2024, a slight decrease on 2023, which was at 59 per cent.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GH3CGD4YVVB6BFUWO57S3VKGUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082426},"content":"A concern consistently raised by Irish people is around sports coverage, with only 43 per cent saying women’s sport received sufficient media coverage in 2024, although three-quarters say that both the quality and volume has improved in the past 12 months. It is an area that needs constant monitoring and awareness, but things are going in the right direction.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5QE2AL7BBFENDH7VNZJKQ4ILQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082427},"content":"When it comes to attending in person, again the numbers are much the same year-on-year – this time last year almost a quarter of people said they intended to go to a women’s sports event in person while the reality was that 16 per cent of people did. This jumps to 24 per cent for those aged 35-44, which is the cohort who attended female sports events the most, and by a significant margin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7W4Y7N6V5DSHN3BZHL6GXYAXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082428},"content":"We have seen major women’s sports events incorporate other types of entertainment to enhance the product – Tom Grennan performing at the AIG Women’s Open being a good example of this. But, when the question was asked about what else would encourage Irish people to attend a women’s sports event one in three, which was the majority, said they wanted to attend “only for the sport”. Discounted ticket prices, which we can see in the likes of the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States, would add extra motivation to one in four people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XC5645CLHFGSTFVTXCNAY5W32I","additional_properties":{"_id":"WRQCTZXIIVA57LGXKWUVSDZCBI"},"content":"The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"F3AZPK4BNNH7REA5FFW22VBPA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082429},"content":"Another clear sign to me of the progress being made regarding women’s sport is the Women’s Uefa European Championships being in the top five events that Irish people are most looking forward to next year, even though we aren’t competing in it. This again shows that Irish sports fans appreciate and recognise high performance sport, regardless of the gender.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RSRF44CJUVDD7AADBA6CBRSOS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082430},"content":"Gender balance in leadership","type":"header"},{"_id":"AGSJHPEOVZA4RGDS5RPSAPLXIM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082431},"content":"Those at the top of their game are making a significant mark; breaking boundaries and inspiring generations of boys and girls. A significant amount of work has been put in, particularly by organisations such as Sport Ireland, to ensure these athletes have the right environments and resources to excel. But what about those leading the various sports in Ireland?","type":"text"},{"_id":"HS2GM3JLMJG5ZJMVV5G7VM34EQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082432},"content":"Sport Ireland achieved a significant objective in 2024 with the overall percentage of women on boards in the Irish sports sector standing at 48 per cent in December. While this demonstrates that Sport Ireland and the Government’s approach has worked, the next important step will be maintaining this level into the future.","type":"text"},{"_id":"62CBBBJQJVHKVNKBXZZAEEHLYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082433},"content":"In order to do this I believe it is important that women put themselves forward for voluntary positions at grassroots level so that they can progress through the boards, committees and systems which ultimately lead to leadership positions at provincial and national levels.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PP4CGF6V5VCZBBPKKSHQM5JAUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082434},"content":"As it stands our research shows that currently only 16 per cent of women volunteer, compared to almost a quarter of men. This figure needs to change if we are to maintain the ambition of meaningful gender balance on boards at a national level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZFHZTO7HKFBTRNQHCNKVXPKSB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082435},"content":"The primary motivations for women volunteering are to support their club in its development and growth (54 per cent), to give back to their community (48 per cent) and because their children are involved (43 per cent). It is imperative that those who are volunteering because of their children are motivated to stay on even when their children have graduated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PPRTFYGDCVAQBFKAU56TKFIRGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082436},"content":"Our elite athletes and their outstanding performances on the world stage in 2024 have had a large impact on Irish sport, not just Irish female sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZYBEEPD4LNF27KFH546ADUBJ7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082437},"content":"Attendance at and media coverage of women’s sporting events continue to need attention but with the Irish system producing world-class athletes there is no doubt that these areas will change for the better.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MVA7CM6WEFEU3MM52WYZB77I2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734960082438},"content":"This, coupled with gender balance in leadership of our sports organisations, means that women’s sport in Ireland is on solid ground and the future for all involved and those they are inspiring is very exciting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Kelli O'Keeffe"}]},"description":{"basic":"Survey shows big performances mark major milestones in a historic year for women in Irish sport"},"display_date":"2024-12-26T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Four of Ireland’s top five most admired sports people in 2024 are women","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IDQX2YMNI5GQCQRS3AAMZYGC64","auth":{"1":"9850d1433a0fe2a6c6b5516f4057a180d28aebddb0c54ad7f71d2390da8b607c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IDQX2YMNI5GQCQRS3AAMZYGC64.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/26/four-of-irelands-top-five-most-admired-sports-people-2024-are-women/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/boxing","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Boxing"}}}},{"_id":"DEABPEXLZJD5TPMAQIYO6XMO5A","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":319,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/1e6d8529-a74a-4fef-bc23-1b01f2382c8b/versions/1734718099/media/40f78f945d2886fda1e7599d22c01695_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/irish-times-sportswoman-of-the-year-awards-the-greatest-collection-of-women-in-irish-sport-in-one-place-ever-assembled/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4CI3TZHN45CSPPXVGXZZAJKUJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199712},"content":"The journey through the past year, especially, has been hugely satisfying for so many of Ireland’s elite sportswomen and the final few steps – fittingly enough, climbing red-carpeted steps into the Shelbourne Hotel in the heart of Dublin city – had that sort of glitz and glamour far removed from the punishing training regimes of blood, sweat and tears that brought many such honour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VE4X4TMHMFGGVIUBGL3QH4GPOM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199713},"content":"So it was that those on their final Friday of Christmas shopping or preparing for a long lunch or later nights stopped and stared. Mobile cameras were raised. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie</a>. Ciara. Mona. Louise. First names that have found a way into the heart and soul of Irish sporting life through their deeds in the ring, on the track, in the pool, on the pitch. Fingers pointing at them, shouts of recognition from women and men, girls and boys stopped in tracks.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BSNHXKJLFGLTJONTU5IT5KXLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199714},"content":"The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Awards were celebrating a 20th year since its inspired conception and the mood inside the old ballroom of the hotel was festive and celebratory with those honoured rightly enjoying their moments, a time to acknowledge and be acknowledged with mutual respect from one sportswoman to another.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EAHJ6KQJF5ECJHDNYGUMXEOOQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199715},"content":"“The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled, there is greatness everywhere,” is how Master of Ceremonies Des Cahill of RTÉ informed one and all of those present.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YFPSXHHPZZFLHMTGUMWNHNNZNE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199716},"content":"Some, unfortunately, couldn’t make it. But there were good reasons. Swimmer <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/roisin-ni-riain/\" target=\"_blank\">Róisín Ní Riain</a>, the double medallist at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympics</a>, had a college exam. Sevens rugby player Lucy Mulhall is on honeymoon. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a> was unable to attend. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a> was away with her sister Latifah.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RK7PPOED2PZTJ4RVG6PPDAC6QQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"QG3GW5KDBJCJDBX63VPCUPIMME"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZCTORDJOLFHYXIAVOFBIXMYFQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199717},"content":"But Rhasidat’s mother, an emotional Ade, stole the show in accepting the monthly award for May on behalf of her daughter and of her pride, while revealing the heartache of seeing her daughter come so close – fourth – to a medal at the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/Paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympics</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULQZXTAK4ZFCJKH44GPQKSB7Y4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199718},"content":"“Can you feel the love?” Des asked her.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GRSZZHPOQ5CSLBBQYM6LGJ5MKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199719},"content":"“I know,” she replied, the tears coming.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6GKSYUC4FDP3EV222GNXIWYRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199720},"content":"“I’m sorry, I don’t have a tissue,” whispered Des.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVX7UD7X35G57MMZECQZ5DM7RI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199721},"content":"Silence, though, was a rare commodity on the day that was in it with Olympic double medallist Kellie Harrington showing the way in whooping and hollering as European 1,500 metres champion <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> was called to collect her June award for her magnificent victory in Rome.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPT5IX5OURH5LCZSBG32ANGP5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"JLUKWD6ERJAQ3JHJWMI7KP7YEM"},"content":"Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"U2ULH525ONEUDLA2HMOICL3YXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199722},"content":"Ciara was one of the very few who hadn’t donned high heels. Having undergone surgery on her ankle three months ago, the more comfortable – and sensible – option of trainers were the Co Down star’s choice of footwear.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6KTHEXA2MZFEBPILSBHFMSC5EI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199723},"content":"First things first, however, Ciara – following Ade to the stage – spoke through the crowds and the round tables to Rhasidat’s mother.","type":"text"},{"_id":"23H6SZXBVFC33FBEX7MKYX3HNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199724},"content":"“I can sit here as a 32-year-old athlete and say that Rhadisat is so young and we all know the future that she has in the sport, it is so bright so I know that even when my spikes are hung up I am going to be watching her bringing medals home,” said Mageean, to widespread roars of approval from those gathered.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G3C6LCKWENEIZGFFVEUDIASVHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199725},"content":"Of her own moment of glory in Rome, Mageean – who seems to have a smile permanently fixed to her face (unless, as Des reminded us, she’s pitchside at a hurling match!), revealed that it’s not all glamour. She’d to go for a drug test post-final and by the time she got out to her family the celebrations involved “cold pizza and a can of coke.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NO4CLR4J2YFZPPX4G4EIU4JR6I","additional_properties":{"_id":"IHMNYCN5YZHN5LXIYRUGEMRXWE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BAC6PKGAABBBXLBEZDTBNMUB4Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199726},"content":"Mageean has moved back home to Ireland and has no plans to hang up the spikes just yet, as she revealed: “I am looking forward to this next chapter on Irish soil. I have my eyes firmly set on getting ready for the World Championships in the summer and another four year cycle towards LA (for the 2028 Olympics).”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6ZSHMO2ZFBCXFMSFJTVNMT34U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199727},"content":"Katie Taylor couldn’t make it but another Katie – the legendary <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> – certainly was, in a year of years where she overcame a shattered shoulder blade to recover and win Paralympic and World gold medals in taking the award for September. If that was a great year, it was made even better in being named along with her pilots Linda Kelly and Eve McCrystal as the recipients of the Team of the Year award.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BULCGU3XDBFJFOOM3OLEE7FBDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199728},"content":"The broad range of sportswomen excelling on the international stage is, surely, quite extraordinary. <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rachael-blackmore/\" target=\"_blank\">Rachael Blackmore</a>’s win in the Champions Chase at Cheltenham – her mother Eimir revealed she’d gone to the restrooms and put on the hand drier so she couldn’t hear the race, only emerging for the final few fences – added to her great career CV, while Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh’s brilliance in the Kerry jersey in leading her side to the All-Ireland title after 31 years was celebrated in her August award.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4KMXIWN65VHRLOGJ62Z5RDOQ5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199729},"content":"“Gorta mór,” said Louise of the time away from the Brendan Martin Cup.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FMUMQL3EQJEBPK5547JHZGUM44","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199730},"content":"This, for sure, was another celebration of Irish sportswomen where, it seems, the bar is raised ever higher each year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C72HGQKSS5CHDPUYTD7A6BW2PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734716199731},"content":"And in accepting her award as the Sportswoman of the Year, Harrington, another with a tear in her eye, had a special word for all of the mammies of Ireland. “Win, lose or draw, just keep on doing what you are doing (in encouraging daughters to achieve in sport) ... because it’s great!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Philip Reid"}},"name":"Philip Reid"}]},"description":{"basic":"Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T18:03:06.099Z","headlines":{"basic":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SSSW3LZ77BC3ZLSQ3WEWCGHWII","auth":{"1":"92ba5d2de7376199be3b6c4e82d180c82c3403294597350d54e3eb4d80419e5b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SSSW3LZ77BC3ZLSQ3WEWCGHWII.JPG"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/irish-times-sportswoman-of-the-year-awards-the-greatest-collection-of-women-in-irish-sport-in-one-place-ever-assembled/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"56EDKMB2IFG27BAV7NAIQY5YGM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":272,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/370675ba-4460-40f1-8019-ac01fc1a5cfd/versions/1734719946/media/32643e5ff13f768115172dd215c1a87e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/two-time-olympic-champion-kellie-harrington-named-irish-timessport-ireland-sportswoman-of-the-year-2024/","content_elements":[{"_id":"BTMNICXND5HEPLHQ4L65TCKRBY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Right to the very end of the year, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a> still had them out of their seats – this time after she was named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2024.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QIO2L7TILZA45OXPUQH7ELTE4I","additional_properties":{},"content":"When <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a> walked up to accept her monthly award an hour earlier, Harrington roared from the table, ‘Go Ciara.’ Game recognising game. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXSLN7OP3RFS3MRYRFTAUCWEDA","additional_properties":{},"content":"But who has had more game than Harrington in 2024? When she was announced as the overall winner those in the function room of The Shelbourne Hotel rose simultaneously.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MPU54ISDYVD4FDDVYP7MNS4DJE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mageean, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/mona-mcsharry/\" target=\"_blank\">Mona McSharry</a>, Sonia O’Sullivan, the great and the good. All spontaneously out of their chairs. Harrington is adjusting to life as a former boxer these days, but double <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic</a> champions don’t bow out unnoticed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VENCJ46V2NCIPHAACVDW7AKEIQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"In the lobby afterwards, one of the first people over for a photo was <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a>’s mam, Adewumi Ademola. They enveloped each other in a long, warm embrace beforehand. Others followed. Her achievements in Tokyo and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paris-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris</a> have set her apart. This is who Harrington is now, and forever will be, the Irish boxer who retained her Olympic gold medal. Unprecedented stuff.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YQZECB3RZVAMHINBTQWLQUTYHE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Team of the Year award was won by Paralympic cyclists <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/linda-kelly/\" target=\"_blank\">Linda Kelly</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/eve-mccrystal/\" target=\"_blank\">Eve McCrystal</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UXP7HZ3FOY25SBWG7YM6RZMGUU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3RJFWYWCMBCYZLA6VF6QD5JS4U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BK23FAJ43NBDNOC4S54LEAWXZY","additional_properties":{},"content":"For Harrington, it has been a challenge adjusting to life outside the bubble of being an athlete. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"5622IAOBSZGOZCR3MVQJWUFGAI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Part of that is probably because I am usually so focused on what’s next,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R7QCJ45ETBBZ3EGGHVOLEBQLEE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And now I just don’t know, I’m in limbo land – I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t know where I’m going, I don’t know who I am, I don’t know anything. I’m just taking the rest of this year off to enjoy doing nothing, and it feels so strange. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"CYEVYPKKPJH47N4FWUGBTK5OFU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It really feels so strange to not have to get up and go training, not to have to check my weight every morning, not to try and think of what things I want to work on in training.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZY67UUW46BGGHOEDZUZEUTS5AY","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I would be constantly always thinking about stuff like that, thinking about how I can get better, what’s that one per cent that I can work on today. But now it’s like, ‘What am I going to have for my breakfast today – will I have porridge or will I have a fry?’ I definitely miss it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2LJWW5JJKFGOHMH3C7HVDO5AHA","additional_properties":{},"content":"But to help with the transition, she has kept her eye in – popping out to Abbottstown to train in the high-performance unit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ENWLLUXAK64PWGKOJIVWGZIRGA","additional_properties":{"_id":"3YKAN46LXZHOVJRDG4MXEZN63Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VNDA6VLBPRBO5KRLMTST2B3YDY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Zaur Anita has even suggested she join the team when they travel to China in February, to help prepare the boxers with some sparring. She might. But there is no grá within her to become a coach. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ENKSH2L4NGXHGR7TDIGVOKMSU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I don’t think that’s me. I think if I was to go to a coaching role I’d probably lose my cool. But I do think there is something there that I have to give back, but I just don’t think it’s in a coaching role, not to the extent that is in the high performance.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MH6NYGFWFBESXDSNR4WXHDCMY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"She recently moved back to Portland Row with her wife Mandy, buying a house just a quick shuffle away from Harrington’s childhood home. They’ll be hosting Christmas dinner this year. Life moving on, as it should.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BACGUGQIEVCEDDTXWLJ52WEHUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"QLTQWYVTVNGDDCODYGBCYYYRQA"},"content":"Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Awards: ‘The greatest collection of women in Irish sport in one place ever assembled’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"TVIE6YRCYZCPPL5DKOBEZDLAB4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I feel this is a new chapter for the two of us.” ","type":"text"},{"_id":"AB7ORZ5ANJE5VKDFGDVLIUP37U","additional_properties":{},"content":"But sport will remain an important part of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZJ4AWFXYB5DFZDGHC3NDGJPIQU","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Every woman or man who get up in the morning and are trying to do something in sport, they are already winning because somebody is looking up to them, it could be their niece, nephew, cousin, their next-door neighbours’ kids – somebody is looking up to them. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"A2VQPDR3HVEHLFWTE6SOKB2R5A","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Whether you are winning on the field or the pitch or whatever, you are winning at life and that’s the most important thing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7IWQDPLEXNF5TGIVITVBUOXYCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"5TONMUAWZNBHLCUAAZDRZUP2AQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GIEH224W4VCANMMHF5SRZUBS3A","additional_properties":{},"content":"It’s that same perspective that will see Harrington pull the front door behind her on Christmas Day for a few hours and travel the short distance to Fairview Hospital to punch in for work. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"OIKCYSXY2BDBJMX4HAFOJQU25A","additional_properties":{},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"AQEVZ4ITGBDN7C3P6WDCIR4XPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“In the past I used to have the ward and I used to have all the patients in the ward and it would be absolutely magical. On Christmas Day I would bring them all in presents and we’d open them together, I just used to love it,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ESI3NYPEI5FBDCPFIQ3O7GXLVI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Work is not the same at the moment because the hospital is bit by bit closing down, all the patients on my ward have been moved to nursing homes. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"YIQILTOU25HB3IFDC2IK5QOUDE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“They are going to build a new hospital, so I’m holding out hope that I will still be there when they do build the new hospital and we’ll go back to the way it was on the ward with the patients. It won’t be the same patients, but I’ll still give them all the love that I have.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FOK2ZEUVMFARDEBYGTQYTOHCPQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"As Kellie Harrington found out in The Shelbourne on Friday, the love flows both ways.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"Olympians, paralympians, All-Ireland winners and more celebrated at annual awards in Dublin"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T15:23:13.504Z","headlines":{"basic":"Two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year 2024","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"3WGEYMS3OVGNLEGBX7B3YR62XU","auth":{"1":"5a314a12da2be568d0316df7f8b96d3ce69e0834443189433278ec8e237eda1d"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3WGEYMS3OVGNLEGBX7B3YR62XU.jpeg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/two-time-olympic-champion-kellie-harrington-named-irish-timessport-ireland-sportswoman-of-the-year-2024/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"DQAELRV525FLNFNQ7AIDGQABSI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":414,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/7cb2f2fa-9f55-4de9-bd5d-985fd8082241/versions/1734626899/media/6902c2c6c0c1cf0733d1abab16df061a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/sportswoman-awards-preview-celebration-of-womens-achievements-hits-its-20th-year/","content_elements":[{"_id":"VECWODI5UJBCVBJ7WAJJFNCXSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075243},"content":"When we launched the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/sportswoman-of-the-year-award/\" target=\"_blank\">Sportswoman of the Year</a> awards back in 2004, it’s arguable that just two of the people on the list of monthly winners, Sonia O’Sullivan and Cora Staunton, were household names.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CIMZZXJB3JEHVK6JGC3H6MHKQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075244},"content":"Fast forward to 2024 and our list of contenders for the overall award doesn’t just feature names well known to us, it’s sprinkled with some of the biggest stars in Irish sport – among them <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/kellie-harrington/\" target=\"_blank\">Kellie Harrington</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rachael-blackmore/\" target=\"_blank\">Rachael Blackmore</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/rhasidat-adeleke/\" target=\"_blank\">Rhasidat Adeleke</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/ciara-mageean/\" target=\"_blank\">Ciara Mageean</a>, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie Taylor</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E233IJNLSBCHJK6FALWWNJJKSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075245},"content":"That is, of course, a measure of the depth of their achievements, all of them once again treating us to unforgettable moments through the year, but it is also a sign that they are finally receiving the recognition they deserve.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6QYH7LQQSVH2NJQBCLIKRRNN5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075246},"content":"And that was our chief hope back in 2004 when the awards got under way, that they would help shine a light on the largely underreported feats of our sportswomen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZAVDG7TX6ZHI5LB5M22D57Z5LI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075247},"content":"A lot done, more to do, as they say, but there has, undeniably, been progress – and how could there not be when these women have produced some of the most memorable moments in Irish sport over the last two decades?","type":"text"},{"_id":"VA6RJAUPE5ATLGK5XDTNTOZLF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075248},"content":"It’s been a thrill and a pleasure for us to report on their feats, a scroll through our list of overall winners a reminder of just how many magical days they have given us – from Katie Taylor’s gold in London, to Rachael Blackmore’s Grand National triumph, to Fiona Coghlan captaining Ireland to a Grand Slam, to Kellie Harrington retaining her Olympic title. Days we’ll never forget.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RVZTYY6NORCATLFMIPSOP2XE3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075249},"content":"In all, 147 sportswomen have won monthly awards through the years, and at least a dozen more deserved one in 2024, but such was the quality of the list of contenders, our judges were spoilt for choice.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QV7F42OHB5EVVITCLUWGKFCA54","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075250},"content":"Here’s to another 20 years of such excellence, and many more magical moments. We won’t be short of them, we can be sure. – <b>Noel O’Reilly, Sports Editor</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JX56IFAQ5FBWTIHNVH4JYBKJ7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1734622075251},"content":"<b>Monthly Winners</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WUWEDV6HXBFWNPITNI7JL3GQHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739017},"content":"<b>December – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Fionnuala McCormack</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"YYSLDJLZ45AXNCYWJPXA2PFRMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739018},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NCJAXYVN3YQMOTINXHHQDEG64U","additional_properties":{"_id":"CBOHHTXE4VBJJMEQF5HTEN5UYI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PP3PX62OWRHEFEYFLXSYD2UHK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739019},"content":"It was in December of last year that McCormack became the first Irish woman to qualify for a fifth successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the required mark at the Valencia marathon. Before making history in Paris, McCormack finished just 18 seconds away from a medal at the European Cross Country Championships and ended her year by running the fastest marathon of her career.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGP3Z6ZUT5BRPGIA3VBELPBUF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739020},"content":"<b>January – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Lucy Mulhal</b>l</mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"6OZQAJZEHZBING35YV476HA7YA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739021},"content":"<b>Rugby</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"VXL647LOZ5FPXFIYXAVFVCZY3E","additional_properties":{"_id":"4PNATCWTNREQRLUDNTBEYYZLMM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HZE6VS6V3VBNBO7GO33WNJTGUU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739022},"content":"It was a memorable year for our Sevens side who made their Olympic debut in Paris where they reached the quarter-finals. But it was back in January that captain Lucy Mulhall led them to their first World Series gold medal when, after seeing off Britain in the semi-finals, they beat Australia in the final with the help of Mulhall’s player-of-the-match display.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HRRGHQITCNDKTBVR7HWUSUWIGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739023},"content":"<b>February – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Mona McSharry</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"3PEKLH35QRAHFDDTH7PV6Z5GAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739024},"content":"<b>Swimming</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5BGHX4PGP4SKQBIQP4VFAVL3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"7CT4TJ52EZB4FKE3VD5VC2U5QM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42QWYBMT7BHRVGF64W2M3NDZGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739025},"content":"Even before Mona McSharry became the second Irish swimmer to win an Olympic medal, her name was on our monthly list of winners. On returning from her strong performance at the World Aquatics Championships in February, she became the second woman in history to break the 56-seconds mark in a 100m breaststroke medley relay. Then came that magical moment in Paris when she took bronze in the 100m breaststroke.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5P7IWBCH5FCRPQYAJFLMUFXXM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739026},"content":"<b>March – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Rachael Blackmore</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"UM5QYKVPPVBIHH2UUDJJK4O4DE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739027},"content":"<b>Horse Racing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FC6LHF4CXH5GDV4AAJG7P4LIQU","additional_properties":{"_id":"BQLEJO7WNRF25CW7EZYG5CK25I"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"3YPKI3J34NDWZF7NJXUGFD5F5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739028},"content":"Cheltenham was already a special place for Blackmore, but in March she had yet another day to remember there when she won the Champion Chase on Henry De Bromhead’s Captain Guinness. Having already won the Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles, that completed the Festival’s Triple Crown for the brilliant Tipperary jockey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HNWSFHCYJ5GPLEWQUMPQDJGRZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739029},"content":"<b>April – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Róisín Ní Riain</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"M73JSM2JGBH7JI4B7TQ6M62OEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739030},"content":"<b>Swimming</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPDBQJIVZPNSJ6C7NMW5KXQPVE","additional_properties":{"_id":"N27J5P3VVRFTRHHCTP3H2FT4AA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NHOZF4I2MJAHBFK5SDWPMTO4PI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739031},"content":"Another of our monthly winners who excelled before Paris came around, Ní Riain returned from the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal in April laden with five medals, among them two golds. And the Limerick teenager completed an outstanding year by winning silver and bronze at the Paralympics, in the 100m backstroke and 200m individual medley.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IO62J7XGJVEYTEGY36KO4W5M5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739032},"content":"<b>May – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Rhasidat Adeleke</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"Q2GOJ4WKDVAITMYJMTSY2DH3RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739033},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MFBRF6KPKO6XHVLWPVH2LUSMJU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZRLAVJQPONGKHCYZOUJRUZT3JE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"47TNCO25DVBQLK32VFS4ID6OYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739034},"content":"Adeleke’s year began with a spate of record-smashing, and among the highlights thereafter were three medals at the European Championships: gold with the mixed 4x400m and silver with the women’s 4x400m relay teams and silver in the individual 400m. And agonising as they were, those fourth-place individual and relay finishes at the Olympics only served to underline the 22-year-old’s promise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AEQQFQ3PD5BVPORPISZYT2X6IE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739035},"content":"<b>June – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Ciara Mageean</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"S3IN32RJQ5E5LBJALON6RF756A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739036},"content":"<b>Athletics</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"TMMQJWXQHNBPLO6ALPI25YYBTY","additional_properties":{"_id":"2WVU2U7ZCBATXFYGHX4SQQLKJE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"33U7HBPV7NE5RKB67MILEYWM5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739037},"content":"She was left heartbroken when injury forced her to withdraw from the Olympic Games, but by then Mageean had produced the performance of a lifetime at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, a brilliant finish down the homestretch seeing her win gold in the 1,500m. It was just the third gold medal for Ireland in the 90-year history of the European Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SS6HFZEEUVEERBOIFFUBTLL6EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739038},"content":"<b>July – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Kellie Harrington</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KJO4WTHAU5HWDBOYPA44Y6JI34","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739039},"content":"<b>Boxing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RB3OHD7EPZDVBK5NLYZDBM3BCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"ROPA7JS445CD7NO3EBFT7DYF6A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DI7JDGBWDFDV5PPRVRCMHAIR5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739040},"content":"Harrington was already a history maker before she took to the ring for her Olympic final in August – when she won her quarter-final she became the first Irish woman to win medals in two Olympic Games. And come that unforgettable night at Roland Garros, in front of a (mainly Irish) crowd of 15,000, she retained her Olympic crown with a 4-1 win over China’s Wenlu Yang.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QBNP3WMAHVAD5DJOQVOWFQQZFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739041},"content":"<b>August – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"3WJ47MCLWJEDRH62MHLJY63P4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739042},"content":"<b>Gaelic games</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"MGJUF4FSYXUKCOPOJHKUQMICUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"NC5ICXZJXZDNBBFZE6FUI7TFF4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QRRKH7EWWFGYTKUZNMZ3T5QKJY","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739043},"content":"To her immense relief, Ní Mhuircheartaigh will never again be asked how it feels to be one of the greatest footballers of all time never to have won an All-Ireland. That question became obsolete when Kerry ended a drought that stretched back to 1993 by beating Galway in the final. So, she’s now one of the greatest footballers of all time with an All Ireland winner’s medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3BNL55WRQREEBDGX47WAIJN45Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739044},"content":"<b>September – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Katie-George Dunlevy & Linda Kelly</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"EKBDYHMFF5GOJGHGZHFXXFYSWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739045},"content":"<b>Paracycling</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGMJ42HTO2SPYMI5GPTNEXS5HE","additional_properties":{"_id":"SL43G5QTOZELVJJIIBNR5GE54Q"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JUQICRLM7FDJZFH5ZOUNC747IA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739046},"content":"September 2024 is a month Dunlevy and Kelly won’t forget in a hurry. In the space of 25 days they won Paralympic gold and silver in Paris and two World Championship golds in Zurich. And, for good measure, Dunlevy also won Paralympic silver with her long-time pilot Eve McCrystal. Considering the number of injuries and illnesses Dunlevy and Kelly suffered through the year, their achievements were remarkable.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5PBVHAMWZZEOBKGY5LSBSTEGZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739047},"content":"<b>October – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Lara Gillespie</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KL6RZHHTVJASJM36YSBCPRYSL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739048},"content":"<b>Cycling</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM","additional_properties":{"_id":"JE2WOY7T2JGFBKFJZRRGMWE2KY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LCL6RWLBFZHSPLA7Y3Y4GHK7OI","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739049},"content":"Another of our sportswomen of the year who has had to battle through illness and injury, Gillespie put it all behind her in a year that culminated in a bronze medal at the Track World Championships. By then she was part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, she won the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and the Antwerp Port Epic, and was awarded a contract that saw her step up to World Tour level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJW6UGSGZZHCNFNEHQEHNCQKPE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739050},"content":"<b>November – </b><mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Katie Taylor</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"RMWI4R4KW5BZDGHHHMAAXADDD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739051},"content":"<b>Boxing</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BY2PEG5KQNASNJJJ6ZHFFYSBLY","additional_properties":{"_id":"HJKD7FFLFNCMLHA5M2LFIRTMNQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CZNIU7Z3OJAB7K5CA4J2PQHJ5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1734623739052},"content":"Our five-time Sportswoman of the Year was involved in yet another fight for the ages with Amanda Serrano, four years after they first met at Madison Square Garden. Nobody ever thought that contest would be topped, but somehow the pair achieved the feat in front of a crowd of over 60,000 in Arlington, Texas. Taylor got the nod from all three judges who each scored it 95-94.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2GXCE3WWBFB5HMA633J74CMKE4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Monthly winners this year included Kellie Harrington, Rachael Blackmore and Rhasidat Adeleke"},"display_date":"2024-12-20T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sportswoman of the Year Awards: Celebration of women’s achievements hits its 20th year","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4J3O26TQR5DMBHC6KORXGDKR4U","auth":{"1":"c53a284a1bd1b7fae6664f39905f28896f1fd2eba62b20eed520a7ef34dd452b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4J3O26TQR5DMBHC6KORXGDKR4U.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/12/20/sportswoman-awards-preview-celebration-of-womens-achievements-hits-its-20th-year/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"X36PCAD5SFASBAJDNFO6DXQSGY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":1512,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/33a8f3a1-cc8d-4871-880d-ee5e88e49df8/versions/1734267416/media/0c0814b808337616ea37194927e1d502_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/14/a-stellar-year-for-irish-women-in-sport-kellie-rhasidat-katie-mona-and-so-much-more/","content_elements":[{"_id":"4F3IJ7QFMFEK5IZG7DSKEJCTIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038643},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>25 Danielle Hill’s Gold in 50m backstroke at European Championships</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"XXZ6TF5ORM5CPNGZ5WM7JAZYGI","additional_properties":{"_id":"7S2QQW5CJNA6BKBEIC7AQTXHP4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RZ3DVHXIHBGLHPZ3I7NU3A6WJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038644},"content":"2024 was a remarkable year for Ireland in the pool. Belfast’s Danielle Hill is one of three swimming entries on this year’s list, the 25-year-old earning her spot after ending Ireland’s 27-year wait for a European long-course medal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UD336RFAHJCYPKVZJ35SYYLO2U","additional_properties":{"_id":"KV4HGZZYMVF63KJFSMBVOMKRLQ"},"content":"Danielle Hill wins backstroke gold at European Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JMGOROKKGZC35KLG7HNROTTSSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038645},"content":"In Belgrade, Hill hit the wall in 27.73 to win gold in the 50m backstroke, an event in which she holds one of her four individual senior Irish records. Two days later, she was back in the pool to take silver in the 100m backstroke, just four-tenths of a second off gold. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"W64DQETZR5EBZDKYGM45GOWKEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038638},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>24 Vikki Wall’s performance in AFLW grand final for North Melbourne</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OEE7B647Y2NAWXWU77PITARB5I","additional_properties":{"_id":"JXDNLBRR6FA33OHYJSLL45N4OA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"TZSHR4P7JBGOLM5YOVX5AZZ24Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038639},"content":"Aussie Rules is one of the great appreciators of Irish talent, and Vikki Wall’s performance in North Melbourne’s triumph over Brisbane to win the club’s first AFLW title was a showcase of just how successful the “Irish experiment” has been.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ETYU56VKJRD2PGW7X65VMPV27Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038640},"content":"The Meath two-time All-Ireland winner – part of a three-strong Irish contingent in the Kangaroos alongside Cork’s Erika O’Shea and Tipperary’s Niamh Martin – scored two goals in last month’s grand final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6I2M3PX2TFDK3B27Y3XW4327NI","additional_properties":{"_id":"43FTTQM2DBD57LUEOMVXXSN2ZM"},"content":"From missing out on the Olympics to winning an AFLW title, nobody had a year like Vikki Wall","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6DUPCTF6IRBDDK4M6XIAFUBVBM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038641},"content":"And an honourable mention must go to Tipperary’s Orla O’Dwyer and Dublin’s Jennifer Dunne, who both put in characteristically solid shifts for the Lions in the decider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WXYX56STNDARGB7HJIZ6Z24GQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038642},"content":"Exceptional talents at home and away. Sorry, I’ll see myself out. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"F2I32EPCMRD37F4ZK2WEFRHWOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038634},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>23 Cork senior camogie team retain O’Duffy Cup</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"I7NFMLSM7JH3LE7F7SYHUCDOFI","additional_properties":{"_id":"4F3DAFPM4VASXOCFQKWQNAGMU4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZYXAY5YCGFCMDNWJBVZOUNAEPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038635},"content":"Does winning ever get old? For the Cork senior camogie team, it’s fairly safe to say the answer is no. A record-breaking 30th title was likely just as sweet as the county’s first back in 1934.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TDWK4LCV7ZFDPOVIDWTTTTUYLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038636},"content":"A goal, albeit a contested one, was the difference between the Rebels and old foes Galway, the counties having met in nine previous All-Ireland finals, the most recent of which – in 2021 – went the way of the Tribeswomen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"INGV7OZH5FAGZK3VXD3NXBSCUY","additional_properties":{"_id":"Y3YVUSYEE5DEPHQ6XF72CUZ2U4"},"content":"Cork record 30th senior camogie title as they see off Galway fightback","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"7E2GSEJTUZHYRASM5VTNZRF5EE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038637},"content":"In a fiercely close decider, Cork had that little bit extra to seal the win as the clock ticked to the death, sending the O’Duffy Cup back to the Leeside for another year. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ANEEQTOV7JHIDCKS6PVQXNRUWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038631},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>22 Ireland play Israel in basketball</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"V7SGZNWBOFEHNKNDWMYN3QHMWY","additional_properties":{"_id":"RCYXQXPPHBGFVP46RX7GC7ASIE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"44MJRFRCPFEY3AOIQGEFEFIUGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038632},"content":"The Ireland team found themselves in an impossible situation in February. With the war in Gaza playing itself out in grim dispatches every night on the news, a EuroBasket qualifier against Israel in Latvia was always going to present a huge quandary for them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FA2M6OVTCFFR5PJVXJCP2AQCZY","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZHLGMDT56ZCLFBRL6PQB7YLLME"},"content":"How did the Irish women’s basketball team become embroiled in controversy over Israel?","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"5HGBC6RTW5DVZCNH7FZH2IPSRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038633},"content":"A boycott would result in a welter of fines and suspensions. Playing the game would result in accusations of supporting the Israeli regime. In the end, they ended up taking criticism from all sides. They went ahead with the game but refused to shake hands, in protest at an Israeli player baselessly calling them antisemitic. Israel got the result but nobody won. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G7CQS5OQL5D23KR4G5IFAEPT2Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038628},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>21 RTÉ Investigates abuse of players by coaches</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"P3BWHOLSFZC5NKRLBZ3HV4L7HI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HHQOBSEUKZC6NBBDCQL7PJCYYU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PZXCMZS3XNAYBD6WVXA7HIP57A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038629},"content":"If it was a grim year on the pitch for Irish women’s football on the senior international front, it was worse still off it, the lowest moment coming back in July when Marie Crowe and Mark Tighe teamed up for an RTÉ Investigates probe in to what female players had endured at the hands of some of their FAI coaches in the 1990s.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QW55HDMPJRGO5MJ3GCT563T2OI","additional_properties":{"_id":"N4WHH7YRUNBUTMN5JFVTVXABXI"},"content":"FAI coaching allegations: There is no resolution to this story, no happily ever afters. Careers were stalled, trauma inflicted","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"EDY3NJ6QGND73NY7PZYS3YVCU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038630},"content":"Multiple players alleged they had been subjected to sexual advances, some describing how their international careers were impacted – or ended – by standing up to their abusers. The FAI said they were “shocked and appalled” by the allegations, all of which were deeply depressing. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"OGSXRTRDYVFWXFONWQIDW4UJWM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038625},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>20 Ireland win a first ever World Series title in rugby sevens</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BZQXAJIMXJFPZFCDWV3CMYT7FE","additional_properties":{"_id":"OUBHUPFX4ZBD7OY34J7CNW6K3Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"PM4DPDWGDJH5BJW2DKNMCIOSSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038626},"content":"This was Lucy Mulhall’s final year with the sevens squad – the Ireland captain retired after the Olympics, capping a decade-long career in which sevens went from a curio that nobody really had much interest in to something far more solid on the sporting landscape.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XVGMM5LWGFGGFHL7JGXDLIHRT4","additional_properties":{"_id":"VV4XZSTSLRC3TLAXSCLBVQIWHE"},"content":"Ireland women win first ever World Series rugby sevens gold medal in Perth","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"4P6PGJV7JREHFGZSPTKARDJ4RE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038627},"content":"This World Series win in Perth in January was unimaginable for most of Mulhall’s career but they pulled it off with wins over Fiji, Great Britain and Australia. The final against the home side – and World Series leaders – was a stunning effort, all coming down to Eve Higgins’s late try to seal the 19-14 win. The high point of the sevens year. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"WR7ZKFJ5ARE2ZEKEEURZBW5FSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038622},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>19 Athlone Town win league title </b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"NMFAJTYTRMZICNE5IR3PJ7GXVI","additional_properties":{"_id":"LXGNMTQ2RZDOFNROU7CGYQTNLA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"LQAGYBA2MFFFVCZLWNTWPN7VQE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038623},"content":"Some story, this. It was only in August 2020 that Athlone Town played their first ever senior League of Ireland game, but just over four years later they only went and won the title, wrapping it up on home turf with a 2-0 win over Bohemians. A humdinger of a title battle it was too, with Shelbourne and Galway United pushing them all the way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HWGJNNS3SREIBC4O5Y4LOV5I5A","additional_properties":{"_id":"GBVZ23SHQZFZ7CT7442OBFDAIM"},"content":"Athlone Town complete fairy-tale by winning Premier Division title","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"TPVGIGIHJNDULPXTDUFRBYAADM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038624},"content":"Athlone’s dreams of a double were, though, well and truly crushed by Shels who beat them 6-1 in the FAI Cup final, after which Athlone manager Ciarán Kilduff stepped down from his role, later appointed boss of Dundalk’s men’s team. Still, a hell of an achievement by a club that should, strictly, still only be finding their feet at this level. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KPZBTGMNJVFK5JQO4IEZL3AQWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038619},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>18 Missing out on Euro 2025</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BKIAJ6LZPXRWX6YKT67Q7UPPTM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ILPDJDFGUFBDHKGLFF6PEUZIBI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"23NBRSU5F5CVFMA2IOYAW5W324","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038620},"content":"Not one of the happier moments from 2024, but it was a painfully significant one. After making their World Cup debut in 2023, the hope was that the Republic of Ireland would push on and make qualifying for major tournaments a habit. But a calamitous night in Dublin in December put paid to that ambition.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GTAGOLABXVEFPBHQLJC5KEJSCU","additional_properties":{"_id":"TR4HVULOLVDYPNOC5RW6PVEPGI"},"content":"Ireland let glorious Euros opportunity slip from their fingers after heartbreaking Welsh defeat","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JDTRGIGU2NGURHDBDWYUORKSTI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038621},"content":"The killer moment in the second leg of the play-off, the first having ended 1-1 in Cardiff, came in the 67th minute when Wales doubled their lead on the night through Carrie Jones. Anna Patten’s late reply was too little, too late. There’ll be no trip to Switzerland next summer, then, a horror of a conclusion to a difficult year for the national team. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"PWLHOP2KXRC4TA6GDQ4MCIHFDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038615},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>17 Orla Prendergast leads way in win over England</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"SBSMN5GWJLT7UJABT45C7FXXVE","additional_properties":{"_id":"W3B2DT76HBBL3PUC7EHTDGUKZU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ARDJ5RS2YJAI3GL3VNUTNWHRGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038616},"content":"The Irish cricket team concluded a year sprinkled with memorable moments by beating Bangladesh 3-0 in their T20 international series, but nothing quite topped that September day in Clontarf when they got the better of England for the first time in the same format.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6T4Y2B44LNGOLI56664WSS4K5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038617},"content":"Once again, Orla Prendergast demonstrated what a world class cricketer she is when she scored 80 runs off 51 balls, despite suffering from a badly grazed hand, her innings interrupted when she had to have the wound cleaned and dressed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7M66VDFQFEWJO7YBAYL7VD7K4","additional_properties":{"_id":"V65KOK5B5RCEPA7G2OG5VONZLM"},"content":"Ireland secure first win against England in 20-over women’s cricket at Clontarf","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"YHIF7ANRMZCU7CGEOSE73XEWEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038618},"content":"Having already played her part with the ball, the all-rounder taking two key wickets in England’s innings, Prendergast then stepped up with the bat, her thrilling knock, which featured 13 boundaries, sending Ireland on their way to a famous victory. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"JHJHYMWEKJCPHHP6SG3UKG7BQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038612},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>16 Lara Gillespie wins bronze at the World Championships</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"B3N7P6XMEBFVVCOXVT2HXAJ4LQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"XKSA2GWHJZEEXPHH236CN5YAS4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"N3IZI6VHFFBA5BYGN5KNPGA34U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038613},"content":"Katie-George Dunlevy described cycling as a “sufferfest”, and Lara Gillespie can attest to that. No more than Dunlevy, she’s been through the mill, her well-documented battle with a debilitating gynaecological condition followed by a heap of injuries, among them a dislocated collarbone and broken shoulder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OSMAFVBUERECPE3DVF3S6O2VTI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2TP276473ZBLRDNV5QHZPGAKXA"},"content":"Lara Gillespie speeds to bronze medal at track world championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"XPA47O4K6ZAK7NZACIFFV6V27I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038614},"content":"Despite it all, the Wicklow woman can reflect on a sparkling 2024 that saw her being part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, win the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa and the Antwerp Port Epic, and being awarded a pro contract that saw her step up to World Tour level. And, to round her year off, she won bronze at the World Championships in Denmark. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"2M67TFM2LRHZFG35YH5GUK2OWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038609},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>15 Ireland beat New Zealand at the WXVI</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"QC3CKJGREDQXEK6WSHXDTNV5FY","additional_properties":{"_id":"4L4YM4G3HJB4ZCD66RGPDWWVWA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WDR7AYM6DBHYRI2NYEZYINU6P4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074590},"content":"It’s fair to say the WXV tournament hadn’t particularly caught the attention of the Irish sporting public ahead of this, its second year. Nothing like a win over New Zealand to change minds on that score. Ireland qualified for the top tier of the competition by coming third in the Six Nations and hit the ground sprinting in Vancouver with this 29-27 win over the Black Ferns.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5AP3Y3ZDC5BZHJKS3SPPIXFGDU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3IUILCMKUZCO7C25UCLCGXPDJU"},"content":"Ireland stun world champions New Zealand with win in opening clash","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"EPDXRTRW4NDXXJYYWOYTXMSQ2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038611},"content":"Aoife Wafer snagged two first-half tries before substitute Erin King announced herself with a couple of her own in the closing quarter-hour, a performance that went a long way to earning her the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RYXJZM6ZCNGNHJVHXG2HQEDFFM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038605},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>14 Fionnuala McCormack</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZRU3KUYVW5GCNJ6WSN3AGUPSAI","additional_properties":{"_id":"HKSEMOLENJEY7ED745INEMARCQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"W4AQCKAEDFE5ZELVORLLFW3A24","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074595},"content":"It’s a whole 18 years since the names of two Wicklow women first appeared on our monthly roll of honour: Fionnuala McCormack and a certain Katie Taylor. Since then? Not just longevity, but excellence too. With a large dollop of history-making thrown in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VIODSRDECFHQFNMILBYZSL7OPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733867243223},"content":"It was this time last year that McCormack, now 40, became the first Irish woman to qualify for a fifth successive Olympic Games when she ran inside the required mark at the Valencia marathon. She was far from happy with her 28th place finish in Paris on a course she described as “torture”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"II2WDAWLV5DGNJGQX57ZPYDR7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1733867243224},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/08/11/fionnuala-mccormack-finishes-28th-in-olympics-marathon-as-sifan-hassan-makes-history/\" target=\"_blank\">“But at least I’m still alive,” she concluded.</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"HIXA3RABLBH4LMYKDIVC3OQTC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038608},"content":"Is she done? Is she heck. On the first day of this month she returned to Valencia where she ran the fastest marathon of her career, taking 12 seconds off her previous best. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"UKOHFCZJNJBZHHHVVXAWGVHXFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038601},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>13 Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh – Kerry’s first All-Ireland senior title since 1993</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OBX72PLQKRBR3P37WSQQJ4R2YM","additional_properties":{"_id":"NQHBUKHIMJEITNKK7SHRZ36D5U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GMYCW7SDDZB7RABMVJY3AK3RDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1734020550393},"content":"For the Kerry footballers, 2024 proved some things are worth the wait, finally coming good against Galway to end their 31-year wait to return the Brendan Martin Cup to the Kingdom. Their emphatic win marked the end of an era for Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh; no longer would she bear the burden of being the greatest player without an All-Ireland medal for her 17-year service.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DTNPHZF3JRE4BCCB37YXW7XCLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"YEX6JZO6HZA4FIZ3YE6TZ7IUSU"},"content":"Kerry finally make their All-Ireland dream come through after years of heartache","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"JFIM3XT6RJFUDJDBO4DXWFUFXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038604},"content":"Ní Mhuircheartaigh supplied six points on Kerry’s way to victory at Croke Park, her free-taking a study in composure, stamping her name on her fifth All Star. Of the numerous All-Ireland medals that have found a home in Kerry, Ní Mhuircheartaigh can be counted among the most deserved recipients. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7AH6BXMY5CQZMTQTTFK5LUVZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038598},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>12 Bohemians v Palestine</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZK3EARD6B5HFPMJLED2CTUBTDU","additional_properties":{"_id":"RRE334LLYBDYFJAGAF52DSGNJY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"QNHXKGQ5SNER7MEVZIZ6PZR6W4","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074606},"content":"It’s unlikely that there were any more emotional days in the Irish sporting year than when the women of Palestine took on Bohemians at Dalymount Park in May. It was the first match played in Europe by any senior Palestine national side, Bohs inviting them to Dublin as an act of solidarity in light of the carnage inflicted on their homeland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RKXWW6AIPNDM5EFOA3AMIPI45A","additional_properties":{"_id":"W2IDVR5C4NHDBMPTS46Y243LOE"},"content":"Bohemians v Palestine: ‘In Gaza, our fields and our stadiums have been demolished’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VRRD5D3GKZG4RGEYT6GZW7Y7AU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074607},"content":"A full house welcomed them to Dalymount, the team having been received at Áras an Uachtaráin by President Michael D Higgins, the players overwhelmed by their reception in Ireland. “In Palestine we’re not even allowed to fly as many of our flags as we’ve seen flying here,” said their manager Deema Said. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FU4PBHSFGJGCPM5Y4NKUUUSXAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038594},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>11 Orla Comerford – Paralympic bronze</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"C3GBQ57GFCG423YCGYNWNSC5Z4","additional_properties":{"_id":"URUCYJERBVFBHE6PJYCEFKTNXE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YUPGXQQY4NEN5OIZNICHBBWE6A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074611},"content":"Orla Comerford had barely stepped off the track at the Stade de France having earned her first Paralympic medal – bronze in the T13 100m final – but her mind had already turned to LA 2028. The Dubliner banished any lingering doubts from Tokyo to take third in a race in which both the gold and silver medallists ran under the world record.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TB7J6EMDYBEGFIMX5C7METPXFY","additional_properties":{"_id":"NUBRWQGDTRHSNGTTHXX4XSNVCQ"},"content":"‘There is lots more in the tank’: Orla Comerford happy with Paralympics bronze, for now","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"DKZKX5UME5EJPKPLPOEB767V5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038597},"content":"Beaming with her medal around her neck, Comerford said her initial feeling after crossing the line was disappointment, although the reality of her achievement quickly set in to turn that to delight. Still, there’s little doubt as to what medal she has her eye on next time. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6LGMYFKHYJAQVBNWWCX4DMBTXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038590},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>10 The 4x400m mixed relay team</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"TRUHODS3NZBGNCWMKSNXSAX7SQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"T7PVX2BKSFEUDBYL5WYAW7XO54"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2RZZBXTJ2RHV5GHQ7W7CXDE72A","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074616},"content":"Ah, what a night at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Chris O’Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr and Sharlene Mawdsley combining to produce 3:09.92 of pure gold in the 4x400m mixed relay final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TAU7F4VUKRD4VGO3PBZTYJ3JLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038592},"content":"Before that evening, only Sonia O’Sullivan had ever stood atop the podium for Ireland at the European Championships, but there had been a hint of what was to come in Nassau the previous May when the team – Cillin Greene in that line-up instead of O’Donnell – triumphed at the World Athletics Relays.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GA7PKPEG2FHYXN7UF3M67M5NVI","additional_properties":{"_id":"POZJDMEIVJDOPBBLDLFDVRBQGE"},"content":"Ireland win gold in 4x400m mixed relay at European Athletics Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"5FWY4LXADBEPFD4KZTRIKM4HL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038593},"content":"They turned up trumps in Rome, O’Donnell and Barr doing their bit, Adeleke blitzing the second leg, before Mawdsley’s stunning anchor leg. Magical. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"EDBKV735AFCERA22BLZXOO2TII","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038586},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>9 Róisín Ní Riain – Five medals at European Championships and two at Paralympics</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HZEZCOW76267YJSVJBTILKYOS4","additional_properties":{"_id":"G5GIJH26DFBPZKNQBKMPERXVOE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CDL2TYAL5BDR3BWZM3TOX52PXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074622},"content":"Not since Atlanta 1996 (remembered with fondness or regret, you decide) would the pool have been considered Ireland’s arena of choice, but 2024 did mighty work to help change that. Róisín Ní Riain stormed the European Para Swimming Championships in Portugal back in May, claiming five medals – two gold, two silver, and a bronze – from her six events.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IMMA7PXTWRHSRKBLAAAS64CUGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733917509168},"content":"As Paralympic warmups go, you couldn’t ask for better. Paris was the Limerick woman’s second games having been Ireland’s youngest Paralympian in Tokyo, and she walked away with silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 200m IM. More to come in LA perhaps? <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"KBK3XP4V6VEMDAMF2QOWVPSAB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038583},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>8 Rachael Blackmore completes the Cheltenham triple crown</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"VCBK5YEX5W42IKYCNBAEMXL534","additional_properties":{"_id":"E64GPPIHOZGGBA4KW42MMADY24"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"VEBIEEH4HRD73L6763PGRCTHQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074626},"content":"In the past 50 years of the Cheltenham festival, only eight jockeys have put together the elite triptych of Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase. It goes without saying that Rachael Blackmore is the first and only woman on that list.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCZPQTGK5RDCXF32IQMLDJYJVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"6WXKN2MW7RDX7G6V2WOVWZFZRU"},"content":"Cheltenham: Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore secure Queen Mother Champion Chase","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"LGBZM66CVZFVNICXJBVPE4F2IU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734124713474},"content":"Captain Guinness’s victory in the Champion Chase was her 16th festival winner. In an event-filled race, she steered Henry De Bromhead’s horse to a hard-earned victory, staving off a late challenge from Mark Walsh on Gentleman De Mee. It was everything we’ve come to expect from her – unflappable, expertly timed, imperious. She makes it all look routine, which of course it isn’t. MC","type":"text"},{"_id":"E5FQDQ6KEVG3TKDK4HL25YMXUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038580},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>7 4x400m women’s relay team - silver at the European Championships, fourth at Olympics</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HNQZLVUSSTQOKMBO6POCJEFNLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"LVCBP2IMING4RHT7EJ5EUGIHFM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KQO3VKGWUFAGHGIDFF4HVMNYPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074631},"content":"The quartet of Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy and Sharlene Mawdsley have done an almost unheard of thing in Irish life. They’ve colonised the imagination of the general public in a team sport that doesn’t involve a ball.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NOPUTCCXGFF4XCU2P5TBNS35NY","additional_properties":{"_id":"SMNEEIO73JHHPJL4P7522CISUY"},"content":"Ireland women claim silver medal in 4x400m relay at European Athletics Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"SSNJMFVZ75CPHJCVC6ESIJPISM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038582},"content":"They did it first in Rome in June by winning the silver medal at the European Championships. Then they followed it up in Paris in August when they came so close to an unprecedented Olympic medal, with Mawdsley only just run out of it in the dying yards. It was emotional, inspirational, heartbreaking stuff and it held the nation captive in a way no relay team has ever done. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"G45ED4HGUZCZFGEOAD22WPHJHU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038577},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>6 Mona McSharry’s Olympic bronze</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"KKYVEMVD5FEIVXVWPXUANBEILE","additional_properties":{"_id":"TAW4I5F6NFDJXPAOXIC35U3CPA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UM6GTEZWAVFSBGFVD36P4DN4WE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074636},"content":"By her own admission, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/07/30/how-mona-mcsharry-went-from-hating-swimming-to-a-remarkable-olympic-bronze-medal/\" target=\"_blank\">Mona McSharry hadn’t just fallen out of love with swimming, she was beginning to hate it</a>. The sport had been at the centre of her life for as long as she could remember, but she was beginning to feel like it wasn’t giving back anything close to what she was putting in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L5VYXDZRDFBCZCMIXO6RAM5DXY","additional_properties":{"_id":"QPGIJNGBNFAZTPAYWE6WOOSVCI"},"content":"In pictures: Mona McSharry secures famous bronze medal for Ireland in the pool","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FRVMNE7KBJC7HPOT5LIOWVAYRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038579},"content":"Then came that July day in Paris when she stood on the podium after the 100m breaststroke final with a bronze medal draped around her neck, having become only the second Irish swimmer to medal at the Olympics (a certain Daniel Wiffen made it three the day after). Not even her goggles filling up with water prevented her from finishing third in a race that featured four of the event’s finest specialists. Her tears flowed. The sport had finally given back.<b> MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"IKZ2FM757FDHBC6O3NIMTKB6TE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038569},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>5 Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win Paralympic and World Championship golds</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"V4MCCYVEGF6ZJCKNWG6X3BCSIE","additional_properties":{"_id":"VSKNZ6DIQNHYTLVKZDFHFT5SXM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CKJNNR2WDJBRLDDIIWA5HLKXGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074641},"content":"Even before September came around it had already been a fruitful year for Katie-George Dunlevy and her pilot Linda Kelly, but then they went into overdrive by winning two Paralympic and two World Championship medals in the space of just 25 days – three of them gold.","type":"text"},{"_id":"765XLTMYA5GXBA44W474LFTLRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038571},"content":"What made their achievements all the more remarkable was what the pair had had to endure through the year in terms of injury and illness – concussion, a broken collarbone, leg and arm infections, and two bouts of Covid. And that was only the half of it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P6VIUTSJKFEDRHCXC3UOAY4XPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038572},"content":"They’re made of steely stuff, though. Dunlevy, for example, got back on her bike after a crash in a qualification event in Italy and finished fourth – and only later learnt that she’d done so with that broken collarbone. But as she put it herself, “if I’m not in a world of pain and am not falling off the bike at the finish, I haven’t worked hard enough”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"S5NJ7VSDVBCO3MOUE56XCK24RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038573},"content":"The rewards were great come Paris, Dunlevy bringing her tally of Paralympic medals to eight, two of them won with Kelly, and one with her long-time pilot Eve McCrystal who was making her final international appearance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RYMFG46INFBGFAXWVVC2AJQXUM","additional_properties":{"_id":"5LABKF45WZBTHKY2RDRDKCMYEM"},"content":"Paralympic cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy: ‘I want to inspire visually impaired children and the LGBT community to not give up’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"KERH4DEDN5HQ3FUCJUGTIVWZ64","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038574},"content":"It was her gold with Kelly, though, in the individual time-trial that meant the most, Dunlevy successfully retaining her Tokyo title and Kelly winning the first Paralympic medal of her career just two years after taking up tandem riding for the first time.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVL6UYDBFFAV5DJW4OITXDUCSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038575},"content":"It was a stunning victory by the pair who had trailed Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holly by over 10 seconds at the first split, but produced a surge thereafter that saw them overtake and hold off the Britons, winning gold by 1:23.60 seconds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C5CLLNOSN5HC5EUR27QRU5ODAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038576},"content":"And lest they be accused of being lazy, they were back in their saddles a fortnight later for the World Championships in Zurich where they only went and won gold in both the time-trial and road race. A September like no other. <b>MH</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DPTLIITUVEZ3A562J3OXQQ274","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038560},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>4 Katie Taylor beats Amanda Serrano</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"5XUEVLO6FULTTWGJBL7IQAD3TY","additional_properties":{"_id":"PS466OIORVE5ZOOJHTALWCOTFE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"IIKOMSMYMJGOPM5YGTAK3ZIFTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074651},"content":"What is a list of Irish women’s sporting moments without Katie Taylor?","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC5CENWQUNAMPJHJ2H6SEZVLWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038562},"content":"A performance to warrant her inclusion in this year’s iteration may have been delayed by forces beyond her control, but by god did she end up earning her spot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SNBFNDSK65FSDBKW5VLPYR4QD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038563},"content":"In November, the Bray fighter returned to the ring for a rematch against Amanda Serrano, the pair having previously met in a history-making fight at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2022, the first women’s fight to headline the iconic venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WS3JTA2G2VBLDA3G6FEA2F35OE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038564},"content":"Taylor won that bout on a split decision to retain her lightweight titles, her hand hardly raised above her head before the Puerto Rican fighter sought a rematch. Given the show they put on it was a dead cert, promoter Eddie Hearn bigging up the idea that the second instalment could be a homecoming for KT, floating Croke Park as a potential venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AOUX2VCVHZBJBOBSJOAP4I55GM","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZERPI5R23FALTKHATLZ3XHU42Y"},"content":"Katie Taylor narrowly defeats Amanda Serrano in brutal contest","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"O5MIRUG7ABFXBMHMLV73UJWS54","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038565},"content":"Alas, not to be, and instead it got wrapped up as a co-main event in the glorified vanity project that was Mike Tyson v Jake Paul (the event delayed from May due to a Tyson illness), providing the only shred of true sporting action on an otherwise ridiculous night in Texas.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KC6JTAHXDRBABNZU6FFK3C3RWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038566},"content":"Just as they were at MSG, Taylor and Serrano were remarkably evenly matched. After 10 pummelling rounds, the judges had their verdict: 95-94 unanimously for Taylor. Serrano and her team didn’t like it (shooting off some nasty accusations that Serrano later retracted), the crowd didn’t like it, Netflix’s bumbling commentators didn’t like it – but that doesn’t make the decision wrong. A modicum of impartiality would have gone a long way at AT&T Stadium, but rage gets better ratings.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKQIVQQCDFD7ZPVUXOK2MJD2RY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038568},"content":"Despite the mudslinging, Taylor was the ever-gracious champ, rising above the painful pageantry of the wider occasion and going home with her light-welterweight titles intact. Long may she reign. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCFXPJHO3NDU7IF4NQI4S4O7EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038553},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>3 Ciara Mageean becomes European 1,500m champion</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"24D2MKEYFZBQZMQR4JK3ZFA5E4","additional_properties":{"_id":"2NUL2UNAXBBG5LFZMBRHCIVUYY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2T2XRTOETVBELI3OWHRVYROQLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074661},"content":"Paris was a disaster for Ciara Mageean. The Achilles injury she has been carrying for most of the past decade picked the exact wrong time to flare up, causing her to pull out on the eve of the games. The timing couldn’t have been worse – she was in the form of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NGEHLVY6OJD27NHQQZPVIV5YSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038555},"content":"That was clear to everyone at the European Championships in Rome just six weeks earlier. Throughout her career, Mageean has been there or thereabouts at European level in the 1,500 metres. She won bronze in Amsterdam in 2016, silver in Munich in 2022. She went to Rome as one of the medal contenders in everyone’s book, even though her injury profile means you’re never too sure how much hope to hold out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OLMLAP5GNBGPXO7MP53QXBDBYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038556},"content":"As it transpired, she was the best of the field. She ran three-and-a-half laps on the shoulders of British pair Georgia Hall and Gemma Reekie, waiting until the top of the final bend before grabbing a gap between them and striking for home.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MZ2HXLSZXJCEHCRVUVJ66XVHNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038557},"content":"She ran with a confidence that very few of us who were in the Stadio Olimpico shared, certain in herself that she had the kick to take the gold. When she crossed the line, she flung her two arms in the air, the pinnacle of her career reached at last.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C3ALCATGKJEYJKWKCCPFG4KGEM","additional_properties":{"_id":"TPMEZCXOM5FD5FM53FQKZZ6HVU"},"content":"Ciara Mageean: ‘I just felt numb. It wasn’t even sadness, it was just emptiness’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6CE5G2PKOFAZZJHMSKKCGUX62Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038558},"content":"At that moment, everything else fell away. All the bad days, all the dashed hopes, all the ups and downs of a career where the occasional fragility of Mageean’s body has betrayed her. It would turn traitor on her again in the weeks that followed, meaning that 2024 will always be unavoidable bittersweet in her memory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I4YWNQMG4ZCH3HDADN3HEATEAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038559},"content":"But for that night in Rome, nothing else mattered. She got what she deserved, finally. And what a beautiful thing it was. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZUASPNFSNFCTFPFSX2TWWIXKQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038545},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>2 Rhasidat Adeleke’s record-breaking year</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"AYK6YOCOBYTB5PHIIYD5V3QFZA","additional_properties":{"_id":"EERMLXTPANFXDEYY3SDBG4C4LA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HXIAVYIIEFDEXOVQW6CCMSDZJM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074670},"content":"Another remarkable year for Rhasidat Adeleke gave us any number of moments to warrant her inclusion. Despite heartbreak in Paris, 2024 proved the Dubliner’s star remains firmly on the rise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6UBY7PP3VJDQJE2LRSLCHVB65A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038547},"content":"If you want cold, hard figures, how’s nine for you. That’s the number of Irish records the 22-year-old holds at year end – seven individual, two relay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VHN6OQZ6N5BQ5GCAQT4VJUCDGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038548},"content":"By <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/01/21/rhasidat-adeleke-breaks-two-irish-indoor-records-with-first-races-of-2024/\" target=\"_blank\">mid-February Adeleke had already bettered three of her Irish indoor records over 60, 200 and 300 metres</a>. Then in May, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/05/05/sensational-rhasidat-adeleke-leads-irish-relay-teams-to-paris-olympics-on-the-double/\" target=\"_blank\">she put in masterful runs at the World Athletics Relays to help Ireland qualify for the Olympics in both the women’s and mixed 4x400</a> metres relays, taking bronze in the mixed relay final for good measure. Not a bother to the girl from Tallaght with the ribbons in her hair.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U554VLU2JFBHDFA2MLDL4M2YGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038549},"content":"But the zenith of Adeleke’s year was yet to come. June saw her travel to Rome as part of an Irish contingent that claimed a record haul of medals at the European Athletic Championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NPL3Y4N3ZRAVPP3OIWNN2K5GXI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038550},"content":"Of Team Ireland’s four medals from the competition, Adeleke was party to three. She <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/athletics/2024/06/07/ireland-win-gold-in-4x400m-mixed-relay-at-european-athletics-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">first took gold with the 4x400 metres mixed</a> relay team (besting their Irish record from May), before her solo silver in the 400 metres which so nearly could have been gold (again smashing her own Irish record in the process), following it up with silver in the women’s 4x400 metres relay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K2O7F24ABNA7VFIYGA3POKD3KI","additional_properties":{"_id":"LJR7E5CQMREWBNHDSFJMY3WWNA"},"content":"Rhasidat Adeleke takes silver in 400m at European Championships","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"Q4F4H6X7XZATNNIUB66K4GIDSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1734267574130},"content":"From that high, an Olympic medal looked within her reach. The agony comes in the narrow margin by which it ultimately didn’t come to pass. Fourth in both the 400 metres and the women’s 4x400 metres relay finals (another Irish record performance) spelled heartbreak in the city of love, an unfair takeaway given the glittering year she’s had. But perhaps that’s the mark of her talent, and our collective anticipation that her race is far from run. <b>MD</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZSUN3SCS2BHBPI4VSYXR5ZSRDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734018546322},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>1 Kellie Harrington wins Olympic gold</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"BEXMKBEZL5AXPEKPIW5ML3T3VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038537},"content":"There has never been an Irish Olympic boxer to compare to Kellie Harrington. Over the course of a century, 116 fighters wore the Ireland singlet at the Olympics. Of those 116, 19 fought at more than one games. Of those 19, eight won fights at multiple games. Of those eight, just two medalled twice. Whittle further and Harrington has history all to herself, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/boxing/2024/08/06/kellie-harrington-becomes-double-olympic-champion-with-display-of-pure-gold/\" target=\"_blank\">the only Irish fighter with two Olympic gold medals</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"32P3SJPJGNDK7FMT3OV5DXAQXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038538},"content":"As the rest of the Irish boxing team fell around her like skittles this summer, she forged her own path, oblivious. There were 10 Irish boxers in Paris but the tournament was mostly a disaster. They came home with just five wins between them – Harrington was responsible for four of them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C67DGGTMPSXZ7AMOE2DWS22ONI","additional_properties":{"_id":"KBYF2GN2NVGB7AWN7XM4UGVCUA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"A5KQH7JG2VBG5JYK2IUB5GGBXE","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074681},"content":"Her Olympic gold medal was a mental triumph as much as it was a physical one. She began the year unsure of herself, worried about her place in the Irish public’s affections, counting the days until her Olympic final when it would all be over and she could get on with her life. In the Olympic village, she ate alone and retreated to her own solitude. All in service of the four fights it took to make her champion again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3OKPEIVAN5BIJOU5EI346HTFAM","additional_properties":{"_id":"LHLGZVADR5AJNJOF52H2P4T4TQ"},"content":"Kellie Harrington stands alone, the first Irish woman to win gold medals at two Olympics","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"KLC2U3COMZDBRHFADZ3MUSBVWU","additional_properties":{"_id":"6LC6Z6TH4NFP7GKIJDVXNXP2WY"},"content":"In Pictures: Kellie Harrington savours another golden moment as she makes Olympic history","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VRRD5D3GKZG4RGEYT6GZW7Y7AU","additional_properties":{"_id":1734023074682},"content":"If there was a signature performance, it was the semi-final against Beatrice Ferreira of Brazil. Ferreira is a professional world champion who was out for revenge after Harrington had beaten her in Tokyo. But though it was a virtual tie going into the final round, Harrington produced a masterclass of movement and hitting to launch herself into the final.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NE3HZ3HJMRE6HISAYDJ2EUI2GM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038542},"content":"When she got there, she built an unassailable lead over the first two rounds and kept us all safe from heart attacks. It meant that between Tokyo and Paris, her full record read: Two Olympics, Two gold medals, eight fights, eight wins, for a combined score of 36-4 on all judges’ cards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DIRWOUMZSNEMLGFGPVAPAOC3FU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733847038543},"content":"She is immortal. <b>MC</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Muireann Duffy"}},"name":"Muireann Duffy"},{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"Our countdown of the 25 moments that defined women’s sport in Ireland this year"},"display_date":"2024-12-15T13:02:44.606Z","headlines":{"basic":"The top 25 women’s sporting moments of the year: top spot revealed with Katie Taylor, Rhasidat Adeleke and Kellie Harrington featuring","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RJRNMNWN2RBZPAXU46HL35OYHE","auth":{"1":"02a0e639f68bf5c96f93239c3c81ca8213de5f2682853df450d3579a75ca3ea5"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RJRNMNWN2RBZPAXU46HL35OYHE.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/12/14/a-stellar-year-for-irish-women-in-sport-kellie-rhasidat-katie-mona-and-so-much-more/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/boxing","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Boxing"}}}},{"_id":"74TVGT42CNGTLM5NUQMXHVTMYU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":105,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/58502ce8-fe17-45b6-9ae2-c01ccbe96c76/versions/1733322782/media/c1737749c72a0d1d12358cfa634245a4_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/04/cyclist-remco-evenepoel-undergoes-surgery-after-horror-training-crash/","content_elements":[{"_id":"QNWTGMIHRJG5FPCD52MHXWWCWE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265686},"content":"Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel is on the road to recovery as he underwent successful surgery following a crash during training, the Belgian said on Wednesday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JZQJ2EEDV5HZZJJBQXFHSBTSU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265687},"content":"The 24-year-old said he had suffered fractures to his rib, shoulder blade, and hand, contusions to his lungs, and a dislocation of his right clavicle leaving all his surrounding ligaments torn.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UHRO7DL2T5HA7BTLMAGYNZXFSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265688},"content":"Evenepoel crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a training ride in Oetingen on Tuesday, Belgian media reports said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U6D7HW54MZHHJLB7UMAAMNTOWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265689},"content":"“The comeback starts now. After a scary accident on training yesterday, I underwent surgery last night and everything went well,” Evenepoel posted on Instagram. “...It’s going to be a long journey but I’m fully focused on my recovery and I’m determined to come back stronger, step by step.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"PLNRUJJ5LJHEBHFXNXCBDLF5UM","subtype":"instagram","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"2YF57YQ7QRH33MSYG7XP52AJFE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265691},"content":"Evenepoel, who claimed gold in the men's road race and time trial at the Paris Olympics this year, was taken to the Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht and was then moved to a hospital in Herentals, where his injuries were assessed further.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EG5UBAL4IRE4JHKKGXSONDV3RY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265692},"content":"“I’m very grateful for all the help and support I received the last 24 hours. From the emergency services, the neighbours that helped me in the first moment, the medical teams in Anderlecht and Herentals, and our team doctor,” he added.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FRN742GYFDF5G2UUW7SM2ABLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265693},"content":"\"Also a special mention to my wife, and my family for standing by me in these difficult moments and to everyone for their supportive messages. I also want to express my support to the woman involved in the accident.\"","type":"text"},{"_id":"QZDRNFTSNNDA5DKGGRSOL24ECQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733320265694},"content":"The impact of the incident also broke the Belgian’s bike, reports added.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"The 24-year-old Belgian claimed gold in the men’s road race and time trial at the Paris Olympics this year"},"display_date":"2024-12-04T14:27:52.405Z","headlines":{"basic":"Cyclist Remco Evenepoel undergoes surgery after horror training crash","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"7CGCNLY6WUUGFYHK6AW54ONGLU","auth":{"1":"afce1f2bf7a57d5b7a50b00cfa4633cd9f7b85a4b41cbb6f82e1872f6ddd2312"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/7CGCNLY6WUUGFYHK6AW54ONGLU.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/04/cyclist-remco-evenepoel-undergoes-surgery-after-horror-training-crash/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"6GXC4LMMJBEBHJ65G2YQOZ5GFA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":86,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/2d721fa9-2476-49ce-b9d1-3c39e074a490/versions/1733243116/media/c4f09262d557611d72b3ee6ec7cc876c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/03/remco-evenepoel-suffers-multiple-fractures-in-crash-during-training-in-belgium/","content_elements":[{"_id":"D7DHWNGBGFDSFGIV652KC5Y57I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385222},"content":"Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel suffered fractures to his rib, shoulder blade and hand, his team Soudal-QuickStep said on Tuesday, following reports of a collision with a vehicle in Belgium.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DCVABTHYIBC2PPL6H5YUXZLO6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385224},"content":"According to Belgian media reports, the 24-year-old crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a training ride in Oetingen.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N6TENB3E3BFWFAG26YAA4Q3JQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385225},"content":"“Following an incident while training today, Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital where it was revealed that he has sustained fractures to his rib, right shoulder blade and his right hand,” a Soudal-QuickStep statement said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MYBCYOFALFAIHCS4Y2NGDQT2KE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385226},"content":"Evenepoel, who claimed gold in the men's road race and time trial at the Paris Olympics this year, was conscious after the incident with the impact breaking the Belgian's bike, reports said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HRX5QRYJ3BHZTPUXZIMQTWO4LA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385227},"content":"“Remco has pain in his shoulder and his hand. Our doctor is working on it,” Soudal-QuickStep’s manager Patrick Lefevere told Belgium’s state-funded sports website Sporza.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QAAGJGBR75CPTIBUOGL5GKR24U","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385228},"content":"“His bike broke in two in that incident. But it’s better to split his bike in two than his arm.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZPZA5WKSOFBGPFYGXBIW6YTLLY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385229},"content":"In an update to Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Evenepoel’s father, Patrick, said: “He has already sent us a message, so we hope everything is okay.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YC3GR7C4PJCS7FLSEFQYYRCGLI","additional_properties":{"_id":1733242385230},"content":"Evenepoel was taken to the Erasmus Hospital in Anderlecht after the incident and will now be moved to a hospital in Herentals, where his injuries will be assessed further. ","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"The 24-year-old crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a training ride in Oetingen"},"display_date":"2024-12-03T16:19:58.872Z","headlines":{"basic":"Remco Evenepoel suffers multiple fractures in crash during training in Belgium","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"J6YATL3HF5Q3OATFGKI3GSHTLI","auth":{"1":"fea54ef1ef57cb23e4865b510f1ffe4a3a880e41feacd121583f2f3e37dcf9a8"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/J6YATL3HF5Q3OATFGKI3GSHTLI.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/03/remco-evenepoel-suffers-multiple-fractures-in-crash-during-training-in-belgium/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"YB5TUTDNBRH5XCQRVVW25TCVMA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":191,"audio_url":"https://beyondwords-h0e8gjgjaqe0egb7.a03.azurefd.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/e163a5c0-98d7-4d19-acfb-61f1b0a0f5e5/versions/1733081929/media/4d119a6ad81919b861df8af25a8f372c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/12/01/michael-vanthourenhout-and-lucinda-brand-victorious-in-dublin-cyclocross-world-cup/","content_elements":[{"_id":"NFR22HBWZBGFVELPUUZO6K74JA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672263},"content":"Past European champion Michael Vanthorenhout and 2021 world champion Lucinda Brand proved best in the Dublin round of the UCI Cyclocross World Cup on Sunday, taking the elite men’s and women’s races in fine style.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2JSVP7YXVVDMJOKFV2PCWWREVY","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672266},"content":"Vanthourenhout swooped on the final lap of the Sport Ireland campus race after Pauwels-Sauzen Bingoal team-mate Eli Iserbyt ran wide on a corner and clipped a barrier, losing speed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7B63HWE27BDF3FEDYVEWY7VYTM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672267},"content":"The Belgian put in a big dig to gap the rest, then held off Toon Aerts (Team Deschacht-Hens-FSP), Felipe Orts (Ridley Racing Team) and Iserbyt over the final minute of racing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KO5DAQDMYRA3NKPMWHTB2BUIDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672268},"content":"“I feel I was very good, so I tried to wait until the end,” he said. “I think it was a good decision.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZXQAMZBXUBHF3HKF6IMJG2UILU","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672269},"content":"Brand (Baloise-Trek Lions) had a clearer victory in the women’s event, beating current world champion Fem van Empel (Visma-Lease a Bike) by 24 seconds and Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM) by 1:03.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F2OW5Z2ROX2XSXGXGY5S3NA2E4","additional_properties":{"_id":"7LWRYYD3QNDUBH6JWCRJGS3BF4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"EYL4RIIDHZCCRJEGRXPWVEJ6ZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672270},"content":"Race favourite Van Empel lost time early on with a puncture. She fought back to rejoin Brand, but then was gapped in one of the sand sections.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MFP5UPL45JCD5HBYZYCJ5XP7WM","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672271},"content":"“I don’t know if she had a problem again with her bike or something, because in the beginning she looked strong and confident coming back,” Dutchwoman Brand said of Van Empel. “But maybe it cost her too much energy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGAGXRYWCNCVLOG3RGDCKALDEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672272},"content":"Both Vanthourenhout and Brand took over as leaders of the World Cup after this second round.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5OXYE7233ZAHNJGXZYIT3UZY2A","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672273},"content":"Greta Lawless was best of the Irish, taking a fine 10th in the junior women’s World Cup race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PD45IEX6F5CG3KIYIPOKYDYZYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1733080672274},"content":"“I didn’t really expect it,” she said. “I had exams this week and I was sick the week before so not the most ideal run up. 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This is a stone cold classic. The story of Conor Niland’s life in professional tennis, told along with Gavin Cooney of The 42, recently became the third Irish book ever to win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. And deservedly so.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LIPELKNKRRBBFL5RTJBANJMJSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218640},"content":"Niland is the best Irish tennis player of the open era. He was born six weeks after Roger Federer – not for nothing is the book subtitled On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation – and the other 99%. The story, then, is one of getting closer than almost everyone on the planet to the sport’s gilded inner sanctum without ever quite making it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MMDC5ERAXBGQFBPRGH4QFBYQCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218641},"content":"Some of it would break your heart. The drip-drip of him throwing away his one match at Wimbledon after leading 4-1 in the final set is harrowing, all the more so because the prize for winning would have been a Centre Court match against Federer. The travel, the injuries, the grimly observed differences between the haves and have-nots – all of it would grind anyone down.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NUQ6YQRP5DDPJAVZHJAXT4G3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218642},"content":"But this is no misery lit adventure. It’s very funny throughout because Niland and Cooney have packed a lifetime’s absurdity in here too. Like the time he played a set against the 15-year-old son of one of this sponsors, the weirdest match of his life. “Am I really allowed to beat up on my sponsor’s son? Or will he wonder why he’s spending his money on a guy who can’t beat his son easily?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AXPCU2NTC5HZFNTTCUNI6A5W4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218643},"content":"Niland retired in 2012, injuries finally calling a halt. The fact that he has let a decade pass before writing this book has done it a world of good. The tone isn’t bitter or maudlin – Niland has more perspective than that. He has painted a wonderfully detailed picture of a world most sports fans know next-to-nothing about and kept his sanity while doing so. That’s a win, all by itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XXMVENZ5CBEC7CT3CFDRFTJAZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218644},"content":"<u><b>Obsessed by Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Reilly (Penguin, €24.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"3ZJYIDVQQ5BSTDQSWRCJ7M6DFA","additional_properties":{"_id":"EO6FGPFXLZFRJMGQ537GN3MG7U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"MRF4QB2UYVE2NM54LUIB2JNI3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218645},"content":"There is a fantastic tension that runs throughout <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/johnny-sexton/\" target=\"_blank\">Johnny Sexton</a>’s autobiography, made all the better for the fact that he probably would have got away without dwelling on it at all. On the one hand, he was (is) a demonic competitor, a relentless setter of standards, a person who calls out deficiencies when he sees them. On the other, that doesn’t always make for a particularly pleasant person to be around.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPP44OW6HFBTVPSGWWIOG2ZFD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218646},"content":"In someone else’s hands, that side of his character could have been dealt with in a single chapter of a book that, let’s not forget, chronicles one of the greatest ever Irish sporting careers. Sexton and Peter O’Reilly could have thrown in a couple of anecdotes of him losing the rag, leavened it all with a bit of self-deprecation and moved right along to telling everyone about his drop goal against France in Paris.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WF37N3XB4JH25D43KDMC2OZKG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218647},"content":"But what makes this such a rewarding read is that fact that Sexton is willing to paint himself in an often unflattering light. His spikiness, his abrasive nature, his unwillingness to float along – these are a feature of his make-up, not a bug in the system. So much of the book is him wrestling with this side of himself. How did he get like this? Why does he have to be this way?","type":"text"},{"_id":"2ZKCU2MIHVC3POXAXEGQG25DFY","additional_properties":{"_id":"W4PYHJY4BJDJZLKVPNK6ZG7BJE"},"content":"Obsessed. The Autobiography by Johnny Sexton: One of the best Irish sports books ever written","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"R2A52XEAJBCGDJPVGYYPLTG4EM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218648},"content":"“Be yourself everyone – except you, Johnny,” was <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/andy-farrell/\" target=\"_blank\">Andy Farrell</a>’s instruction at one point, making it clear to Sexton that he had to change his nature as Ireland captain, become more of a chameleon, work out who he can’t lose the rag with and who needs to be spoken to more softly. In the next breath, Sexton growled at John Cooney for a mistake in training but later rang him to apologise – “Though it went against every fibre of my being”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ERBXONWKRGHLJGVKW3OJKV5UM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218649},"content":"The push-and-pull of that, the constant unsparing questioning of himself, lifts this book above the vast majority of the autobiographies of his contemporaries. A brilliant portrait of one of Ireland’s most fascinating people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZPMZNNSHFECFPK2S3DA7HT6RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218650},"content":"<u><b>My Story by Joe Canning and Vincent Hogan (Gill Books, €21.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"6HAXHRPFUZBNBEJQVCHM3B5DWI","additional_properties":{"_id":"Q2M6K7KI7JF6VDQODF5E7SCJ54"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"T6FR676VXRDFFGH3V7IWF4PNLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218651},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/joe-canning/\" target=\"_blank\">Joe Canning</a>’s father, Seán, has the best line in the former Galway hurler’s autobiography. At one stage, Canning is writing about the fact that he has kept a number of critical articles and headlines on his phone, years after they were written. He accepts that this doesn’t really say anything good about his ability to let things go.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WGID42VM3NADNHUQ56PZ2RQ24U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218652},"content":"“My father has this expression when he hears me giving out,” Canning writes. “‘Christ Joe, everybody can’t be a prick!’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PEH5QJMPRFI5OHDWO2T5Q3GMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218653},"content":"This is not to say that Canning’s book is a whingefest or an exercise in score-settling. It’s not that at all. The picture of Canning that emerges from his autobiography is of a man who has always known that his talent would mean finding an accommodation with the outside world – and one whose instinct is to feel uneasy about striking that bargain.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HOJQHVQGOJFMVJKACDW6K67CZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218654},"content":"Consequently, there is a sometimes contradictory sense about him. He has always battled to retain his own privacy and to keep his head generally down. But at the same time, he’s not one bit shy about loading up both barrels and picking off targets when he feels the need.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HH7WMH7WVNDHDGUMFTAKLODTBI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218655},"content":"Ger Loughnane gets a clip or two unloaded on him here, various clubs and county board members in Galway as well. Even Micheál Donoghue and his backroom, the men with whom Canning won his All-Ireland – catch a few strays in the book’s closing chapter, on account of them taking over Dublin and coaching against Galway in the championship.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L2XX2H5S4FEJ3B5TMJXDTV7C3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218656},"content":"Expertly put together along with Vincent Hogan, the picture of Canning that comes out of the book is someone who got everything out of his hurling career while staying true to himself along the way. That was never a given.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KKEKOL5G4BB2XAYBNBHGCG4WJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218657},"content":"<u><b>Whatever It Takes by Richie Hogan and Fintan O’Toole (Gill Books, €21.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"BQLLHPV6NNANXINX2BJEOYOQOE","additional_properties":{"_id":"4LOINULKFBD6RGPQXXTKLBAM6Y"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"L54HZ2YG5ZGLJJDLPTZP6MDQCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218658},"content":"Richie Hogan doesn’t have a lot of time for waffle or flannel or even really shades of grey. Right throughout this pacy, enjoyable autobiography that he has written with the help of Fintan O’Toole of The 42, Hogan is at all times admirably straightforward. You prepare, you hurl, you win or you lose. You go again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WHYSCQA5EJGTPIDT2TWJKWAGQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218659},"content":"That’s why it feels such a betrayal towards the end of his years with Kilkenny when, after a few dire seasons with injury, he is back fit and firing but can’t get on the pitch. It doesn’t seem to matter that he is lighting up training – Brian Cody and his management can’t be convinced he’ll last the pace. Hogan has it out with Cody – he eventually gets on for the last 10 minutes of the 2022 final and scores his last ever point in Croke Park.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WAVANMH26VEPZDFE6ICQBBKENM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218660},"content":"That Hogan’s back dogged him throughout the second half of his career will come as surprise to nobody. But the extent of it and the lengths he had to go to in order to be able to train and play is jaw-dropping at times. His back spasms have left him lying on the ground in the middle of the street or panned out on the cold floor of a dressingroom toilet, just to be able to get in position for throw-in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"W2OYPRFKDJAEPI5ZBNV5UJ5FLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218661},"content":"His relationship with Cody is fascinating. He’s not shy about expressing his frustration that Kilkenny never developed along with the game’s tactical changes and confronts the Kilkenny boss on a few occasions in the book with the sort of candour that others would have baulked at.","type":"text"},{"_id":"C7NPDEUMFJBQ7ITPC3ALMVMHQI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218662},"content":"Throw in some very funny moments – Cha Fitzpatrick’s Cancún adventures would make for a screenplay in and of themselves – and it’s a highly entertaining addition to the Kilkenny canon.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6OS7IWXRM5H65NKAATNWOOTQCM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218663},"content":"<u><b>States Of Play by Miguel Delaney (Seven Dials, €15.99)</b></u>","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNPGCL2IWFA5LABBT76UYAW2S4","additional_properties":{"_id":"GPTVHHATINC23NQXEE6XIEVTUU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RUEBPOSWDBEKZOQWSC6G6J3ATI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218664},"content":"The boiling frog analogy can feel a little overplayed these days but sometimes needs must. The hijacking of professional football by corporate greed and state-aided finance has been such a gradual process that it can often be difficult to assess exactly where we stand with it all. That’s what makes a book like this so necessary.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YF26YOBFQBG3TKQJPW5M34E5HE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218665},"content":"Miguel Delaney is the chief football writer for the Independent in London and his book is an exhaustive account of how the game got itself into state it’s in. It charts the rise of uber-capitalism within soccer, initially in England but throughout Europe and the world as well. The changes over the past 30 years, from the setting up of the Premier League to the involvement of nation states are all in here, expertly gathered into a coherent timeline.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CMLAUX6N65E4DA47NMPIGNOALM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218666},"content":"How Sportswashing Took Over Football is the subtitle but it feels like the term is there as a hook, rather than the whole. While the story of the involvement of the oil nations of Middle East is told here in great detail, it’s only one part of the overall disaster. Football was never meant to be about geopolitics and yet here we are.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSQNGCJAEJFHXN7TAZRKRCT5XE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218667},"content":"“There can sadly be no illusions about [football’s] role in the 21st century,” Delaney writes towards the end. “It has been a force for autocracy, populism, vested interests, commercialism, hyper-capitalism, ultra-liberalism, the fragmentation of the working classes, the overclass, culture wars, tribalism, soft power and hard power ... It doesn’t need to be like this, though.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AIVNU2IMDJCXZLGRSZTMLVL3XI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218668},"content":"Football needs this book to be read and heard. Part-investigation, part-primal scream, it’s a monumental piece of sports journalism.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Rest</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"EADASPVDK5HTLAHNM5MFCWVTOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218671},"content":"With integration (apparently) coming down the tracks, the 50th anniversary of the founding of the LGFA is as good a time as any for <b>Unladylike by Hayley Kilgallon (New Island, €23.99) </b>to hit the shelves. An in-depth history of women’s Gaelic football, it is rich in detail and beautifully illustrated.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QNGV2XL2TVFT5F2VTYOTAFE3KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218672},"content":"On a completely different historical plane is <b>Lost Gaels by Peadar Thompson (Merrion, €28.99)</b>. A meticulous and heartfelt work, it is a collection of accounts of the lives of GAA members who died during the Troubles. Like all matters to do with the conflict, it is a complex book about which readers are entitled to have mixed feelings. A vital slice of oral history, all the same.","type":"text"},{"_id":"STFALYRARZCUDCPRBPHHETRJF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218673},"content":"Two other GAA books are worth a look. <b>The Epic Origins of Hurling by Joeys Alumni (MCH, €32.00)</b> is a translation of scholarly Irish work done by Brother Liam Ó Cathnia of St Joseph’s in Fairview, Dublin in the 1980s, tracing the initial stirrings of the game back in the 1700s. And <b>Our Finest Hour by Edwin McGreal (Mayo Books, €28.00)</b> is a phenomenal collection of yarns gathered in across every club in Mayo (47 football and five hurling), each telling the story of the greatest day in their history.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WZVXNKQIIRHP7GPYKMVL7MT6GM","additional_properties":{"_id":"RH2WQ5MOARFIBIRYGEWIJKMEGY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RDNSCO3AERE23DNPMD3QYJ3G4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218674},"content":"On the soccer front, <b>Munichs by David Peace (Faber & Faber, €23.20)</b> is a fictional retelling of the 1958 Munich air crash and its aftermath. Epic in scale and depth, it has been gloriously reviewed in most quarters. Turning real life into a novel isn’t to everyone’s taste – and Peace’s insistence on repetition as a writing flourish can be a bit grating at times. But there’s no denying his sincerity in honouring the men who were lost.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QUUHWDOOOJHVJFJ747TTJ5CVIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218675},"content":"Elsewhere, two titans of the TV football game have books out. <b>The Hamilton Notes by George Hamilton (Merrion, €22.99)</b> is the great commentator’s follow-up to his 2021 memoir. His sunny, warm character shines through a collection of travelogues, anecdotes and recollections.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HF53VK64FNEQPE5ELICDDWXPH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218676},"content":"In a similar vein, <b>Saturday Afternoon Fever by Jeff Stelling (Headline, €15.99)</b> is a delightful jaunt through the Sky presenter’s career and if the yarns maybe aren’t always as funny as Stelling himself imagines, there’s more than enough of them to keep the whole show rolling along.","type":"text"},{"_id":"53XDJHKRHZBNFDSTU4IRTX6PNU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218677},"content":"This being the 150th year of the IRFU’s existence, a couple of timely skips through history have hit the shelves. <b>Blood And Thunder by Liam O’Callaghan (Penguin, €22.99)</b> is the livelier of them, a deeply-researched social history of the game in Ireland that isn’t afraid to poke at the stuffed shirts that have run the game over the years. <b>Together Standing Tall by John Scally (Gill, €27.99)</b> is a more official affair, an oral history covering the games and players from down the decades.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KFFJ4INJNRFUPAKB7GDWKML2FI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218678},"content":"Next, two very different autobiographies by two very different Irish sports personalities. <b>Bend, Don’t Break by Frank O’Mara (O’Brien, €17.99)</b> is the former middle-distance runner’s story of his fight with Parkinson’s disease. Though it’s a bracing, uncomfortable read at times, you are left in total admiration for O’Mara in his battle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DOWBQ6EF2VGJFKM7RESFYN7Z3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218679},"content":"Davy Russell hasn’t faced serious illness but like most jockeys he’s had no shortage of injury to overcome down the years. They’re a feature of <b>My Autobiography by Davy Russell and Donn McClean (Eriu, €22.00)</b>, along with the people he’s fallen in with and out with over the course of a long career. Russell has always been one of the most interesting jockeys in the weigh room and the sense you get here is that he leaves it with very few regrets.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2VVTPGKIE5BPBGZTXTIYBBFRLM","additional_properties":{"_id":"GTGG5KL36JCYBONA6PV5SI3YTU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SP36BI3MGZA2XJZBTGECWBZ2YY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218680},"content":"To finish, some books that are mercifully NOT autobiographies. <b>Death Of A Boxer by Pete Carvill (Biteback, €23.20)</b> is not quite This Bloody Mary Is The Last Thing I Own but it’s fishing in similar waters to Jonathan Rendall’s 1997 classic. Carvill interrogates boxing and specifically he goes rooting around in the psyche of those who get into the ring, even though they know it can end in their death. Even if it’s a little disjointed at times, it’s always thoughtful and always probing, chasing the elusive why.","type":"text"},{"_id":"77IJR6ZO3VDGXF4YNAVEH4OVRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218681},"content":"<b>A Farewell To The Fairways by Dermot Gilleece (Red Stripe Press, €19.99)</b> is a gorgeous sign-off from the doyen of Irish golf writers. Gilleece graced the pages of just about every paper in town over the course of six decades and this is his reflection on it all. The words are exacting and precise now as they ever were, needless to say.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CMJRM72JIBC7TDKAAWFWLXULAQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218682},"content":"On which note, <b>The Year’s Best Sports Writing 2024 edited by Jane McManus (Triumph Books, €24.00)</b> isn’t to be missed. Get it for the Sally Jenkins masterpiece on Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert – Bitter Rivals. Beloved Friends. Survivors – which genuinely worth the cover price all by itself.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTKY4SVQHJDGLFBENPT66TYHQ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218637},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>The Kids</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HSCMGTWYTJBNXHVKXVGVVOUYAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218685},"content":"Never has there been a greater spread of sports books aimed at young people, from illustrated histories to biographies to YA novels and beyond. <b>The Story of Irish Rugby by Gerard Siggins (O’Brien, €19.99)</b> is the perfect primer for a young person just getting into the game, artfully written by Siggins, author of the popular Rugby Spirit series. Beautifully illustrated by Graham Corcoran, it’s a must for any rugby mad youngster.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MLRSKZ6KWNGQDJKXNCXOGKDOPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218686},"content":"<b>Ireland’s Call by Paul O’Flynn (Gill, €14.99) </b>is a lightly fictionalised retelling of the 2024 Grand Slam, aimed at the 8-11 year-old age range. It keeps to the general story of the Six Nations campaign and scatters a few imagined conversation between players and coaches throughout.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M5XFAKKDRNCR7DGYXYMDFOR6ZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732877218687},"content":"And for younger readers – or older ones who want to read to them – <b>‘Twas The Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue (O’Brien, €16.99)</b> is a lot of fun. A reworking of the most famous Christmas poem of them all, it’s set in Croke Park and illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald. Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"Johnny Sexon, Joe Canning and Richie Hogan all have highly readable offerings and Miguel Delaney’s book on the hijacking of modern football is not to be missed"},"display_date":"2024-11-30T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Sports Books of the Year: Conor Niland’s The Racket the best in a year dominated by autobiographies","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"HSQIAFL7CBDJFPMAUYCWFBEUM4","auth":{"1":"57955f1488272f7f96f48ea653fd839cbf4942161db89faa479143c41e53601b"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/HSQIAFL7CBDJFPMAUYCWFBEUM4.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/tennis/2024/11/30/conor-nilands-the-racket-is-the-best-sports-book-in-a-year-dominated-by-autobiographies/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/tennis","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Tennis"}}}},{"_id":"G24KP7LDSBBO5JUOTBJYYSDF3M","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":829,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/539f9165-1a54-4053-b528-c104d7e5c49d/versions/1732272511/media/e2cf7ae506a15e6ba525b76df89c757e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/23/the-bird-shaped-obsession-that-drives-james-crombie-one-of-irelands-best-sports-photographers/","content_elements":[{"_id":"WPTQVDNLEZCPJJVT7A6GYB3NZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571234},"content":"James Crombie knew nothing about birds when this all started. Couldn’t have told you a starling from a swallow. When a friend told him he should take some pictures of the murmurations around Lough Ennell, his first job was to go away and google what the hell a murmuration was.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YDXBPRGVFBHPJP5NM7MIMKUTKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571235},"content":"That was four years ago. Ireland was in the maw of the pandemic and the normal run of his day job as a sports photographer had slowed to a crawl. He was looking for something to divert himself and also to distract his buddy, who had recently been through a family tragedy. And so began, in December 2020, a project that would produce the most famous photograph he is ever likely to take.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7YHHZAMPCNB43OVG4KHQMIXGPA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571236},"content":"Crombie’s astonishing bird-shaped murmuration didn’t just go viral, it went global. It appeared first on the front page of The Irish Times on March 4th, 2021 and from there, it went everywhere. To parts known and unknown – National Geographic, CNN, The New Scientist, everywhere else.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KZNPGYDFNBHR5PGRKXD4HZYCOI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2LWP7EWSTFATFKEGLSXGGOGWIY"},"content":"Lough Ennell murmurations seen on video just as James Crombie captures the famous photo","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"I3REI6Z5INC7FAQZQGTK4ZF2KQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571238},"content":"“In the three years since I took it, I’d say not a day goes by without someone mentioning it to me,” Crombie says. “I’ve taken pictures since then that I personally think are better but they will never get the attention that that picture got. I go to the UK and run into photographers over there and they go, ‘Here’s the Bird Man’. Every weekend, it happens somewhere.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZKGCAZR765DNBEXXXWW25XDJUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571239},"content":"“Which is fine and great – it’s not as if I’m hiding from it. I’m publishing a fecking book off the back of it! But it is funny trying to live up to it. And I don’t think I ever will or ever can, really. I spent the year after I took it half-annoyed because I was going, ‘How am I going to get the next thing that causes that sort of reaction?’ I felt this pressure to deliver something else as good as it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6OAGE3QJUJATZILFW5VIH2KU6U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571240},"content":"But as everyone who ever did anything good knows, reaction is an unstable pleasure. It’s a dopamine hit. It doesn’t last and it can’t be why you do it. Crombie took The Bird photo on his 50th night going to Lough Ennell. He kept going back for another 250 nights over the following three years. Why?","type":"text"},{"_id":"3PI6MUVQPKXVYUPQAJVZYBHDVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"2L4SUKSP55C7NCO4QYRJJJESQ4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"JT3P5DQV3ZHVFAYL6VEZ54664U","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571241},"content":"Well, he did it because it became a way to spend time with his friend. He did it because he made another friend, a local farmer, along the way and the three of them became ever so slightly obsessed with these birds. He did it because it was a change of pace too, because there’s only so many kicks you can get from the rolling schedule of live matches.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BDFEAKMND5CZ5OQW4VSOMRWKJA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571242},"content":"“It’s funny because I get completely consumed by sport. Last weekend I was at the Aviva and there were 50,000 rugby fans there. And then I was in Twickenham with 82,000 people and then I was in Cardiff with 52,000 people. So at the weekend, I worked in front of nearly 200,000 people.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XPKJFAWRRDQPMCKCVLSQBNZYU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571243},"content":"“And then on the Tuesday night I went to the lake where there was nobody. It was quiet and peaceful and I just thought, I love the contrast in that. I kind of need that as well. Because you go from game to game, they often just become the same thing at a different venue. I’m as mad into it as I ever was but I know it’s not possible to produce amazing photographs from every event you go to. I know that sometimes you do a match in cruise control.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FIMLZ7OPJG2RJDZ2VLCCRFNZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571244},"content":"“So to go down to the lake and just be there, knowing that nobody is going to care what I produce or if I don’t produce anything, I like that. I’m there on my own, I’m not on the phone, there’s no pressure.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JLGWYMQDGZD6LCL7BWRZWIBX3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571245},"content":"Crombie has won plenty of awards down the years, twice taking the overall PPI Photographer of the Year gong. And yet, much like with the starlings, he ended up being a snapper almost by happenstance. He did an aptitude test in secondary school and somehow the career guidance answer that came back said he should be a fishmonger. He ended up in IT and went to London for three years, working in a bank. That was never going to be it, either.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5SNCONO2LVHJY4RC7QVZUAJAUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"5PGTKKJSEZFXJMJDMSLUFIRGNA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CCDEAOW35FEXNFL7ZOXPZ3IXQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571246},"content":"All the while, he was interested in photography, as a hobby as much as anything. He came back to Ireland and tootled about in a couple of other jobs for a while until a chance came along to take part in a reality TV series called No Experience Required. The idea was that various companies – among them the Inpho sports photography agency – would audition people who had never worked in a particular area before and at the end, take them on to the staff for six months.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HT73SWP3MNGIFODXJTSM5TW7KA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571247},"content":"“I always joke with Billy [Stickland, founder of Inpho] that if I hadn’t won that show, I’d be earning 300 grand a year now and have a second villa down in Spain. But no, I chose sport and photography instead. And it’s been amazing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"J63UGHRMHZG4NMYDLHGSYMRQ5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571248},"content":"“I would say it took me 10 years to get comfortable with it. I was obsessed from the start. For most of that first six months, I was sitting in the office obsessed with how the other lads were cropping pictures, obsessed with settings, obsessed with the equipment. Eventually, near the end, one of them said to me, ‘Here, are you not going to go out and take any pictures? They won’t keep you on if you don’t.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"O5Y6JHVT7RHR5LEM2E4HGFT7EA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571249},"content":"“It nearly hadn’t occurred to me that I could go out and take them, weird as that sounds. I half-thought I had to stay in the office. So I went out every night to a different football match – Dublin championship, intermediate games, junior games, down to Wicklow for more games then. I still have those pictures and they’re brutal. But that’s how it started.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2WBDUKYNAZFAVGKTUWNKKOY7SI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571250},"content":"The bulk of the job is matches. Rugby, soccer, hurling, football, wash, rinse, repeat. He brings an analogue radio with him to every match – digital radio commentary is always about 40 seconds behind the action. It means that he can be looking around during a game, staying engaged but still able to find pictures away from the pitch.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5Z5KWLJQGVFRBLH3ABMB27QFNM","additional_properties":{"_id":"4WK5YTBCLJBCXPOVFBWEBPZUAQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SX3G4MQSENFHPDC6JHRXIALT7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571251},"content":"“I think you need to keep some element of nervousness when you go to games. You don’t want to be too comfortable. If Dublin or Limerick are attacking in the last play of an All-Ireland final, your nerves have to be high because you don’t want to miss the shot.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M56DQVFNCZHSRFV5WIXMY3L5VE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571252},"content":"“I remember this year with Clare and Cork in the All-Ireland final, the Clare guy pulled the Cork guy’s jersey – I got a great shot of it. The jersey is nearly off him. I really thought, ‘How is that not a free?’ This is going to be the pivotal shot. And it didn’t become the pivotal shot because the free wasn’t given.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7HYUXRLKBE5TL3ANMYUONBF6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571253},"content":"“Those last shots are where you have to be nervous. I’d say something like that happens maybe 10 times in a year. You know it, you can feel it in the stadium, the last play is so important and you don’t want to mess it up. You need that little bit of edge.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GINBGRWVKZCDHFL25TXYHDGOKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571254},"content":"The murmuration project was entirely without edge, of course. Which was kind of the point. Crombie is married to Ann – they’ve been together since they were teenagers and have four kids. Having a day job that takes him away at weekends and sometimes for weeks at a time is bad enough. Heading off to hang out with a couple of thousand starlings for 300 nights over four years requires a fair bit of understanding on the home front.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OFBPU25H6VBFRCA6OWVP4DLRZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571255},"content":"“I would definitely say it’s selfish on my part. I’m gone a lot with sport in the first place. And then to find another reason to be away, it’s a lot. But I met my wife when we were 17. We know each other that long. She manages me, as much as people would have managed Paul McGrath back in the day. Occasionally she’ll say, ‘Right, cop on here.’ But she knows me better than anyone.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2O726S5CQRCTRLICMWPKWS6ZJE","additional_properties":{"_id":"RGDSYRHTXJA5VPGTIHHQ76YMGQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"UTPUWOGV4NBT5DTXS2YT3K7MKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571256},"content":"When the book arrived a couple of weeks back, Crombie’s initial reaction surprised him a little. Delighted and all as he is with it, he couldn’t help being sad at the whole thing coming to an end. Or at least an end of sorts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TAFXVJWI45FQNG2NYRHSGNLDLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571257},"content":"The starlings have been coming to Lough Ennell to roost in winter for as far back as anyone can remember. It’s about half an hour’s drive from his house. He’ll never not be able to head out with his camera to shoot them. Will he ever snap another picture like the one he did three years ago? Probably not. Will he ever stop being asked about it. Equally probably not.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PRS4ORNROZAGLOCVHHYO6KOT7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571258},"content":"One answer that has never been properly nailed down is the why of it. Why did those thousands of starlings form themselves into the shape of a bird of prey that evening in April 2021? Murmurations are for protection, that much is well known. But why that particular shape for that particular millisecond? Pure coincidence? Or something deeper?","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRV42PVP3FBF7HLACXOQJPLKJA","additional_properties":{"_id":"GCCIAYMVNBBKZKOJJ6FOXMYT3A"},"content":"How Ireland won relay gold in June 2024: Ten photographs that tell the story of a golden night for Irish athletics","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6YJALFHY3FCFNI2V6EIM5ISCNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571259},"content":"“I’d like to think it’s something deeper,” Crombie says. “There was another shape that looked like a water wren that same night, within three or four minutes of the one I got. But I’m pretty sure it’s just by chance. I’ve had comments over the years saying it’s a sign of the end of the world, praising Allah, praising God, whatever else. I don’t know.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZBH6HLWSENCPVC3FO7YGWPMCNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571260},"content":"“I don’t think they did it on purpose. If I was standing at a slightly different angle, it wouldn’t have looked like a bird. We just happened to be at the exact perfect angle. So I don’t know. It was probably just pure chance.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5GFT2JUJNVFYZP2SKHN6ERPVSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571261},"content":"♦ <i>Murmurations by James Crombie is published by Lilliput Press</i>","type":"text"},{"_id":"QPPNCSYXZJCMJJMHPPFHFGBFBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571263},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><u><b>The art of sports photography: How It Works</b></u></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WAK347OGJ5H2LOGAVRX6YNAKLU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571264},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Fionn McGivern (2) watches Kilkenny v Clare, July 2023</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"C3ZS43T4DFGZVJL7NZT2UAMP7I","additional_properties":{"_id":"TANYOHGPHZGN7HFGMJIPNK5ZK4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GY6OIZLS5VAUJJDU7OTXJSORCE","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571265},"content":"I was watching this little kid for about seven or eight minutes while the game was going on. I was very relaxed that day. I was looking for something different and I remember spotting that little kid out of the corner of my eye. I had the game going on in my little analogue radio so I knew I could turn and get anything if I needed to.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQXRS2RJTVF5NMEXUWDDZRMD5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571266},"content":"But this little lad was just there and I followed him for about seven or eight minutes, maybe nine. Just waiting for him to get into that perfect stance, the way he is in the shot. I got a great buzz out of it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T6RVSHG7E5CHTGM65P6ZFZSXJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571267},"content":"The kid was from Antrim. His parents were massive Kilkenny fans. They were down for the game. Somebody found them afterwards and did a story on them and they ended up getting tickets for the final because of it. The kid ended up being interviewed on Kilkenny radio. That one was good fun.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TERUBBZQXBBW5OJGWMT7TATVMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571268},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Supporter at Covid-era club championship match, September 2020</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"WKYH26EULJC53CBW5ZMXK5X7DQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"7DJA2QWJBRBK5DUT6ZA6FBTSDM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ZPRHSIW7UZBHRLWTFZ5TIZJZUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571269},"content":"Sport had just started back but no crowds were allowed at games yet. This was a Roscommon semi-final between St Brigid’s and Boyle. I was taking pictures of it when I saw this head poking up over the wall behind the goal. So I said I’d go out and have a look.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OGSLXOEIQFCPTPTRDCXSFC5Z6Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571270},"content":"I got out into this graveyard behind Dr Hyde Park. This guy had carried his ladder all the way through the graveyard and propped it up. I didn’t want to disturb him in case he fell off so I took a few snaps and happened to get this one just as Boyle scored.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SWVPBHFZUFGJRNZHRQRS54QIIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571271},"content":"I went over to him then and asked could I publish the photo. “Oh Jesus no,” he said. “I’m not supposed to be here.” There were still restrictions at that stage on how far from your house you were allowed to go. But I said I wouldn’t use his name and would only show him from the back so he was okay with it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7MJDUH5N6FDD3IWQ4VG52CWUQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571272},"content":"A few weeks later, his daughter got on to me and asked could she get the original. Apparently it went viral and everyone recognised him. He ended up doing a two-page spread in the Roscommon Herald.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JUQWNP6PJVGELOVE3YBLGZB4PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571273},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Connacht bench at a Challenge Cup game in Siberia, January 2016</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"OU3RZX3H5VFNPJ345V6ZT5KFK4","additional_properties":{"_id":"BOQMHUSUFVAD3LPVGMOXNYIVAM"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AFPKXQKOWRFEFOGF62HR3CMJMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571274},"content":"This was a mad adventure. Enisei-STM were the first Russian club to play in the Challenge Cup and Connacht went to Siberia for the game. We were told there could be up to 30,000 at it – we turned up and there were about 400 there. It was the coldest I’ve ever been, the harshest conditions I’ve ever seen a match be played in.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3T2VO6K5ENF6DN4MCXLU5LLDRI","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571275},"content":"I had about a dozen layers on me and I was still frozen solid. I saw the Connacht bench from the far side of the pitch but it took me about 10 minutes to walk around because I nearly seized up with the cold. They had blankets and hot water bottles and hot chocolates for when they came off the pitch.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XLAHJY22SZAXDDO3E25X46IWSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1732207571276},"content":"It took us about a week to get home. The charter plane Connacht had hired hadn’t moved for four days and was completely frozen solid when we got back to it. So we had no way of getting out of there. By the time we did, our five-day visas had run out. We had to fly to Moscow to get our visas renewed just to leave the country. Players got processed first, officials next. I’d say I was pretty much the last one out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"It started as a pandemic distraction but ended up producing probably the most famous photo the Westmeath man will ever take - the murmuration that went around the world"},"display_date":"2024-11-23T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The bird-shaped obsession that drives James Crombie, one of Ireland’s best sports photographers ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","auth":{"1":"9c9585a82889598a9b724aeaa7c117136eb5fae92b5527345c4515158f27bbc0"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI.jpg"},"lead_art":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","type":"image"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI","auth":{"1":"9c9585a82889598a9b724aeaa7c117136eb5fae92b5527345c4515158f27bbc0"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/XRDS27Z7URWUAPI5LG2H6L7FUI.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Racing"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Soccer"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/23/the-bird-shaped-obsession-that-drives-james-crombie-one-of-irelands-best-sports-photographers/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Gaelic Games"}}}},{"_id":"RTTPKAET2RA3RAEJJOBRZPMM3U","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":509,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/ac159224-ed65-4212-a342-0c5ba9f8cc46/versions/1731685733/media/7e87a8d229f8a1772794aa25af075030_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/11/16/lara-gillespie-climbing-the-cycling-ranks-and-finding-that-extra-gear-despite-adversity/","content_elements":[{"_id":"O2W2NNLT3BA5PEBKTBE54YLPJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731616006400},"content":"<b>The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman Award for October: </b><a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/lara-gillespie/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Lara Gillespie </b></a><b>(Cycling)</b>","type":"header"},{"_id":"SZI663E57FC4BBPKDKPHCOSXOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731060},"content":"Being tough on yourself is, no doubt, a basic requirement for athletes competing at the elite level of sport, just so they keep pushing to squeeze every last drop of potential out of themselves. Lara Gillespie can take it to whole new heights, though.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DP4KL3OYXJCEXA2SI4FUWAVJRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731061},"content":"You note how emotional she appeared to be after <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/\" target=\"_blank\">winning bronze at the Track World Championships in Denmark last month</a>. So you ask if that was because she was thinking back to the dark days when even being able to cycle again seemed improbable, never mind winning world medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P7P5PG3HVRBEJDRCEMSZREKSBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731062},"content":"“No. My only emotion that day was annoyance that I didn’t win. I definitely wasn’t thinking, ‘oh, that was amazing’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"S3JB22NY3JFJJJXAUQUQFRHK2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731063},"content":"Ah, Lara.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5CYWOSAPDBF4BFWDWWTERMGXNI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731064},"content":"She laughs. “I am hard on myself, yeah, but I think every athlete does have a bit of that in them. And I think that’s how you keep getting better.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OWHNOFS6XBAPXGJCGHIXCYFSBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731065},"content":"It’s a fair indication of how much the 23-year-old has gone through the last few years that she describes breaking her shoulder a couple of weeks out from the Olympics as “a bit unfortunate”. For most, it would have been a calamity, for Gillespie it was just another hiccup on her journey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NC7LTETKWJH5DIDXIMC656OX5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731066},"content":"After the year she’s enjoyed, she probably deserves to be spared yet more questions about all her health and injury battles, but they put in context the measure of her achievements through 2024, on both the road and track, and demonstrate just how much of the warrior there is about this Wicklow native.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZNDXWOJF5ANNG2UIVLMGJW43E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731067},"content":"The gist: A debilitating gynaecological condition that eventually needed surgery, glandular fever, a torn hamstring, a dislocated collarbone, that broken shoulder, sundry injuries from crashes, and, just to cap it all, Covid as she was shaping up for her Olympic debut.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JSIVYNA3UFFYPL7MLPKORWH4SA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731068},"content":"So, after being annoyed with herself in Denmark for finishing just four points behind gold medallist Julie Leth and only one behind the superstar that is Lotte Kopecky, she reflected on her path to that podium and gave herself a break. A brief one, any way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B4CEM3XHCRFD7CPPS3CD4YAKS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731069},"content":"“Yeah, I do feel proud about getting through all the hard days, and I’m endlessly grateful to the people who helped me along the way. When I was sick back in 2020 and 2021, I couldn’t even get out of bed, that’s how mentally draining it was. Sport is my life, it’s what makes me feel good, so when I’m not able to do it, it’s really, really hard on my brain, my nervous system, my whole body.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L3ZAAMIMZFAQXP5QRU2M23OE7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731070},"content":"“And there was definitely a period when I really didn’t think I’d ever be racing again, so there’s not one day that goes by when I’m not grateful to be back on the bike. Everyone experiences hard times, though, but once things start going good again, you kind of forget about them. But yeah, I really overcame a lot of obstacles, so 2024 was quite a big step considering I’ve only been healthy for a year or two.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MA6LDSOQMFDMLOVUFMLDGE3IX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731071},"content":"She was, she says, able to put the “disruptions” to her career “to bed” last year, but you’d need a supplement to detail the highlights of 2024 — among them: <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/04/23/lara-gillespie-takes-biggest-road-race-success-of-career-with-italian-win/\" target=\"_blank\">winning two stages plus the general classification in the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa</a> in April, sprinting to victory in the Antwerp Port Epic race in May, being part of the first Irish team pursuit squad to qualify for the Olympic Games, smashing the national record en route to a ninth place finish, and being <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2024/06/06/lara-gillespie-inks-first-worldtour-contract-in-major-career-boost/\" target=\"_blank\">given a contract by UAE Team ADQ which saw her step up to WorldTour level </a>in June. And then there was Denmark.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PVMTADI77BG7TK5LR35RWTIWB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731072},"content":"“It was a dynamic year, but I absolutely loved every moment of it. I wasn’t just participating, I was actually able to compete at the highest level and I felt like I learned so much. My bronze in Denmark was definitely my big peak of the year, it was incredible to be in the top three in the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YJYG24ZSNFFT7JTUUQGFOULVJU","subtype":"instagram","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"MK32O6TO4NG3REC64S6UKZWIBA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731073},"content":"“But I was so proud to be part of that Olympic team too, the four of us traipsed around the world trying to qualify, and for us to achieve that, when we can’t even train at home, was something special.” That velodrome in Abbotstown can’t be built quickly enough.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ETKEU3TZNVGEFFSWPIZ72P64HI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731074},"content":"Needless to say, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2024/08/12/irelands-olympics-were-emotional-deeply-achingly-and-beautifully-so/\" target=\"_blank\">she was hard on herself after her fifth, 10th and 11th placings in her various Olympic events</a>, but she was hardly off the bike when she had Los Angeles 2028 on her mind. Before then, though, she has a jammed schedule, starting with the UCI Track Champions League — “basically like the Diamond League in athletics” — which gets under way on November 23rd. This is why she’s in Spain this week doing some personal training, rather than being back home in Wicklow relaxing after a hectic year. Cycling is unrelenting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HR444YNX2FDC7DI7767MR4CGSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731075},"content":"But after a hugely successful junior career, at European and World levels, Gillespie is savouring the chance that has finally come to realise her potential in the senior ranks, her signing with ADQ opening up a whole new world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PYDJB6UHZZCTFFNHDOEWYSD7JM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731076},"content":"“That was massive for me, you can’t get any higher than that. I’m so excited to be a part of it because every single rider on the team is a champion in their own right. It’s a whole new chapter of discovering what suits me [and] what type of rider I am. I’m learning a lot about myself and other people are learning maybe not to put me in a box.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DLZQRC4GTZCTJPGAPVOILNIACM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731077},"content":"“A lot of times this year I surprised myself, and my coaches too. They only thought I was a sprinter or a track rider, and then I would do a big 40km solo breakaway and they’re like, ‘woah, where did that come from?’","type":"text"},{"_id":"CRH4YDJZWNBHZCPKS6IDLVSOJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731078},"content":"“So yeah, I’m learning about myself, what I can be. And I always think I can be the best. That’s just my nature. Every athlete should go into every race thinking they can win — otherwise, what’s the point? Maybe that’s why I’m so hard on myself because I know that’s where I can be: winning.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZRBCIRNM6FWD6XGYSAKQRZLHBI","additional_properties":{"_id":"2MIGHCRE5VCJXFXUL53MZ6XTCU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"FFLSXQENYNFJPBKDJNVFO7MG5I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731079},"content":"A German connection is helping. Not least in transporting her bikes and all her worldly possessions when she’s travelling the circuit. “Yeah, 99.9 per cent of the time I’m living out of a suitcase, I don’t have a home base, I’m moving from training camp to race, training camp to race, to race, to race, it’s life on the road. And I love it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MPSWEF4O3VDRTKAEIB65GLLMEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731080},"content":"“My boyfriend, Luca Spiegel, is German, he’s an elite cyclist too, and dating a cyclist works out really well because you’re not feeling bad for being away the whole time — he understands. We both got to experience the Olympics and the Worlds together, so that was really special. And it also helps because the German team transported some of my bikes and stuff to the Worlds so, logistically, that helped a lot.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BHDXGVXOVBL3HEDP4GZD4YEGI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731081},"content":"No regrets about giving up ballet, Irish dancing, football, hockey, athletics and swimming? “Ha, no. But I do miss them sometimes, I miss that proper team environment. Although I got those feelings back in Abu Dhabi a couple [of] weeks ago with ADQ, it was really cool because you could feel a team click.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DT7IO5WLIRHJXGA5FGUY25BTRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731082},"content":"“I still do a little bit of dancing, it makes me feel good, and I have a little jog here and there. I’ll go back to them someday, maybe when I’m a mom, but for now it’s cycling.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"AN67PP5JU5CFPDYBGM5DN6N4LE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731611731083},"content":"<b>Previous monthly winners</b> — <b>December</b>: Fionnuala McCormack (Athletics); <b>January</b>: Lucy Mulhall (Rugby); <b>February</b>: Mona McSharry (Swimming); <b>March</b>: Rachael Blackmore (Horse racing); <b>April</b>: Róisín Ní Riain (Swimming); <b>May</b>: Rhasidat Adeleke (Athletics); <b>June</b>: Ciara Mageean (Athletics); <b>July</b>: Kellie Harrington (Boxing); <b>August</b>: Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh (Gaelic football); <b>September</b>: Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly (Paracycling).","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"‘I am hard myself ... but I think every athlete does have a bit of that in them. And I think that’s how you keep getting better’"},"display_date":"2024-11-16T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Lara Gillespie climbing the cycling ranks and finding that extra gear despite adversity ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ITAFFOSACMG5SZEDORWRPM6UOQ","auth":{"1":"f9832386002c528d0adebacc429a2b65866318ce0ce4b9db571655dcde407d10"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ITAFFOSACMG5SZEDORWRPM6UOQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/11/16/lara-gillespie-climbing-the-cycling-ranks-and-finding-that-extra-gear-despite-adversity/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"ZGZ56D2JSRENJDJREYIZVEK7WE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":349,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/16696ad1-8eff-4f00-bfdf-8cc343ad1719/versions/1731088520/media/feef627c9fad19f465477a19413265f3_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PNBY4Q6DTBCQBLUF2BT4F7NMZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806368},"content":"Just because you live in the Dublin Mountains doesn’t mean you’re far enough away from hearing any of the rumours coming down from <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/donegal-gaa/\" target=\"_blank\">Donegal</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7TYEKJLW4ZGHXBYTX77EQZ3LXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806369},"content":"As a matter of fact, a close neighbour with strong ties in the highlands reliably informed me a few weeks ago that <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/michael-murphy/\" target=\"_blank\">Michael Murphy </a>was unquestionably still playing the best club football in Donegal, and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/author/jim-mcguinness/\" target=\"_blank\">Jim McGuinness </a>will have him back next year, just wait and see.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z7RDAC3NKZBMDMQA3Y2WCLQWJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806370},"content":"The problem with any of these sporting comeback rumours is that there’s no knowing the exact source. What is certain in Murphy’s case is that he was done with intercounty football, announcing his retirement this time two years ago at age 33 and building a wall of reasons — including starting a <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/10/17/michael-murphy-played-well-gaa-football-is-as-good-as-any-game-in-the-world-we-set-out-to-improve-its-chances/\" target=\"_blank\">popular column with news organisation </a>— as to why he wouldn’t be changing his mind on that. Forget about it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JVRWOKPPUFBGNKVE376YLC3B5A","additional_properties":{"_id":"57KKULA4JNF4NJF3OXRBQI6ZII"},"content":"Michael Murphy ends intercounty retirement to rejoin Donegal footballers","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"Z5BZNVEBB5D5XH3NUZ6XTAIG6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781987},"content":"So when the Donegal county board announced on Wednesday that they were <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/06/michael-murphy-ends-intercounty-retirement-to-rejoin-donegal-footballers/\" target=\"_blank\">“happy to confirm the return of All-Ireland winning captain Michael Murphy to the Donegal squad for the 2025 season”</a>, well that had the famous McGuinness power of persuasion written all over it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NLKY4VDCWBC6DGHR34MWH2KMSE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806372},"content":"As sporting comebacks come and go in this country this is big, and while Murphy is still only 35 — or as repeatedly pointed out this week the same age as Paul Conway from Galway, who has just been named the 2024 Footballer of the Year — his two-year absence from the intercounty game must be of some concern.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JKUEAKUVFNFATLQHML5QMYPKLI","additional_properties":{"_id":"OYY7ISJQRJAMNENSOZQMOY36WI"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"NYNJLS7KZ5HA3PBI52SXKM67TU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781990},"content":"The drive for any comeback on this scale needs to come mostly from the within the player. With five Ulster titles and five All Stars along with his 2012 All-Ireland, Murphy has nothing more to prove. The talk of the new playing rules having something to do with his decision, and Murphy himself was part of the draft process, may carry some weight, but this is not an entirely risk-free exercise.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TLSDOXMLDFE3DELFHRBCHZ4CCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806374},"content":"Compare it to the other big sporting comeback of recent years, when Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton showed up unannounced for a league match against Louth in Croke Park in March 2023. Like Murphy, Cluxton had been two full years away from the game. Unlike Murphy, he was 41.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZVW2JQOGZFWNFHCFVP2Q44MJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806375},"content":"There are lots of people who will tell you that Dublin would not have won back the All-Ireland that same year without Cluxton, but that comeback was his decision and his alone. His was possibly unique too in that he may not have seen any risk involved.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GLQTKBOQQFCSTHUTPL3Y5WCVRQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"WMY56ZAZANCIPJ3FB5EFZFRZLE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"KK2AMR52UFFXBFS4CDNA7YXKRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1731082450758},"content":"One of my favourite stories of the football comeback is that of Kerry defender Mike McCarthy, who retired at the end of 2006 after a towering performance over Mayo in the All-Ireland. When Jack O’Connor made his own comeback as manager in 2009, he tried repeatedly to lure McCarthy out of retirement, had effectively given up, until McCarthy showed up at training one evening. Just like that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SBTIVCQ6HJCN5LX3FNHOZCQ6XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806377},"content":"F Scott Fitzgerlad said that in American lives there is always room for a comeback, but you just can’t come back all the way. Every sport has its own set of comeback possibilities, effectively depending on its level of physicality; and in boxing we know no great career is complete without at least one comeback too many.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNIIEX3DD5AXRF2VR3KHO4WTRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806378},"content":"In a sport of sheer athleticism, such as athletics, once that power of peak performance starts to fade it’s never coming back. And as tempting as it must have been for Usain Bolt to extend his career beyond the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, when he was just shy of turning 31, most people will say he choose wisely. When about two years later Bolt touched base with his old coach Glen Mills about the possibility of making a comeback, he was politely told to forget it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7PYANOB5LVCE3P7XHCOR235CPI","additional_properties":{"_id":"JW3PEIC3URBJFIRBU3G2HBU42E"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"OXVEEZIEDJEOHHJKBFH5BIMBO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085781998},"content":"“When you retire, that’s it, we’re not going to do any comeback tour,” said Mills.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DYRXZA7QZZFJ7NSELKGXBQCWLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806380},"content":"There are athletic comeback possibilities in other ways, and after Eamonn Coghlan retired after the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, 12 years after finishing fourth in Montreal in 1976, he was already getting on past the peak of his running power too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WE24YH6UVFGXZKLKJYQIYAINRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806381},"content":"Still, after a couple of mildly fattening winters Coghlan felt he simply had to get back on track in some shape or form, so starting with the 1993 season set himself the goal of becoming the first man over 40 to run a sub-four-minute mile. Just when it seemed that might prove slightly more difficult than Coghlan had imagined, he ran 3:58.15 at the Harvard Indoor Track, at age 41, and never raced competitively again. But what a beautiful sign-off.","type":"text"},{"_id":"APCFWVKN4ZHEVMGVQ5DWYFLR3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806382},"content":"Behind every sporting comeback there is also the question of what price? Lance Armstrong will forever stand out on this one, given his comeback from cancer to win the Tour de France on seven consecutive occasions, from 1999 to 2005, selling 30 million yellow bracelets along the way, before then announcing his comeback from retirement in 2009 when he finished third in the Tour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ET2VCBVKJRC5DD7RBJXQUPU22I","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806383},"content":"There is no reason not to believe Armstrong might never have been caught for his systematic doping regime during those seven Tour wins if hadn’t returned in 2009 to try to win one more. But it was all the ammunition that US anti-doping needed to try to nail him one last time and so Armstrong’s sporting comeback would instead prove the ultimate sporting downfall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SIGDXRDPXFACTNTPRYMNWSKELQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"M3QS47527JFNDOUMKGCM5SKZ7I"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"ADCXTIBNJJCRZETDXNAMHV2XKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731085782004},"content":"“Listen, I deserve this,” he told Oprah Winfrey on that revelatory January night of 2013. “It was win at all costs. When I was diagnosed [with cancer] I would do anything to survive. I took that attitude — win at all costs — to cycling. That’s bad.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HGEBUMPDC5HXJIF7MFU5NNCLZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806385},"content":"“I see the anger in people, betrayal, it’s all there. People who believed in me and supported me and they have every right to feel betrayed and it’s my fault and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to earn back trust and apologise to people.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"RZZH4MVYNZBUVBXK5LPSIE3HBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1731081806386},"content":"Armstong paid the ultimate price for his comeback, but there was an element of greed about it too, which is also why any sporting comeback should also be driven by modest ambition. Such as walking back up the steps of the Hogan Stand. In Murphy’s case that’s not risk-free, but certainly worth the gamble.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Donegal’s decorated Michael Murphy the latest sporting talisman to roll the dice a successful return"},"display_date":"2024-11-09T06:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"No sporting comeback is entirely risk-free, but always worth the gamble","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA","auth":{"1":"ba4de126c28c7117d99358e8d2e6179738bfec018c9a82eb618247a3fd9279bc"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LAA5PTZEMBANIN3HTF7HG55JPA.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/gaelic-games/2024/11/09/no-sporting-comeback-is-entirely-risk-free-but-always-worth-the-gamble/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/gaelic-games","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Gaelic Games"}}}},{"_id":"4ARTUHILDFGMDNP7LTXVWUIPNI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":160,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/49b766c4-1ac8-4307-95f2-8b65641fac15/versions/1730895222/media/ea1cd9a4429044894f6bb2b010989a71_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/","content_elements":[{"_id":"PUGRZ2CLVJDNHNV4CTT4D2UTMU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475542},"content":"The <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/olympic-federation-of-ireland/\" target=\"_blank\">Olympic Federation of Ireland</a> (OFI) have confirmed that two existing board members will contest the election to replace Sarah Keane as president at their extraordinary general meeting in Dublin on December 5th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L4ZZY34C4FDEFDXTFIWUZIO3G4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475543},"content":"Keane is stepping down from her position having been on the board since 2014. She will have completed two successful terms as president, having first assumed the role in 2017 at a time when the federation underwent a major governance review following the 2016 Rio Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VQGMHK3XFVDARPY5L6VCYC2W5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475544},"content":"It was agreed under the restructuring of the federation that all those elected could serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Keane will continue in her role of chief executive of Swim Ireland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KPZ2X7J3S5FRPGG6M7CQODUEEQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475545},"content":"Board members Moira Aston and Lochlann Walsh have put their names forward to replace Keane. Aston is chief executive of Canoeing Ireland and has extensive sports administration experience, having also worked with Athletics Ireland for 12 years in senior roles, while Walsh has a 20-year track record in sports administration, from grass roots to the chair of the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs).","type":"text"},{"_id":"BSZFMGO5WJAC5PSL75U3I5FBWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475546},"content":"Sarah O’Shea is unchallenged in her bid to become vice-president, with six non-officer positions also to be contested on the night for the four-year period 2025-2029.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UAEDUAJDURBP5HDBUOJ3LIK524","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475547},"content":"OFI chief executive Peter Sherrard will combine his current role with a new general secretary position, from the date of elections, for the purposes of international representation.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VWPQP3AKLVD3HCGF4FI2RX7CEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475548},"content":"In all, 14 candidates have been nominated for the positions of non-officer members, including three existing board members and two former Olympians in John Menton (athletics) and Sonya McGinn (badminton).","type":"text"},{"_id":"X2CXCPBXPZAE3P3DCJPZKIJZ2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475549},"content":"Also challenging for a non-officer position is Roddy Guiney, whose father Dave competed in the 1948 Olympics in London, along with Aston, Eric Brady, Michelle Carpenter, Georgina Drumm, John Feehan, Aaron Guli, Eadaoin Keane, Aidan McLaughlin, James Quilligan, Siobhán Scarlett and Cecile van Steenberge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7LPCJV5U5VAGZNCSWFQY7A442U","additional_properties":{"_id":1730889475550},"content":"In addition to these elected positions, the OFI board contains two independent directors (Nigel Cowman and Sean Hawkshaw). A further two independent directors may be co-opted in the next Olympic cycle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Sarah Keane will be succeeded by either Moira Aston or Lochlann Walsh"},"display_date":"2024-11-06T12:08:34.086Z","headlines":{"basic":"Olympic Federation of Ireland confirms two candidates running to be new president","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM","auth":{"1":"9e3549d5d8d8c2505da4a347b8b65c1826543128fc2bf834a4c915ebae528c43"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/2S7RAEAELJDAFDTOX6IC3LIPSM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Athletics"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/11/06/olympic-federation-of-ireland-confirms-two-candidates-running-to-be-new-president/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"VJ5HICQTYJFO3MUBGKZND3DEUU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":253,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/c32b1aea-dac5-4e73-83da-f8f35aaf9c76/versions/1730725334/media/835dcfee056d8beb88a93fa9e7e2c282_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/soccer/2024/11/04/bohemians-secure-247m-in-government-funding-for-dalymount-park-redevelopment/","content_elements":[{"_id":"YJ7VOTMCYFBGFJ25ZRYRZBNFS4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578798},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/bohemians/\" target=\"_blank\">Bohemians</a> have been allocated €24.7 million in funding for the development of a new Dalymount Park. 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There will also be four GAA pitches, a hockey/multi-sport synthetic pitch, and a cricket practice area with catch-nets, all of which will be floodlit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKBI7FQ6B5G6ZEITVMVL7J5IKU","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578810},"content":"“This is a major stepping stone for Cavan GAA, Cavan LGFA and Cavan Camogie who signed a landmark memorandum of agreement for the shared use of facilities, earlier this year,” stated Cavan GAA.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6WRBRTU4ZFD4FAF7VWS2I5QXO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578811},"content":"Among the other multi-sport projects to be allocated funds are Sallins Park in Naas (€3 million), East Coast Hub in Gorey (€4.9 million), Shannonside Centre in Leitrim (€3.3 million), Hyde Park in Dalkey (€4.6 million), Letterkenny Regional Hub in Donegal (€8.7 million), Mayo Sports Campus (€7.5 million) and City North Arena in Limerick (€7.5 million).","type":"text"},{"_id":"W5M2ENGWRFFK7KIC6K64XPVAUQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578812},"content":"Ministers Catherine Martin and Thomas Byrne were in attendance at Dalymount Park on Monday to announce the timely pre-election funding.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRTR5NAR2NDJNCCEFWCDA6ORSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578813},"content":"“The advantages of engaging in sports, regardless of age, are profound both mentally and physically. To meet our ambitious goals of increasing participation in sports, it is essential to have facilities like these,” said Minister Martin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"466D6VCYTRGNFMHPP5LZARRLG4","additional_properties":{"_id":1730723578814},"content":"Applications for the 2024 round of LSSIF closed on July 1st. 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She is unlikely to encounter the same problems next year.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"name":"Jeremy Whittle"}]},"description":{"basic":"Tour de France begins in Lille on July 5th and will return to usual Paris finale, having missed out in 2024"},"display_date":"2024-10-29T15:29:06.743Z","headlines":{"basic":"Mont Ventoux returns for 2025 Tour de France with Pogacar aiming for fourth win","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"KJLC5Z4ILAWIBR6J4RHJM5HAX4","auth":{"1":"dcf54c9096ab2daa77123889886eb64620c59b6be579515d7dfa4a061783f3a2"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KJLC5Z4ILAWIBR6J4RHJM5HAX4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/29/mont-ventoux-returns-for-2025-tour-de-france-with-pogacar-aiming-for-fourth-win/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"MVGBJNQY6ZEEHFXLVKEJXP2DRE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":165,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/d89d2d44-ac79-425e-a7c4-519c289a9dec/versions/1729439695/media/c2304f34d61a23186997f839a734eda2_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"AVXVNWJST5H3TEZKWIM3WK4UBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395995},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/lara-gillespie/\" target=\"_blank\">Lara Gillespie</a> has ended her track world championship campaign on a high note, taking a fine bronze medal in the points race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UWF6SE5UQNCJXIEMSSULVRK6QQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395996},"content":"The Enniskerry rider clocked up 39 points, just four off the total of gold medallist Julie Leth (Denmark) and only one point behind Lotte Kopecky of Belgium, arguably the biggest woman star in the sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y337MSAVA5DVTPKXLPSK737KKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395997},"content":"Gillespie previously won European points race titles as a junior and under-23 rider in 2018 and 2023 respectively.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F3UYW44MQFGQHBNEDSLFAOQL7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395998},"content":"“I am so relieved with this medal because I knew I could do it,” she said on Sunday. “I have the legs and every time I’m racing I’m getting closer and closer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IRMKDDYWAZBORO5KKVXVHTYLEU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439395999},"content":"“This medal means a lot to me and I’m so proud to do it for Ireland. We have a small but mighty team and all of us and the staff have put so much effort this year prepared for the Olympics and for our performance and development.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DBXG4FANAJG5NJMKOMDJ4XF6HA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396000},"content":"“I felt my coaches and everyone here believed in me and that really drove me on the extra bit. I’m very grateful.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"T627ZOWW6RGBDCPI4O4OWBFTIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396001},"content":"Still just 23 years of age, Gillespie is one of the best young Irish riders in the sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ITAFFOSACMG5SZEDORWRPM6UOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"6QLZLSAN2VCXXGWNILNJNM25GI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"6OFZ7AWELBBWZA6YRUS4NSOZJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396003},"content":"She was part of the team pursuit squad which became the first from Ireland to quality for the Olympic Games, and which shattered the national record en route to ninth in the competition. She was also tenth in the Omnium there.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HA6JP4XVPBGBNHLO5A2BSOVZAI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396004},"content":"Gillespie was one of several Irish riders competing in the track world championships in Denmark. She was fifth in the elimination race on Thursday and then eighth in the multi-discipline Omnium competition on Friday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2NKU7IKYOZH4DLJLWY4DPVBMNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396005},"content":"She teamed up with Mia Griffin in the Madison race on Saturday, placing seventh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NMLKFAHVTRF7DCJMGYWRB57OUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396006},"content":"Lucy Bénézet Minns was the third member of Ireland’s world championships squad in Denmark. She is still a junior rider but finished 16th in the women’s individual pursuit on Saturday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EVF5XXD3RNEHJPS7LASDNGOZW4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396007},"content":"Gillespie will exit the championships on a high after her achievements. In addition to being a highly promising track talent, she has plenty of potential in road racing. She won two stages plus the general classification in the Giro Mediterraneo Rosa in April and then sprinted to victory in the Antwerp Port Epic Ladies race in May.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LDHLEKMLTFHBLNAL3K33GVV2FI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396008},"content":"She was competing as part of the UAE Development Team but her results secured a rare midseason transfer. Gillespie stepped up to the WorldTour level in June when offered a contract by UAE Team ADQ, and recently took placings of fifth and seventh on stages in the Simac Ladies Tour.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MVFXQQYYAZGCLFXK2VGVKBWJZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729439396009},"content":"She will compete with that team until at least the end of the 2026 season.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"The Enniskerry rider clocked up 39 points, just four off the total of gold medallist Julie Leth"},"display_date":"2024-10-20T15:50:11.551Z","headlines":{"basic":"Lara Gillespie speeds to bronze medal at track world championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM","auth":{"1":"b9c2dd7d824a5f59b808f433a7d36f6a26467c99bf2f4f6a9406291215c30cfa"},"focal_point":{"x":3213,"y":156},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/SNI53BQQRBMGNJPKYXKFAESVXM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/lara-gillespie-speeds-to-bronze-medal-at-track-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"2O4RZGOL6RC6BFW47VF4CAQ62A","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":139,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/7e680b1a-b569-420e-ab42-fdf0ee7c220e/versions/1729423359/media/1e958c2b12895a102b8a4e54c92814fa_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/chris-hoy-has-two-to-four-years-left-to-live-after-terminal-cancer-diagnosis/","content_elements":[{"_id":"D524IPQAGBCWNF7TKHPWTP7QIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662707},"content":"Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medallist, has disclosed he has “two to four years” left to live after a terminal cancer diagnosis.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FXJOQ2B2DVCCBGVOHL2RW2L2U4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662708},"content":"The 48-year-old Scot told the Sunday Times that a scan in September showed a tumour in his shoulder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2IHNYIVLXVFENIS7WGN6K23RF4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662709},"content":"And a second scan two days later found the main cancer to be in his prostate which has since metastasised to Hoy’s shoulder, pelvis, hip, ribs and spine and was stage 4.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q7TBGFLBW5EETLVL6FRNQ7QPZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662710},"content":"Hoy had announced in February that he was being treated for the disease.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VGVGP3F7C5AW3OPOWFRSAKQGNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662711},"content":"The 11-time track cycling world champion told the newspaper: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZRPREONKBJDS7OJGQBPMRR2XHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662712},"content":"“You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5L4GXTBQIJCHNMWGGBMPJKRZYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662714},"content":"He added: “You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKUKIDVNT5EIHMSJUE4NH4AQ4Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662715},"content":"The father of two said his chemotherapy had “no guarantee” of shrinking his tumours but on “the sliding scale” of predictions it achieved the most promising results.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZHZOBTKNZGYZE5SNBNXKAMUZE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662716},"content":"Of the men who first trialled in 2011 the medication he is taking, a quarter are still alive.","type":"text"},{"_id":"APL2H5EIFZF4JOED3S4MIX4HVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662717},"content":"Hoy, whose grandfather and father both had prostate cancer, added: “One in four may sound like a terrible stat. But to me that’s like, one in four!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5K6VXFOQS5F47O4KQGKA6QLOT4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662718},"content":"“I do have faith that there are amazing things happening all the time,” he added.","type":"text"},{"_id":"46AIYB6M45BOZERTC5EZFRZIOE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662719},"content":"In his new book All That Matters, the former track cyclist discloses that his wife, Sarra, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis last year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IFN6WZ6ASNGHBPNIAMLT3QM47Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662720},"content":"The couple, who married at St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh in 2010, have a son and daughter.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRC7ADBC6FDC7N34GMGEZ47TGQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662721},"content":"Hoy wrote of Sarra’s diagnosis: “It’s the closest I’ve come to ... why me? Just, what? What’s going on here? It didn’t seem real.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FBMCSI63BGPBEC677YHRRLLWQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662722},"content":"“It was such a huge blow, when you’re already reeling. You think nothing could possibly get worse.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U5GIZTA4DNHRDDF4GYGSYYIFMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662723},"content":"“You literally feel like you’re at rock bottom, and you find out, oh no, you’ve got further to fall. It was brutal.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2IE7CDJ5ORCWFGWKWTJYDIDE4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729422662724},"content":"On his wife’s optimism, he said: “She says all the time, ‘How lucky are we? We both have incurable illnesses for which there is some treatment. Not every disease has that. It could be a lot worse.’”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"name":"Nadeem Badshah"}]},"description":{"basic":"Six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, 48, says he has stage 4 cancer which has metastasised from his prostate"},"display_date":"2024-10-20T11:17:28.437Z","headlines":{"basic":"Chris Hoy has ‘two to four years’ left to live after terminal cancer diagnosis","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"DMZVS3C2SNMQM7D4I4E2PYXTWA","auth":{"1":"b485175c4cee66da79a65552c05d83118d0a3b0e55e9fa16f1777ed2fce5687d"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/DMZVS3C2SNMQM7D4I4E2PYXTWA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/20/chris-hoy-has-two-to-four-years-left-to-live-after-terminal-cancer-diagnosis/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"ZAJF36HFPRES3EYMYVGMAOBKAA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":1402,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/439d07ae-076d-4896-9193-6167a8a74e00/versions/1729258173/media/64fb4384040d3899755f0f2dbb42f1b6_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/19/the-trials-of-stephen-roche-there-are-things-ive-done-the-last-few-years-im-not-proud-of/","content_elements":[{"_id":"FXDIVZGJABEIDIIOJVYI74MMME","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145785},"content":"To get from Nice to Port-Fréjus, where <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/stephen-roche/\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen Roche</a> suggests we first meet, the motorway sweeps up and around the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/france/\" target=\"_blank\">Cote d’Azur</a>, bypassing familiar names such as Sainte-Maxime, St-Raphaël, and Saint-Tropez.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVCBZYTZHVE6PIMBUFQKTIKCBA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145786},"content":"These are some of the same places where Roche announced himself to the cycling world in 1981, including when at age 21 he arrived, drenched in class, from the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dublin/\" target=\"_blank\">Dublin</a> suburb of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/dundrum/\" target=\"_blank\">Dundrum</a> and became the only person ever to win Paris-Nice as a first-season <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/\" target=\"_blank\">professional</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"33SSEI7UFNDKHH4DYQ4EBNNSVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145787},"content":"The plan is Roche will let me know when he’s on route from Grimaud, to aim for around 5pm. It’s about two hours after that when my phone rings.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRDQWI6BFRAB3I3EO7IAHRUBXA","additional_properties":{"_id":"26EUTQCRD5ETFB4INWYZYX6TQM"},"content":"Tadej Pogacar becomes first male cyclist since Stephen Roche to win triple crown","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"CIW4BSYNGRAUHPBUWKVFG5IMGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145788},"content":"“You’re not going to believe this,” Roche says, panic in his voice. My first suspicion is he might be giving me the slip, but it turns out one of his two Weimaraner dogs – the one named Shamrock – had just bitten a neighbour, entirely out of character. The police were called, and Shamrock had to go to the vet, all that carry on.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3RJYX4A7IJBAPOOVOD2RNO7F4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145789},"content":"It strikes me later that Roche frequently uses such expressions of wonderment – “believe it or not ... would you believe … ”. When we do rendezvous at the originally assigned spot, he is utterly apologetic for the delay.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OOI2OYF4TP7MXWKPJELGZJZI7I","additional_properties":{"_id":"IPJAVXX7CZCT5NFLCG6B5QYHEA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"2GA2CG2SUVAQZGZNSURH3QZ4D4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145790},"content":"He appears healthy and upbeat, showing no visible scars despite the complete meltdown of his business and much of his reputation over the past five years. After first losing his cycling holiday business of over 20 years in Mallorca, which left him with heavy debts, Roche ended up losing his hillside villa in Antibes, his pension, all his investments and many of his closest associates.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O7H675NXPREFXLL4XQURSMVXLE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145791},"content":"He appears slightly smaller than anticipated, his piercing blue eyes set against the soft Mediterranean tan of his face and neat silver-white hair. He admits he’s a long way off his once racing-fit physique, but then he turns 65 next month. One thing Roche hasn’t lost is his charm, or his curious enunciation of words, as if he’s speaking English to a foreigner.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4EEX7QF4MBGSVCP223YTGJZ2OI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145792},"content":"“Would you believe, I fell over with the dogs there recently, when they pulled on the leash, and I was outstretched on the ground, tore some ligaments in my shoulder. So I haven’t been able to get out on the bike for very long.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRPEGSL2APLIZQQ3FJPCSGDTME","additional_properties":{"_id":"Q6FCD74NJVGQTGEKDIUQJLWLZQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7IC2Q2BPWNBIRC2ITUOKZDV734","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145793},"content":"“Apart from the weight, and this shoulder injury, I’m okay. The last few years, all the moving around, that was taking a toll on my mind, the mental side. But at the same time, there’s not much point in moaning any more about my issues, what’s happened has happened. It’s time get on with it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VLHHP4RFZ5ES7LK7WK4HAGZPRY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145794},"content":"“Morally, it was difficult to pick up the pieces. I think I was always an athlete, number one, not a businessman. When I retired from cycling, 30 years ago, I was in the same situation, had to start from scratch again. I have to kind of re-enact some of the same mentality, otherwise I’d be still down there,” he says, pointing to the ground.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NP7WHGV5SNCZTGHDGP4RVHNMWU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145795},"content":"It’s not the first time he’s been in a battle to salvage some of his credibility, even his legacy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OWJ5NEME25CPDC5BUVTNRVZNII","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145796},"content":"It’s easy to see why Roche has made this heavenly part of the world his home, and it also becomes clear from our conversations that he’s still trying to find some peace of life and mind here all over again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XZ3DMRHLCFAEROXHEIXERHYGW4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145797},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Casting a shadow</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"JAMZ7YA4TNCBJG5JQ7Y7SMDVTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145798},"content":"On the short walk for lunch at Brasserie Jacques on the Fréjus marina, Roche is recognised by five or six people, not always instantly, but it’s a suitable reminder that he wasn’t just a sporting icon in Ireland. In 1987 he became only the second rider in history to win the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and World Championships in the same season. His face was known all over Europe.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QCUDCAZAQVDMFI45M4ZBCEKI7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145799},"content":"He tells me there’s a big bike show in town this weekend, which may explain things, yet once we sit down the sense is that plenty of people are glancing over at Roche thinking ... “is that him?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NZI6ORU2PBFABIK2LDHZMWAIHQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145800},"content":"As a prop, I’ve brought along The Ascent, by Irish cycling journalist Barry Ryan, the excellent account of the rise and rivalry between Roche and Sean Kelly at the height of their cycling superpowers during the 1980s – and which also details the questions that remain about his association with Prof Francesco Conconi, given the evidence he’d doped riders at the Carrera team with EPO in 1993, including Roche.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BRAZIJAUTREIPOW45JABJQ5EVY","additional_properties":{"_id":"XSQJFOSU7RBDPAXT5TNUNAQDXA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"GJ2LK2KJ5VBTBJHY6NIVAR5KWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145801},"content":"Roche shakes his head to say he’s never read it. My ploy to broach this subject is to tell him how, after texting a friend to say I was in the south of France to meet Roche, he replied with a one-word message: “Druggie”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2RS4GWOKIJHUNHCPBP6KBRRFOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145802},"content":"So how does <i>that</i> sit with Roche all these years later?","type":"text"},{"_id":"4MRDNVFYONE2NLKQZ2DMNBRDGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145803},"content":"“Of course it’s difficult, but there’s nothing you can do about it. At the same time, if people took the time to read everything about the Conconi case, they would see there’s nothing there. It’s a big smoke but there’s no fire really.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DV7LTFL2N5EODP74VU6WGDR52A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145804},"content":"“I was never, ever, ever convicted of doping. Never, ever even questioned about doping. Now you go on Wikipedia, you see that ... [his page includes a section with the heading “Doping”] I’ve been trying to get that removed, and every time I do it comes back.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2MXTE2TNXVCYHGLGAOSN2J2KXY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145805},"content":"There is no doubt Roche is still deeply entrenched in his belief that doping had zero role in his cycling career, although he addresses the matter by turns with stern intelligence and childlike naivety.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CFGTTT7SWFEJ5GPBOXY532DQDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145806},"content":"“My first thing was never look at what other people are doing. I had my own programme of vitamins and minerals, whether in tablet form, powder form, or some injection form. And I never wanted to go to bed at night worrying about someone knocking on my door, saying you’ve got a positive test.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5AYXPQBD6NGNRPIZM2XPH55TQE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145807},"content":"“That’s why I never got involved in any conversation around doping, because it wasn’t something that concerned me.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNAVCZNANFBX5D3QIK7DGLJRVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145808},"content":"Surely it concerned him when one of his own Carrera team-mates, Guido Bontempi, tested positive for testosterone during the 1987 Tour?","type":"text"},{"_id":"F56NIP6O7JBD7H7AW2XWKNZXEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145809},"content":"“Whether it was himself that administered it, or the advice of a doctor, I don’t know. I never looked at what other guys were doing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"F7WBQPIDKZB7VNJYPSPZZM2SOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145810},"content":"The Conconi files first came to light at the end of 1999, six years after Roche had retired following 13 years in the peloton, when Italian newspaper La Repubblica broke the news that police in Ferrara had raided the offices of Conconi as part of an anti-doping investigation, uncovering computer files which showed that along with former Carrera doctor Giovanni Grazzi, Conconi had treated athletes with EPO in 1993. According to their evidence this included Roche.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7C66J2SR55AOFGR3G55EM5GNA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145811},"content":"“Well, I met Conconi once only,” Roche says. “When I first went to Carrera, in 1986, they were using the University of Ferrera for medical tests, so I met him for the first and only time there.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I7K3KRDGQBB4FPXAOSQL5O6XUU","additional_properties":{"_id":"3J43N7UJ6ZFZ3BFD5EIWA5XL4E"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"V7ZAIENISRCTXIU4AJXFNVK3N4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145812},"content":"“In 1987 there was another doctor, Grazzi, a pupil of Conconi, who was the official doctor at Carrera. So he’d come to us once every three or four months, do our blood tests, bring them back to the university, then tell us we were low on iron, on vitamin B or whatever. End of story.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"W5BCYSL6NBDHNGRFBYAEIUY4M4","additional_properties":{"_id":"6CV7BHOPFNDZZJ4A3RVWIYCXK4"},"content":"From the archive: Some drugs in cycling are a matter of life and death","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"GXUYG3S6OZERZI26VWK2JRU5A4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145813},"content":"Would he entertain any possibility that something could have been administered to him without him knowing?","type":"text"},{"_id":"QXFIIFJP3NCOZBW7JENJK5OWVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145814},"content":"“No, never. For example, when I went to Dr Müller-Wohlfahrt, in Munich – and he’s still like a father to me, an amazing man – when I went to him with my knee problems, in 1989, he takes all these vials down, puts them into my knee. I took one home, had it tested, and it turned out to be extracts of calf liver, that kind of stuff.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X3KA3SBCXRCQBICXNZEDSJYEDE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145815},"content":"“So later, I was back in his office again and I told Dr Müller-Wohlfahrt I knew what was in there. And he was shocked, and said ‘Stephen, I’m 40 years in this business. I would never, ever give anything if I thought there was something wrong with it.’","type":"text"},{"_id":"42KTZZUQTZBVPHETKJ36T3A5QY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145816},"content":"“But I would never, ever take something from anybody, even a drink, if I thought something was wrong with it. That’s why I can say today that no one might have given me something I didn’t know about. Impossible.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GXCLFF62SNDLHNIVK22O2AH3GQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145817},"content":"Roche is also adamant the first time he heard anything about the Conconi files was when he got a phone call from his biographer, David Walsh.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F77KJWNJ6NCV7DLJMXTNWAMJ64","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145818},"content":"“I think it was New Year’s Eve of 1999, and David said he’d proof that I’ve taken EPO, had these files from Conconi, and it’s going to be front page news tomorrow. All that kind of s**t.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FKVZBWENZFE3FCDRU5TG4X5CPE","additional_properties":{"_id":"2MD5JBGMTVAP7EWSR6YNBCBTGU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"AQJMPXAMXVFVPJZ5VHZ67SQV3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729258388257},"content":"“The headline was very, very damaging, but if you blow up the details, anybody can see it’s totally impossible they were actually genuine results. All the values were all different on the same day even.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T2TO66DNCBGVLEGXZG2P7W5KBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145820},"content":"“Then they start relating all these surnames, that one name ‘Ronani’ was related to me. But why would I get into a programme at the end of my career, when nothing was riding on it?","type":"text"},{"_id":"RVTJ4GHWEZDOPM5FXQ7FVWQPUI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145821},"content":"“In the end the judge came out and said after four years she cannot get the information that is needed to determine what has been going on, so she must conclude all these riders are on a programme.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5KMQWMZNFZCNRO64EYRKF4LW2A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145822},"content":"Three weeks after that news broke, Roche went on The Late Late Show, alongside Walsh, and the planned 20-minute segment ends up being extended to around 50 minutes by host Pat Kenny.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DINOGEXUMBDW5BUEEYEG3LCEUA","subtype":"youtube","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"FB32ZQ76WNDHFBP5SCYBEU363M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145823},"content":"“Well, that’s my problem, I’m a bit too open sometimes, but it was very intense. With these things, you’re never going to come out okay. People will interpret it the way they want. What can you do? I did try to take it further, was asked for 50 grand up front, just to start [the legal process]. For me, you could fight it, but not everyone is going to see the results. What’s said is done. But it was very damaging. Even today it is still very damaging.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5YSRRKW3M5H7FJUFGZ3J5BVRRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145824},"content":"“I never got a single phone call, nothing. I would have thought I would be at least interviewed to give my opinion. So in those conditions, you think it will just go away, because there’s nothing there. It’s easy to say now in hindsight I should have put up that 50 grand and fought it harder, but for me, I’d done nothing wrong.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NKXEPYFDIZHSZITXF4TSQXEIOE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145825},"content":"Does he regret not being more outspoken on doping?","type":"text"},{"_id":"56A2CTT3LFDUVNQS5D5RA6MXTA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145826},"content":"“Well as a cyclist, I was never in that circle, because I wasn’t into doing anything. I was straight. People believe or they don’t believe. I know by saying it now, maybe people go ‘ah, he’s a hypocrite’ ... f**k it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZABX4GQM5RBT5OCAEV2CUDQH7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145827},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Business woes</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"JRQOXVM4AZF7FI3DF2LW4IJIPM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145828},"content":"Like any tale of collapse into bankruptcy, what Roche tells me is complex and frightening. Things suddenly started to implode in 2018, when his company, Shamrock Events, which had organised his cycling holidays based out of two hotels in Mallorca since 1999, went bust.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BI2DOZLBLBG6RM543GF3KYVK34","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145829},"content":"In early 2019 the owners of the Ponent Mar and the Hotel Son Caliu petitioned the Spanish courts for the involuntary bankruptcy of Roche’s business, claiming unpaid debts of €392,446, before in 2022, Roche was ordered to repay €750,000 for negligently bankrupting his Majorca firm and removing assets to bankroll his lifestyle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7AIHV4ZTVGYHB66EKRPG6GV2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145830},"content":"He was banned from acting as a company director in Spain for seven years, although on appeal Roche got this reduced to two years, and his debts also reduced to under €400,000. It was still quite the fall from grace for a company that was once doing about €1.8 million in annual turnover.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B34VVPAKQJNX3LZXBREHN7MIJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"UENO337LGRHPPJTQBVW4XCPTPY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"RZJX5KGTS5F5JJVUFI5H3TAU7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145831},"content":"“But in and around then, I made a couple of bad investments,” Roche says. “I wanted to grow the business, because a lot more people were getting into cycling tours, and one of the things was to buy my own unit, in Palma, my own cycling base.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RJDEQXEZVZHRXPBQVXFCCTWGY4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145832},"content":"“So for me, there was no problem pulling out a couple of grand for a deposit. I can always put it back in.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LQWRELL5ZFBPPGXN44B3GSYJPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145833},"content":"Around the same time, Roche invested €120,000 with a friend in Paris who was building a new luxury car company. He also had a share in a site near Saint-Tropez, originally valued at €6 million, of which Roche owned 10 per cent.","type":"text"},{"_id":"G7FEGJCIX5AZPFRMHIMWKEIB7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145834},"content":"“Then the site didn’t sell – a big problem with the planning on it – so it was wiped out. Well, it wasn’t wiped out, but it became a garden; the buyer ran away and we lost the money.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JERGMKZRA5HF3G7V7ZTTM7CF5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145835},"content":"“Then with this garage in Paris, we’d a theft – four cars were stolen and the insurance wouldn’t pay because the garage front door wasn’t conformed to the security measures.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CCV6S37K6NCGZEJZYXLOAQN6TE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145836},"content":"“For the new unit in Palma, because I couldn’t get the money together to complete that sale, I lost my deposit (€50,000). Everything just snowballed. I’m panicking, then of course you start back-pedalling, trying to sort things out. I knew the pressure was on then, financially, started ducking and diving, while trying to fill the holes, and it just didn’t work out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NE6UBKOGKBFCBMVENB5JKLZZHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145837},"content":"“I still don’t agree with it, but I’m settling for it [his debts being reduced to €400,000]. The problem was, I was totally negligent as to what actually was happening. A lot of people around me were close to me, I wasn’t really told ... someone should have grabbed me by the ear and said ‘Stephen, fix this’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CZKLZKQ2GVGUHJZQUE7BN7556E","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145840},"content":"He adds: “Nevertheless, I am guilty of a lot of stuff. But nothing was done deliberately or maliciously. It was circumstances and panic, being surrounded by the wrong ... not wrong – some people who were too close to me, that weren’t really painting the right picture. And I didn’t know what situation I was in. So I made some bad decisions.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NB5XVNKR3ZAP3F5W3LCDFQ5GZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145841},"content":"The big regret, he says, is not facing up to his problems sooner: “And also that I didn’t show my face earlier. People were telling me horrific things, like ‘don’t show your face in Spain, don’t get on a plane, Interpol are looking for you’. All this kind of stuff.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JFZ67WVNI5ELTIFIFR6PQIHUNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145842},"content":"“The one thing I should have done, and would do tomorrow if it happened again, was go there and sit down, and say ‘what can we do?’. Instead, staying away, things got worse.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4G63IIZBINFXXEPZ37W7GMZB4Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145843},"content":"Indeed, worse was to come, when Roche lost his hillside villa in Antibes, worth in excess of €1 million.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D6KMPU66GNBCBNF3KF66PL77UQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"R4XE2YHTSVEGTKHDLFYGFG5BIU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"42VVVQMDWRG5RIQV4FLQVAICTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145844},"content":"“That was separate again, but the result of it. I had a mortgage there, interest-only mortgage, because we were also running a business there, Airbnb, so this was my pension down the road.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3NGNQ5OJCFCQ5GI565ZWYCVWHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145845},"content":"“When the loan came up for renewal and the articles come out about the Spanish court case, the bank just said, ‘you understand, Stephen, we cannot renew your loan’.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SHUZQFNALVGE7HNSEVHIFGINDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145846},"content":"“And this is coming out of Covid, no international buyers, so I found a guy who wanted a quick sale, I dropped the price ... meantime, the banks are charging me late repayment penalties, 10 grand a month. So I came out of it with my hat. It was really, really bad.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"2V7VEXTCNFF43C3DHPURAGYLJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145847},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Family ties</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"UWJUHOXHUZCERCYGALTCO5Z7SA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145848},"content":"In 2022, in the middle of his financial crisis, Roche lost his father Larry and younger sister Carol within six months. His father had lived to 86, had never been badly sick in his life, He was taken to hospital with a nosebleed, where they discovered some kidney issues, and he died a month later.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GE45PXP6SVD4RLVT6XU56AC6XU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145849},"content":"Carol had always been careful to carry out cancer screening tests, one of which showed up a tumour in her colon; she was told she might only have six weeks to live; she died six days later, at age 61.","type":"text"},{"_id":"72ZEASR5ONDZXDOQZVRE7ZHQVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145850},"content":"“Of course that was very hard on everyone,” Roche says, welling up. “I have lost a lot, not just financially. And the lows have been very low. But at the same time, I’m not dwelling on that, have tried to use the lows to make me stronger, to fight back again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V4NQ5NTHZ5BOZBGF5NWHLYLJOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145851},"content":"“Sometimes it’s still difficult to come to terms with how things could have crumbled so quickly. The signs were there, why didn’t I pay more attention? I was so focused on making things right, then I became unreliable.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ZZ3KTDLZ5EB5BPKAMRZYXZCEA","additional_properties":{"_id":"WQHH3LKZ3RFIDOE2GR645DNZIE"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"TE6QLZKUJNGVBE33EOVK2W5TVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145852},"content":"Roche has had breakdowns in relationships before, including his split and subsequent divorce in 2003 from his wife Lydia, who he married in 1980 and who is mother to their four children, Nicolas, Christel, Alexis and Florian.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DKCV3HIUMRFYHBLSHSFSKQZGKE","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145853},"content":"Earlier this year, his ex-partner of 10 years, French citizen Sophie Desobry, won a court action against him, claiming she was owed €300,000 for works she contributed to on the villa they shared in Antibes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RWRB7YF5ZNHA3A6JWUJYLZJM7A","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145854},"content":"I later meet his wife, Hungarian citizen Csilla Roche-Henschl; they’re currently living in rented accommodation in Grimaud, next to Sainte-Maxime. To bring the subject back to cycling, I ask him, where is the memorabilia from his all-conquering season of 1987? His pink jersey, yellow jersey, rainbow jersey?","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZDAL5OBZAFEETPSPELRDAYWTSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145855},"content":"“Well, a lot of it is still in Spain, locked up in Palma. One of the hotels where I was working confiscated it, which wasn’t very nice, and now no one can find it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5FCAMNL7LFD4LL35TFWDCZCXDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145856},"content":"“But I’m not looking for any sympathy. I still love the work, sharing the passion of cycling [through the tours], still get a kick out of it. So there’s another chapter yet. There’s still a lot of stuff there that I couldn’t tell for the moment. To maintain credibility, and also some of my dignity as well.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HP2FEUYCEBG57O7NCXYK32E2YU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145857},"content":"“There are things I’ve done the last few years that I’m not proud of, there were certain situations I tried to manage as best I could, and now I can say they were the wrong decisions. But I can’t undo them.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LR4ZW4YBSZCQRPURGDTOSDMQEU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145858},"content":"I ask him what plans he has in place to help repay some of his debts.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A2OKUYN2J5AKXD25GPCVGUHBOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145859},"content":"“So I’m still hoping to win the lottery,” he says (repeating that more than once). “And go back down there someday, put a cheque on the table, but say I’m only willing to give you the cheque if you return my memorabilia.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"C3KDPS5B7RADNATTJGU7EV2EYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145860},"content":"“I am using some of my contacts now, to help a developer with planning, and I get some reward for that. And I enjoy that ... [and some] corporate stuff, and some cycling tours around Nice. I’m going to build that back up a little bit, we have three cycling tours next year, on the far side of Nice, associated around the pro cycling events, such as Paris-Nice, cycling and wine tasting. And trying to rebuild the website.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YY5GRLK4OFCVXBCKJDS4GHPK4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145861},"content":"He’s hopeful too of rebuilding the full trust of old friends and family: “It’s difficult, because of my lifestyle, but it’s a work in progress, and I’m hoping with time things will sort themselves out. Because of the way things happened, they also have taken a little bit of a distance.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RXJTSWIN6NHJBGVK4J72KODU3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145862},"content":"“But I’m not angry or upset with anyone. You make your bed, you’ve got to sleep in it. Nicolas, Christel, Alexis and Florian, they all have their own ideas of what happened but don’t really know, and someday when things finally turn around, I can sit down and tell them my side of my story.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KYK2SXPWRJHGNF3N3WYLFUM4JI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145863},"content":"“The problem is, time is going on – things have taken a lot longer to fix than I’d anticipated. But I have not put anybody off. I’ve distanced myself from nobody; anyone who has distanced themselves from me, it’s their doing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZY4YLVBLFZEDBFTXB5RCC5NCB4","additional_properties":{"_id":"CDQUCSMV3JBNTJPQEZ7KBYDVV4"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"NOZQHR4H2ZAARNUITZHRQTHQDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145864},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>New beginnings</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"HPNYJ5RF5FHSNNMR4LTD5CN2UA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145865},"content":"Roche isn’t the first rider to use the word “depression” to describe his experience after retiring from cycling at age 33 and, looking back now, he says the physical void became as troublesome as anything financial.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNTDNCPJRBGNVIAZBGWX3ACL5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145866},"content":"“Basically, I first saw cycling as a chance to do something. But it wasn’t financially driven. My attitude was, the more races you win, and the less time you spend worrying about making money, the more money you’ll make.","type":"text"},{"_id":"EAFMXC72CZC57D73MOCZB7Z4ME","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145867},"content":"“I was already earning good money at 16, in Premier Dairies, worked nights too, and had my own car at age 18. Then when I retired from cycling, for the first time there was no pay-cheque coming in. That was difficult to come to terms with, but what made it harder was, after I finished my last race, I had all these business cards in my pocket, from all these people telling me how great I was, how easy it would be to find a job.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VM4NFUIEFVEPJGQBGST5JGNUEM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145868},"content":"“But no regrets about retiring too soon, no. Things were getting incredibly dangerous. Young riders coming through, pushing and shoving their way about, no respect for the older guys.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R3M3WVBUKJGZVBX4I37QFKKTC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145869},"content":"“In my last Giro, in 1993, I remember we got to the mountain stages, the last week, and when it came time to go on the descent, I’m hesitating ... ‘is there gravel on that corner?’ Before, I didn’t even think: I [would] get to the descent, and I’d be gone.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QZH4IHP7LVHLJCPCQGHGBQQHEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145870},"content":"He originally moved his family back to Ireland in 1996, buying a large house off the Ballychorus Road in south Co Dublin. Then, after three years, disillusioned with opportunities here, including for his children, they all packed up for France again.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CG7FODNV4VEHFBJ653TLZINRVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145871},"content":"“It’s a bit sad but, again, no regrets. I’d invested in some property, in Ireland and in France, but still needed money coming in. Which is why I went into cycling holidays, which were only getting going properly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XWLZ2YZ3B5DMNHLFN45SXPVX3U","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145872},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"QX5VXXKHLBFTBILJKRYT2MOMEA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145873},"content":"“But not being active was the big thing. One day when we were living in Dublin, and I hadn’t ridden a bike in a long while, I just realised something was missing. So I pulled out an old bike with flat tyres and rode down to my old friend, Peter Crinnion, living down in Kilmacanoge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T64CHJ7Z2BG35KDYO4N5CI5O7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145874},"content":"“There was a little hut of a shop on the way back into Shankill, and I stopped there, bought a bottle of Lucozade, three or four Mars Bars, sat there eating them all, and just thought, ‘this is what I’m missing’.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"5SP2ZOMRSFDDFN4QPCTZSPABZA","additional_properties":{"_id":"XR5JDCIXJ5HZDIU3DUG32NJBUI"},"content":"Roche goes to the limit and beyond in bid for Tour de France glory","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"VGYD7BTGANG4XC6NN7CKDOQZ6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145875},"content":"Roche had hardly been seen anywhere in public for several years, until three weeks ago when he appeared at the finish of the World Championships in Zurich, where Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian superstar, became only the third ever male winner to win the Triple Crown in the same year, after Eddy Merckx (in 1974) and Roche (in 1987).","type":"text"},{"_id":"3L4L3WY3BRB4JALBBU6FFVGVXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145876},"content":"So who invited him there?","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATIYR2DGFZFLXJO3VM23RHEZQA","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145877},"content":"“I invited myself, actually, I felt it was important. Well, not important, but it’s taken 37 years, it may not happen for another 37 years, and I thought associating myself with that is not a bad thing for me right now. And on the back of that I’ve already been invited to the Tour route launch in Paris later this month.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"BCHFMYVW6FATNPSQ5UNSP4OVPI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145878},"content":"In what capacity?","type":"text"},{"_id":"EPFUHRYI6ZE6VHMXREG463IPKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145879},"content":"“Well, as an ex-winner.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UEVV55YBI5DQ7MTQFTRVNROMWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1729202145880},"content":"No denying that whatsoever.","type":"text"},{"_id":"V34BDHLQS5EGHJGCHGK7Q6ZHC4","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Ian O'Riordan"}},"name":"Ian O'Riordan"}]},"description":{"basic":"The Irish former world champion cyclist has lost his holiday business, his villa in the south of France, pension, investments and many of his closest associates. Does he have any regrets?"},"display_date":"2024-10-19T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"The trials of Stephen Roche: ‘There are things I’ve done the last few years I’m not proud of’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Top Stories of 2024"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OXPELBLELBDOXN5YD7KSZR56E4","auth":{"1":"16e093915e6b6900a6064004a408f606bb1b38cde8fa37ea684d8230661f83a4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OXPELBLELBDOXN5YD7KSZR56E4.jpg"}},"subtype":"showcase","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/19/the-trials-of-stephen-roche-there-are-things-ive-done-the-last-few-years-im-not-proud-of/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"54G4YVPMSNALLJGN6YBR4MHU7I","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":113,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/2bd41024-29bd-42ea-804d-1b336a65e0a0/versions/1728242250/media/fbb7352b41007f3ba61c47bd7806c796_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/06/ronan-dunne-makes-irish-cycling-history-with-fourth-overall-in-downhill-world-cup/","content_elements":[{"_id":"MZYZBCWR4JC35BHQIO7QXTWRJM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ronan Dunne took the best overall World Cup result for Irish mountain biking on Saturday, finishing fourth in the 2024 UCI downhill series.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SODCBKK3BFE4LP7HXSA7WCBSAE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Dunne (Mondrager Factory Racing) went into the concluding round in Mount Saint Anne in Canada sitting third but had said beforehand that a top five overall finish was a big target. He was 12th last year, the best Irish result at a World Cup ahead of this weekend’s showing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"26Z2G3OMFFGRJHAKQIW4YQUNNQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It was a great season for me,” Dunne said after Saturday’s race. “I am super happy with how it went, finishing fourth in the overall. I was coming into this last World Cup pretty nervous, sitting in third place. My goal was to finish top five and it is super easy to lose out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"74HYUF6CINFMJNSKRAG7M2VVW4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It was definitely a dream come true to finish fourth. The race went pretty well. I got fifth place in qualifying and then just a slight mishap in my final run, but I still secured a top 10. That gave me enough points to finish fourth.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"EJKNFE3I5RGQLFBJORDRJMGAAU","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Red Bull-sponsored rider placed 10th in Saturday’s final round, with Henry Kerr (Canyon CLLCTV Pirelli) the best Irish rider in eighth. Dunne had previously won the Poland round in May.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H33DAXNN7NGTBPJU2LH5BT666Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I was just nervous coming in,” he said. “It is nice that it is over now and we have six months off before a big season next year. I am super happy with how it went, it has been a dream come true, really.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UO6H45NXKFCE7K3BWUZAN3Z7PM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Meanwhile Marine Lenehan had a superb performance at the gravel world championships, winning the amateur 19-34 years race on Saturday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Dunne ‘super happy’ after concluding round of downhill series in Canada"},"display_date":"2024-10-06T19:12:11.571Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ronan Dunne makes Irish cycling history with fourth overall in downhill World Cup","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BOVSHTEBDFCTHGDCCRYTQ2H6MQ","auth":{"1":"93e3efff68b3056d97d6d03b365241a2d3dadebe1cc072203a08acb1e058c5d4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BOVSHTEBDFCTHGDCCRYTQ2H6MQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/06/ronan-dunne-makes-irish-cycling-history-with-fourth-overall-in-downhill-world-cup/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"TK5K5OAJLZDM7F2FIH5QT6D7QY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":324,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/c3a1476d-43ca-4ff2-90b1-5b07f6e5eba2/versions/1728039035/media/d4d237fb52e63ee337c502931369d7d9_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/05/rising-cycling-star-ronan-dunne-is-going-downhill-fast/","content_elements":[{"_id":"UKGSBM7HA5DW7JPW2SOATFC4KY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561323},"content":"Ronan Dunne put things in stark terms back in May.","type":"text"},{"_id":"H563N7WYZNGYVBZ776BRTVTG3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561324},"content":"“I don’t normally look at the times, but this time I did,” he said, speaking before his final run at the UCI World Cup Downhill race in Poland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GUDNY3AGKFHHRCOTMII52NBD54","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561325},"content":"“I saw the time Bruni scored and I thought, ‘okay, let’s get to it, we’re not bluffing.’ I was ready to fight someone. “I had the mindset that I’d be going for a helicopter trip or coming down in first. We didn’t take the helicopter trip, we took the win.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CQ3I2SKA4BGLLGHPGVVJZRJNJU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561327},"content":"The helicopter trip Dunne is referring to is being airlifted off the mountain if things went wrong. Instead, he beat world number one and current series leader Loic Bruni by 0.064 of a second to land the first World Cup victory of his career. It was a stunning success and now, months later, he is third overall before <a href=\"https://ucimtbworldseries.com/events/mont-sainte-anne\" target=\"_blank\">the final round this weekend in Mount Saint Anne, Canada.</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"FNJPM2C6RJAPPN7DYPJONRSIYM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561329},"content":"“I can’t believe it, it is pretty crazy,” he explains. “Last year I got 12th, which was the best overall position for an Irish rider ever. So it’d be pretty cool to top off with a third place, or even a top five.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OUCGSIYIJFFD7CYU5SHA4ZQ2GM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561330},"content":"The Mondraker Factory Racing competitor has had a breakthrough season. He won the Red Bull Hardline race in Australia in February, raced to that World Cup win in May, and then scooped another Red Bull Hardline event in Wales in June.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WUNLWEDWNA65ARBIFST5ASV2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":"34HST3P7PFD2HOPZFZT7C5IPEI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"ISWROUMMGZCYXCXDCA5ZEYYHYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561331},"content":"Each result is a big triumph in downhill mountain bike racing, which sees riders speed, skid and even soar down highly technical, highly dangerous courses on runs that last several minutes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LL2WC2RLN5FZNA3DIWPTYEPWHA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561332},"content":"Dunne describes the Hardline races as more extreme, with bigger jumps and greater risks. But while those two victories were of big satisfaction to him, the World Cup is what really stands out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"22TZ3DKGAFCPBKHDOUULLQKOZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561333},"content":"“Winning that was definitely pretty special. You can say you’re the fastest in the world on that day, which is pretty cool. It’s just so hard to win one of those races.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HKLCYQ2XYBGHBPJUA445Z2N3Y4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561334},"content":"“It’s given me real hope for the overall series,” he adds, referring to future years. “Now you’ve won one, you can be a contender for more races. It’s been pretty sick.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LVY2DK34IRDFFDMR3W3BCFTP5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561335},"content":"Dunne’s win came months after another by fellow Irishman <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/oisin-o-callaghan/\" target=\"_blank\">Oisin O’Callaghan</a>. The success late last year in Snowshoe, West Virginia, was the first-ever elite downhill World Cup victory by an Irish rider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L5UPUNVJWZFCXJ2HAUMHMVONFE","additional_properties":{"_id":"AGDCHL47ORFQXEHPASBJV5T26I"},"content":"Meet Oisín O’Callaghan, the downhill boy racer at home in cycling’s rainbow jersey","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"D7YVX7JGE5D2ZGKFJZI4JXZCXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1728041570674},"content":"Former world junior champion O’Callaghan<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cycling/2023/10/01/irelands-ocallaghan-and-dunne-claim-stunning-one-two-finish-at-uci-downhill-world-cup/\" target=\"_blank\"> finished 0.496 seconds ahead of Dunne on that occasion, who nabbed second.</a>","type":"text"},{"_id":"SDPAYFDCGBARZLXCXHLNF5FLOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561337},"content":"They are 21 and 22 years of age respectively and are two of the most exciting young talents in the sport.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4WOAWG7W5JDJRBOVKHGHKN3TEY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561338},"content":"Red Bull had been paying attention and, following Dunne’s World Cup victory this year, agreed a contract with him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNHFLRVWVZGRXFLX4JIE2V6BSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561339},"content":"“I’ve always adored the brand, really,” Dunne explains. “It’s been a dream of mine for the past few years to become one of their athletes.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NE5XYF3QIVCBPDT5HKJS5BEX4E","additional_properties":{"_id":"5VR6QEZ4LFCWBDD6HZ623DVRLA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"YIEI3CX5EJGZHBBUJMGL422NN4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561340},"content":"The brand has huge clout in mountain biking and backs some of the biggest names across a range of sports. Securing the contract should make a considerable difference to his career in the coming years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GS43UAVXMZDNBF5OUWFIZWJGCU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561341},"content":"World Cup leader Bruni is also part of their stable. He’s a big fan of Dunne.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XYDED24RSFG5VC3YVG3NLSCOC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561342},"content":"“Congrats to Ronan for his amazing season. It’s been really cool to see him progress and get better,” he says. “He has always been quite a loose unit, just sending it [throwing caution to the wind] and going for wins.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5DBYTDLU5FCINKU55XS3HDQLII","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561343},"content":"“This year, changing programme, I think he understood how to make race runs a bit more consistent, and a little bit more efficient.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ULMKNRLWGJGCZIAPXYNGCQ2ADU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561344},"content":"“It’s been cool to see he had it in him. His mindset was always quite fierce. When he won his first World Cup this year in Poland I was second by a small margin. It was really cool to be battling with him in that race and battling the whole season, pretty much.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"U5WVL73V4FD6NOFILPGTLLEULE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561345},"content":"Bruni is well clear in the overall standings and now looks to have the World Cup sewn up. Dunne sits third, with his closest rival very close to him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QGPVPGRCTJBNJIB3LJ27C2KFGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561346},"content":"With double points on offer for this final round in Canada, he knows a big clash is brewing over the weekend.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CBOGA6C66ZGD3BE4CTJEPQ3UPU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561347},"content":"“It’s kind of all or nothing, really,” he says. “The guy in fourth place, Finn Iles, is a Canadian and won there previously. He is only seven points behind me, so it should be a pretty tight battle.","type":"text"},{"_id":"X27LFTDK3JA6NBMU72VMZRAG4A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561348},"content":"“First is secured, Loic Bruni has won that. And second place is pretty far ahead. But third and fourth is where our last battle is.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HUFERQ7Z2FFWRLVUXGQ7GNR7PI","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561349},"content":"“So to be considered in that category is pretty amazing. If I make third in the overall, it’d be crazy to say you are the third best mountainbiker in the world.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HB3MUD3AFJEI5OJBL7QGM2EGUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727967561350},"content":"“That would be pretty cool.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Enniskerry rider sits third overall going into final round of cycling’s downhill World Cup"},"display_date":"2024-10-05T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Rising cycling star Ronan Dunne is going downhill fast","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"KGUUJJZHNFAEZOT6OWMKTNY57I","auth":{"1":"17e48e793fd96da3e92f2ef9ad8de68d5f2f4325966b752393732b1ef92013cd"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/KGUUJJZHNFAEZOT6OWMKTNY57I.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/10/05/rising-cycling-star-ronan-dunne-is-going-downhill-fast/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"RROYJMM7VNAN7MTURUKONTE5OM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":291,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/2a832bec-6143-49c9-9e17-49106282165b/versions/1727632735/media/c6b38e51f93c7b881a0b05eed656acda_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/29/tadej-pogacar-solos-home-to-first-world-championship-road-title/","content_elements":[{"_id":"TQVXJLW6TVFSHKFM7ZKDQGNJ7E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727631928723},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/tadej-pogacar\" target=\"_blank\">Tadej Pogacar</a> made history in impressive fashion on Sunday at the road World Championships in Switzerland, joining Belgium’s Eddy Merckx and Ireland’s Stephen Roche as the only winners of cycling’s elusive triple crown.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NTOJX37HR5GMVBH46RWVLYAUO4","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Slovenian won the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France earlier this year and needed to take World Championship gold to match their feats, but did it the hard way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ORFPD7NJU5ACPMLMKBNUEOPALU","additional_properties":{},"content":"He attacked with over 100 kilometres remaining in the 273.9km race, bridging across to an early breakaway containing his team-mate Jan Tratnik and causing panic among his main rivals behind.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O2SYI3MDQJDOLHXJZ2FQ5MZ5EY","additional_properties":{},"content":"He then went solo with 50km to go and fended of the persistent efforts of Irishman Ben Healy and Latvian Toms Skujins to get across.","type":"text"},{"_id":"242F76OFJVHL3LMYW5F5YCW3VI","additional_properties":{},"content":"The duo were caught with 16.5km remaining by a group containing defending champion Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands), Olympic double champ Remco Evenepoel (Belgium) and others.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6DEYSU5UAFHKRJXTGOVYP4VZYQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Pogacar was just 42 seconds ahead there but while the duration of his effort had left him looking vulnerable, the stop/go racing behind plus his own stubbornness saw him stay clear to the finish in Zürich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DW6LLN5P2VCF7MBFUCG6YYTPGY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Australia’s Ben O’Connor jumped away in the finale to take silver, 34 seconds back. Van der Poel won the sprint for bronze, 58 seconds after Pogacar’s victory celebration. Healy was a fine seventh after being one of the standout riders on the day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VBA2OTD4HBFFTC3RTFFUDBRCJM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I cannot believe what just happened,” the 25-year-old winner said. “After this kind of season, I put a lot of pressure on myself for today. I had pressure from myself, from the team. We came here for victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YHNAYBOLQZBW5D6ZFUZFB2KM3U","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The race unfolded pretty quick. There was a dangerous breakaway in the front. I maybe did a stupid attack, but luckily Jan [Tratnik] was there with me. I never gave up until the final, it was an incredible day. I cannot believe what just happened.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SADO3WHJFZB6JOJ36TQQ5ARB4I","additional_properties":{},"content":"Healy was one of the strongest riders in the race, beginning his effort with Skujins with over 59 kilometres to go.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AKJKC6PF5ZGOPH776FH4EZE4CE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Despite a chase of over 40 kilometres, he remained solid after their recapture and launched two stinging moves inside the final seven kilometres. Both were brought back but he impressed nonetheless.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y6RMOZTTERB73OQ5YUS6VI5ZJA","additional_properties":{"_id":"XCXN3OD5T5HFPACRNSZ4UIOF4E"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BIJUT2XMGFG7ZDWQQN5WB2LV6E","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It was bloody hard, to be honest,” said Healy. “Thank God I was with Toms Skujins, because he was insanely strong today. I did what I needed to do, but I didn’t quite have the legs. So thanks to Toms.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VTGEI2N4LZDD3EZR7ZPILYZSBM","additional_properties":{},"content":"The statement was a modest one; he was stronger than he suggested, showing form similar to his long breakaway during the Olympic road race in Paris, plus his aggressive Tour de France debut in July.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UIVICDCXWZB5XFNVTVSTE6M3UM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I just wish I could contribute a bit more and maybe we would have stayed away. I did what I could and then tried to play my cards in the final as well. But it just wasn’t to be, unfortunately.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"G2LFFLGZWNHNJP22RE4FJXYSF4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Still, mixing with the world’s top riders provides further confirmation that he is now on their level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"M2S3NXDCSJB2FNFV6QD73NS474","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I am really, really happy with that. I laid it all on the line and it almost paid off, so that’s all you can ask for, I think.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"E3ULYMEPWNH7HK6HOYKD6PLZH4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Fellow Irishmen Archie Ryan, Eddie Dunbar and Conn McDunphy helped him early on. McDunphy was caught out by a crash and a dropped chain on the climb, while Ryan took a very solid 21st. Dunbar wasn’t in the same form as when he won two stages in the Vuelta a España, finishing 67th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L6PHI2TCOVFMHNY5ARCPSZ4CZ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ryan is a first-year professional and will take great encouragement from his performance, given that he was prominent on the climbs deep into the race and helped set Healy up for his big attack.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IJQCSW5XU5FLTEKKBDVQIHGFCY","additional_properties":{},"content":"All attention is on Pogacar, though, who continued a formidable season. Healy was impressed by the manner of his win.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PITCK2V6NRHSPA7LNSHIICQY6Q","additional_properties":{},"content":"“What can you say? Just absolutely insane,” he said. “I don’t think anyone expected him to go from 100k out today.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6TJJQ4JFWJBVVLJDNHHG3J7E64","additional_properties":{},"content":"Seventh by Healy was one of the standouts of a strong Irish campaign. The road championships in Switzerland were combined with the paracycling worlds, and Irish duo Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly won both the tandem road race and time trial. Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal took third in the road race and fourth against the clock.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HU52OVEE3FC6RGBFCSNLQIQQE4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Irish riders clocked up five other top 10 finishes, including Seth Dunwoody’s fifth and Conor Murphy’s 10th in the junior men’s time-trial, plus Darren Rafferty’s sixth and brother Adam Rafferty’s 10th place in the under-23 TT. Lucy Bénézet Minns was also 10th in the junior women’s road race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Unstoppable Slovenian adds rainbow jersey to Tour de France and Giro crowns; Ireland’s Ben Healy finishes seventh"},"display_date":"2024-09-29T15:55:09.237Z","headlines":{"basic":"Tadej Pogacar becomes first male cyclist since Stephen Roche to win triple crown ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"PIBKFAL5TB7XF3DOWH6VUURC74","auth":{"1":"a27889f02a3b8800e2f953f44bb5d083700829b6e39c8a3a2d87cbbf3869a6bb"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/PIBKFAL5TB7XF3DOWH6VUURC74.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/29/tadej-pogacar-solos-home-to-first-world-championship-road-title/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"LO7NVPTZKNB6HIROIPSTFHFYOM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":208,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/32aa98e8-a1f2-42d7-acb6-2bc3eaa0fa5e/versions/1727454196/media/5384b158c332e4fdd858a6c3f65d17b4_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/27/eighteen-year-old-rider-muriel-furrer-dies-after-fall-at-world-cycling-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"T4GE23T4LJHFFGXLBDSBSVOWJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767745},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/darren-rafferty/\" target=\"_blank\">Darren Rafferty</a> had a strong performance in a highly-competitive under-23 road race at the UCI <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/cycling/\" target=\"_blank\">Road World Championships</a> on Friday, racing to 12th in the 173.6km event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PU7NFOQZ6FCCNC7SYYK3KADCWM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767746},"content":"The Dungannon rider finished sixth in the time trial on Monday and hoped for a strong showing in the race. He was supported by Jamie Meehan, Liam O’Brien and Dean Harvey and bridged to a chase group of favourites with 44 kilometres left.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FRUBPEM25EG7KIOPW374XL4CU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767747},"content":"Rafferty has however looked fatigued after riding and finishing his first Grand Tour, the Vuelta a España, several weeks ago, with that event coming towards the end of what has been a draining first season as a professional.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DSEBK4IRLRDNXNVWH427VSLOOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767748},"content":"He faded on a tough climb with 24km remaining and finished 2′48 behind winner Niklas Behrens (Germany) and Martin Svrček (Slovakia), who sprinted for the win.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OJST6MVWCFFGXDI6ZMM2PYOAOE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767749},"content":"The day was marked by tragedy when news came that Swiss competitor Muriel Furrer had died after a crash during the junior women’s road race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"E2ZRL463RRHTDN2GDBYT4JE7FQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767750},"content":"“The 18-year-old rider fell heavily yesterday, Thursday, during the women junior road race, and suffered a serious head injury before being flown to hospital by helicopter in a very critical condition,” cycling’s governing body the UCI, wrote in a statement. “Muriel Furrer sadly passed away today at Zurich University Hospital.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"F36VB2J7EBC7HGLTJBD5QKTZAE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767751},"content":"The UCI expressed condolences to her family, who reportedly said they wished for the championships to continue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SPARGHOCGVEORCJO6GW3T2KQ7M","additional_properties":{"_id":"LTIJCFWXRFAEXAOBW33I6AUZ5U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"SJEWOIVS3VCYJAYX67F3OI5EAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767753},"content":"Saturday sees the elite and under-23 women’s road race take place. National champion Fiona Mangan and sisters Caoimhe and Aoife O’Brien will represent Ireland, the latter taking the place of Megan Armitage. She was originally selected but later withdrew from the squad for the 154.1km event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7WBV6GGNKNGR5ENGLJCK4N4TIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767754},"content":"The action concludes on Sunday with the elite men’s road race. All eyes are on Tadej Pogačar (Slovenia), who is seeking to be the first rider since Eddy Merckx in 1974 and Ireland’s Stephen Roche in 1987 to win the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the world championships road race in the same season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AQ36QAPQENEJ3DAMWCELYUMOOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767755},"content":"He dominated the Tour and the Giro, and was in fine form when he soloed to victory in the recent GP Cycliste de Montréal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3TKQI52PUFFTDKRH5HPGQZF37E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767756},"content":"Irish hopes in the 273.9km race will be represented by Eddie Dunbar, Ben Healy, Archie Ryan and Conn McDunphy. Dunbar will hope to have carried over some of the form which earned him two stage wins in the Vuelta a España, while Healy is one of the best Classic riders in the world when in top shape.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6TBIKXKKTFBTJEKRCQOWT4LEJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767757},"content":"Like EF Education EasyPost team-mate Rafferty, Ryan has had a fine first season as a professional. He won a stage and finished second overall in the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali in March and was fifth overall in the Lidl Deutschland Tour in August.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IOPS56TFVRDQXLEXGWW64VRZZU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727452767758},"content":"McDunphy was a strong second in the Rás Tailteann in May and will likely play a support role for his more experienced team-mates.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"UCI confirm death of 18-year-old Swiss cyclist after suffering serious head injury in Zurich"},"display_date":"2024-09-27T15:57:00.503Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland’s Darren Rafferty finishes 12th in under-23 road race at World Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ARZKUZFNOJEODP2ZAZVE35TO6Q","auth":{"1":"b1f55d17ae75ab0f4101cbf1e7f8d68df62ed635c95cc7b5883a08410decaa16"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ARZKUZFNOJEODP2ZAZVE35TO6Q.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/27/eighteen-year-old-rider-muriel-furrer-dies-after-fall-at-world-cycling-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"YABUDD3U2VFFPNDKK4DZHDW2XM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":351,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/39b108c8-ddc5-4f16-98a9-bf660c6698df/versions/1727382269/media/b07ea4b3f1d1cff537464333568a8ad2_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/09/27/boxing-beaten-to-the-punch-when-it-comes-to-sports-capital-grants/","content_elements":[{"_id":"NVKEDNTA4FAFLKUKSOD2BTINAU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881524},"content":"It takes a doctoral thesis to understand the minutia of how the sports grant allocation system works, who gets what and how criteria are weighted.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PE4D6IWZANFMPHCVH27C7EMYNU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881525},"content":"It seems, like the Irish tax system, it can be maximised if a federation or club has wealth, an organised administration with individuals who have skill sets or capital to invest into their projects. Those strengths will get you Government money. But not every sport has them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KTABE5WR2VDKPMG5Q6DDBJLUHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881526},"content":"This week millions were flying around, €230 million in all, with every niche sport and each governing body hoping the gods of the application system were winking down at them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UGKZYU4GBFHM7K6KJPAGEPF77A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881527},"content":"On Wednesday every blazer and alickadoo in the country was poised over their Smart Watch waiting for the wrist alert that told them what grant they did or didn’t get and in what category it was placed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YD5FV6HWZBEQHBWNUM3QOFTKSA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881528},"content":"Even they probably don’t fully understand why Clonmany Shamrocks Sports & Athletic Limited are deservingly given a “New Mower, Defibrillator & Storage Container” worth €70,000 or the enlightened Carrigtwohill GAA Club in Cork are getting €17,285 for PV Solar Panels, while another club down the road gets nothing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LY6A2HAOQFFKREBNK5XRLZL27Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881529},"content":"What people do notice is, when the dust settles, it seems to be to the tune of a few million euros here and few million there, disproportionate across sports. Socio-economic disadvantage, female participation, technical merits of the project and level of self-funding, they all come into play. Or do they?","type":"text"},{"_id":"B4O5XGITPFH4XABLSKTW4G7GBE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881530},"content":"Apparently, the possible bingo windfall also depends on how expertly clubs fill in forms to make the successful application and whether they own or rent their premises. In short, owning is good, renting is bad.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HUBCGLJFJJHQNDNTCQRP35YELI","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881531},"content":"Either way, it has become a competitive event with some of the governing bodies and clubs at the standard of Olympic medal winners at doing it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XPOSPTRCX5E3VDGX4K76UP5GNY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881532},"content":"Unwieldy and skewed towards sports with a high level of capital holding said one sports official, in an unscientific poll. A nightmare, said another. A third said their organisation had to run a series of workshops on explaining to members how to fill in the forms and empower them about how to correctly apply.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NNIOOHTEQVEC5OEN2PI5X3XEXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881533},"content":"You don’t need to be a solicitor said another, but it probably helps. A code breaker at Bletchley Park on the Enigma project might help too.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P5HVOTOFMZHFPK3HDVMYPM5DWM","additional_properties":{"_id":"PCBAW5N65VH27EBOHX6PARWSS4"},"content":"<iframe title=\"Value of grants by sport\" aria-label=\"Table\" id=\"datawrapper-chart-3SRhD\" src=\"\nhttps://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/3SRhD/3/\"\nscrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;\" height=\"531\" data-external=\"1\"></iframe><script type=\"text/javascript\">!function(){\"use strict\";window.addEventListener(\"message\",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(\"iframe\");for(var t in a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"][t]+\"px\";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();\n<\/script>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"PHIGQRK6QRCWTHHALVEV6PJL7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881534},"content":"Whatever way it works, people look at the figures and the smorgasbord of subventions, grants and allocations across the sports and the perception is that there must be an inbuilt bias about the process. That’s the look, one of a process that delivers lopsided, unbalanced outcomes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ATYMM7TJCVB55DWJOTWHZNNE3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881535},"content":"Sure, there is buttock-clenching awe over the fantastic sums some sports get and a general feeling of delight that at least the money is finding a good home. But there is also a familiar sense of dismay about the left behinds.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPXPIEPQ55CR5JRY6H4VGU6YRY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881536},"content":"So, chapeau to the form fillers of the GAA and soccer, whose combined allocation of €138 million, 60 per cent of the €230 million, eclipses all the other sports federations combined. You square it off as okay because your sister is in a soccer club and all your cousins play hurling and sure you dabble a bit yourself across several sports, although your main one is not soccer or GAA.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZVX4H6F25BJJPRLHIBBMEAJ5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881538},"content":"Add in rugby’s €10 million and €11 million going to golf and four sports take a €159 million slice of the cake.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3HJEZYR5VBCOVOYWPJJ4Y5CYQY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727376433086},"content":"Journalist Sean McGoldrick highlighted one of the stark anomalies on Twitter/X this week pointing to boxing, which is the most successful Olympic sport going back to the foundation of the State. The sport has produced 19 medals since then and given us the likes of double Olympic champion Kellie Harrington. Yet.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GWYPFZQ7CRCH3C2XCS5NPVNVIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881540},"content":"Yet the sport gets €830,914 while the GAA gets €96 million. Again, congrats to the GAA, they have got the grants thing lit. Every time it comes around, they are bang on the bullseye.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WTQ7V7N7MFAKNA6E2W6KQI2MQM","additional_properties":{"_id":"3CPEURPTPBCWBCRSJY7CWZVNOQ"},"content":"<iframe title=\"Allocations for capital applications\" aria-label=\"Table\" id=\"datawrapper-chart-vIuCb\" src=\"\nhttps://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/vIuCb/2/\"\nscrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"width: 0; min-width: 100% !important; border: none;\" height=\"618\" data-external=\"1\"></iframe><script type=\"text/javascript\">!function(){\"use strict\";window.addEventListener(\"message\",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(\"iframe\");for(var t in a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"])for(var r=0;r<e.length;r++)if(e[r].contentWindow===a.source){var i=a.data[\"datawrapper-height\"][t]+\"px\";e[r].style.height=i}}}))}();\n\n<\/script>","type":"raw_html"},{"_id":"AIVPMWQ3W5CTZJ7QUHNL2EANGE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881541},"content":"Then people begin to do their rough mental arithmetic and work out that boxing has around 20,000 members while the GAA has more than 500,000 members. It is a bigger organisation and that’s maybe a reason for the disparity.","type":"text"},{"_id":"N7E3I5E4QRCNVBMTFVF46OJEIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881542},"content":"Except GAA is not 96 times larger than boxing. It is about 25 times the size. That at least rules out two criteria. It is not numbers that’s involved nor success at the Olympic Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OVJXP7FMWFHK3E54NKYROIUMDA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881543},"content":"A key criterion when applying for bigger regional projects is the level of self-funding available. It’s another inbuilt piece of bias that rewards sports with money to invest, and leaves you wondering how much other criteria, such as socio-economic disadvantage, are worth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YT2TMOO7WJB3FFWVRMMNP3QJD4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881544},"content":"The question is whether the system is proportionate or evenly balanced. Boxing as a sport often tends to flower in disadvantaged areas, and it also reaches out to participants from diverse cultures and backgrounds, such as immigrants and the Traveller community. But boxing lacks investment capital and facilities.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PKLRDJVU6RGSZM736WBA6A6MPU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727374234824},"content":"On the flip side, tennis, for example, has facilities that can be upgraded and tends to own those facilities. Tennis clubs are also often found in non-disadvantaged areas.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3VDJWJ6IXBDHNJSKAFPM77VUOU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727374234825},"content":"With no player at this year’s Olympic Games or in any of the Grand Slam events, tennis received €6,579,430 in this year’s grants. Hats off to them, they have clearly cracked the code.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7J7PSNCFSVEW5E2UZ55UZJK7DA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727374234826},"content":"But allowing sports like GAA, soccer, rugby, golf and tennis to dominate the funding chart just compounds the chasm between the sports.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PTCSCKMB3RH33L44OVKTXFZQNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727367881547},"content":"The system, while largely transparent, is far from satisfactory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U63PP6QYQZHLVOTXMPYRSKTEAE","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"premium"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Johnny Watterson"}},"name":"Johnny Watterson"}]},"description":{"basic":"Despite producing 19 Olympic medals, the latest being Kellie Harrington, the sport gets a derisory €830,914 out of a €230 million funding pie"},"display_date":"2024-09-27T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Boxing beaten to the punch when it comes to sports capital grants ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LF3RSJQ5N5CVLF6DLIVR3BMDN4","auth":{"1":"6691fd364a23590d00e79860c993dd2ea77fbfc4e293d42c451836edd139275a"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LF3RSJQ5N5CVLF6DLIVR3BMDN4.jpg"}},"subtype":"columnist","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Boxing"},{"name":"Hockey"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Rugby"},{"name":"Soccer"},{"name":"Tennis"},{"name":"Golf"},{"name":"Gaelic Games"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/boxing/2024/09/27/boxing-beaten-to-the-punch-when-it-comes-to-sports-capital-grants/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/boxing","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Boxing"}}}},{"_id":"SDXO734IM5EURKK477K4MYDJ2U","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":105,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/5a6e2c81-908a-4417-b09a-8e86ef07bfd7/versions/1727373578/media/b6839d32f02e6fbd7a39899010fdfe5a_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/26/benezet-minns-takes-10th-on-dangerous-day-at-cyclings-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"L2WZL2KHCZDKDCQLKSZNLSIXLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872841},"content":"Lucy Bénézet Minns was best placed of the seven Irish riders in action at cycling’s World Championships on Thursday, finishing a fine 10th in the junior women’s road race in Zürich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XXK5OP3ZQJAJVGF7J4YD76K6Q4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872845},"content":"She raced home as part of a group 1 minute 26 seconds behind a trio led home by British talent Cat Ferguson, who also won the time-trial on Tuesday. The race was run off in wet, slippery conditions. ","type":"text"},{"_id":"U5E4ADYQKRGATNS5X54MCQACWA","additional_properties":{},"content":"Minns said she was out of position early on and used a lot of energy to get back to the front group.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TXH4BGMEERH2VOP3Y43NMMFUIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872850},"content":"“Then I was just cooked. It was really sketchy in the wet, the roads were just like an ice rink. I didn’t fall off this time, I’m pretty happy about that.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SIALSDTH3ZGXVAGZIQDNWMZXUY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872853},"content":"The tough conditions saw Aliyah Rafferty and Áine Doherty finish further back, placing 38th and 79th.","type":"text"},{"_id":"47CCJGYZUZGC5LIODVX7G6BX6E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872855},"content":"Seth Dunwoody was best finisher of the four Irish junior men, placing 26th behind the race winner Lorenzo Finn of Italy. The race was marked by many crashes including Albert Withen Philipsen (Denmark), who fell while in contention to defend his title.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P3O3DURSHFDGNK7I52DOZBPLAA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872859},"content":"Muriel Furrer (Switzerland) fell during the women’s event and was described by the UCI as being in a very critical condition due to a head injury.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PDVEZSRITBCA7MS6R5RRQGK5GY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727369872862},"content":"The championships continue on Friday with the under-23 men’s race. Brothers Darren and Adam Rafferty compete after netting sixth and 10th in Monday’s time-trial. They will be joined by Dean Harvey, Liam O’Brien and Jamie Meehan.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Swiss cyclist Muriel Furrer in a very critical condition after fall in senior women’s race"},"display_date":"2024-09-26T17:15:11.286Z","headlines":{"basic":"Bénézet Minns takes 10th on dangerous day at cycling’s World Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"PKYRVKHZWCSJFS4FESZIRIGOT4","auth":{"1":"1d2738840ba043877518e6486ebbd6e5becd7557775feb503aafa8fc83908bcd"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/PKYRVKHZWCSJFS4FESZIRIGOT4.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/26/benezet-minns-takes-10th-on-dangerous-day-at-cyclings-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"ZTPOZVI7WRFRTLFVEUMNN6TCFA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":292,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/b39a2da7-5cb7-431f-b2b1-7de24881db3f/versions/1727269210/media/e5865a5e3c914e288d88b47b2321361e_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/25/katie-george-dunlevy-and-linda-kelly-win-gold-again-at-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"LOTVDUIWUZAS7C5V24OBWOSL7A","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487437},"content":"Irish duo <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> and Linda Kelly have won their second gold medal at cycling’s world road championships in Zürich, Switzerland, soling to a sensational victory in the women’s B (tandem) road race on Wednesday morning.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4R6UWPEPVREA3J2YUU7ANOZMVU","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487438},"content":"The duo attacked on the penultimate lap of four, having earlier gone clear with Ireland team-mates Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal, plus big rivals Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2IPVEIYCGNBR5AVABKV7Q6Z3S4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487439},"content":"Dunlevy and Kelly forged ahead of the other two tandems before the start of lap four, crossing the finish line three seconds ahead there and continuing to build their lead.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KCRPNY2ONVC4NOM4MAVIVU773I","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487440},"content":"Unwin and Holl ultimately finished 1 minute 23 seconds behind with Healion and McCrystal taking a fine bronze, 16 seconds further back.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SCNBY653MRFEXH3AVMKGSXG6WQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I am absolutely over the moon,” said Dunlevy, who has the sight-limiting condition retinitis pigmentosa. “To have two bikes on the podium, us and then Eve and Josie, it was just textbook. It was what we were hoping for, what we were dreaming of.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QJWKO3NJ2ZBYZDLYUJLRYBW6G4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We were hoping to get that in Paris and we didn’t, we came away with silver. I was disappointed in Paris not to defend my title. But to do it here at the worlds, I am so proud of us. It was an amazing race. I really enjoyed the course, it was a bit of everything, and just really exciting.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VC5VRG7MOJFGHHTNOUAMQSFM7Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487441},"content":"Dunlevy and Kelly won gold in the time-trial on Sunday, having done the same in the Paralympics TT in September.","type":"text"},{"_id":"I3CAPBPA2VDBPJUZUPOQUILC5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487442},"content":"They were beaten by Unwin and Holl in the road race in Paris, making Wednesday’s victory all the sweeter.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UEE3UOBWKFBXBFOAHDRLVN7QME","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487443},"content":"The Irish duo also won the road race last year in Glasgow, successfully defending their title this time around.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UCWRLAYWORAEDANOD5SCUCRBSY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Dunlevy suffered a fractured collarbone in the run-up to the Paralympic Games, and herself and Kelly had several other crashes. The latter suffered from concussion in one race, while illness also affected their build-up.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R6SMSX76RZH2HHV53XDHV7A3JM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We did have a good think about it afterwards when we got home,” Kelly said. “Before we got here we had a chat with our coach and a chat with our team-mates as well, Eve and Josie, just talking about tactics and power and speed and what you do around the course. And the type of course it is as well.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WR3VISFSZZBN5MTP6KPUAL4ZKI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We did play to our strengths up the hills, and also going very fast down the descents as well. We were hitting 70 to 80ks per hour, a lot of turns. We are just so happy to come back and do the double two years in a row.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UKKMWY4TUVBAXF4JJ2I7H2FAPE","additional_properties":{"_id":"IS4TKEPFOVAEFM2RYOYKCY4AWY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BXB3ZAW3QNBQXBGX2DEL2XKZAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487444},"content":"Healion and McCrystal will savour their bronze medal and the achievement of putting two Irish bikes on the podium.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VJNXBNLPKNBQHNLTIE3UBMY6E4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487445},"content":"McCrystal is bowing out of international competition at 46 years of age. She partnered Dunlevy for many years, securing three Paracycling gold medals plus several world titles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NTUFUG7RGBEXBICEYJK74FXWYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487446},"content":"She then switched to racing with Healion in road events as part of a tactic to chase more medals and also to share her experience and build towards the future.","type":"text"},{"_id":"STOH5E3OEFA2BI2VO4GGS3MEPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727268487447},"content":"The bronze medals are a fitting reward for a lot of hard work. They were fourth in last year’s world championship road race, fourth in the Paralympic Games road race and again fourth last Sunday in the time trial, but stepped up a level on Wednesday for McCrystal’s swansong event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DGYRWORYQFFYNLYKYNYASWGE2A","additional_properties":{},"content":"As for Dunlevy, she is 42 years of age but will continue in the sport. It’s not yet clear if she will keep racing until the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, but she will be back in 2025 chasing more gold medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3KJ4HN4MJDMVOZE35F434AIKM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“[We will have] a long deserved break,” she said. “It’s been a long, hard year for us. We have had crashes on the bikes, illness ... mentally it has been a tough year. Mentally it’s hard to prepare yourself for these races. It takes a toll on the body.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXYMPAKBG5AWXOS33YF6GSMHYI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“So we’ll have a nice break and get back to it again for next year.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"6MMV33I4GFEDDJ3OH7TSSYPGZE","additional_properties":{},"content":"What will help with motivation is having had such a good season. She and Kelly raced to gold and silver in Paris, with one final collaboration between Dunlevy and McCrystal also securing silver in the team pursuit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4ILTWIAWMVD4NKSJ2ZIPPTLXIY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Dunlevy now has two more gold medals to her credit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NNSQKZM3HJAXRKVJVKVMQK57XE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“It’s a dream, really,” she said. “Three months ago I was in a hospital bed, so to come here and to get three medals in Paris and then be double world champions here, I am kind of lost for words. It means an awful lot. I am very happy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OIWTINSTXZGFLCQXKQJQCD3YWE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Next up in cycling’s road world championships are the junior road races on Thursday. Lucy Bénézet Minns, Aliyah Rafferty and Áine Doherty go in the women’s event, and Patrick Casey, Seth Dunwoody, David Gaffney and Cal Tutty will line out in the junior men’s race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal take bronze in Zürich after string of fourth-place finishes"},"display_date":"2024-09-25T11:54:03.986Z","headlines":{"basic":"Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win gold again at World Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"UPPSSM3LBVFPLH3NT7OTXJ56BM","auth":{"1":"c7cfb8273e053480876b12ccccdb204c08c6a77ac38bbf0ad8b41c63083b4193"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/UPPSSM3LBVFPLH3NT7OTXJ56BM.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/25/katie-george-dunlevy-and-linda-kelly-win-gold-again-at-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"BI5N6EEYHJDGFHMGUSN3HUB7VE","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":112,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/8e68429a-a171-49d4-b62c-ccc5d67e7bf6/versions/1727117173/media/4c6d692f9472bc62e53700536ef6e9ca_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/23/seth-dunwoody-and-darren-rafferty-close-to-medals-at-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"B4JNJ6DHARB4DJCQNFI3KBL4RA","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785779},"content":"Irish riders had a fine showing on day three of the UCI road world championships in Zürich on Monday, with Seth Dunwoody fifth in the junior men’s time trial and Darren Rafferty sixth in the Under 23 race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7TUVQ5IISRAJ5B33RNNU5VDB5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785780},"content":"Dunwoody continued the fine form he has shown this year to finish 24 seconds off race winner Paul Seixas (France), and 17 seconds off a podium place. Compatriot Conor Murphy was 10th, a fine performance for a first year junior.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2MLGWCWQOBHTHDMIWPZR62FYHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785781},"content":"“I managed to squeeze everything out of my legs today,” said Dunwoody. “Although not as much as I had expected but I can still be proud of this result. It’s my first major time trial championship and I hope to be at many more fighting for medals.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SWZ5FYNHBZHRVCIWOY46IKNIP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785782},"content":"Rafferty finished fifth in the under 23 TT last year and, having turned professional with EF Education-EasyPost this season, hoped to build on that. However he found he was lacking a little zip in the race, quite possibly as a result of riding the Vuelta a España at 21 years of age.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6M6VM7YUGRHU3NWT7PUNMMPGEI","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785783},"content":"“It has been a long season and I have done a lot of races. It is nice to be able to come here, represent Ireland and give it my best. Unfortunately it was not enough, but it is always nice and there is another opportunity on Friday,” he said, speaking about the road race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7VJMZVTIMRCFTBJOX4FQCT627Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785784},"content":"Brother Adam had a fine performance in his first year as an under 23, netting 10th. Spanish rider Iván Romeo won.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AUYBTDQM5NBDTL7BWYJVJ23USM","additional_properties":{"_id":1727115785785},"content":"The world championships continues on Tuesday with the junior women’s time trial. Sister Aliyah Rafferty and Lucy Bénézet Minns will represent Ireland. The latter was fourth last year.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Dunwoody continued fine form he has shown this year to finish 24 seconds off race winner Paul Seixas"},"display_date":"2024-09-23T18:27:59.329Z","headlines":{"basic":"Seth Dunwoody and Darren Rafferty close to medals at world championships ","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"N2DK5DEMY2UKQGVPCYPROQ2HQA","auth":{"1":"d7286a95d00c844afb396fa295a03f87e5b071f2b9fe0ab0a327d386b2cdba17"},"focal_point":{"x":2341,"y":421},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/N2DK5DEMY2UKQGVPCYPROQ2HQA.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/23/seth-dunwoody-and-darren-rafferty-close-to-medals-at-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"O7P7ZRRCOVCOJFHZUYWK2BNZOA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":203,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/813be2c1-3838-4d05-9fc1-0bd141d69ce4/versions/1727015241/media/e126eccca38e554d2f01cf5492c04737_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/22/irelands-katie-george-dunlevy-and-linda-kelly-win-gold-at-world-championship-time-trial/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JFIVIEGQ7VAZ5LDNF5FUVGBZ5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1727000677642},"content":"Paralympic champions <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> and Linda Kelly added another gold to their 2024 haul on Sunday, winning the women’s B individual time-trial at cycling’s road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IX4SY7TWEZA7DJUBBPQBWKYC3I","additional_properties":{},"content":"The duo smashed their rivals on the undulating 29.9km course, completing the distance 1:09.7 quicker than Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl. A second British duo, Lora Fachie and Corrine Hall, were at 1:38.44 back in third.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ITKUWZ4UMZCRRMUK73QAR2WU5Y","additional_properties":{},"content":"Irish riders Josephine Healion and Eve McCrystal took a very solid fourth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"732J37BVUNBBREITBQ35MS6C4U","additional_properties":{},"content":"The victory by Dunlevy and Kelly sees them successfully defend the world title they took in Dumfries in August 2023.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GDNIH45HJRFBXIWM4BC2LSN2GY","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We really enjoyed the course,” said Dunlevy. “There were uphill and downhill sections so we knew, based on our race in Paris, that we would get time hopefully on the hills. We had to go over on our power on the hills and just really deliver a good solid ride. We’re delighted.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R54WB4X2ABHJNBBDS7DJCR3HA4","additional_properties":{},"content":"“You have to just attack each bit that you’re on, not think too far ahead when it comes to the time-trial.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MS7ZYCHLTVGTLJXJOSDMR3GRU4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Kelly pilots visually-impaired rider Dunlevy, and plays a key role in picking the right lines through corners in order to maximise speed while maintaining safety. She could see that they were closing on big rivals Unwin and Holl during the time-trial and drew encouragement from that.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4O6AMVXXX5AKFJHXHNQF4WPITE","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Towards the last seven, eight kilometres we passed the British bike. It was such a nice feeling.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"WZKSFKDBJRDXNNW4QMMTBEJEWQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"They are next up in the women’s road race on Wednesday, and will hope to repeat their victory of last year. Healion and McCrystal will also be in action, with the latter due to retire from international competition afterwards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HYMVN7ZR5RHLRKVVASBP6QHSFA","additional_properties":{},"content":"She partnered Dunlevy for many years, clocking up multiple world titles and three golds, plus two silver medals, in the Paracycling Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"F6TLBKFPQNH7HAKY2PSPJCPSQ4","additional_properties":{},"content":"The quartet are the only paracycling riders among Ireland’s 24-strong squad at the UCI road and paracycling world championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"52JWK5AGOJEORPPIM2FUMRXK7U","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland had no competitors in the elite men’s and women’s time-trials on Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"INNVGB4HVJAN7BUHDUZTR6HZYI","additional_properties":{},"content":"On Monday, Seth Dunwoody and Conor Murphy line out in the junior time-trial, while the brothers Darren and Adam Rafferty compete in the under-23 equivalent. Aliyah Rafferty and Lucy Bénézet Minns will then contest the junior women’s time-trial on Tuesday. Bénézet Minns was a superb fourth last year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IR4VGYKF45EVFOVRBLTJ746DDY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The road races will take place later in the week. Following the paracycling tandem road race on Wednesday, the junior men and women will be in action on Thursday, with the under 23 men racing on Friday. The latter group will include Darren Rafferty, who took a fine fifth in the time-trial last year, and who recently competed in the Vuelta a España.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RXV6WES75FDKVNHTMLDSUZBT2A","additional_properties":{},"content":"Sisters Caoimhe and Aoife O’Brien join with national champion Fiona Mangan in the elite women’s road race on Saturday, while double Vuelta a España stage winner Eddie Dunbar, Ben Healy, Archie Ryan and Conn McDunphy are the Irish riders in the elite men’s road race next Sunday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Irish pair defend their title in Zurich as Josephine Healion and Eve McChrystal finish fourth"},"display_date":"2024-09-22T10:55:40.939Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland’s Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win gold in World Championship time-trial","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"UK2NVHDBU4H6KKVQ2ZTRFX6EWQ","auth":{"1":"ec6a04957978cf095a4f33bb9c23edb2d31e259c3e53c20ae89345b5863ab45c"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/UK2NVHDBU4H6KKVQ2ZTRFX6EWQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/22/irelands-katie-george-dunlevy-and-linda-kelly-win-gold-at-world-championship-time-trial/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"IAWQVV26FNF2LEF7DTUCWLIDYU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":664,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/cfde3690-c684-4dff-9408-f2338ebb9574/versions/1726825465/media/bf32463772e2a347beba025ff62c8f31_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/21/after-losing-his-leg-to-an-israeli-sniper-alaa-al-dali-found-his-way-out-of-gaza-and-into-the-world-championships/","content_elements":[{"_id":"R3W4LZ4SARAR7OIIEQUQAZJADM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465157},"content":"Alaa al-Dali was watching the protest in his full cycling gear when he was shot in the leg by an <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-defence-forces/\" target=\"_blank\">IDF</a> sniper. He was standing beside his bike, 300m from the fence that separates <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/gaza-strip/\" target=\"_blank\">Gaza</a> from <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel/\" target=\"_blank\">Israel</a>. It was March 2018 and he was 21 years old.","type":"text"},{"_id":"33PC6JGPUZBM3JVLKZMISFZ4C4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465158},"content":"He had already qualified to compete in the Asian Games later that summer and was on track to become the first ever <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/palestine/\" target=\"_blank\">Palestinian</a> cyclist to compete at the Olympics. But the gunshot caused 22cm of devastation to Dali’s right leg and meant he’d have to get it amputated. No leg, no Asian Games, no Olympics. It was more than just his tibia that the sniper’s bullet tore through.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVE5H22AJNEZ3FTJZJ2DR6ZLBU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465159},"content":"Six and a half years on, a small miracle will land next week. On Tuesday morning in Zurich, Dali will roll out for the time trial in the C2 category of the UCI World Paracycling Championship. Three days later, he’ll take his place in the field for the C2 road race. He won’t win but he will compete, in defiance of the odds, in defiance of everything. You don’t need to be on the podium to claim a victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZIASXT4HYVAKHLVWR3HW3ZBJR4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465160},"content":"“It will be the first time the Palestinian flag is flown on the international cycling stage,” says Karim Ali, co-founder alongside Dali of the Gaza Sunbirds Paracycling team. “It will be the first time any Palestinian has made it to a competition at this level. It’s an honour to be taking this step. It’s huge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FMSUO32C4BDNRMQGQUL6EKN4TM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465161},"content":"“Alaa only got out of Gaza in April. His family is still there, including his two young kids. He has travelled to eight countries through the summer and qualified for these championships even though he has had no permanent place to stay. In the space of five months, he has done something that takes some teams and countries years to achieve.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DPSLDF5VWJEU5PPMSCW5LA5WCQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465162},"content":"That he has got here at all is down, at least in part, to Mark Rohan. The Westmeath man, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/news/motorbike-crash-survivor-mark-rohan-wins-gold-back-in-saddle-1.526329\" target=\"_blank\">a double gold medallist in handcycling at the 2012 Paralympics</a>, lives in Portugal now and coaches from his base in the Algarve. In Zurich next week, his stable comprises two Norwegian cyclists, one Icelander and one Portuguese, as well as Dali.","type":"text"},{"_id":"54NIZFWLPZGALNPSD3MTSS35QA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465163},"content":"“It was very ordinary in how it came about,” says Rohan. “I read about the Gaza Sunbirds and basically sent them a message saying something along the lines of, ‘I don’t know how I can help but I’d like to.’ I’m coaching Alaa but it’s as much coaching his coach Hassan as anything.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GKWVNDRHPRFMBOHZTES4G3S5RU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465164},"content":"“What they’ve done is amazing. They really had nothing. I mean, nothing. They were getting aid workers to smuggle bike parts into Gaza for them. People were taking bikes out of skips in Israel and trying to get them into Gaza so they could work on them and make them raceable. They didn’t even have cleats to fit into the pedals – they were wrapping some of the cyclists’ feet on to the pedals with duct tape. It’s been such a hard slog for them.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FSLAO3RYDNBTBCZEPNXVFOOMMA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465165},"content":"It started with Dali getting shot that day. The Great March of Return was a nine-month-long protest by Gazans in 2018, where thousands turned up daily to demand the right to return to their ancestral lands from which they were displaced in 1948. Dali made a point of attending in his cycling gear – he was having major difficulties in securing the right to leave Gaza to compete in international competition. He has always assumed that made him a target for the IDF sniper.","type":"text"},{"_id":"62FYMW3S6VDR3NM6BPXTVQBILU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465166},"content":"The official UN report on the demonstrations found that the IDF deliberately shot at the legs of protesters and that 156 amputations took place as a result. Dali’s was one of them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PRBUASEJDZFD5DGFP42BIAQDYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465167},"content":"“I begged the doctor to try his best before amputating it because my dreams as an athlete are tied up with these legs,” <a href=\"https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/6/2/riding-despite-gaza-palestinian-cycling-champion-alaa-al-dali\" target=\"_blank\">he later told Al-Jazeera</a>. “I spent eight days in the operating theatre. Every day I had a surgery on my leg. I felt so much pain and bullet fragments infected it all. I needed to make a choice – either the amputation or losing my life. After thinking a lot, I gave my consent to cut the leg. It was a very hard decision to make.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"SCMF7LSTKRHT5DYTW6LUD2OUMY","additional_properties":{"_id":"YRKS2XR5LJEKZKQXFCACPRKGOI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"CQDEONF225AHTIH4WPS57ZQLJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465168},"content":"Undeterred, Dali took a few months and decided to become a paracyclist. More than that, he decided that since the Gaza Strip had one of the highest concentrations of amputees on the planet, there had to be a way to pull together a paracycling team. A short film telling his story was shot and made in Arabic. The job of translating it into English landed on the desk of a 19-year-old student in London, a Cypriot Palestinian called Karim Ali.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BYH5BHXGBJEX3P7MVQ2THXORHM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465169},"content":"“Translating is a pretty intimate experience,” Ali says. “You really have to listen to what the person is saying. What emotions are they feeling? What are the exact words or phrases that they use to describe their situation? I felt very close to Alla after translating his story. And as a result of that, I decided I wanted to help him. But I was super young and I didn’t know much about the world.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"CM6FFM4VEFCU3NVHAMCKIKG22Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465170},"content":"That was how the Gaza Sunbirds were born. Over the next few years, with Ali in London and Dali in Gaza, they cobbled bits and pieces of gear together and got up and running. They were, from day one, a paracycling team rather than a cycling team. They were a place where amputees could come and learn to ride a bike. And, in time, to race a bike.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HPIDWLHHXZA37HGW4GEIRMEAOA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465171},"content":"“Our mission for year one was just to show that it is possible to train somebody under war circumstances,” says Ali. “It wasn’t to achieve any numbers. It was to see if it’s possible to get bikes, to train any number of these guys consistently for any period of time. That was it. That was the whole objective. There was nothing else. It was like an early proof of concept – as in, is it even possible to cycle in Gaza?","type":"text"},{"_id":"3NJLRR6Q4NCDPG4WZQBC5HSBPU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465172},"content":"“How difficult is it to ride a bike? Very difficult if you only have one leg.. Amputations in Gaza, they’re progressive conditions. People get one amputation, then another, then another, then another, then another. Then they get complications in their limbs because the prosthetics are never correct.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GABSRMUDLZHUJJ7RS7RIQ4TYB4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465173},"content":"“So even if you have a good leg, how good does that leg stay when your entire body weight is on it? And if you’re prone to an crash and you get seen in the hospital or you get partial medical treatment for it, how can you continue to cycle on it? Maybe you can live a regular life with a slight leg injury, but then can you go and do professional sports?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VOKPBYLCMBFYTJAGW3PF5IGDLM","additional_properties":{"_id":"IGKKK5UAFRBDVOJKTTWRQSP3OI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"HHYGKMK4C5HRVKSAZEXZERKGOE","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465174},"content":"Bit by bit, they built it up. This time last year, the Gaza Sunbirds had 22 athletes, ranging in age from 12 to 50. They were getting a better supply of bikes and trained five times a week, up and down the Gaza Strip. The best of them, Dali included, were aiming to compete at the Paralympics in Paris, at the time just 10 months away.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZMWK3JMVMRBBJD6DJR3RJBFBE4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465175},"content":"Then October 7th happened.","type":"text"},{"_id":"B43IZWAWBREP5FZAVR3NAUPYMM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465176},"content":"Every day since, <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/israel-hamas-conflict/\" target=\"_blank\">the world has watched Gaza be turned to rubble</a>. The Israeli reaction to atrocities carried out by Hamas has made life on the strip intolerable. The death toll, as of this week, is 41,252 people, including 16,500 children. The UN says more than half of the homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged. More than 90 per cent of the population have been displaced since this phase of the war began.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2PV3VIZLKZEXDG6JOTVDQCXEMY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465177},"content":"In a particularly grim irony, cycling became the best way to get around Gaza. With fuel supplies cut off and 65 per cent of the road bombed to pieces, the Sunbirds went from being the most immobile people in Gaza to among the most mobile. With life as a sports team immediately suspended, Ali and Dali came up with the idea of morphing into a delivery service.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3J26D5DYMFDUTJZJYHCPMCGDDU","subtype":"twitter","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"LBWTJQUQJBCHBEPUNPWTZVDAWA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465179},"content":"“Alaa said, ‘Why don’t I get some bread and cycle around bringing it to people?’” Ali says. “We made a video of it and put it out on the internet to see if we could raise money to help people. We set up a Just Giving page. The video was kind of weird but it worked. We’ve kept doing it ever since.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZGMWFQW6NNG7BFFANKSZ4E464E","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465180},"content":"All the while, Dali still wanted to try to get to the Paralympics. To do so, they would have to get him out of Gaza and into Europe where he could take part in some qualifying races. It took three months for him to make it across the border into Egypt, along with three other cyclists and two coaches.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6WKTLMZAVVDK3HOAXYBA7DLBBM","additional_properties":{"_id":"FVC5RRU6YJDCFAXPCNGG55J4WI"},"content":"Bohemians v Palestine: ‘In Gaza, our fields and our stadiums have been demolished’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"N4UKZNVNHFBLLFWQQWI7KMK4WQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465181},"content":"Everything since has been life on the hoof. They got to Ostend in Belgium to take part in a World Cup race in May. Dali finished last in his category but at least they were on the map now. That night, however, the news came through that the Israelis had begun their assault on Rafah and closed the border crossing they had squeezed out through only weeks earlier. There was, literally, no going back.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NIRCCEK3KFENZNX3RWQ2O5QXYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465182},"content":"Four of the group of six decided to apply for asylum in Belgium, there and then. But Dali and his coach ploughed on, to see if they could get a wild card into the Paralympics. They raced in Italy, Kazakhstan and Malaysia, all to show their hunger for a spot in Paris. But when it came down to it, the IPC didn’t grant him a spot. It was always going to be a long shot and this one didn’t hit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7KJRZ4DQB5GF3IO7OZ4LAX4SCQ","subtype":"twitter","type":"oembed_response"},{"_id":"JO2TYFY4U5G2VGCGHFGMONGLDM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465184},"content":"But along the way, he qualified for Zurich. Having spent the past two months living in a church basement in Padova, Italy, they drove the six hours north on Wednesday. They don’t know what the future holds past next week. Maybe Dali keeps competing where he can, maybe he waits out the war and tries to get back to his family. Nobody really has a clue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XV5OC2LRMZANJAMTPUOLT43RQM","additional_properties":{"_id":"EYHOMGV5ANDNFPBKSIPPZWGGDA"},"content":"‘We don’t have a life’: Palestinian shepherds struggle to graze amid growing settlements","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"2S526KJFZVDHTHYSVT2XEFQS54","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465185},"content":"For now, all they know is that on Tuesday and Friday, he will take his place among the sleek machines of the world’s best paracyclists and start pedalling his one good leg.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YWNYW7QK7VAMLNYLQGBIW6ZL3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465186},"content":"Whatever the road in front of him holds, it can’t be harder than the one behind him.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JYK26ZUUMJFFJJXJBF4USB3YVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1726761465187},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Malachy Clerkin"}},"name":"Malachy Clerkin"}]},"description":{"basic":"In Zurich on Tuesday, the Palestinian flag will fly on the global cycling stage for the first time as the founder of the Gaza Sunbirds takes his place among the best paracyclists in the world"},"display_date":"2024-09-21T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"After losing his leg to an Israeli sniper, Alaa al-Dali found his way out of Gaza and into the World Championships","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"ADV47ZPAIBEU3FTZ3V3UIAB3EQ","auth":{"1":"40877ecb5e835768028e657cfd5368d8cbe374060496fa0e8bd5cf90de5b1033"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/ADV47ZPAIBEU3FTZ3V3UIAB3EQ.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/21/after-losing-his-leg-to-an-israeli-sniper-alaa-al-dali-found-his-way-out-of-gaza-and-into-the-world-championships/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"IXU4FPHWQJB5PPMVXAJNPX6J6A","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":641,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/1e846b57-75f6-4861-bf45-a4c2f9cd4a34/versions/1726152954/media/eb7403de05b5951a65b05dd8c917676c_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/life-style/people/2024/09/13/what-next-for-katie-george-dunlevy-no-irish-athlete-can-touch-her-medal-numbers-yet-la-2028-not-certain/","content_elements":[{"_id":"SJQ3M4KZ2VF2VNEZZ7BLCV3CLQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125272},"content":"First it was medals, now legacy is creeping into the thinking of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a>. There is an abundance of the former, with the latter beginning to enter the conversation. Dunlevy will have a more serious discussion with herself following next week’s Para-cycle Road World Championships in Zurich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BLATVQ7WYVDUJOXJP6FEDBUEGM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125274},"content":"But after the fireworks of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paris 2024</a> the most decorated Irish Paralympic athlete of all time is at a crossroads. As she tells it, the answer is in her aching bones, the wilfulness, the solitary training regime and the hunger that have always provided an edge to what she does.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BUZ3RRXFZJC3NHJJ3MTW3I7MZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125275},"content":"The coming year will be one of self-discovery. She must divine if there is another <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympic Games</a> available to her 42-year-old body in four years’ time in Los Angeles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WD2GQDPMS5FXFLFMS62QM2ETP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125276},"content":"Either way, Paris represented another triumph, with three more jewels encrusted on to her crown to bring her overall Paralympic medal haul to eight; four gold and four silver. In World Championship competition, Dunlevy has 15 medals – six gold, six silver and three bronze, from road and track. No other Irish athlete can touch those numbers, yet LA 2028 is no certainty.","type":"text"},{"_id":"53FTSSYHAFA2FO4TX73GREY7RM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125277},"content":"“It’s whether I have that drive still in me,” she says. “To get to the top is hard but to stay at the top is much harder and I have been [there] for 10 years, ranked number one in the world on the road.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VVOMP5YEKVGNZCUOJOE37CFD54","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125278},"content":"“It’s your whole life. Everything else is put to the side. You have to be very selfish. It’s you, training away on your own and you don’t have anyone around you. I wouldn’t have my coach with me. I wouldn’t have pilots with me. I’d be training months and months on my own, especially the year after the Paralympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"75KP6M4ASNASXKE56OO5HRWXDQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125279},"content":"“It’s whether I can train indoors for six months. That’s one of the things. I don’t want to do it halfheartedly. You have to give the extra bit because competition is fierce.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JYHM4ZKGOJE5RCZ3KRPHHLHDYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125280},"content":"Pilots are the eyes on the tandem racing bike on which Dunlevy competes. In Paris they were Linda Kelly and Eve McCrystal in her visually impaired B category. Her sight has been degrading since she was a child.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CQDTU5ENMVCBRH6PRWMKGHADVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125281},"content":"When she was not yet 12 years old, it was a routine visit to the optician that first revealed serious issues. English-born Dunlevy had worn glasses from the age of five. But that day was the first time she had heard the words retinitis pigmentosa. Further inquiry and a visit to a hospital in London confirmed the fears of her parents and the genetic disorder.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QPJM5WWNA2URPLX4LFYM2Z7VTA","additional_properties":{"_id":"VA7KS6PNQZDGHBJJUHQED2JJ5U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"5XKNBPJX4BBSVMSEU43K55VTQA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125282},"content":"The cells in her retina were breaking down and over time her vision would deteriorate. Her family were told she could lose her sight by the age of 30, as many affected by the condition do, to the point of blindness.","type":"text"},{"_id":"77ALFJHZLJAYBJED7JYMZQUFEU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125283},"content":"On the Paralympic scale, hers is a B2 classification which is not as severe a visual impairment as B1 but more severe than B3. B2 is significantly and limited vision, either in how far or how wide one can see. The diagnosis changed the course of her life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3JHRKCSHBBDPJH54T6EA5NYRTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125284},"content":"“I didn’t understand because I was used to seeing what I could see and didn’t know what everyone else could see,” she says. “It’s the same now. I know I can’t see some things and I’ll walk into stuff and kind of go, ‘Yeah, I can’t see well.’ I don’t know what everyone else can see so it’s [about] adapting.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UH3ULYMQ3NA3DGBJX47GX6OXYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125285},"content":"“My family decided to send me to a special school in Kent for the visually impaired and blind. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want help. I didn’t understand what was going on. But the school was great. I was getting into activity and sport whereas the mainstream school I was in, I was left at the side of the PE class.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"DQ6ZR45R3NAY7EUSMQ7NSYILQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125286},"content":"At the new school, Dorton House, she was drawn towards physical activity, had high energy for “doing things”. Previously, she sat out PE because she ran into other kids or didn’t see the ball thrown to her. As a low-self-esteem child, the new situation was a confidence-giver and Dunlevy was driven towards competition.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ARGTHKCXJKFX2ZWLV7CPKPKC7A","additional_properties":{"_id":"TNJ6AH3JZRC4XC34PAQDBROGJY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"WY3ZFUF4YFCZFFFPYTOZLS2QZY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125287},"content":"First it was running and rowing, and at 17 Britain selected her for the Blind Sports European Championships, where she won bronze in 400m. At university in Southampton she became more serious about rowing and received a call from a British rowing coach to try out.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DLIDQSYJUNE5FH2ENX35YA44E4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125288},"content":"“Visually impaired. A woman. Sporty. I was like, well, okay, maybe,” she says. “I went and did a test indoors and then Iearned to row at my second year in uni.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"I5XLDGD3Y5EOJFHEVL3ICOWWJQ","additional_properties":{"_id":"7SY2P4PN6ZFXTIMAUNBLAIEM6U"},"content":"Raucous Dublin Airport homecoming reception for Team Ireland Paralympians ‘brilliant to see’","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"FK3SIXJNJBFX3JTZN6PONFVZ5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125289},"content":"Several years were spent trying to push into British boats, and she did in 2004 and 2005. Then eventually a rib injury kept her out of the 2006 World Championships. The boat she missed won and she couldn’t break in for the 2010 World Championships. For the rest of the journey serendipity was at the tiller.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2STL4ZLGMVFU7DZB2WQNHRJZAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125290},"content":"Ireland then was trying to get a rowing squad to qualify for London 2012 and Dunlevy’s dad John, being from Mountcharles in Co Donegal, provided an opportunity. In 2011 she did the trial and missed out. Again. Enough, she said to herself. She couldn’t take it any more.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OKMXUFEMZRHIDG2NV2GATGQMUU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125291},"content":"However, paracycling coach Brian Nugent threw a lifeline. With her core strength and cardio, he asked if she wanted to try out cycling. A couple of months later Dunlevy arrived in Ireland. She tried out and was selected for the World Championships at the end of the year. It was 2014 and she was on her way.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FHABBL6BXNEPTENHUK65I5RX5I","additional_properties":{"_id":"ZT2AVZMXLRD3JLPYNNOK337BVY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"OYIOL3KFO5DOVHRADCMFS56J5A","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125292},"content":"A slew of World Championship and Paralympic medals later, her world is a different place.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BZ2VVW4LUVCKZCYYXNEISD6ZKY","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125293},"content":"“Every [Paralympic] cycle, the promotion and coverage, is so much better in the world [now] but also back in Ireland,” she says. “The number of athletes competing, and the number of women is increasing every Paralympic Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FG7HWABD3RASBPCLKV56WT5N5M","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062633},"content":"“Years ago, in Ireland you probably would not have been able to name a Paralympic athlete. But now you would. The communication is better. It is elite sport; we are just disabled. Visibility is important but there is definitely a long way to go. Not to put down any of the Olympians but they showcase them more.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CU7BLU6HQ5EOFLCD4RB43QGRLU","additional_properties":{"_id":"CQFSU6VK7BA7XN4V62NSNDWOAM"},"subtype":"pullquote","type":"quote"},{"_id":"TJ7TR33TW5ESREGKQPPZY3SXIE","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062635},"content":"“I think you find at a lot of awards the Olympic medal would seem higher than a Paralympic medal, which shouldn’t be the case. So, a silver Olympic medal would be seen as something higher than a gold Paralympic medal. Right. You just go, eh, what do you need to do as a Paralympic athlete to been seen? So, there are barriers.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q7JU7EXTQBDNHCINSHZ26U7NQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125295},"content":"Dunlevy seems more acutely aware of the “legacy” element now as she faces into a brief stint of training leading towards Zurich.","type":"text"},{"_id":"75D7UB7RMRGITNAAPBTJHTJLDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125296},"content":"Her first World Championships in an Irish vest was a road race in Greenville, USA, in 2014. Since then she has won medals every year on the road and track, at Paralympic or World Championship level. That Zurich may be her last has sharpened her mind to other things.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2NQA3AVUDFBF5HZMUBTTU2S2FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125297},"content":"It will, she says, come down to a feeling, a desire. Only she will know when her body and mind are telling her to stop, if the same levels of vitality and drive are there to allow her not to just step out and compete against the best in the world but to beat them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LBK3DB7ASW2OB6HMZ2NGJEUK5Q","additional_properties":{"_id":"E73GONEHQFCNZCRG24AWYFXRLI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7XHRGPVTJJHQFCWV7ZHWZT4PC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062639},"content":"“I’m getting old now,” she says. “I’m 42 years old. I haven’t got the same energy and my recovery is very different to what it used to be. I’m managing injuries all the time, so you are putting energy into that as well as getting yourself into the best physical shape. I’d be in pain most days. It just takes its toll on the body.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IGK4DTSH2ZG35KMNNOUN2U5F4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125299},"content":"“But one of the reasons to carry on is definitely to inspire visually impaired children and the LGBT community, just to give anyone hope to be themselves.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"GWKNBCPZMNAWBJWFIW72TY4QE4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062642},"content":"Dunlevy says she wants “to give back”.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OYRAB6SJ4REKZCVDAPAS7C3L2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1726153062643},"content":"“I want to go to schools – and will do in a few weeks – to show my medals to the children and let them hold my medals because I didn’t have that as a kid,” she says. “If I can inspire anyone just not to give up, that’s my job done. It will have been worth it.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"NXVMIQCEVRE4RNTGDAELNBANKM","additional_properties":{"_id":"MOURAXTPUVAXZMSWEAVCZV2DUY"},"content":"Paralympics: Katie-George Dunlevy and Linda Kelly win silver in women’s B road race","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"ABRQAYGY75CFRIF5QQOZYA4NU4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125300},"content":"By her own estimation, she “came out really late – at the age of 29″.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TGQQGO6S4FDZVHCWHSJ53RPPYA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125301},"content":"“Coming out, I denied it. I was very confused. I didn’t know what it was,” she recalls. “The visibility wasn’t there as much as it is now. It wasn’t in schools or anything and there was no one around me like that. So, I thought that I have to be going out with boys and I have to marry a man, so I hid it even though my family are amazing.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q5XIKCNDOVDFHJVQRW5334XMOA","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125302},"content":"“So, if I can help people out there to be themselves ... I know I’m very fortunate and know not everyone has that support in their lives and don’t have a supporting family. It can be very lonely.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ADZDR6TOTNER5AFSTRYZGGJRLM","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125303},"content":"Exhausted and back in Crawley, the town in West Sussex where she lives, the competitive fires still burn. Paris barely over, Dunlevy is instinctively thinking of a recovery ride on the bike. Her return to Ireland for a homecoming with the recent gold and two silver medals, and a lack of sleep, are the sweeter pains of success.","type":"text"},{"_id":"573YXREICJEUZAPLHMYFFBC454","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125304},"content":"After a planned Late Late Show appearance on Friday night and the World Championships, there is also talk of a trip to southwest Donegal where she spent childhood holidays with her five sisters in Mountcharles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AKLRQ2CBTRDEVD3QSKUOTLBEK4","additional_properties":{"_id":1726144125305},"content":"Only then can she sit back after a life of competition and heaped gold medals and ask herself the question of what to do next.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Johnny Watterson"}},"name":"Johnny Watterson"}]},"description":{"basic":"The most decorated Irish Paralympic athlete of all time on what keeps her going, family support and coming out out ‘really late at the age of 29′"},"display_date":"2024-09-13T07:29:26.878Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympic cyclist Katie-George Dunlevy: ‘I want to inspire visually impaired children and the LGBT community to not give up’","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"YH4WXBZOUPBE4PPIF5AR7AINVI","auth":{"1":"6279c4b862462b8ce9d683f32534fd3b77e01750945c58489edcf3560050f835"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YH4WXBZOUPBE4PPIF5AR7AINVI.jpg"}},"subtype":"feature","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"People"},{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Life & Style"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/life-style/people/2024/09/13/what-next-for-katie-george-dunlevy-no-irish-athlete-can-touch-her-medal-numbers-yet-la-2028-not-certain/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/life-style/people","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"People"}}}},{"_id":"RBUZ3SXLOFAN3ORBA54YLRG2BY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":191,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/de3f715c-318e-4713-9267-66716feb5b32/versions/1725824852/media/8e65c1d5a9fdbcbf65c986d5c8558311_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/08/primoz-roglic-reigns-in-spain-with-record-equalling-fourth-vuelta-title/","content_elements":[{"_id":"2JFYOKNJMNEVHAGNJMOD54ALAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597090},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/primoz-roglic/\" target=\"_blank\">Primož Roglič</a> finished off the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/vuelta-a-espana/\" target=\"_blank\">Vuelta a España</a> strongly on Sunday, taking second in the final-day time trial in Madrid to seal his overall victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K3Q5UXS7SFDSPDLEAPG2236EXU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908762},"content":"The Slovenian rider finished 30 seconds behind the time trial specialist Stefan Küng in a fast, flat 24.6km race against the clock far better suited to the bigger Swiss rider.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L7PXSABIUBCBJGAGK3VQVAM7KE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908763},"content":"Roglič beat all of his general classification rivals to extend his overall advantage, ending the three-week race 2′36 clear of Australian rider Ben O’Connor (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) and 3′13 in front of Spain’s Enric Mas (Movistar Team).","type":"text"},{"_id":"CBVPPWERWJDK3CSZAG4AHNH4QA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908764},"content":"Irishman <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/eddie-dunbar/\" target=\"_blank\">Eddie Dunbar</a> defended his 11th place overall, ending the race 14′40 behind Roglič.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NC4ZOLGOBNBRPHZNGJWTDDQCWY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908765},"content":"More importantly, he took two stage wins, triumphing with a brilliantly-timed final kilometre surge on stage 11 and then winning the hardest mountain stage solo on Saturday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"P2XENOU4LVA4LNMMLRCBZBTCVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908766},"content":"The performances were the biggest of his career and show he has fully recovered from a run of injuries and moved to a new level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTG3W7NJPFGADKN5O6XG4RWRZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908767},"content":"“I’m feeling really good,” Dunbar said before Sunday’s final stage in Madrid. “I said jokingly yesterday morning it’s a shame it’s not a week longer. I’m really happy.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QACDDKMI6FAPTOTRG4DFIG3WV4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908768},"content":"Dunbar told The Irish Times before the race that he was short on racing fitness due to injuries this year, but that he expected to ride into form.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HQZ2GIZAVVAQPA2Z56IJOQDR3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908769},"content":"“I haven’t done any World Tour racing really since the Tour de Romandie, so I’m definitely probably a bit underdone compared to last year’s Vuelta,” he stated then. “But that mightn’t be a bad thing come the third week.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JPBLHAHPELCGPDHRU2NHRPWJ3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":"NUXNNZNPUNFBBP36UEZAFIUCFQ"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"5YD5OXABYZHYVLTQ4FE2D5KDSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908771},"content":"That’s precisely how things panned out and with the upcoming world road championships taking place over tough terrain in Switzerland, he should be in a strong position. He is likely to line out in the time trial on September 22nd and then to contest the road race seven days later.","type":"text"},{"_id":"23ETCAUSEVDXZF2NZTMHWZ3VNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908772},"content":"Dunbar’s Vuelta success has been a considerable boost to his confidence. The Corkman was stunned to take the first of his stage wins, but the assured manner of his victory on Saturday and his reaction afterwards shows how far he has progressed psychologically during the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SZD333DSJJF3PMTJ55XGGDKZPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908773},"content":"He took victories in two stage races in 2022 and was seventh overall in last year’s Giro d’Italia, but will emerge from the Vuelta knowing he has reached a new level.","type":"text"},{"_id":"U43VR2LG7FC53PQQVGZJWIXRHY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908774},"content":"That will spur him on in the world championships, and also during the 2025 season.","type":"text"},{"_id":"D3TJBJRX4NCAHPG2YLAUG7N3VY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908775},"content":"The same can be said for Darren Rafferty, who made his grand tour debut in the race. Still just 21 years of age, he was asked to perform team duties for EF Education-EasyPost squad and had very limited personal opportunities.","type":"text"},{"_id":"54GR3QML65GY5CAHTDXOKJRSMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908776},"content":"He showed his strength on many occasions and played a fundamental role in helping team leader Richard Carapaz to fourth place overall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6IFT5JXSE5FYTFYW3X5PUKPPC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908777},"content":"While he didn’t get the chance to chase a stage win, Rafferty will emerge from the Vuelta much stronger than before and should reap the benefits in 2025 and beyond.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UYNWZFGCAVF7JFFNAKPLEYT3ZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908778},"content":"As for Roglič, he will hope his fifth career grand tour victory will be followed by a long-sought Tour de France success next summer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7WIC7UCOSBGOXA43B4PH3K5WVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908779},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"2JFYOKNJMNEVHAGNJMOD54ALAY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597090},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"LRQW2UK5CNCQ5MZGYXSLSHGP5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597091},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"R227OHZTH5FKXAAE76GKNWFV3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597092},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"MG73XNN6WFB6PHTUVNGSH6LKFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823418846},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z2LMRX5SLREMFBEJLKR5EAKAP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597093},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"N5ZKEEXEANBJJFOUV7Z3QWHFVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597094},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"YIJIFITMARA27JG5OQTJR5CAZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597095},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"CKS6IIW2ZVC3ZMCOIIUNOASGVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597096},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"V2CQ5VYHVNEWDPPHKAWPUQNHDY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725819597097},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"MD2YPMPPGFD7TB2QBQKI3ICD64","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908789},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"OX5IXI56VREI7JW36QTUP4ND6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908790},"content":"","type":"text"},{"_id":"VGQ5RSOYPFFJRJYDS5MW43KEQQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725823908791},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Corkman finishes 11th overall after claiming two stage wins, including victory in toughest mountain stage"},"display_date":"2024-09-08T18:35:06.378Z","headlines":{"basic":"Vuelta a España: Primoz Roglic reigns in Spain as Eddie Dunbar celebrates superb race campaign","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"BAP4WHDNL5FE3CW2PFYFNSJ3TY","auth":{"1":"093d37b4b7761675ce87b8017b41c347487e87f8b2252be86e3726047cb8db36"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/BAP4WHDNL5FE3CW2PFYFNSJ3TY.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/08/primoz-roglic-reigns-in-spain-with-record-equalling-fourth-vuelta-title/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"7SEHK5X3QVBSZBU4PGPZVN2UGU","additional_properties":{},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/09/08/mia-griffin-wins-ras-na-mban-to-become-first-irish-champion-in-11-years/","content_elements":[{"_id":"T5I7HLKVLVBAHPVGW5Y7AUAV3Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575691},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/mia-griffin/\" target=\"_blank\">Mia Griffin</a> sealed a superb overall victory in <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/cycling/\" target=\"_blank\">Rás na mBan</a> on Sunday, becoming the first Irish winner of the race in 11 years.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TF2NSFSAZVHGJCI52UFGS3NKOQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575692},"content":"The Das Hutchinson Brother UK rider followed in the wheeltracks of Olivia Dillon with her success, further highlighting her talent after being part of Ireland’s team pursuit squad at the Paris Olympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PTPXQU3T4RBUPJ25MC5EPYKWL4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575693},"content":"She finished six seconds clear of the Dutchwoman Noor Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy) and 11 ahead of defending champion Manon de Boer (NWVG-Uplus).","type":"text"},{"_id":"C3SAH2SVNRCODCNO47P56ZMN74","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575694},"content":"Fellow Irishwoman and team-mate Caoimhe O’Brien was fifth.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GNO6X7FSHJA45EYPLRNDDXDN6Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575695},"content":"“It feels kind of crazy,” said Griffin. “I came into this week not really knowing where the body was at. I didn’t really expect to be going for the GC (general classification), I expected to more focus on stage wins.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"MVHLPHXALVAP7GWONL5NUVDMCY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575696},"content":"Racing on home soil with the majority of the stages based in Kilkenny, Griffin got off to a flying start with victory on day one. She was second to O’Brien on stage two, won stage three and defended the overall lead from start to finish.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L76ISZ7J4ZANPIUORUOG3D4MFE","additional_properties":{"_id":"F7AAVPPSUFGFXEA26VROOKJKYU"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"DY27CDQYONFY7JDASYLHOKE74M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575698},"content":"Sunday saw two stages: a morning 2.5km time trial around Kilkenny Castle, and an afternoon criterium in Kilkenny City.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GBB7OTCJSRAQPCKMRL44BFKKYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575699},"content":"Dekker was the winner of the former, beating De Boer by 1.36 seconds. Griffin used her track speed to fine effect, taking third.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SLXFRKTT6FEGVHJEOAXL6XFNSU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575700},"content":"Her team-mate Lucy Lee won the criterium, outsprinting Dekker to the line after they went clear with two laps remaining. Aoife O’Brien was best of the Irish riders in fourth place, while Griffin rolled in as part of the peloton 11 seconds back, making sure of her final overall victory.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NT52OGFNNZCORCR4ILR5YRXMZQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575701},"content":"She thanked her team-mates, saying they were vital in controlling her rivals, including De Boer. “I was wary of Manon going, and she went really hard a few times,” she said. “The fact that we could keep that under control was incredible.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"JB4EUCGRKRA6NNNTNAMUX6ZXBY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575702},"content":"In addition to her overall victory and two stage wins, Griffin also took the points classification. O’Brien was best young rider in the prestigious international event.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q5TVHO4IYFE7JMYZXDFXO5KKDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725825575703},"content":"Elsewhere, Irish riders had a superb showing in the Loudenvielle round of the UCI downhill World Cup in France. They were fifth and sixth respectively, just over three seconds behind the winner Benoit Coulanges (Dorval AM Commencal).","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"Kilkenny cyclist finishes ahead of Noor Dekker and 2023 winner Manon de Boer"},"display_date":"2024-09-08T17:43:59.217Z","headlines":{"basic":"Mia Griffin wins Rás na mBan to become first Irish champion in 11 years","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"4TCJHO25RZB6TMDOLBR7CQNJOE","auth":{"1":"50e4ca7cdff8aa0772131611ba8c9693041a29fdc99c1a7873bcb02a12137702"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4TCJHO25RZB6TMDOLBR7CQNJOE.JPG"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Cycling"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/09/08/mia-griffin-wins-ras-na-mban-to-become-first-irish-champion-in-11-years/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"VTBDOGKMDNEHRI5J5J2TCD6VTY","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":173,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/10af759c-d024-47e6-ae20-03616300f1fe/versions/1725731339/media/4f5d2d8afec104bd2697caaf18461273_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/irelands-eddie-dunbar-claims-best-win-of-professional-career-at-vuelta-a-espana/","content_elements":[{"_id":"JFIVIEGQ7VAZ5LDNF5FUVGBZ5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725724021706},"content":"<a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/eddie-dunbar/\" target=\"_blank\">Eddie Dunbar</a> clocked up the best win of his professional career Saturday, taking what was his second stage victory in this year’s <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/vuelta-a-espana\" target=\"_blank\">Vuelta a España</a>.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MNIRW6HQXRH2ZHY7BTZ2WTII2U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362149},"content":"The 28-year-old Cork rider had previously triumphed on stage 11 of the race but his success on the penultimate day was in more impressive circumstances, beating some of the world’s best riders on the final summit finish of the race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QRASWR46G5CA3FC63F55P4YSIM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362150},"content":"Dunbar attacked five kilometres from the summit of the category one Picón Blanco, gradually drawing clear of the group of general classification contenders. He then caught and dropped lone leader Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates) with 3.5 kilometres remaining.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LTLJ7TTMWVBTJIY4KQTU6UJ474","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362151},"content":"While proven Grand Tour riders such as Enric Mas (Movistar Team), Mikel Landa (T-Rex Quick-Step) and David Gaudu (Groupama FDJ) put in big accelerations behind, Dunbar hovered several seconds ahead of them and was able to fend off all efforts to bring him back.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PQ5FJISZRBC2PNCA6JWQ72JE7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362152},"content":"“I always knew it was going to be a really difficult stage but with the way the last three weeks have been ridden I just thought that a lot of guys would be tired today,” Dunbar said. “Especially GC [general classification] guys who have gone to the limit every day.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2VCNZTXVDZAPRPEE6FERNDQJGA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362153},"content":"“I’m a bit behind on GC, I knew that if I stayed with them and did everything right in the last week, I’d have a chance to maybe get the stage win today. I was never going to be let go in the breakaway, but I always believed I could win today.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XP3SFC5KRBFYNPZK4LBLGCG2LE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362154},"content":"He reached the line seven seconds ahead of Mas, and 10 in front of race leader Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). Given the difficulty of the climb and the standard of his rivals, it is his best win to date.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QWPUKPOWWVDAJLKBUSXW74TOSM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362155},"content":"“I knew if I just kept pacing myself and kept riding at threshold, if someone was going to come across it was going to take a big effort,” he said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"PTUOKQN3JBEUXPAN3W75VDVVRU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362156},"content":"“So I paced myself really well. It wasn’t until about 200 metres to go that I thought I could probably hold them off, when I looked back and saw a bit of daylight there.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"ML7NTARS5NGFNK3RM6IBPQLUXQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362157},"content":"Roglic’s team was hit by what Spanish media reported as a case of salmonella, with a staff member hospitalised as a result.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OVT625PZTBAU5MHX3D53XLCCTU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362158},"content":"The Slovenian appeared a little off his usual level but holds a 2:02 advantage over former race leader Ben O’Connor (Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale) heading into Sunday’s final stage time-trial in Madrid.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2PW2HOAGZBAZRP6YXTNMYUL754","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362159},"content":"Mas is third, 2:11 back, meaning former Olympic champion Roglic has a substantial buffer and looks set for a record-equalling fourth Vuelta title.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QZWQ6AC3Y5HH5K2JASI2KOIN3E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725814362160},"content":"Dunbar is up two places to 11th overall and has a big morale boost in advance of the upcoming road world championships.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YCDY6C2IB5FUNMX3YVDX7FFP3I","additional_properties":{},"type":"list"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"28-year-old from Cork pulled away on the gruelling climb to the finish line to win his second stage of the race"},"display_date":"2024-09-07T16:04:58.54Z","headlines":{"basic":"Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar claims best win of professional career at Vuelta a Espana","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"RW4LFN6S2UJ62MJQKPZTFEZC3Q","auth":{"1":"eccc85c03dbc00c1d16d479eb7938dcbe773c531e191f7a8813c1823eb134c16"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/RW4LFN6S2UJ62MJQKPZTFEZC3Q.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/irelands-eddie-dunbar-claims-best-win-of-professional-career-at-vuelta-a-espana/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"IQY2HYZAW5F2TB6D6BOJLPPQVU","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":480,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/07d6a72b-23c5-401a-af0f-acf7673a0ff4/versions/1725647805/media/608648b6be7d9667040056de2ab12dbb_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/paralympics-female-athletes-light-a-flame-of-hope-firing-the-art-of-the-possible/","content_elements":[{"_id":"36QS32DDNRBOPKOVQKF24MORZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365710},"content":"It seems fitting that Team Ireland’s last three athletes in action at the 2024 <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympic Games</a> today are Richael Timothy, Mary Fitzgerald and Britney Arendse.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZZWUNZ6K7BEHXF6GMVIKAEAZH4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365711},"content":"For these have been a Games where Ireland’s female Paralympians led the charge in terms of medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GYFKZG4IVZEAZDJBN4K6OXDZ3A","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365712},"content":"All six of Ireland’s podium finishes in Paris so far were achieved by women, all of whom have a vision impairment.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BZHOMFPCEFHHDDODTZXCPVEI2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365713},"content":"It is certainly no precedent for there to be more Irish female medal winners than male – it was also the case in Rio 2016 and Tokyo last time out – but this will be the first time since the inaugural Paralympic Games in 1960 that no Irish men medalled.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WXKFYL3KZVG27JAM2A2MO6CJME","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365714},"content":"Measured in the currency of gold, silver and bronze, these were the Games of <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/katie-george-dunlevy/\" target=\"_blank\">Katie-George Dunlevy</a> (one gold, two silver), <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/roisin-ni-riain/\" target=\"_blank\">Róisin Ní Riain</a> (one silver, one bronze) and <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/orla-comerford/\" target=\"_blank\">Orla Comerford</a> (one bronze).","type":"text"},{"_id":"UPICMQYUHNHIPDKOGNTDDCV5FY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365715},"content":"But they were also the Games of Dearbhaile Brady (17), Shauna Bocquet (20) and Deaten Registe (20) too – three Paralympic newcomers who qualified for finals in their maiden Paralympics.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y722KJAZP5A65BEJ5O5B2KBWGY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365716},"content":"And they were also the Games where Ellen Keane, Eve McCrystal and Ronan Grimes bid farewell. As some folk arrive, there are always others preparing to leave.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FFLUZWBRWURLQ4N4VFJGRFTGFE","additional_properties":{"_id":"KTRV4U62WJE4PEFZJQMIRV3B64"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"R4IVRV7C3RDLRA5FS66AZOJJSI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365717},"content":"They were the Games of fourth-place finishes for Ireland – Keane, Greta Streimikyte, McCrystal and Josephine Healion, Ní Riain twice.","type":"text"},{"_id":"O2DBJK3PCFFZHJQRBAF35QYXIQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365718},"content":"They were the Games where Irish twins Chloe and Judith MacCombe competed in the same event, and at the end of a gruelling triathlon, just two places and a gap of only 45 seconds separated the sisters.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2BJ6S65OBZAD5KXYTQJ36UVLO4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365719},"content":"But of course it’s not what these Paralympic Games <i>were</i> that ultimately matters, rather, it is the flame of hope for the future they ignited within homes right across the world for people with an impairment.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TPRJBHD3JBHMFDHGYP4UMSIWMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365720},"content":"The performances, more than the victories and losses, of more than 4,400 elite Para athletes over the last fortnight highlighted not what is impossible, but what is possible.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6AB4SCWLGVDDNBNGOQ3VMB32XY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365721},"content":"On Wednesday afternoon, while talking with members of the Irish media just moments after winning gold, Dunlevy took a brief pause mid-answer.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GIKC74HJBRDP3FL6W2OBUVCNPY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365722},"content":"“I’ve got a message,” she said. “I said to the gang in Paralympics Ireland, all of the medallists from Ireland are women, and we’re all visually impaired women.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7MMPNOVP45DNTGAYIHHVHMLGT4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365724},"content":"“For any young children at home with a vision impairment, if they’ve seen any of our races, hopefully we can inspire them to believe in themselves and to dream big. Hopefully we’re inspiring the next generation in whatever they do, sport or anything else.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"LYRCQLG2X5F2XAB74VMXS6T3HU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365725},"content":"Paris was Dunlevy’s fourth Paralympic Games, and few understand the impact Para athletes can have on kids more than the 42-year-old cyclist. She has lived it.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7NVDXN7EQ5DF3LSBKZ7UYTKLVI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365726},"content":"“Even my younger self, I didn’t have anybody to look up to, any idols, so if it just inspires any child with vision impairment to just believe in themselves, then that’s my job done,” she added on Friday after claiming silver in the road race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BBA4WPJIH5CEHA2624PGAFIPME","additional_properties":{"_id":"3RCUEN3PSJH5JJWDCESR7P3OSY"},"content":"Sign of buoyant times as athletics clubs in Dublin struggle to meet demand","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"G4W6ECUPRRBVLBB3QEWEQFCATU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365727},"content":"It is fair to say it has been a good summer for Paris – both the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been a success. The strategy of repurposing venues and incorporating iconic landmarks as part of the show was an unqualified triumph. No white-elephant stadiums were hurt in the making of these Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KSWLDN33NJE5PN6LF2EPDMM35I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365728},"content":"The La Défense Arena, which is normally home to the Racing 92 rugby team, was reimagined as a swimming venue.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SG3JPNPQ2VGE5K2NWU2DQCH4HA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365729},"content":"The Paralympic opening ceremony took place at the Place de la Concorde. Athletes emerged from the Champs-Élysées and paraded through the largest square in Paris, which had been transformed into an open-air amphitheatre.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LZXN55NQEJGDHCLGPS6JYMN6JU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365730},"content":"The Grand Palais hosted wheelchair fencing and taekwondo, Château de Versailles was home to equestrian, wheelchair tennis took place in Roland-Garros, the Para triathlon started and finished on the stunning Pont Alexandre III.","type":"text"},{"_id":"TNDTEWWEMBBX7B3C3UFHPQNJRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365731},"content":"The Games truly took place in the heart of the city.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3LIGX2DC45AZHCZ73CQVHLD4MQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365732},"content":"A temporary, 12,860-capacity stadium was installed at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Boasting one of the most stunning backdrops of a venue anywhere on the planet, it hosted beach volleyball during the Olympics and blind football during the Paralympics. If Instagram did stadiums!","type":"text"},{"_id":"W7Z2ADF7QZH53HLQBLQT3R37DE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365733},"content":"The organisers put on quite the show, but the 45,000 volunteers were the day-to-day stars. They were hailed as the “hidden heroes”. Heroes, no question, but hidden they certainly were not. It was impossible to move around the city without spotting the volunteers in their bright uniform of bottle green, lime and blush pink.","type":"text"},{"_id":"A7EBIY2SQNFDFIGW447HZYFVTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365734},"content":"They were omnipresent, helpful, cheerful, positive, joyful. It was inconceivable to be grouchy in their airspace. If the organisers created the physical structures, then the volunteers created the mood of the city – they gave these Games real energy, real soul.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LDWFS36OM5ECXGSMHIRSNY3D5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365735},"content":"Unless there is further success today, Team Ireland will return to Dublin on Monday with six medals. It would be the lowest medal haul since Beijing in 2008 (five), but just one shy of the seven garnered in Tokyo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5E5SAKTI4YUFHLMMXQ2OO2YERE","additional_properties":{"_id":"VOGLAL4EEVAHDIGIPQT4DGPQRY"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"L4NNUSELTFAYVF57MO7RHLP3KU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365736},"content":"Prior to Paris, the chief executive of Paralympics Ireland, Stephen McNamara, expressed a hope for between eight to 10 medals. By that metric, Ireland came in below expectations.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T63TLQHX6FGA7PEKPPI4627CTE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365737},"content":"But there were significant positives to take from these Games – not least the career-defining form of Ní Riain and Comerford.","type":"text"},{"_id":"RKUFHXSA6BEMLGNLWROLYLBP6I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365738},"content":"Ní Riain, at the age of just 19, swam in four events, qualified for four finals and won two medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JJMJSDOHMRB3JJH5BMWRGT3JIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365739},"content":"At the age of 26, and having appeared at two previous Paralympics, Comerford truly arrived in Paris as a world-class athlete.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VBUNAIX5BZASPAKGCGRQ2BIYA4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365740},"content":"There are similarities between Ní Riain and Comerford, most strikingly their unflinching determination and belief they can and will be better, stronger, faster. That ambition fuels them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MDKBNH6EHFC7LIR3BU4AHV7JEE","additional_properties":{"_id":"M4SHC4TMQFCGBPQBFPEKM452EM"},"content":"‘There is lots more in the tank’: Orla Comerford happy with Paralympics bronze, for now","type":"interstitial_link"},{"_id":"6PDRPH257VBM7GCUBJQFGSV4HY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365741},"content":"The LA cycle begins in earnest now, the wheel keeps turning. There are people who watched these Paris Games unfold and have been inspired to research what Para sports options might be available to them.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2UMM2H3X6JEXPGPN2URN5K5FLY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365742},"content":"How do you measure success? How do you measure achievement? What do you remember from these Paralympic Games?","type":"text"},{"_id":"3Q5LYBUTXBAPXAW2SGY4CDZBJ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365743},"content":"Right now, sitting in a hotel room on the edge of the city centre, certain images spring to mind – Lu Dong and Guo Jincheng, neither of whom have arms, cutting through the water in the swimming pool like torpedoes; several triathletes getting lifted out of the Seine after a 750-metre swim and carried to their prosthetics, which they immediately fit before hopping on a bike for a 20km cycle and a 5km run; blind football under the Eiffel Tower as France played Colombia – the fans in the stand all singing “Allez les Bleus” but falling silent at kick-off as the players use the sound of a bell in the ball to figure out where it is, the ability of those players to dribble, shoot, their acceptance that getting mowed down is just part of the gig, and always having a willingness to immediately spring back up and go again. Football, reimagined.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OJYWOEMG7NGPTBSPH5PCLF7C7Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365744},"content":"Perhaps it was best summed up by Orla Comerford’s mam, Siobhan. Speaking outside the Stade de France after watching her daughter win bronze, she said of the Paralympics:","type":"text"},{"_id":"KVRKLDIVOBEATP63CDOEELVK6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365745},"content":"“This is a wonderful showcase of ability, not disability.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"BNQTTMZJARHATJRAZZU6BZHTNU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365746},"content":"The 2024 Paralympic Games end tomorrow.","type":"text"},{"_id":"5QJHSR353FHZTGBXUDXFQPSP5U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365747},"content":"But their legacy will outlast us all.","type":"text"},{"_id":"NETARYDM7ZHDTHR4HB2IOXIV5Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725637365748},"content":"","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Gordon Manning"}},"name":"Gordon Manning"}]},"description":{"basic":"All six of Ireland’s podium finishes in Paris so far have been achieved by women - all of whom have a vision impairment"},"display_date":"2024-09-07T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics: Female athletes light a flame of hope, firing up the art of the possible","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"3LUKH2NOGBGNK2KPZ6UAYSDH34","auth":{"1":"63c9debc3f24e6649ff9396df6d052e1da0153405b527aeae40ec07cf46f627a"},"focal_point":{"x":2306,"y":2919},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/3LUKH2NOGBGNK2KPZ6UAYSDH34.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/paralympics-female-athletes-light-a-flame-of-hope-firing-the-art-of-the-possible/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"EJ52CY5SGVCPNORANF6723HCIM","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":245,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/34fc2b77-9cfd-4266-9a87-f8374bd52a57/versions/1725645702/media/8afcf6ad40b9a52a1fdcbf3f41d39707_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/more-than-the-games-alice-tai-measures-up-again-as-she-reaps-medal-haul/","content_elements":[{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Four-medals and counting for Tai</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"IWEX3HSX5JAZZMNZKLVOQUPHDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243280},"content":"Alice Tai is having a Paralympics to remember, the British swimmer having won two gold medals, a silver and a bronze – and she still has another event to go, Saturday’s 100m butterfly.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UWKA2PNEUBGTFPTOCMQHYFHTMQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243281},"content":"If you’d told her in 2022 that she’d experience this level of success, she’d most likely have laughed. It was then that she had her right leg amputated from below the knee because the clubfoot with which she was born was causing her so much pain.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6W7ASW5HYVB6LENWGG4GAF4KIY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243282},"content":"That, then, meant that the 25-year-old effectively had to relearn how to swim – and in the earliest stages of her return to the pool, she had her doubts that she’d ever get back to the kind of form that won her a bronze in Rio and multiple world titles.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6ZOB7B77AFAK5CA7GAG7XE7EJI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243283},"content":"“I called my coach and I was like, ‘I am going to have to retire, I am not getting back down to my times, I am 20 seconds off in the 100m, I’m swimming really slowly.’”","type":"text"},{"_id":"7SBASKIEKFHZNC5QVVQS7DRPYY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243284},"content":"But?","type":"text"},{"_id":"NRD7S32N35FYRGPNY5OOGZAVNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642308684},"content":"“It turns out I was swimming in a 33m pool, not a 25m pool and I hadn’t realised. I was doing 30 per cent more distance than I was meant to.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"QD4672SCEVGAJI4D2D3UXGBIQU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642308685},"content":"It’s as well she didn’t retire.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Metelka tips his hat to unlucky Atkinson</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"CWMR55XFGNBDXB4XE7JVD37JDU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243286},"content":"We’ve seen plenty of athletes suffer misfortune in Paris, but near the top of ‘the unluckiest’ list must surely come British cyclist Archie Atkinson who crashed with just two laps to go in the 4000m individual pursuit when he was leading Slovakia’s Jozef Metelka by six seconds. Atkinson had to settle for silver in the end.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FNC3EKNP2JHLZAOIHBAS3GYRUM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243287},"content":"All of which prompted perhaps the most honest post-gold-medal-winning interview with any Paralympian at these Games.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XE33RDU3D5ENTDM2PJZMHOVKZA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243288},"content":"“I won with massive luck, come on,” said Metelka. “The luck is like from here to the Eiffel Tower and back. Clearly, he’s a better rider, he’s stronger, I was six seconds down – you don’t recover from there. I won because Archie fell. I was incredibly lucky. I mean, when was the last time something like this happened? When T-Rex was around?”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VNPXUU4SAJLFS6P5PHBLTQMSOI","additional_properties":{"_id":"CYXS4ATUVBAHPAZ245UQ5RGHTE"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Cyprus pays homage to Karolina</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"TV27IAFLM5EHHEVFF45RKO77QY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243290},"content":"How excited was the Cyprus’s Paralympic Committee about Karolina Pelendritou winning a bronze medal, at her sixth Paralympics, in the SB11 100 metres breaststroke on Thursday night? Very.","type":"text"},{"_id":"R63CX56QARFK7AQTDBIBQGP7QM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243291},"content":"Their statement: “Cyprus, do you understand what a compatriot of ours has done? Cyprus, have you understood that from the loudspeakers of a packed stadium here at La Defense Arena, there was a special mention of her name? Cyprus, have you realised that Karolina Pelendritou has won two more medals? There is a whole rest of the planet which has bowed down to the talent, to the single-mindedness, to the strength, to the will of Karolina Pelendritou!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"HLD3FUG6HFCX7KM3GURVLBBTWI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642308694},"content":"Sweet, Karolina.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Word of mouth</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"“Cyclists, we’re a weird bunch – the worse it is, the more we want of it.” –<b> After he and Mitchell McLaughlin finished eighth in Friday’s gruelling Road Race, Damien Vereker (44) insisted he’d be back for more in LA. A weird bunch, all right.</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"M477JO57TIA7JIELP5GUKPFRDM","additional_properties":{"_id":"XKYSU4JLPFDULFANQ7EGLYTKHA"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>In numbers</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"P2WBI5BCHFHUJGLYY4IJASPRKM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639779518},"content":"<b>8 –</b> Four gold, four silver, that’s how many Paralympic medals Katie-George Dunlevy now has. Some career.","type":"text"},{"_id":"MB76Z2TKMZFVLMLWZZ4W64YBJE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243274},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\"><b>Persistence pays for Britain’s Bywater</b></mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"45G6QIHLBZF2NJ4UMXSLS43TFY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243293},"content":"Having been on the losing side in Paralympic semi-finals in 2004, 2008, 2016 and 2020, Terry Bywater was a touch on the elated side when Britain beat Germany to reach the final of the wheelchair basketball event against the United States tomorrow.","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZQSIA6LO6FFBJHBOFY54WM7F3Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725639243294},"content":"Reflecting on that losing streak before the Games, Bywater made mention of another sportsman who has struggled to collect silverware during his career.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IXZCNK2GI5DN3MT2NQIZLB4SAM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642308703},"content":"“I don’t want to be the Harry Kane of wheelchair basketball,” he said. Poor Harry.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Mary Hannigan"}},"name":"Mary Hannigan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Paralympics: British swimmer Alice Tai had her leg amputated below the knee in 2022 but has come back as strong as ever"},"display_date":"2024-09-07T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics: Alice Tai measures up again as she reaps medal haul","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OSIOYAD7JDMEXM4GYNXQ5HJWOU","auth":{"1":"102d1635c24ef5f395542d68fe08af3d8bdfc495105d346870e8f8bd344d0b09"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OSIOYAD7JDMEXM4GYNXQ5HJWOU.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"analysis","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/07/more-than-the-games-alice-tai-measures-up-again-as-she-reaps-medal-haul/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"ZPRF76PSPFHGFO4FRGYPKS47KI","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":348,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/8dfe3027-ff96-48f5-8e6f-c4bb62ae2300/versions/1725652028/media/af1c73af3aed05866d7c3aa18a59a4c2_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/06/mia-griffin-wins-again-at-ras-na-mban-extending-overall-lead/","content_elements":[{"_id":"3YPJW45LGRDDZBA52PBIU3BJKE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mia Griffin boosted her overall lead in style on Friday, winning stage three of Rás na mBan into Gorey.","type":"text"},{"_id":"OMHJ6TKDFNDIBJM7L5T6LRUUPE","additional_properties":{},"content":"The Kilkenny native clocked up her second stage win in three days, outsprinting Heidi Franz (Monarch Racing), Noor Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy), plus her fellow Irish riders Aoife O’Brien (Ireland) and Marine Lenehan (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) in the bunch gallop to the line.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ED735KHLBD4HI43METY2JDMLY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Griffin also took the intermediate sprint in Kiltealy, gaining an additional time bonus.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QBWYW2MSLVB6RPUGQ36AHADWUU","additional_properties":{},"content":"That pushes her overall lead to 12 seconds ahead of compatriot and her Das Hutchinson Brother UK teammate Caoimhe O’Brien. British rider Robyn Clay, also with the squad, is third, 23 seconds adrift.","type":"text"},{"_id":"XDBIWOKRLBFGRFYTNKKFCQZXXI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“We were all in for the sprint to keep me and Caoimhe as far up on the GC [general classification] as we can,” she said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"7ADL5FVOYJDCFMQXC2A35C3GVI","additional_properties":{},"content":"“And then the intermediate sprint, I got that. I was happy to do that and to give myself a bit more of a buffer.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XU2LOBQM5NGJZB4RRNT6PZFXVY","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 104.4-kilometre stage began in Kilkenny and took in two categorized climbs. Sliabh Buí, the first of these, blew the peloton apart and whittled the lead group right down to the strongest competitors. Defending champion Manon de Boer (NWVG-Uplus) beat Griffin’s teammate Lucy Lee to the summit.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SGIX6BJG5RAQRGZDUZQUVGUAGE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Another Das Hutchinson Brother UK rider went clear after this point, with Frankie Hall and Jazmine Lavergne (Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie) opening a lead of a minute and remaining clear over the day’s second climb, where Hall was first to the summit. They were caught with five kilometres remaining, with Griffin blasting home to win and to bolster her advantage in the overall standings plus the points competition.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2FYXUQ2I6RFZZDOYIG3NACNC44","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I nearly crashed after the intermediate sprint but I kept it upright. I got to the finish and Lucy [Lee] and Robyn [Clay] did a really good job with the leadout.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"FHRH5SFFWBA4PMJYBA2S6BVI6E","additional_properties":{},"content":"The prestigious international race continues Saturday with a 101km stage from Kilkenny to the top of The Rower, concluding with two ascents of that climb.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CYW7VKFSKVFCRILJZ65L57HF3M","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Rás na mBan</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q767GDFUUBBYRG7WPAQO24M2HU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Stage 3, Kilkenny to Gorey: 1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 104.4km in 2 hours 50′36, 2 H Franz (Monarch Racing), 3 N Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy), 4 A O’Brien (Ireland), 5 M Lenehan (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei), 6 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK), 7 A Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active), 8 R Clay (Das Hutchinson Brother UK).","type":"text"},{"_id":"UEWZVS2QUFGTNHEDDQ5V6SDLD4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Intermediate sprint at Kiltealy: 1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK), 2 A O’Brien (Ireland), 3 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK).","type":"text"},{"_id":"LABKFULDOZAPZEJWEVGFSMX2CU","additional_properties":{},"content":"<b>Mountain primes:</b>","type":"text"},{"_id":"I27TGH3PARA45CN3PGXZPNXLY4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Category 2 climb at Sliabh Buí (km 70.8): 1 Manon de Boer 9 pts, 2 L Lee 7, 3 H Franz 5, 4 K Hill 3","type":"text"},{"_id":"MFMWLNZPGRBCJFY6A5XYXSXBE4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Category 3 climb at Ballymore (km 91): 1 Frankie Hall 5, 2 J Lavergne 3","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZVQQS7QSZJBRNHCUX5GJTDDITM","additional_properties":{},"content":"Paddy Doran best Irish team: 1 Cycling Ulster 8 hours 58′34, 2 UCI Cycling Club 8′40","type":"text"},{"_id":"PFQQX5XZ4RBTNHEXXJVNVIXOOY","additional_properties":{},"content":"General classification after three stages: 1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 7 hours 22′18″, 2 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 12″, 3 R Clay (DAS Hutchinson Brother UK) 23″, 4 H Franz (Monarch Racing), 5 A Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active) 25″, 6 N Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy), 7 A O’Brien (Ireland) at 26″, 8 M De Boer (NWVG-Uplus)","type":"text"},{"_id":"Y4KXLCVPZRGQ7F6HCGYCNHEVMQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Points classification: 1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 29 pts, 2 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 23, 3 R Clay (DAS Hutchinson Brother UK) 18, 4 A O’Brien (Ireland), 5 N Dekker (JEGG DJR Academy)","type":"text"},{"_id":"UZHYN2YP65HINI7BZP6QQYS3OU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Mountains classification: 1 Lucy Lee (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 24pts, 2 M de Boer (NWVG-Uplus) 22, 3 H Franz (Monarch Racing) 11, 4 K Hill (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) 11, 5 F Hall (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 5","type":"text"},{"_id":"BPPYKTMXBNGK7BBHNDXT7J6ZZQ","additional_properties":{},"content":"Young rider: 1 Caoimhe O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 7 hours 22′30″, 2 R Clay (DAS Hutchinson Brother UK) 11″, 3 A Miller (Tofauti Everyone Active) 13″, 4 A O’Brien (Ireland) 14″, 5 A Thomas (Primeau Vélo Groupe Abadie) 17″","type":"text"},{"_id":"ZKY6U6R6IRCGJL2Y443GH5QNI4","additional_properties":{},"content":"Best Irish rider:","type":"text"},{"_id":"ARYWZSWVQRHR5OKRNIX4N5RR24","additional_properties":{},"content":"1 Mia Griffin (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 7 hours 22′18″, 2 C O’Brien (Das Hutchinson Brother UK) 12″, 3 M Lenehan (Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei) 29″, 4 E McDermott (UCD Cycling Club) 1′58, 5 G Fox (Greenmount Cycling Academy) same","type":"text"},{"_id":"U4ADIQIGC5H7RJFNBW7O6WNZRI","additional_properties":{},"content":"Team general classification: 1 Das Hutchinson Brother UK 22 hours 8′21, 2 Dan Morrissey Primor by Pissei, 3 Ireland at 1′29, 4 CCB p/b Levine Law Group same, 5 Monarch Racing at 3′34″","type":"text"},{"_id":"7X7XLIQ2XVBKJPV4OI6LKWI3RE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Paddy Doran best Irish team: 1 Cycling Ulster 23 hours 11′04, 2 UCD Cycling Club at 8′03","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"Shane Stokes"}},"name":"Shane Stokes"}]},"description":{"basic":"The Kilkenny native clocked up her second stage win in three days"},"display_date":"2024-09-06T19:41:57.883Z","headlines":{"basic":"Mia Griffin wins again at Rás na mBan, extending overall lead 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ascent in the mountains of northern Spain secured Slovenian Primoz Roglic victory in stage 19 of the <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/vuelta-a-espana/\" target=\"_blank\">Vuelta a Espana</a>, as well as the leader’s red jersey, on Friday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CDQ66IV2FJGMTDXQKOPIVWA63U","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205918},"content":"The 34-year-old had lost the red jersey to Australian Ben O'Connor after stage six but has since chipped away at the lead before reclaiming it with an impressive performance in the mountains of the La Rioja province.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UVTUXSRCNJHXBGVLGDPIAWPDSE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205919},"content":"“I had some really nice memories from this climb and I didn’t miss this opportunity, I’m happy,” Roglic said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4FWVR7WNZJB5TJLLXBSU6245XM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205920},"content":"While a leading group maintained a narrow lead over the peloton for most of the race, none attempted a breakaway before the 11km climb leading up to the finish line at Alto de Moncalvillo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VW4GAJLVIRA3NALCUQEY7NZV3M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205921},"content":"Roglic saw an opportunity halfway through the demanding ascent and seized it, never looking back. He crossed the finish line alone, 46 seconds ahead of Frenchman David Gaudu, who took second place. Denmark’s Mattias Skjelmose finished third.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YGVSMXRX2ZC2FFYYUNTTS23S7M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205922},"content":"O'Connor, knowing his lead was in danger, tried to keep up but finished 12th. Roglic now has a one minute and 54 second overall lead over O'Connor.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QKFOJ5YGIJGJRFLSQCJXBOZDZ4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205923},"content":"“I was a bit broken at the end. I actually felt pretty good until halfway,” O’Connor said.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2DR7TSBINJGSHNPRSAC4QF6TC4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725642205924},"content":"“I wasn’t really surprised, but I didn’t expect myself to be so bad at the end. I was a bit average to be honest. But that’s just the reality.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"VE24HJRYZRDQVFSZLSAEIEEZJY","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar was 61 seconds behind Roglic, but it was another impressive finish at this year’s Vuelta that saw him take a stage victory. The Cork cyclist in now 13th in the overall ranking.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BNY3C2XMVJCW5NFVMRKOPLHFKM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“The guys did a really good job all day, keeping me out of the wind. We sat in a good position all day, then they did a super job in the run-in,” Dunbar said. “Got in the middle position, didn’t have to use much energy.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T5AMWHAP4BCTLOI2WZAPXBYKFM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“Obviously Roglic was on a high level today, the whole team was, it was pretty impressive but yeah I was around the other guys which was nice.”","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[]},"description":{"basic":"Cork cyclist is now 13th in the overall standings"},"display_date":"2024-09-06T17:27:53.866Z","headlines":{"basic":"Eddie Dunbar finishes seventh as Primoz Roglic reclaims red jersey at Vuelta","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"OTOIWN5X27IJZKLAOIXVSKUZDY","auth":{"1":"77e69296587045f66f91ecf8d51859e08ff03372169f261a503068785a13f06c"},"focal_point":{"x":2146,"y":946},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/OTOIWN5X27IJZKLAOIXVSKUZDY.jpg"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/06/eddie-dunbar-finishes-seventh-as-primoz-roglic-reclaims-red-jersey-at-vuelta/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/cycling","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Cycling"}}}},{"_id":"VKCOYKOL6FASTC27XY5RRBM57Y","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":214,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/8948/podcasts/c56bdd2f-80fa-4032-b904-d482fabc5eee/versions/1725559916/media/d3d59dfc4ff67eb411911c3babb5903b_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/2024/09/06/paralympics-day-9-irish-in-action-and-best-of-the-rest-as-katie-george-dunlevy-chases-gold-again/","content_elements":[{"_id":"ELBEFFIGTVFIFHXUKV4KPFQHX4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098063},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\">Irish in action</mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"J4UI44KSGJCHRBIS6QKKGOB6MI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098075},"content":"<b>8.30: </b>Para Equestrian team event (Sarah Slattery, Michael Murphy, Kate Kerr-Horan)","type":"text"},{"_id":"3N2VKHUN65GKVCPNURMEZ32VP4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098076},"content":"<b>8.30:</b> Men’s road-race, C4-5 (Ronan Grimes)","type":"text"},{"_id":"KQJ7CYDDIZBF3P7AGFXTFCGTNM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098077},"content":"<b>9.18: </b>Men’s S9 100m butterfly heats (Barry McClements)","type":"text"},{"_id":"QAASMKPUWZBV3LJQARFDDFPEVE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098078},"content":"<b>9.43:</b> T20 1,500m final (Aaron Shorten)","type":"text"},{"_id":"RQWWZC6XVJH7NBSXRLZVT7W36A","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098079},"content":"<b>12.0: </b>Men’s road-race B (Damien Vereker with Mitchell McLaughlin)","type":"text"},{"_id":"UN6JCSTMSRBEXM65TWUQVBVIYE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098080},"content":"<b>12.10:</b> Women’s road-race B (Katie-George Dunlevy with Linda Kelly, Josephine Healion with Eve McCrystal)","type":"text"},{"_id":"P57SH4TPINE6DP6AUQKUUUVGFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098081},"content":"<b>*5.34pm:</b> Men’s S9 100m butterfly final, B McClements (*subject to qualifying).","type":"text"},{"_id":"22PVNDNICRDZ3NUEN3IRSLYGYI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725557209758},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\">Team Ireland</mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"CFODE4IHUBDX5N2RADXFA73E4M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098065},"content":"Katie-George Dunlevy and her pilot Linda Kelly will be looking to follow up Wednesday’s gold medal performance in the time-trial with another in the Women’s B road-race.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DPXVS5KKLZFL3CB5GOPXCQB7SI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725558440729},"content":"It starts and finishes at Clichy-Sous-Bois with just the 99.2 kilometres in between. Dunlevy won this race with Eve McCrystal – the pair won a silver on the track in Paris – in the last Paralympics in Tokyo.","type":"text"},{"_id":"6U7GO3YLWVCLHNC6OGYFDBKUDY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098066},"content":"Josephine Healion and McCrystal will also contest the B road-race. In the men’s version of the event over 127.8 kilometres, Ireland will be represented by Damien Vereker and his pilot Mitchell McLaughlin, one of 12 bikes set to contest the medals. Ronan Grimes competes in the C4-5 road-race, in a peloton consisting of 29 bikes.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4LGLUDZWDJCFJBCLAQC7L4ICNA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098067},"content":"Ireland’s Barry McClements will be up against the in-form Simone Barlaam in the S9 100m butterfly with the Italian looking for an equally dominant performance to the one he enjoyed in winning the S9 50 freestyle by over a second and en route to breaking his own world record. He is now looking to translate that form to the S9 100m butterfly, with McClements one of his rivals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"L5OX2CTR4BFNPJEHR2KQ6EXDZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098068},"content":"Carlow’s Aaron Shorten, the sole male athlete on the athletics team, competes in the T20 1,500m. The St Laurence O’Toole’s athlete debuted at the Para Athletics World Championships in Paris last summer and has been training with renowned running coach Feidhlim Kelly’s group since the start of the year.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BIWDTUAICBHR7AZWQ7JCCBQH7I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098069},"content":"In the Para Equestrian team event Ireland will be represented by Sarah Slattery (Grade 5) on Savona, Michael Murphy (Grade 1) on Cleverboy and Kate Kerr-Horan (Grade 3) on Lykkebo’s Don Akino.","type":"text"},{"_id":"GCOBFVU27ETWUZ7LGP6HPB3JNA","additional_properties":{"_id":"KFIXEVC6JBDGFBRDEBC5OGLV4M"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"7HCL2FGNQBGMBNYWVDKGGTNA6M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098070},"content":"<mark class=\"hl_yellow\">Worth a Watch </mark>","type":"header"},{"_id":"2CBGXQKORZF6JH53HKPQ42TEEE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725557209766},"content":"American Ellie Marks has a remarkable backstory. Due to compete at the 2014 Invictus Games in London, a respiratory infection left her in a coma in Papworth Hospital in Cambridge.","type":"text"},{"_id":"Q3UGRRB6EFH63J5C5CWSC6ECFM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098072},"content":"She recovered and after winning four golds at the Invictus Games in 2016 presented one of the gold medals to the hospital staff who saved her life. She made her Paralympic debut in Rio, winning breaststroke gold, and in Tokyo claimed S6 backstroke gold and will aim to defend her title.","type":"text"},{"_id":"LW65UX5DJRAF7F36X4QBV45V2M","additional_properties":{"_id":1725550098073},"content":"Italy will hope for another Para-athletics clean sweep in the T63 100m (8.22pm) where Ambra Sabatini, Martina Caironi and Monica Contrafatto finished in the medal positions in Tokyo and again at the 2023 and 2024 Worlds.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"John O'Sullivan"}},"name":"John O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Paralympics Day 9: Katie-George Dunlevy with her pilot Linda Kelly will feature in the 99-kilometre Women’s B road race as will Josephine Healion and Eva McCrystal"},"display_date":"2024-09-06T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics Day 9: Irish in action and best of the rest as Katie-George Dunlevy chases gold again","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"8948"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"IZIFNCICAUCZ56XPAZHVEXXS34","auth":{"1":"eb7536768a05aba3d1f194aba25bbe779bb3dcf63b6480d22942a6cc7fe41285"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/IZIFNCICAUCZ56XPAZHVEXXS34.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Sport"},{"name":"Cycling"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/2024/09/06/paralympics-day-9-irish-in-action-and-best-of-the-rest-as-katie-george-dunlevy-chases-gold-again/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Sport"}}}},{"_id":"Y5HQ33RLKVBB3IFGOCZ3UAD224","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":274,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/8f4d8fa6-8902-42e8-b5dc-6b2e8a83efb5/versions/1725555876/media/965569967867335d4bc59760a865ab66_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/09/06/paralympics-more-than-the-games-goncin-busily-giving-back-to-the-land-of-his-birth/","content_elements":[{"_id":"NXDGF23R65CRZCJKXXFZA5HKR4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471039},"content":"Team Canada wheelchair basketball player Nikola Goncin helped his country reach the semi-finals where they will take on the defending <a href=\"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games\" target=\"_blank\">Paralympic</a> champions, the USA. When not involved in sport, his day job is designing prosthetics for disabled children in Bosnia.","type":"text"},{"_id":"56XM7MSBUFGAZC25H7NUH35M4I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471041},"content":"Goncin, who was born in the Balkan state, played a key role in Canada’s 79-67 victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. But despite relishing the stage and the atmosphere, basketball is not the biggest thing in his life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"DNOSDHREEBDRDIEM7BOC4XH43Q","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471042},"content":"Goncin fled Bosnia with his parents in 1994 to escape the Balkan war. However, at the age of 15 he broke his leg because of cancer. The leg had to be amputated and that’s when his other life began.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4SUFX3V3CFG4NBS7HGUKVZWEIA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471043},"content":"Goncin discovered wheelchair basketball after the accident. He had to adapt and find a new direction in life. He also dedicated himself to his studies, earning a degree in biomechanics and then a master’s degree in exercise physiology.","type":"text"},{"_id":"SOLIP6MDDJFE3ON2NQ3JWFAZYQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471044},"content":"He explained that his experience as a teenager helped guide him to his current line of work.","type":"text"},{"_id":"73QMTSCV5ZDM3LEPG24QDSBZUE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725553683697},"content":"“My prosthetist, when I first lost my leg, had a big influence on me. So, I thought maybe that was something I could be interested in.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"BBJCKKDIAFVG7DAXDDJHHXFGKU","additional_properties":{"_id":"FDVSOUB5VVD4RL4HRXRZFP3HTI"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BGS4RVKBOBAL5BVTV7YZIPRI5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471045},"content":"Ottobock employees’ essential service","type":"header"},{"_id":"NZN6EAJMW5B27MHNVQUQGSKJ2E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471046},"content":"Every day is a busy day at the repair centre in the Paralympic village, whether it’s adjusting a prosthetic leg or replacing the damaged wheels of a wheelchair, technicians are busy at the repair centre in the Paralympic Village maintaining the para-athletes’ gear.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AVCVFVAOZBFAFJHHJAWT6DBKWM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471047},"content":"Canadian Katy Dandeneau, a wheelchair basketball player, waits patiently to have the cushion on her new sports chair fixed. The workshop services are provided free of charge by the century-old German company, Ottobock, which has been associated with the Paralympic Games since 1988.","type":"text"},{"_id":"WTXGNNDYXRAHTDKFMB246YHMIU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471048},"content":"Peter Franzel, head of the repair centre explained: “We repair equipment of all brands, from walking prostheses for everyday use to wheelchairs for racing.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"OW6NNJ544FDG5B2BTXTSYYN7JQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725553683703},"content":"He and his team expect to carry out more than 2,000 repairs during this edition of the Paralympic Games. Three hundred repairs alone were carried out in the first three days.","type":"text"},{"_id":"KJIJDGLIARBTDOTHL6ANIA27PQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471049},"content":"In total, 160 Ottobock employees from around 40 countries are on hand to handle repairs in the Paralympic Village and at the competition venues.","type":"text"},{"_id":"HC3CCG3PUPY2EVASAQI2Q5RHTE","additional_properties":{"_id":"ATD36EUX5BGTJBSHZ252GOA55A"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BGS4RVKBOBAL5BVTV7YZIPRI5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471045},"content":"Unhappy Story as women’s race distance halved","type":"header"},{"_id":"ZVTQWXBE3FB3JEWCMOFFSPAWIE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471054},"content":"Britain’s Sarah Story has hit out at Paralympic organisers after winning the women’s C5 time-trial, the 18th Games gold medal of her career. She was annoyed that the women’s race was shortened to 14.1 kilometres, half the distance of the men’s equivalent (28.3 kilometres).","type":"text"},{"_id":"KNSTZFMDNNFSLN2UMSRB4TB52E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471056},"content":"She said: “You have to ask the organisers, but there’s plenty of time in the day for us to do two laps like the men. And having fought so hard for parity in women’s cycling, to not have it in para-cycling after what we had in Glasgow last year is a real disappointment.","type":"text"},{"_id":"CYQF4XIWZBFVPNEGQZZ4NIOA2Y","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471057},"content":"“I’ve had to put that disappointment aside and just concentrate on what I can control because I couldn’t control the race distance. But I really hope that they never do this to the women again because I think it’s been appalling.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"4JXWCONFDVGN7D2V6FSTSD47XM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471058},"content":"According to the Press Association, organisers decided to shorten the distance of some courses due to the busy schedule of 19 races.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IS4SPUPAJJ35QAMO3SN5OG3I6A","additional_properties":{"_id":"XDINRMTSJJCTND7UOH74GJMC6U"},"type":"image"},{"_id":"BGS4RVKBOBAL5BVTV7YZIPRI5E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471045},"content":"Remarkable Aussie Palmer doubles up","type":"header"},{"_id":"3K34OEMTEFD7NPDHE3TJK26GCA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471060},"content":"Lauren Parker became Australia’s first dual-sport Paralympic medallist in 44 years after claiming silver in the women’s H1-3 individual time-trial to add to her triathlon gold. After finishing first in the para-triathlon on Monday, Parker was facing a lofty task to match a feat last achieved by Eric Russell, who won a gold (shot put) and two bronzes (discus and pentathlon) in 1980.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FAE7TZDLDFAFDIO2SRVFAJOSZI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471061},"content":"But the remarkable Parker was undaunted by the historical challenge facing her in the Parisian satellite town of Clichy-sous-Bois and could well have finished first with a gold to her name, but instead finished 9.5 seconds behind American winner Katerina Brim.","type":"text"},{"_id":"2RTZARGNH5EZZBGOICW5X6HUMI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471050},"content":"Number: 250,000","type":"header"},{"_id":"5ZUGJPEG2VBSLB2FWWWIWWTXXA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725551068904},"content":"The number of followers that Brazil’s ‘rocketman’ swimmer Gabriel dos Santos Araujo, or Gabrielzinho as he is known, boasts on Instagram, a fan base that has seen him win three gold medals.","type":"text"},{"_id":"66REQRUG5ZHYDJKXLGFOILHRKA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471052},"content":"Quote of the Day","type":"header"},{"_id":"EOYZXGD4OFDNLEXS5BGEYZXPZM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725549471053},"content":"“They’ve been the perfect Games for me. Carrying the flag, lighting the cauldron, and winning that gold medal. It’s a winner. It’s not too bad at all.” – France’s 38-year-old flag bearer Alexis Hanquinquant, who has gone on to win two gold medals, the second of which was in the triathlon defending the men’s PTS4 title he won in Tokyo.","type":"text"}],"content_restrictions":{"content_code":"metered"},"credits":{"by":[{"additional_properties":{"original":{"byline":"John O'Sullivan"}},"name":"John O'Sullivan"}]},"description":{"basic":"Team Canada wheelchair basketball player Nikola Goncin designs prosthetics for disabled children in his native Bosnia"},"display_date":"2024-09-06T05:00:00Z","headlines":{"basic":"Paralympics: Goncin busily giving back to the land of his birth","native":""},"label":{"audio_project_id":{"text":"5469"},"basic":{"display":true,"text":"Paralympics 2024","url":"https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/paralympic-games/"}},"promo_items":{"basic":{"_id":"LQMZWCGHZKV4E2EB6YZHDKL3WI","auth":{"1":"93232340ed43d359870d75b251833edabace1b2a52e7926db931cf24ac6e26e4"},"type":"image","url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/LQMZWCGHZKV4E2EB6YZHDKL3WI.jpg"},"overline_logo":{"_id":"4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE","auth":{"1":"2e77a34483541c9b257abbd8698930e49953358834bca47ff7fa69b555d644dc"},"url":"https://cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/4WQZGI5GWRGTXK2TLAJRO2BPLE.png"}},"subtype":"default","taxonomy":{"sections":[{"name":"Athletics"},{"name":"Cycling"},{"name":"Sport"}]},"type":"story","website_url":"/sport/athletics/2024/09/06/paralympics-more-than-the-games-goncin-busily-giving-back-to-the-land-of-his-birth/","websites":{"irishtimes":{"website_section":{"_id":"/sport/athletics","additional_properties":{"original":{}},"name":"Athletics"}}}},{"_id":"CJ6TLTLZZJEJNEDIQNML33W5XA","additional_properties":{"audio_duration":131,"audio_url":"https://d22tbkdovk5ea2.cloudfront.net/audio/projects/5469/podcasts/256362eb-c50e-44ec-a583-a9040a5b6bfa/versions/1725563977/media/313a23c1ea925c69ddd525f5722aabc7_compiled.mp3"},"canonical_url":"/sport/cycling/2024/09/05/caoimhe-obrien-edges-mia-griffin-for-second-irish-stage-win-in-ras-na-mban/","content_elements":[{"_id":"C737SFGK3FCT3N2H4L4JMDR2PY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446795},"content":"Caoimhe O’Brien scooped another Irish win on day two of Rás na mBan on Thursday, outsprinting team-mate and compatriot Mia Griffin to the line in Mountrath.","type":"text"},{"_id":"FOKHX4SM5VHGDPH3INHV3UY5FM","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446796},"content":"The Das Hutchinson Brother UK team riders were head to head on the finishing straight, with O’Brien getting the edge over Wednesday’s stage one winner Griffin.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JO7W5YUZU5ELHG62AJ36ZYHWFI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446797},"content":"O’Brien picked up a time bonus during the stage and ended the day level on time with Griffin. However, the latter holds the overall lead on countback.","type":"text"},{"_id":"VLVIHW3QIFGZ5L24JTHZVXYNVQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446798},"content":"“It is so special,” O’Brien said. “I remember being here four years ago and getting dropped on every single stage. The gap to where I wanted to be was so big and so to be here is very special.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"UWGAFHW62NBIFHK2Y53FF426PU","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446799},"content":"Last month O’Brien won the Emptinne and Brasschat kermesse races in Belgium and said that having confidence in herself has made the difference. As for Griffin, she was part of Ireland’s national record-breaking team pursuit squad at the Olympic Games and has her own turn of speed.","type":"text"},{"_id":"YVFOKXFZMZHURL7TFXHSFR2VUA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446800},"content":"“For a few seconds before the line I thought I was there,” she said of what would have been a second consecutive win. “And then I saw a shadow at the side. She had come with so much speed, it was brilliant.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"XZJYJMOI3RDZVP2V5BQNA43U2I","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446801},"content":"The 104km stage from Kilkenny took in the 7.4km ascent of The Cut in the Slieve Bloom mountains. O’Brien and Griffin’s team set a hard pace to set things up for a prime win by team-mate Lucy Lee, who led the mountains competition after her prime win on Wednesday.","type":"text"},{"_id":"IQ6ZJ3EIGVGCXPDH7LGXM4GU4E","additional_properties":{"_id":1725561446802},"content":"This pace reduced the group to 23 riders. Defending champion Manon de Boer (NWVG-Uplus) took top bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint ahead of O’Brien and her sister Aoife. 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The stage closer to home, with all my family watching me, friends, in the last stages of La Vuelta,” said Berrade.","type":"text"},{"_id":"BVQ27NRON5FZ7IMMFUBXKCMLMA","additional_properties":{},"content":"“I didn’t see myself as the winner until I crossed the finish line. 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My goal was to come into that corner fast and just sprint to the line as hard as I could.”","type":"text"},{"_id":"TVSIWIPTZJD4TDH52ZWHJCNZTA","additional_properties":{},"content":"The 75km race ran from Kilkenny to Callan. The peloton split on the day’s categorised climb of Curragawn, with Griffin’s team-mate Frankie Hall, fellow Briton Katy Hill (Dan Morrissey-Primor by Pissei) and Danish rider Freederikke Aafeldt (Team Aalborg) breaking clear afterwards.","type":"text"},{"_id":"4XZ4HGERMBDENGOHIZIC6AQRIE","additional_properties":{},"content":"Their lead grew to 55 seconds but they were hauled back with 3km to go, after which Griffin’s team worked to set her up for the sprint.","type":"text"},{"_id":"UITFTAFRVNDADIT7I7QTKIEWFM","additional_properties":{},"content":"“For quite some time Frankie was up the road and we thought that she was going to stay away. 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Italy’s Filippo Zana (Jayco-Alula) and Britain’s Max Poole (DSM-Firmenich PostNL) came home in second and third place respectively.","type":"text"},{"_id":"25BJUKNICNDYBHFQKQWHG7GNXU","additional_properties":{},"content":"Ireland’s Eddie Dunbar finished the stage in 23rd, seeing him hold on to 15th in the general ranking, while Darren Rafferty was 48th, bringing him up to 71st overall.","type":"text"},{"_id":"3XRJQWPIHND37MZLIHP33HC2BA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725382308295},"content":"Primoz Roglic, who trailed Ben O’Connor by 1 minute 3 seconds at the start of the day, began to build a lead over his title rival on the uncategorised final climb. 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They had dreamt of going out like this, but sport and life had knocked them off the bike enough times for them not to entertain fantasies of such a last dance together.","type":"text"},{"_id":"K2SDQXACXNF2FHH4AHAFQENNSY","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409271},"content":"But in the mixed zone after the qualifiers, the moment seized the cyclists – McCrystal couldn’t keep her emotions at bay any longer. She tried to wipe her eyes, tried to regain her composure but the tears kept coming. Eventually, she just let them. You want to know what it meant? It meant everything.","type":"text"},{"_id":"QBJC6G7GMZDDDKITOKMPWNFTRE","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409272},"content":"“She [Katie-George] has been sick. This morning she woke up and said, ‘I’m not feeling great.’ As a pilot I was like, however s**t I feel as a tandem pairing you have to take each other’s s**t, so to speak,” sobbed McCrystal.","type":"text"},{"_id":"AR2PIGQZFZBRHD5NW3PWZY72I4","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409273},"content":"“We’ve always backed each other, if I’m injured or if she’s injured, the other one will always give that 10 per cent extra that you’d never have ordinarily. Today is probably the most nervous I have ever been in my whole entire life.","type":"text"},{"_id":"T3SAQBUHTNAYPAREXXNZ5D3YLA","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409274},"content":"“It’s just the 10 years, it’s just the kids and work, I’m a single mother, it’s been f***ing hard. I lost my father and it’s just all ... I think I just kept grief and everything in. To retire, I can retire now so f***ing proud.","type":"text"},{"_id":"JGXV7F32C5DWFJBRS76GGETUNQ","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409275},"content":"“I’m so emotional and I’m the f***ing strong one in this relationship, I’m the bitch in this relationship!”","type":"text"},{"_id":"Z5WTNFZ4LRDQRFNV7IT52M4DOI","additional_properties":{"_id":1725214409276},"content":"At that moment, one wondered if it would be possible for them to regain focus and deliver a performance in the final just over two hours later. 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