"Doing athletics for the first time, something just clicked. I tried other wheelchair sports like basketball and archery, but they weren’t for me. This was different. Driving home from my first training session, I was so excited!

I discovered athletics when Shane Brady, a coach from Athletics Ireland, visited my school. He was visiting as part of the Little Athletics programme, which introduces children to athletics. Shane saw something in me that day and invited me to Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) Sports in Clontarf, where he also coaches. That gave me a huge confidence boost. Shane has been a huge support to me ever since.

 After I attended a few sessions in Clontarf, Shane encouraged me to enter the IWA Para Athletics Grand Prix competition. This is a series of athletics competitions for wheelchair users that runs from April to September every year. It was while competing in the Grand Prix that I found out about Fr. Murphy’s Club in Athboy. A friend recommended the club. He told me how amazing the coaches, athletes and the club in general were. I had to try it. Now I’ve been at the club for two years!"

"I train once a week with Fr. Murphy’s. Another lad and I are the only wheelchair users. Everyone else is able-bodied. Training can be tiring on the arms, but it is fine. I use a skipping rope with balls on the end to help train my arms.  I train for 400 metres on my own, but I do throwing with everyone else. The coaches are really good at throwing, so they help me with that. They give great tips and support.

My main event is track, but I also compete in javelin, shot put, and discus. I do 100m, 200m, and 400m track events. My wheelchair has sports wheels to help me take part, and I use gloves to help with grip. 400 metres is my favourite. When I’m competing, I like being in lane 1 because it means everyone goes out in front of me. That gives me motivation to overtake everyone and get in front!

Since I started in 2024, I’m proud to have competed in 20 competitions. I have 57 medals and some trophies. The competitions have taken me all over the country. I have been to Tipperary, Carlow, and Waterford for competitions. This Summer, I was invited to Coventry for my first international competition: The Activity Alliance Parathletics Games. I competed in shot put, discus, and javelin."

"Competing in Coventry is my proudest achievement so far. I trained so hard for it. For months before the competition, thinking of Coventry was what kept me going and ensured I showed up for training. I practised through rain and hailstones and spent lots of time throwing in my back garden when I wasn’t training at Fr. Murphy’s. 

When it came time for the competition, I was full of excitement. I was one of 23 athletes representing Ireland. There was a real high-energy atmosphere, but it was also serious and intense. You had to do so many events back to back without much of a break. When I’d completed my events, I just said to myself that I did good and I was happy with myself. I didn’t think I’d get a medal. But all my training paid off! I won three gold medals and achieved a personal best in shot put – 4.42 metres. When I heard I got them, I felt like crying! I was still in shock when I collected my medals. It took me a while to realise what I’d actually just achieved."

"This year, I was also 1 of 4 girls who were invited as seated athletes for the Leinster AAI Championship. This was the first time ever that seated athletes were invited to take part. I got 3 medals for the Leinster AAI Championship too.

My goal for the future is to take part in the Paralympics when I’m 18. I’d love to represent in the 400 metres track event as that’s my favourite, but I’d be happy to do it in any of the events I compete in.

For anyone who wants to take part in a sport, I say keep going and trying things. There are so many different sports out there – give it your best effort, and you should find your one, as I did!"