Three Medal Winners Return to Cork from IPC Athletics European Championships

Two gold, one silver & two bronze medals plus World & European records return to Ireland.

The Irish para-athletics squad return home to Dublin Airport tonight with two gold, one silver and two bronze medals along with a new World Record, a new European Record and a number of Personal Best times and distances after a successful week at the IPC (International Paralympic Committe) Athletics European Championships in Italy.

Three medals return Leeside!! 

Last Sunday, Noelle Lenihan struck gold in the F38 Discus final with an incredible throw of 32.14m to set a new World Record. 

Speaking about her performance, the talented 16-year-old stated: "I was overjoyed and very proud to secure a gold European medal and to represent my country on the international stage once again.

"This was only my second international competition and I was very proud to be there. I wasn't nervous leading up to, or during, my competition as I am just doing what I love to do and you have to enjoy yourself doing it. I was pleased that I extended my World Record as it was my best international performance previously and just shows that I am improving and the hard work is paying off.

"I am going to keep training hard and also vary my competitions throughout the summer to build up my experience and confidence. Thanks to all my friends, family, coaches and staff for their work in turning me into the person I am today and the best possible version of myself for the future. Thanks too to Paralympics Ireland for giving me the opportunity to compete in these competitions and to Milford Community Council, Charleville Park Hotel and to North Cork AC who started me off in the world of athletics and this sport - one that I love so much and has given me so much happiness."

On Day 3 and there was yet another gold medal to celebrate when Orla Barry placed top of the podium after an incredible throw of 31.18m in the F57 Discus final.

"I am delighted to be coming home with a gold medal and even happier to have thrown a Personal Best," the Cork athlete stated. "To be over 31m is massive for me and a great boost for my confidence for the months ahead. 

"I felt great going into my competition, I didn't feel nervous because my preparations had been going well and I was happy with how training was going. I'm going to go home now and plan the next few months out with my coaches and hopefully get to Rio where I'd aim to throw even better," she continued.

"I have a great team of people behind me - Pat Furlong, Dave Sweeney, Tom Comyns, Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland, who all help me get to where I want to be."

Niamh McCarthy competed on Day 5 of the tournament and added another medal to Cork's haul.

In the F40/41 Discus final Niamh absolutely smashed her Personal Best distance to set a new European Record and claim a silver medal with a distance of 27.05m.

"I am thrilled to be coming home with a silver medal from my very first European Championships. I narrowly missed out on a gold medal due to it being a combined event, but I am still ranked 1st in Europe in my classification which is all that matters to me.

"My competition day was exactly as expected and everything went to plan. I felt very relaxed going in as I was confident in my performance in the week leading up to it. I knew I had work to do once in the cage but I felt I had done everything possible to prepare.

"It feels amazing to have broken the European record again and although my goal was to PB, I never imagined I would extend it so much, I'm still stunned! My hopes now are to really fine-tune my training and focus on building on what I have achieved over here. I am ranked 3rd in the world again which gives me great confidence and I am now driving to push myself even further.

"I want to thank everyone in Paralympics Ireland, especially those who have made my transition to Dublin easier, and everyone in Cork who have always been behind me, especially my coach, John McCarthy," she finished.

Images via Paralympics Ireland on Twitter.

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