Tokyo Olympics - Irish Rowing Heroes 28th July 2021



When you fully believe in yourself, anything is possible.   

Bronze medals for Aifric Keogh, Fiona Murtagh, Emily Hegarty and Eimear Lambe - Ireland's first of the games.  They knew, they just knew they had it in themselves to drive on in the 2nd half of the race, comforting themselves in the knowledge their aerobic fitness would see them get onto the podium. It is a gruelling and demanding sport with no hiding spots. Who could ever forget the documentary of Steve Redgrave of GB's Olympic training where he regularly collapsed with exhaustion. That is what it takes, and that is why these girls deserve our full admiration and respect.

The girls had demonstrated how hard they finished earlier in the season and their competitors knew this thereby racing out early to try and blow off the Irish threat.  The hard training yards, realisation of their capabilities and trust in the Group meant the Irish girls could storm the 2nd half of the race, finishing with aplomb and over a second ahead of the 4th placed GB girls.   It was a superb effort and history making for Team Ireland.  Fingers crossed for another of our rowing hopefuls - Sanita Puspere who is up next. Experienced, classy and powerful, Sanita has all the tools.

In the Hockey, Ireland's women showed huge grit and determination to fightback against Germany.     While the 4-2 result was harsh, the ladies dug deep and really put the Germans on the back foot. What is evident from the Irish hockey team is that given the seriousness of the event, the stage, the battle, the pressure - they enjoy their hockey.  Win or lose the Irish team saviour the experience.  It is not a cruel act whereupon the pressure gets to them and it ends as a relief to complete the game.  The team play with smiles on their faces, comradery with their colleagues and a total appreciation of where they are at and how grateful they are to be Olympians.   So few of us will ever participate in an Olympic games and the girls realise this and take pleasure in every moment they spend in Tokyo.  It is simply a joy to watch them play, not just for their undoubted talent, but also for the pride in representing their country and showing us that sport is to be savoured, not just experienced.  

Big game against India coming up. The winner is a quarter finalist.  I have total faith. 

On another note, Irish eyes where also smiling for Siobhan Bernadette Haughey who got a silver swimming for Hong Kong and Alice Kinsella with a bronze for GB in the gymnastics. Both have Irish heritage and both did fantastically well.

Photo courtesy of INPHO / Bryan Keane

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