
First picture of woman, 24 who died after collapsing at Cork City Marathon as tribute pour for ‘positive role model'
Ellen Cassidy
Advertisement
Ellen became ill at about 1pm yesterday after she had finished the half marathon in
She was tended to at the scene by paramedics before being transferred to
She was pronounced dead a short time later.
Ellen was a champion swimmer who joined Dophin Swimming Club in Mayfield on the northside of Cork city when she was nine years old.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN NEWS
In a post on
The club stated 'Ellen swam through life with grace, strength and passion.
"Your smile and your drive will never be forgotten. Our deepest condolences to all the Cassidy's family and friends.'
Ellen was very much loved at the club not only for her talent in the water but for her kind and giving nature.
Advertisement
Most read in Irish News
Latest
Seven years ago when she represented Ireland in Luxembourg the club said that they 'couldn't be prouder' of her.
They also described her as a 'positive role model' for all their young swimmers.
'DEEP SADNESS'
Ellen had competed on behalf of her club, Munster and Ireland.
She had represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics and the European Junior Championships.
Advertisement
She had also been on a UCC Emerging Talent programme and represented Ireland at international schools level.
Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork and
He said 'She became unwell at the finish line on Patrick Street.
"Immediate medical attention was provided to her. My heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.'
Advertisement
'DEEPEST CONDOLENCES'
In a statement the marathon organisers said that they were deeply saddened to confirm that a participant in the marathon had passed away.
'The person was attended to immediately by the emergency services on the scene. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.'
A number of road closures were in place to facilitate the running of the marathon.
Ambulance crews were in situ at the marathon.
Advertisement
Volunteers from the Cork City Civil Defence and Cork West Cork Civil Defence were also on hand as were members of the Irish Red Cross.
More than 11,000 runners took part the Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K events.
1
Tragic Ellen fell ill after the event yesterday
Credit: Dolphin Swimming Club
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Extra.ie
11 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Inside Mona McSharry's life and career
A stomach bug impacted Olympian Mona McSharry during her World Aquatics Championships bid with the Sligo woman admitting how hard it was to get out of bed amid her illness. Mona finished eight place in her final event, after finishing in sixth place in the semi-finals of the 100m breastsroke earlier in the week. At just 24 years old, there's plenty ahead of the double Olympian, here take a look at her beginnings. A stomach bug impacted Olympian Mona McSharry during her World Aquatics Championships bid with the Sligo woman admitting how hard it was to get out of bed amid her illness. Pic: Ian MacNicol/Sportsfile It was 2016 when Mona first came to fame having won her first international medals when she placed second in the 100m breaststroke anbd third in the 50m at the European Junior Championships. The following year she placed second in the 200 breaststroke an won the 50m and 100m going on to win the 100m breaststroke at the World Championships a few months later. Her Olympic debut was at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she finished in eight place in the 100m breaststroke event. Last year, Mona McSharry won one of Olympian medalists when she won bronze at the 100m breaststroke event at the Paris Olympics. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy Last year, Mona won one of Olympian medalists when she won bronze at the 100m breaststroke event at the Paris Olympics. Before her star rose at the Olympics, Mona participated in Ireland's Fittest Family where her coach, Donncha O'Callaghan forecast her successful career. The appearance on the RTÉ show came five years before her Olympic win, when she was just 18 years old. Her Olympic debut was at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she finished in eight place in the 100m breaststroke event. Pic: Ian MacNicol/Sportsfile Mona was accompanied by her brother Mouric and parents Aidan and Viola with the group going on to win the whole show. Former international rugby star Donncha predicted big things for Mona and her brother. 'I'm just delighted. I'm delighted for them,' Donncha said at the time. 'I know how much it means and how much they put into it. 'And I'll be honest, Mona and Mouric are gonna go on and do great things for our country,' he foreshadowed. 'But ye were amazing. I was delighted to be a part of it. Incredible, I'm so proud of ye.'


The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Dad who died in Cork workplace accident ‘made far greater impact than he ever realised', funeral told in son's tribute
A DAD-of-four who died in a workplace accident was his family's "guide, protector and steady hand", his son told mourners at his requiem mass today. Pat Corcoran, 68, was He was transferred to the hospital following an accident at a family owned packaging and pallet company in Clondrohid, which is four miles north of At his requiem mass in St Abina's Church in Clondrohid today his son Brian joked that although he was born in 1997 the highlight of the year for his father was training Dingle Derby winner 'Fiona's Choice.' He said: 'I would often hear the full run down. "The mare he got ready in 21 days through pure horsemanship and dedication to get the mare in the condition she was in in such a short amount of time. READ MORE IN NEWS "She won in a photo finish which showed he just managed to get her over the line. "He had a great love for horse racing. Particularly Point to Point. "Even on the day of my sister Louise's christening he managed to get to a Point to Point that evening where he said his luck was in and it paid for the christening. "Myself and my fiancée Katie got engaged in May of last year. When I informed Dad that the chosen month for the wedding was March 2026 he looked over at Katie and said 'It's hardly the week of Cheltenham is it?' MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN "It is hard to picture a race day without thinking of him there having the chat, putting on the bet and hoping to come home with a few extra pounds in the pocket to cover a bag of chips.' Brian said: 'Our father was our guide, protector and a steady hand. 'PAT WAS ALWAYS THERE TO HELP' 'We always knew we were deeply loved. Our Mom, Mary T, was his constant. Together they built a home of love, laughter and loyalty. "Dad didn't need a stage or a spotlight. His greatness was in the quiet way that he lived his life. "By showing up, by giving his all and by being there for the people who mattered. In doing so he made a far greater impact than he ever realised.' He added that was he was grateful for the support of family, friends, the emergency services, hospital staff and the work colleagues of his father at Mid Cork Pallets. Celebrant Fr Jimmy Greene He said: 'Pat was a kind man, considerate of others and if there was any job that needed doing Pat was always there to help. He was a happy man.' Offertory gifts included a copy of the Irish Field, an apple tart, a family picture, a work jacket and a Mr Corcoran is survived by his wife Mary T, children Louise, Fiona, Jack and Brian and their partners, his brother and two sisters, best friend Jim Scriven, work colleagues, extended family and friends. He was laid to rest at Clondrohid cemetery following mass today. 1 Pat passed away earlier this week Credit: RIP Collect


Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Dublin family pushing to increase crucial services for people living with Alzheimer's
'The Alzheimer Society's Day Care has been an absolute lifeline for us.' Sylvia Mulhall is one of tens of thousands of Irish people living with dementia — and her family says that day services, as well as the nature of their mum's disease, has enabled the family to share her care. Now Sylvia's daughter Jenny Tobin is calling on the government to improve funding and support for people living with the disease. Over 64,000 people in Ireland live with dementia, with that number expected to increase in the years ahead. On September 21 —which is World Alzheimer's Day — thousands of Irish people will come together in locations across the country to remember and honour those living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia — and the families who stand beside them every step of the way. Alzheimer's sufferer Sylvia Mulhall with her husband Shay and daughter Caitriona Among them will be Sylvia's loved ones, who will fundraise for the services that have made such a difference to their lives. 'The Memory Walk is another way to bring us all together as a family, to go out to try and raise awareness,' says Jenny. 'We're lucky as a family that we're bonded, and that Mam isn't a wanderer and she's happy and content. 'There are other families who have it an awful lot harder and it's to raise awareness of how prevalent Alzheimer's has become, and it's going to become more and more prevalent in years to come.' Still, Jenny feels that more could be done by the State to support people with dementia and their loved ones. 'The services that we have now are nowhere near what they should be to look after patients with Alzheimer's,' she says. Alzheimer's sufferer Sylvia Mulhall with her husband Shay and daughter Caitriona News in 90 Seconds, Friday August 1 'We keep raising awareness and keep trying to raise money for it — they are vital services for the families. It's vitally important to give people supports — they need a rest, a break.' Jenny says that the fact that their mother's Alzheimer's has progressed slowly means she is cared for at home by husband Shay, who she married 57 years ago. The couple are supported by children Jenny, Caitriona and Jimmy as well as other family members. A day centre that Sylvia attends a few days a week has also made a huge difference. 'She lives at home with Dad, and only this last few months now, we have a carer that comes in four mornings a week. 'Three days a week, she goes to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland Day Care in Curlew Road, which is amazing. Read more 'The staff have been so welcoming and warm. It's like a home from home for us. 'They treat my Mam and all the other residents there with such dignity, care, respect, kindness. 'Every day she looks forward to going in. And my dad then gets a little bit of a break at home. 'They really have been an absolute and utter lifeline to us, mostly for Dad, because he's living there 24/7 — myself and my brother and sister are up and down all the time. It's Dad who's living the life of caring for mam, really, and they're both 81.' Though the disease has been hard for Sylvia and her loved ones, Jenny says the family takes great joy in the fact that their mother, from Chapelizod, Dublin, is content and has fun in her days. 'We'll hop in the car, and then I'll drive up to Lucan and get her a cone or a Turkish Delight bar of chocolate, and we have a spin around, and we might drive through the Strawberry Beds, and we sing a few songs and go in through Phoenix Park and then home. That hour just settles her then in the evenings. 'She's so funny and she still has that little bit of fun and wit about her. 'She doesn't always remember my name, she doesn't always remember Caitriona's name or Jimmy. 'When she doesn't remember, we don't get upset about it — it's just the Alzheimer's. It's not her. 'Once she is happy, the four of us are extremely happy.' Memory Walk, says Jenny, can be a bonding experience for families and carers who have a shared experience on the day. 'Everybody kind of gets each other. Everybody has empathy for each other. Some of the Alzheimer's clients can come along to the walk, and they can do, and everybody has a sense of patience. 'It's like a camaraderie, and everybody coming together for one cause and understands each other as a collective group of people together.' Memory Walk honours, remembers, and celebrates the 64,000 people in Ireland living with dementia, along with their families and carers. It also cherishes the memory of those who are no longer with us. In 2024, almost 3,500 walkers participated in Memory Walk and raised over €150,000, which helped fund vital services for people with dementia, including daycare, daycare at home, family carer training, social clubs, cafés, and a national helpline.