Latest news with #UniversityofLimerick
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
‘It's a big moment for me': NI's Ellie McCartney becomes swimming's latest golden girl
The 20-year-old from Enniskillen claimed the 200m individual medley crown at the event in Slovakia, but says she isn't getting carried away with thoughts of the Olympics just yet. The swimmer, who is studying Sports Science at the University of Limerick, splits her training between the base of Swim Ireland in Limerick and Bangor's Aurora Centre, said she was delighted and surprised to have picked up the biggest title of her career to date. 'Honestly, I wasn't really expecting it,' she said, having focused much of her training on the 200m breaststroke this season. Ellie, a former pupil at Enniskillen Royal, had qualified fastest for the final but was up against competitors who had a faster personal best time, and was in third place halfway through the four-leg event which sees swimmers combine backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and freestyle legs. 'In the end, I think it was the breaststroke training that really helped,' she said. 'Overall the other girls have been quite a bit faster than me, but the breaststroke leg went well.' Ellie powered through the field to take the lead and held on to take the title in a time of 2 minutes 12.5 seconds. She had 1.22 seconds to spare over second-placed Bertille Cousson from France with Slovakia's Tamara Potocka in third. 'I didn't really have any pressure in the race,' she said. 'I had already achieved qualifying times for the World Championships which will be held in Singapore at the end of July, so it was nice to be able to go out there and just race. 'I managed to get my hand to the wall first and that was really exciting and unexpected. It's a big moment for me.' The European U-23 championships were last held in Dublin in 2023, with Irish Olympians Daniel Wiffen and Mona McSharry among the gold medallists while Ellen Walshe was the champion in the 200m Individual medley. News Catch Up - Friday 27th June Ellie enjoyed previous success at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago in the 100 and 200-metre breaststroke, and 200-metre individual medley when she won two golds and a bronze making her double Commonwealth Youth Games champion. 'Singapore will be a new experience for me,' she said looking ahead to next month's World Aquatic Championships. 'Being part of the Swim Ireland team going over there is something I'm really looking forward to. 'The next Olympics are still three years away so there's plenty of time to think about that later. Now it's all about the training, improving my times to make sure I qualify for these major long course (50m pool) events. Right now, anything that comes after that, like gold medals at European level to start with, is a real bonus.' Ellie has another two events in Slovakia, with the 100m breaststroke and her favoured event, the 200m breaststroke, still to come over the weekend. 'Training well and getting the experience of competing at the World Championships is my next goal,' she said. 'Next year there's the Commonwealth Games to aim for so there's still a lot of hard work ahead.'
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
UL hosts European Dodgeball Championships for first time
"Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge!" The five D's of Dodgeball were once made famous by the character of Patches O'Houlohan (played by actor Rip Thorn) in the 2004 hit comedy movie Dodgeball. Twenty-one years later, and the first ever major dodgeball tournament has arrived in Ireland this weekend, and far from comedy, this is serious athletic competition. The tenth edition of the European Dodgeball Championships will see 76 teams, from 21 countries, battle it out across men's, women's and mixed events to claim European honours. The action is taking place at the University of Limerick and is a milestone for the sport, as it will be the first European Dodgeball Championships to include both Cloth and Foam ball formats. Tamas Heitzmann, from the Irish Dodgeball Association, explained why Limerick won the bid. "Irish Dodgeball has long aspired to bring an international tournament to Ireland, and that dream has become a reality. We are thrilled to welcome our dodgeball friends from across Europe and show them what Irish Dodgeball can achieve. "The University of Limerick is an ideal venue for an international sports tournament, with world-class facilities, a vibrant campus, and a strong tradition of hosting major sporting events," he said. Over 600 athletes, along with their trainers, coaches and fans, will compete across the three divisions this weekend. Ireland player, Katie Kinkaid, says the ethos of inclusivity and community is something that draws a lot of people to the sport. "I started playing just after COVID when everything started opening back up again. My partner's been playing for about 12 years, so he got me into it. I came along to a few sessions in Phoenix Park in Dublin and I just loved it." "The team, the camaraderie and getting to play with the boys in mixed games is really interesting. There are not very many sports you get to play alongside the boys. It's very satisfying to hit them with the ball. "We've got people who play for our Dublin team from all over the world, and we all come together and go on trips. We go to tournaments together, we go on holidays. That's really great," she added. Ms Kinkaid says dodgeball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and it's starting to make in-roads in Ireland. "In Ireland, it's kind of up and coming. We've got about 5 or 6 clubs across the country, but in places like England, they've got junior teams, youth teams, university teams coming all the way through. So, it's really, really taking off there." Great fun, serious athleticism and intense competition on show at the European Dodgeball Championships at the University of Limerick today! — Joe Caulfield (@Joe_Caulfield_) June 26, 2025 Ireland is not one of the favourites to win, with previous European men's team winners Northern Ireland and Austria tipped to go deep in the tournament. However, Ireland men's captain John Taaffe is hopeful of their chances. "Look, we're optimistic. I think we're kind of dark horse in the foam division. A lot of people have put us down beforehand, but we're quietly confident in what we can do." An avid athlete all his life, Mr Taaffe explains how he found dodgeball, and what attracted him to the sport. "I'm a bit sports mad and had tried everything like soccer, rugby and GAA growing up. I decided to give something different, a try and after one dodgeball session, I was hooked. That was eight years ago now and I think I've barely missed a week since. It's been fantastic," he said. "I started playing locally in Dublin, and within a couple of years, I was playing for Ireland, going to Madison Square Garden, going to Canada, it brings you all over the world," he added. And, what are Irish captain's thoughts on the movie that brought the sport to the attention of millions around the globe? "It draws people to the sport. Some people try and make a joke out of it, but at the end of the day, it's a fun movie and it's a fun sport. Anything that paints us in a fun light is what we aim for, and it's something we're actually proud of."
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
European Dodgeball Championship in Limerick
This year's European Dodgeball Championships, taking place at the University of Limerick from the 26th to the 29th of June. RTÉ reporter Joe Caulfield is there for more.
Irish Post
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Post
Call to action as new research reveals barriers to disability sports in Ireland
NEW research has revealed striking inequalities in access to Para sports in Ireland. The report found girls and those who become disabled in later life face more challenging pathways when attempting to access disability sports. The far-reaching study, a collaboration between the University of Limerick and Paralympics Ireland, examined the lived experience of Para athletes and coaches across the country. It found that girls with disabilities begin participating in Para sport nearly a decade later than boys. The finding 'points to a stark gender disparity that limits early engagement' the report authors state. The study also found that individuals with acquired disabilities face significantly more obstacles to participation than those with congenital disabilities. Pictured at the launch (l-r) Dr Seán Healy, research assistant Alan Dineen, Paralympics Ireland COO Neasa Russell, Disability Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Limerick Councillor Frankie Daly, the University of Limerick's Professor Elaine Murtagh and Dr Ian Sherwin (Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile) Despite these challenges, the report highlighted the 'profound impact' of Para sport in improving physical and mental health, fostering independence, and enhancing quality of life for participants. The report calls for better use of the untapped potential of schools, families, and rehabilitation settings as entry points into sport. These environments, the study finds, are 'critical to long-term engagement but remain underutilised'. The research also calls for 'targeted investment in local programmes, increased access to trained coaches, and improved availability of adaptive equipment to create more inclusive sporting opportunities across Ireland'. Ireland's Disability Minister, Hildegarde Naughton attended the launch of the report, titled Gateways & Pathways: Athlete and Coach Experiences of Para Sport in Ireland, at the University of Limerick this month. 'Sport and physical activity is crucial for the health and wellbeing of our society, she said. 'I am a firm believer that all people should have the right to enjoy sport which brings so much to all our lives. 'It keeps us healthy, and it is the backbone of our communities.' She added: 'Despite recent and welcome progress, there remains an enduring participation gap between persons with a disability and those living without such challenges. 'The research we are publishing today will form a critical part of how we will continue to work together, as a government and a sporting community, to break down barriers to sport.' Dr Sean Healy, who was the lead researcher on the project, said that the findings of their study must be a catalyst for change. 'This research is a call to action,' he said. 'By identifying where the system is falling short, we now have the opportunity to reshape how Para sport is delivered in this country.' He added: 'The recommendations offer a clear roadmap for making sport more inclusive, equitable, and impactful for people with disabilities.' Neasa Russell, Paralympics Ireland's Chief Operating Officer, said the findings reinforce what was 'already felt' among the Para sports community. 'This research shines a powerful light on both the barriers and the opportunities within Irish Para sport,' she said. 'It confirms what many in our community have long felt – that access is unequal, especially for girls and for those who acquire a disability later in life. 'But it also highlights the transformative role sport can play when those barriers are removed.' She added: 'Our job now is to act on these findings and ensure that every person with a disability, regardless of gender, age, or background, has a clear and supported pathway into sport. 'That is the vision we are committed to delivering.' Paralympics Ireland and University of Limerick will now begin working with key stakeholders to explore steps to implement the report's recommendations. See More: Barriers, Disability, Ireland, Para Sports, Report
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
New research project reveals untapped potential of Para sport in Ireland
A new report has revealed the barriers and the opportunities which exist within disability sport in Ireland. Gateways & Pathways: Athlete and Coach Experiences of Para Sport in Ireland was launched by Paralympics Ireland in partnership the University of Limerick on Wednesday. Para sport athletes with congenital disabilities reported starting in their sport far later in life than non-Para athletes. For boys, it was at an average age of 12.6 years old and for girls much later at 21 years. "This delayed entry can limit skill development and hinder long-term participation, as well as depriving the individual of the benefits of Para sport at a younger age," the report states. That gender gap is also evident in how girls compared to boys were introduced to para sport: 9.3% vs 25% through schools; 2.3% vs 18.8% through siblings; and 11.6% vs 35% through rehabilitation centres, physiotherapists or physicians. Athletes with acquired disabilities were far more likely to report experiencing barriers to participation compared to those with congenital disabilities, averaging 5.4 barriers compared to three. "Entry into Para sport is often more complex for those with acquired disabilities, and current structures appear to be inadequate to meet their needs," the report says. Schools were found to be a missed opportunity for introductions to Para sport with less than one-fifth of participants beginning their sporting journey through a teacher or school. The report states that with proper structures and supports, schools could become a key access point to Para sport. A lack of access to programmes and facilities was reported as a barrier by 30.9% while 27.6% said it hindered their ongoing participation. Those based outside cities reported an "overall lack of local Para sport options and the need to travel long distances to participate". The development of new clubs will be critical in improving the situation. 25% of athletes said they lacked regular coaching support with 15.3% training on their own and another 9.9% training with other athletes but without a coach. "A multitude of promising 'sources' of Para coaches were also mentioned in the interviews," the report states, "including retired athletes, parents, and non-Para coaches – but no formal initiative appears to be in place to fully leverage these groups to increase the number of coaches in the Para sport system. Coaches also spoke of feeling isolated, underappreciated and unrecognised efforts to remedy this should be explored also. There is a clear need for a national strategy to recruit, develop, and retain Para sport coaches." There were also found to be many positives associated with disability sport in Ireland, ones which makes the opportunities even greater. "The impact of Para sport went far beyond health and well-being," the report says. "Most athletes cited improved independence, self-confidence, and social connection, to name but a few, as benefits that kept them involved in Para sport. Benefits such as travel, a sense of accomplishment, and belonging were frequently cited as key motivators also. "Interviewees also spoke about the importance of being with others who share similar lived experiences of having a disability; for many interviewees, Para sport was the first setting in which this occurred. "There is a need to raise awareness of the transformative potential of Para sport for all people with disabilities beyond the typical benefits associated with sport. Greater recognition of these wider impacts can help drive increased participation among athletes and coaches, while also building broader support for Para sport across Irish society."
