Discover Brilliance
Ava - 3rd Year
I started the Abbey vocational school with a clear image of the goals I had hoped to achieve. With the joint use of the club track and school facilities many of these goals have been reached. I began first year with smaller but still important goals and since then these goals have become huge milestones in my sporting career.
“determination and perseverance that I put in that got me to where I am today”
I started Athletics for Tír Chonaill A.C. when I was just eight years old. Since then my events have varied due to development. Like every other athlete, achievements do not come easily. I have faced many obstacles and it was the determination and perseverance that I put in that got me to where I am today. From injuries to disappointments at competition it does not take a lot to knock you over but it takes a huge effort to get back up.
As the school years went on i was faced with having to balance my school work with my sport, at times this was very difficult but ongoing support from various members of staff of the school made these difficulties less stressful.
Among other achievements, my biggest and proudest moments have been when I won my two gold all ireland medals. I won my first in 2018 in the shot put with a throw of 8.64. From that day on I worked twice as hard and realised that my future could be bright. However over the course of the next few years I had many setbacks, injuries and as we all know covid. Throughout the lockdowns I put in twice the amount of work and last summer, august 2021 I reclaimed the title of national champion in Tullamore with a throw of 11.64.
In the abbey vocation I study the three main subjects, english, maths and Irish along with geography, home economics, business, spanish, science and P.E. Although not many of these subjects have a direct transfer to athletics I’ve picked up many different skills in each of the subjects. One of the most important in my opinion is confidence from presentations in the likes of english, this has a indirect benefit to athletics because it helps to build a positive mind set for competition.
"..helps to build a positive mind set for competition."
I’ve had many different inspirations for athletics and most of them have been past athletes in my own club and even some peers who I still compete with. One of my main inspirations was a past pupil of the abbey vocational school, Kelly Mcgrory. Although I do not compete in the same event as Kelly I find her competing strategies and self confidence admiring.
Provincial Titles
Ava placing 1st in Ulster for high jump 2020.
3rd in 80mh 2021 Ulster championship.
