THESE ARE THE days that Molly Scott works so hard for.
A few weeks ago, the Carlow star sprinter and hurdler took gold in a high-quality 100m hurdles race and crossed the line in 13.71 during the National Junior and U23 Championships in Tullamore.
She also finished runner-up in the 100m to Ciara Neville – the Emerald AC athlete winning in 11.69 to Scott’s 11.74.
Following that success, the St Laurence O’Toole athlete represented Ireland at last week’s European U23 Championships in Gavle, Sweden, and made the final of the 100m with a terrific display into a headwind.
Scott was also on the Irish women’s 4x100m relay team, which produced a brave bid from lane 1 in the final to finish an agonising fourth in 44.32.
Now she has her sights set on the Irish Life Health National Championships at Santry on 27 and 28 July.
She will be up against a top-class field, including the likes of Limerick’s Sarah Lavin but Scott is fully focused on her own performances.
“It feels like I am making progress and learning all the time,” the Hacketstown star says. “Every tournament you go to, you learn something new.
Over the past few months I have had issues with sleep the nights before major events and I have had to keep working on my technique but it’s great to know that you can work through these issues and arrive.”
At the end of the day Scott knows she can rely heavily on her immense talent and ability to work hard to achieve results.
“That is a comfort,” she says. “Even when times are testing you know you are good at what you are doing and that if you keep working hard it should come good for you. There is great reassurance in that.”
Scott is a busy woman. Now at peak competition level she is busy running and also trying to fit in her academic career at IT Carlow.
After the Irish Life Health Nationals, she will look to peak at the European Indoor and World Outdoor finals next year.
“There is Tokyo 2020 after that and while an Olympics may be a little bit off yet I am going to go after an appearance there.
“Why wouldn’t I? I figure that if I can get to the Europeans and the Worlds that a medal is always a possibility and if you can get to that level you could get the qualifying grade for Tokyo without having over-obsessed about it.”
Competing is a way of life for Scott and she receives great help from her family, including her mum and coach, Deirdre.
IT Carlow have been quick to offer her support and assistance. So too have her local supermarket Quinns of Baltinglass who sponsor her. Athletics Ireland provide financial assistance through their carded scheme and the fact that she lives at home and studies at home helps too.
Currently preparing for her final year of a three-year law degree at IT Carlow, Scott says she loves the course and the college.
She would like to stay at the IT for some more years.
“Well, I haven’t thought about it, but I have no desire to leave IT Carlow and see myself going further with my studies there,” she says.
“They have been so good to me. And it helps me to live at home and train at home as well. Makes things easier all around. Perhaps I will go and sit law exams at Kings Inn in the future but that is down the line. I am happy where I am for now.”
College life brings its own pressures, challenges and opportunities but Scott says perhaps her biggest issue was constantly turning down her friends’ invites to nights out and social occasions.
“I guess when you are training all the time it’s hard to mix socialising too so I don’t do much of the latter,” she says.
“There was a bit of peer pressure at the start, I would find myself constantly explaining why I wasn’t out.
I think they understand now, though,” she smiles. “I still get invited but they don’t really expect to see me out. That is probably not my scene anyway, and I guess when you put so much effort into diet, training and conditioning, you have to give yourself every chance of performing.”
With Scott setting personal bests and constantly progressing she is hopeful that greater opportunities will arise in the future.
Keeping injury free, trusting her technique and continuing to reach international events are all top of her radar.
She knows she will face stiff competition at the Irish Life Health Nationals at the end of the month, but the Carlow native is used to stepping up.
“Having competed at junior and then U23 level you are already getting a taste for senior standard,” she says.
“A lot of the athletes I face at U23 level will be there again at senior level. The competition will be tough at Santry but I am used to that.
“Things are going well now, and I just want to stay on that course. I won’t look too far into the future and I won’t get too caught up in details along the way.
“I guess I will just trust what and who has helped me get this far and stay working hard.”
- Originally published at 07.00
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Barry Daly was particularly unlucky with injuries. A very effective try-scorer.
@Glenbower: would he be worth a shot by Connacht? Seriously depleted in the back 3
@Barra Mac An Bhaird: yes I think he’s a class player annoyed that leinster did not keep was extremely sharp before his injury.
@hypebeast: Totally agree. Great skillset and excellent finisher; I don’t remember him ever making a significant mistake. I prefer him to Kelleher in the back 3. He’d be a very good addition to the Connacht squad.
@Barra Mac An Bhaird: I have a feeling he may be retiring due to injuries
Sad to see Barry Daly is leaving
That’s remarkable work
New contracts for Leavy, connors and VDF…..
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Maybe now that will put to bed any notions of other provinces scrounging around looking for one of them!
That’s a great mornings business. Delighted Fardy is getting another contract. He brings so much to Leinster. Great to see all the 7’s staying too though Leo has some selection headaches now.
@Kevin: Great to see Fardy stay. A real leader. We might see him in a coaching role in 2 years. 5 players promoted from the academy is a great return also.
Great bit of business, always good to see the academy lads getting senior contracts. Nice to see all the 7s are staying as well as Fardy.
Gutted for Barry Daly. Fastest man in the squad and hugely prolific scorer. Desperately unlucky with injuries, it’s such a shame. Schmidt even had called him into camp at one point.
Any of these players interested in a move West, Connacht getting weaker each year since 2016.
@Pretty Ladee: 2 of the players leaving are going west.
@Chris Mc: connacht need proven professionals not kids,
@Pretty Ladee: didn’t qualify for the Heineken cup 2 years in a row and followed that up by qualifying the next 2 years in a row, doesnt really sound like a decline ?
@Kohn Jeenan: look at this years departures, compared to signings, hardly an achievement qualifying for the heineken cup
@Pretty Ladee: there’s hardly a single player to come through the leinster academy that’s not ready for the pro 14
@Pretty Ladee: we’ve qualified on our own merit for the Heineken cup maybe a few times ever so I’m not sure how you can say it’s not an achievement, departures is kind of worrying but have to presume there’s some plan
@Pretty Ladee: Aungier is a gem of a player and a big loss to Leinster. He will soon be a favourate in the Sportsground
With Joe Tomane departing, I presume Leinster have room to sign another non Irish player, obviously not possible with the current economic situation.
Amazing to think that with Leinster’s academy, they will need nor miss this opportunity!
@Conor Mulloy: a none irish loose head might be the only requirement as healy will be away and is not getting any younger. Saying that it’s a great opportunity for the younger lads to step up.
@Chris Mc: A NIQ loosehead is a good shout. That said, Dooley had upped his game pre-COVID19 and was playing very well.
@Carmine Lorenzo: agree Dooley has stepped up but say going into a HC final and healy was injured dooley and Byrne doesn’t sound as good as healy and mcgrath
@Chris Mc: Nope it definitely does not, a certain drop off there. I guess we’ll find out soon enough whether Milne has what it takes.
@Carmine Lorenzo: if Leo trusts dooley Byrne and milne that’ll do for me.
Def jealous of that
Fantastic strength in depth and who would not want to sign on when the team is on the crest of a wave
Yeah v disappointed for Daly, He’s a VG player when fit
Great business by leinster selection ain’t easy delighted for Vardy
Are we becoming very forward heavy compared to backs. (with ferg and Rob) added to the list that moved on today