PARALYMPICS IRELAND HAILED Niamh McCarthy as “one of the very best discus throwers in the world” as the Cork native announced her retirement on Thursday.
Carrigaline’s McCarthy twice represented Ireland at the Paralympic Games, winning silver in the F41 event at Rio 2016 as well as a host of other major international honours.
A two-time European champion in 2018 and 2021, McCarthy also retires with two world championship medals, having won silver in London in 2017 and bronze in Doha in 2019, as well as a European bronze in 2015.
Her final international appearance in an international singlet came at the deferred Tokyo 2020 games earlier this year, where she finished fifth.
“Now is the right time for me to step away from the sport having competed on the biggest stage in Tokyo one last time,” she said on Thursday.
“I have loved every minute of it, I have made great friends, seen some wonderful places and reached heights that I could only imagine when I turned up to a talent ID day back in 2013.
“I am now going to concentrate on my own life and career away from the throwing circle but I will always have a keen interest and love for Paralympic Sport.
“I want to thank all of those that have supported me on my journey in sport; my family, friends, coaches, Paralympics Ireland, Sport Ireland and so many others. I think that I have given you all some good memories, I know I will take a lot of great memories away from my time as a high performance athlete.”
Dave Malone, Paralympics Ireland’s high performance director, hailed McCarthy as “one of the very best discus throwers in the world”.
“She has achieved on the biggest stage at multiple European and World Championships along with winning silver at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
“Paralympics Ireland will now work closely with Niamh to help her transition away from sport and provide all the supports that she may need for her next chapter.”
As a Leinster fan I wish Ulster and Munster well in the quarter finals. Its good to see two Irish teams still in it.
Bad luck Leinster, still it’s good to see Munster got trough.
As a leinster fan I’m sorry to see it happen but it was inevitable after the home Clermont match. In the years we won it we always had a dominating player in the pack – Rocky Elsom, Nathan Hines, Brad Thorn – a guy other teams feared for their physicality and general intensity. These guys were abrasive personalites.
Leo Cullen, while a phenomenal captain, isn’t that sort of player. Devin Toner has no place on a Heineken cup team. He is neither abrasive or talented. The back row and front row, while all physically abrasive, seem not to be thorny individuals. We need someone getting in the face of opponents, on and off the ball. We need someone like the three above, like Dennis Leamy.
I agree for the most part, Cian Healy & Sean O Brien are both mean fookers. I think Leinster need a serious edge in the 2nd row.
Ahhhhh hahahahahaha…I love to see Irish teams doing well but for all the Leinster fans giving Munster fans sh*t over the years…sit on that!
Don’t gloat Thómas, Munster have been there before and will be again. Hard luck to Leinster, tough way to exit the competition. Munster abú.
don’t known any leinster fans that don’t support Munster in the Heineken. Get the chip off your shoulder
There’s no chip on my shoulder. Like I said I always like to see the Irish teams doing well but over the last few years Leinster fans felt the need to have a go at Munster while they were doing well so today I’ll revel in it
I’m sure there is a few idiot Leinster supporters who do give grief Tomás, just as Munster have a few fans like you. Any best of luck Munster and Ulster.
Terrible immature attitude, a man shouldn’t lower himself regardless of what when before. You’re only feeding a cycle of hate.
Sorry Tomas but years of ladyboy crap started all that stuff.
As for yesterday Leinster didn’t qualify because clermont beat us twice not because Munster scored more trys against the second team of 8th best team in France with 14 men.
Tomas when you win the title in Dublin ( and I really hope you do) then gloat all you want because if like last year when we won if you go to France and win a semi final you will deserve to be called the best team in Europe.
Leinster will now have a crack at the Amlin and the rabbo, if we win a title it will be enough to regroup for next year.
Fair play to Simon Zebo yesterday super display and will make the loss of tommy Bowe less hard to take next month.
Hard luck Leinster! Good to have 2 Irish teams still there hopefully if all goes to plan at Welford Road. Munster abu!
I’m all about international rugby, but it’s like a guilty pleasure knocking leinster out of the European cup while qualifying for the quarters.
Hard luck to Leinster and tough way to leave the competition…….
Are they the first champions to go out at pool stage?
Where was this famous strength in depth they always bang on about?
3. 2. Now
3. 2. Next may
Yawn !
Posted on 20/1/2013 is this the Journal’s April’s fool days contribution?