Ellen Cassidy (24) who died running Cork City Marathon remembered as having ‘grace, strength, and passion'
The woman who collapsed and died running the Cork half marathon on Sunday has been named locally as Ellen Cassidy of Old Mallow Road in Cork city.
Emergency service workers fought to save the life of the 24-year-old who collapsed 'seconds from the finish line' on St Patrick's Street.
Ms Cassidy was taken to Cork University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
The young woman was a graduate of University College Cork. She was also a former student of St Angela's College on Patrick's Hill in the city.
Ms Cassidy was a keen swimmer who participated in numerous competitions over the years both in Ireland and overseas.
She joined Dolphin Swimming Club in Mayfield on the northside of Cork city at the age of nine. She competed with distinction on behalf of her club, Munster and Ireland. She also broke a large number of club records for Dolphin where she was a former 'Swimmer of the Year' and team captain.
Tributes were paid to the young woman by the Dolphin Swimming Club, where she served as club captain from 2017 to 2019.
'Ellen swam through life with grace, strength, and passion. Your smile, and your drive will never be forgotten,' the club said in a statement.
'Our deepest condolences to all the Cassidy's family and friends.'
When Ms Cassidy represented Ireland at a swimming meet in Luxembourg in January 2018, the club described her as 'such a positive role model for all our younger swimmers'.
Christine O'Donoghue, from Blarney, Co Cork, was waiting for her own daughter Shannon (26) to finish the half marathon, when she realised an emergency was taking place on Sunday.
'The finish line is near Penneys,' Ms O'Donoghue said. 'My daughter's friend was tracking her on an app and we knew she was near the finish. But the next thing all we could hear was one of the medical team shouting 'AED, AED [Automated External Defibrillator].' They needed a defibrillator.
'The medical team dealt with it amazingly. I could see them all running but not in a panicked way. And the ambulance came within less than five minutes.
'A steward guided the runners to the other side of the road. We were in shock. My daughter then finished the race 10 minutes later. I started bawling when I saw her coming.
'But then I thought [of the person] who was probably standing, waiting for that girl to reach the finish line.'
Ms O'Donoghue said it was heartbreaking that an event where 'such humanity' had been on show, with runners and the crowd supporting each other, that a tragedy would then unfold.
Cork city Green Party councillor Oliver Moran, a participant in the half marathon, said: 'It's tragic news to hear after an event that was so heartwarming in other respects. The day was beautiful and the residents and volunteers who came out to support the participants were wonderful.
'Hearing the news emerge after the race finish, when we should all be cheering together, was so saddening. I'm sure the thoughts of everyone who took part alongside the woman are with her friends and family now.
Pictured: Ellen Cassidy 'swam through life with grace, strength, and passion', tributes read
News in 90 seconds - June 2nd
'Just yesterday, I attended a launch of new equipment for the St John's Ambulance with two councillor colleagues, who were also running in the marathon. It was a reminder then about the role those services play in an event like this and I understand the young woman was treated at the finish line by emergency services.'
In a statement Cork City Council said: 'Cork City Council is deeply saddened to confirm that a participant in the Cork City Marathon has tragically 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.'
Over 11,000 runners participated in the full Cork City Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K events.
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