My Money: ‘I don't know if I'll ever be able to afford to buy a home in Ireland – and that scares me'
International swimmer Ellen Keane
Today at 21:30
Paralympic gold-medal winner Ellen Keane was born missing her left arm below the elbow.
The swimmer, who grew up the youngest of four children in Clontarf in Dublin, made sporting history at the age of 13 when she competed in the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 as Ireland's youngest ever athlete at a Paralympic or Olympic Games event.
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Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
My Money: ‘I don't know if I'll ever be able to afford to buy a home in Ireland – and that scares me'
International swimmer Ellen Keane Today at 21:30 Paralympic gold-medal winner Ellen Keane was born missing her left arm below the elbow. The swimmer, who grew up the youngest of four children in Clontarf in Dublin, made sporting history at the age of 13 when she competed in the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 as Ireland's youngest ever athlete at a Paralympic or Olympic Games event.
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Irish Independent
‘It is everything. It is why I do this' – Tiarnán O'Donnell claims PR2 gold at World Cup regatta
In the two-and-a-half years since he accepted an invitation from the great Ireland pararower Katie O'Brien to switch from wheelchair basketball to rowing, O'Donnell (26) has excelled. He took silver in the PR2 single sculls in two World Cup regattas in 2024, and the 26-year-old today won gold in Varese, with a dominant performance. He was the one Irish representative at this regatta. 'Rowing is a much different sport (to wheelchair basketball). I think a little bit harder,' he told World Rowing. 'Finally I got a gold!' His family, gathered around him at the venue, cheered, and O'Donnell said the support they give is vital. 'It is everything. It is why I do this. Whether I get a bronze, a silver, or no medal at all, I do it for my family, so they can share this with me. It's really special,' said O'Donnell. He said he could hear the crowd cheering him as he rowed. 'You usually only hear them for the last five hundred metres, but because they're Irish you hear them from 1,000 metres away!' The PR2 is not a Paralympic or World Championship event. O'Donnell and O'Brien, who has been out of action this season so far, teamed up to take eighth place in the PR2 mixed double in Paris last year, and the Irishman hopes to compete in the PR2 double at the World Rowing Championships in September. '(The) A Final is always the goal. And if we are fast enough, hopefully, a medal.' After winning the preliminary race on Friday in a new personal best of eight minutes 41.8 seconds, O'Donnell said he wanted to set a new benchmark. 'The goal was 8:50 and I almost broke 8:40, so that's the goal [in the final],' he told Rowing Ireland. He set off at 45 strokes per minute and reached his goal with plenty to spare. His winning time was 8:36.61, over six seconds ahead of young scullers from Uzbekistan and Turkey, who took silver and bronze. ADVERTISEMENT The determined Irishman overcame the loss of his right leg to excel at sport using a prosthetic. 'I was diagnosed with a rare tumour when I was very, very young. I battled it for 15 years,' he told the Irish Independent last year. 'Eventually, I made the decision I was finished with fighting. We had tried every option. I made a decision to amputate it. It's the best decision I ever made.' He competed in a number of disciplines before his potential as a rower was spotted. 'I got a DM on Instagram from Katie O'Brien. She saw a photo of me at a blade-running [event]. She said 'I think you'd be great at rowing. You've a perfect body type for rowing, or whatever.' 'I didn't really consider it because I was playing international basketball at the time. She told me, 'come see me at the Irish Indoors (rowing championships) and see how I get on, I'll try and convince you'. She broke the world record that day! 'So I was, like, this girl is serious business. So I told her 'once I finish my degree, I will come rowing'. That's where the journey started.'
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Former Premier League star's son destroys Sir Mo Farah record that stood for 14 years after making his own way in sport
GEORGE MILLS is eyeing up a gold rush after demolishing Sir Mo Farah's British men's 5000 metres record in Oslo last night. The 26-year-old, Advertisement 1 George Mills demolished Sir Mo Farah's British men's 5000 metres record Credit: Shutterstock Editorial It left the Yorkshireman fourth as the USA's Nico Young led home a mass charge. But after landing two Euro silvers in 12 months, Mills wants some big nights that match Mo's moments of magic. He said: 'That record was one of the things I came here for and it's nice to be able to do it. 'I like to run brave. I like to assert myself on races. So that's what I was able to do. Advertisement READ MORE IN sport "Now I want medals at worlds and Olympic Games. That's what I have to do. That's what I'm aiming for now.' Mills competed at the Olympics Games in Paris last summer - with his race was overshadowed by controversy. In a chaotic 5000m heat, the Team GB ace was one of four runners that fell over on the home straight. It led to a confrontation after the finish line as Advertisement Most read in Sport Live Blog CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Elsewhere Norway's Karsten Warholm set a 300m hurdles world record of 32.67 seconds. Dina Asher-Smith lost out to Paris Olympic gold medallist Julien Alfred in coming third in the women's 100m. While world indoor champion Amber Anning was third over 400m. Advertisement Ex-Premier League star's son in furious bust-up with rival after four athletes fall in chaotic Olympics 2024 5000m
