Latest news with #EuropeanJuniorChampionships
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Woman who died after Cork City Marathon made people feel special, father tells mourners
The young woman who died after running the Cork City Marathon at the weekend didn't lead with her elbows, but with open arms, her heartbroken father said. 'That made her stand out, that made her special and made everyone that came into contact with her feel special,' Ellen Cassidy's father, Tom, told mourners at her 'goodbye mass' in Blackpool on Thursday. 'The result of this approach to life was what we had last night - a nine-hour wake, a full church today. Honestly, we never expected what we have seen and experienced over the last 48 hours, but it's the result of putting others first.' An elite swimmer, Ellen, 24, from the Old Mallow Road, Cork, fell ill close to the half marathon finish line on St Patrick's Street on Sunday. She got immediate medical attention but was pronounced dead at Cork University Hospital later. As requested by her family, people came to her funeral mass in The Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool, on Thursday wearing colourful outfits, many clutching freshly cut sunflowers, roses, and carnations, to celebrate her life and say goodbye. Mourners were led by her devastated parents, Violet and Tom, her sister, Mary, her brother, Charlie, her boyfriend, Rob, her grandparents, Joan, Billy and Tom, her extended family and a wide circle of friends. Among the gifts brought to the altar symbolising her passions in life were her Milan marathon medal, her Irish swim caps, sheets of piano music, a seashell representing her love of Alvor, the sea, and travel, and a heart symbol representing her love for her friends. Ellen Cassidy had a love for music, piano, and especially swimming. In a moving eulogy, Mr Cassidy told mourners about her journey from Rathpeacon NS, through St Angela's College, Bruce College, UCD and then the switch to UCC during covid to study business information systems, and of her love for music, piano, but especially swimming. Ellen joined Dolphin Swimming Club in Mayfield aged nine, breaking several club records in her time there, and represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics in 2015. She was part of the Mardyke Arena UCC's Emerging Talent Programme in 2018, and debuted that year at the European Junior Championships in the 200m backstroke in Helsinki. She was joint chairperson of the UCC Swimming Club and the organisation of the Inter Varsities Swimming Championship in Cork in 2024. She began working with PwC in cybersecurity last September. Mr Cassidy revealed how his wife found their daughter's diary on Tuesday in a place they would never think to look. 'It was as if she wanted us to find it after she passed away,' he said, before reading the entry from March 11, 2021 – Ellen's 20th birthday. The guard of honour by local running and swimming clubs after the funeral mass for Ellen Cassidy today. Picture: Larry Cummins 'Ramen, honestly, what more would you want? Chicken wings to die for, they will be gotten again, most definitely, whereas the Prosecco on the other hand, easy to drink, but by God I felt ill this morning," she wrote. 'Not ideal with my assignment due next week, which of course I still haven't started. I need to actually realise I am now 20. F**k, 20-years old now. No-one is going to do things for me anymore. 'I need to focus on myself, my body, my mind, my mental health, my physical health. It all needs to be looked after by me now. I'm not a child anymore. I have to stop acting as it everyone else is going to do it for me. They're not. 'Ellen it's all you, step up, be brave. If you fail, you fail. But step out of your comfort zone. Don't follow the crowd. I know it's easier said than done, but you will never know the person you could be if you don't try and step up. 'In the next 10 years, you'll be finished college. Working, maybe. In a relationship? Travelling? Swimming? Buying a house? Driving a car? You will never know what life will throw at you but you must embrace it. 'Make choices, make decisions, and don't look back. Follow your gut. Otherwise you will never learn. You won't grow into the person you were meant to be. Small things make a huge difference. All I want is for everything to be perfect. My family. That is what I want. 'But can it be? We need to try harder. No-one will love, accept or support you more than your mother, father, brother and sister. 'I am lucky. I am so lucky to have them. We are lucky to have each other. We need to realise that. I just want mum, dad, Charlie, Mary, and myself to be happy.' A mourner holding flowers in the guard of honour for Ellen Cassidy by local running and swimming clubs. Picture: Larry Cummins Mr Cassidy recalled too how on the day before she died, Ellen sent her mother a message saying she would choose her to be her mum in every lifetime, again and again and again, before he pleaded directly to Ellen's friends to call to their home in the difficult months ahead. 'We don't want this to be the end of the road with the friendships Ellen has forged, but rather it be the continuation,' she said. 'Please call in, have a coffee, share your amazing stories, the fun you had with Ellen, to help us through what we know will be a long road to some sort of normality in our lives.' After Bishop Emeritus John Buckley said final prayers, Ellen's family and friends placed flowers atop her wicker coffin, placed their hands on it gently, and then walked it from the church through a guard of honour outside formed by her long-term swimming club mates. As the hearse moved away, it passed a long guard of honour formed by dozens of runners from clubs across the city, all wearing their club colours, to the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy for a private ceremony.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Noah Penman: I'm terrified on the 10m diving board, but I love it
Against the odds, and defying all expectations, he's now a major championships medallist and has begun to fulfil that potential far faster than anyone, including himself, ever thought possible. Penman has long been identified as a diver with considerable talent. Multiple national titles, as well as a brace of medals at last summer's European Junior Championships, were a clear indication of Penman's ability but few expected it to translate into major championships silverware quite so quickly, and especially not as soon as at last week's European Championships, with the competition in Turkey being Penman's first taste of any individual event at a senior major championship. 'Initially, I was just happy to be selected for the British team and to be at the Europeans at all,' says the 18-year-old, whose silver medal came in the 3m springboard event. "So to actually come away with a medal was totally unexpected, 'When I realised I'd finished second, I was like, what?! Most of the other divers in the field had loads more experience than me and so to see my name in second place, I was pretty shocked. I was overjoyed, but it definitely didn't sink in straight away.' Penman's youth was amplified by the fact that the gold medalist at the European Championships was Andrzej Rzeszutek of Poland, who is 15 years his senior, but throughout the nerve-wracking final, Penman was almost entirely unaffected by nerves due to his ability to focus purely on the dive ahead of him. 'When I'm in the competition, I don't like to look at the scoreboard at all so in the final of the Europeans, I didn't have a clue where I was in the standings,' he says. 'I qualified for the final in second place and that's what gave me the belief I could do well in the final. Throughout the final, though, I wasn't checking the scoreboard but I did have a sense that it was going well. My penultimate dive was the best dive I'd done the entire competition and that's when I realised I had a great chance of being on the podium.' Noah Penman of Great Britain poses with his silver medal after placing second in the men's 3-meter springboard final during the European Diving Championships (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images) A couple of days of celebration followed Penman's medal-winning exploits but he's quickly returned to competition mode, with the British Diving Championships beginning today in the West Midlands. British Diving is currently experiencing a golden age, with the team bursting with world and Olympic medallist meaning despite Penman's newly-acquired European silverware, he will still head into this week's event as something of an underdog. He's reluctant to talk up his chances in the coming days, during which he'll compete in both the 3m and 10m events, but given the form he's in, it's hardly surprising that he's hopeful of springing a surprise. 'My European silver was a huge confidence boost for me and hopefully it doesn't put too much pressure on me,' he says. 'I'm really looking forward to the British although it's a funny situation that you can go to the senior Europeans and get a silver medal, but still be up against quite a few guys who have achieved a lot more than that. 'I feel like I'm catching them, though, and I'm hoping to beat them in the future. And you never know, maybe even this weekend.' Penman began his sporting career as a gymnast, representing Scotland at national level. However, after being spotted by diving coaches during a tour of Aberdeenshire primary schools, he tried his hand at diving and he's never looked back. Penman is somewhat unusual in the elite diving sphere in that he competes in both 10m and 3m diving, with most divers having chosen to specialise in one or the other by this point in their career. He admits that the duel focus can be testing, at times, but the variety, and the adrenaline rush that high diving brings, ensures he remains particularly motivated each day in training. 'I really don't know whether I'm best at 3-metre or 10-metre diving - training for both 3-metre and 10-metre does make it tough when most of my competitors are specialising in one or the other but I guess it's a good problem to be good at them both,' the teenager says. 'I still remember the first time I dived off a 10-metre board - I was looking down and I just loved it. 'Every single dive I do from a 10-metre board, I'm pretty scared. But actually, I like the adrenaline rush that being scared gives me and that really pushes me on.' Penman has big ambitions for the coming years. Picking up more silverware at next month's European Junior Championships is a definite goal, while his Olympic ambitions already loom large, with LA 2028 already marked in his calendar. 'My result at the Europeans has boosted my expectations for the rest of the season and I'll be going to the Junior Europeans next month hoping for medals,' he says. 'Looking further forward, the Olympics is definitely in my sights. Obviously, you never know what can happen in the next three years but LA 2028 is definitely my goal.'
The National
6 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Noah Penman: I'm terrified on the 10m diving board, but I love it
A week can make a big difference, though. Against the odds, and defying all expectations, he's now a major championships medallist and has begun to fulfil that potential far faster than anyone, including himself, ever thought possible. Penman has long been identified as a diver with considerable talent. Multiple national titles, as well as a brace of medals at last summer's European Junior Championships, were a clear indication of Penman's ability but few expected it to translate into major championships silverware quite so quickly, and especially not as soon as at last week's European Championships, with the competition in Turkey being Penman's first taste of any individual event at a senior major championship. 'Initially, I was just happy to be selected for the British team and to be at the Europeans at all,' says the 18-year-old, whose silver medal came in the 3m springboard event. "So to actually come away with a medal was totally unexpected, 'When I realised I'd finished second, I was like, what?! Most of the other divers in the field had loads more experience than me and so to see my name in second place, I was pretty shocked. I was overjoyed, but it definitely didn't sink in straight away.' Penman's youth was amplified by the fact that the gold medalist at the European Championships was Andrzej Rzeszutek of Poland, who is 15 years his senior, but throughout the nerve-wracking final, Penman was almost entirely unaffected by nerves due to his ability to focus purely on the dive ahead of him. 'When I'm in the competition, I don't like to look at the scoreboard at all so in the final of the Europeans, I didn't have a clue where I was in the standings,' he says. 'I qualified for the final in second place and that's what gave me the belief I could do well in the final. Throughout the final, though, I wasn't checking the scoreboard but I did have a sense that it was going well. My penultimate dive was the best dive I'd done the entire competition and that's when I realised I had a great chance of being on the podium.' Noah Penman of Great Britain poses with his silver medal after placing second in the men's 3-meter springboard final during the European Diving Championships (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images) A couple of days of celebration followed Penman's medal-winning exploits but he's quickly returned to competition mode, with the British Diving Championships beginning today in the West Midlands. British Diving is currently experiencing a golden age, with the team bursting with world and Olympic medallist meaning despite Penman's newly-acquired European silverware, he will still head into this week's event as something of an underdog. He's reluctant to talk up his chances in the coming days, during which he'll compete in both the 3m and 10m events, but given the form he's in, it's hardly surprising that he's hopeful of springing a surprise. 'My European silver was a huge confidence boost for me and hopefully it doesn't put too much pressure on me,' he says. 'I'm really looking forward to the British although it's a funny situation that you can go to the senior Europeans and get a silver medal, but still be up against quite a few guys who have achieved a lot more than that. 'I feel like I'm catching them, though, and I'm hoping to beat them in the future. And you never know, maybe even this weekend.' Penman began his sporting career as a gymnast, representing Scotland at national level. However, after being spotted by diving coaches during a tour of Aberdeenshire primary schools, he tried his hand at diving and he's never looked back. Penman is somewhat unusual in the elite diving sphere in that he competes in both 10m and 3m diving, with most divers having chosen to specialise in one or the other by this point in their career. He admits that the duel focus can be testing, at times, but the variety, and the adrenaline rush that high diving brings, ensures he remains particularly motivated each day in training. 'I really don't know whether I'm best at 3-metre or 10-metre diving - training for both 3-metre and 10-metre does make it tough when most of my competitors are specialising in one or the other but I guess it's a good problem to be good at them both,' the teenager says. 'I still remember the first time I dived off a 10-metre board - I was looking down and I just loved it. 'Every single dive I do from a 10-metre board, I'm pretty scared. But actually, I like the adrenaline rush that being scared gives me and that really pushes me on.' Penman has big ambitions for the coming years. Picking up more silverware at next month's European Junior Championships is a definite goal, while his Olympic ambitions already loom large, with LA 2028 already marked in his calendar. 'My result at the Europeans has boosted my expectations for the rest of the season and I'll be going to the Junior Europeans next month hoping for medals,' he says. 'Looking further forward, the Olympics is definitely in my sights. Obviously, you never know what can happen in the next three years but LA 2028 is definitely my goal.'
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
‘A great person' – Daniel Wiffen pays heartfelt tribute to Irish swimming champ who died after Cork half-marathon
DANIEL Wiffen has added his personal tribute to the countless paid to Ellen Cassidy after she died at the Cork City half-marathon. Ellen, 24, passed away Advertisement 3 Her death has triggered sadness across the Irish swimming community Credit: @ 3 The double Olympic medallist described her as a 'great person' 3 Her family have confirmed her funeral will be held on Thursday Credit: In addition to being a runner, her primary sport was swimming. She was previously the co-captain of University College Cork's swim team and had represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics as well as the European Junior Championships. The college graduate was a member of University College Cork's Emerging Talent programme. Due to her being such an accomplished swimmer, it's evident she and Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport Reacting to her untimely death, he shared a Swim Ireland memorial post about her and added his own words of sorrow. He solemnly wrote: "Such sad news, Ellen was such a great person. My thoughts are with her family." His fellow Paris Games medallist Mona McSharry Ellen's grieving family have confirmed that Advertisement Most read in Other Sports In a heartbreaking funeral notice, they said: "We are devastated to announce the tragic and sudden death of Ellen Cassidy on 1st June, 2025. A beautiful and amazing young lady. Ellen will be "forever loved and truly missed" by her mum, Vi, her dad, Tom, her sister, Mary, her brother, Charlie and her boyfriend, Rob. Watch RTE panel's ecstatic reaction to Mona McSharry nabbing bronze medal at Paris Olympics RTE 2 She will also be missed by her "beloved grandparents", Joan, Billy, Tom and the late Noreen. Ellen will repose in her home on Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm. Advertisement Requiem Mass will be held at 2pm on Thursday in The Church of the Annunciation at Blackpool in The family has asked all ladies who are attending the funeral to wear "their most colourful outfit" and bring a flower if they wish to do so. She has been remembered as "a true ray of sunshine" and "a genuine girl" in heartbreaking tributes that have been pouring in. UCC TRIBUTE Her old college issued a statement that touched on how "Ellen was so much more than just a swimmer". Advertisement It read: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the sudden passing of our dear friend, teammate and former co-captain Ellen Cassidy, who tragically passed away on Sunday. "Ellen was so much more than just a swimmer, she was the heart of it. "From her early days as treasurer to her her time leading as co-captain, Ellen brought unmatched energy, dedication and care to everything she did. "She was the kind of person who showed up for every set, every teammate, every moment and she made it better by just being there. Advertisement "Anyone who knew Ellen will remember the way she lit up a pool deck. "She had the brightest smile, the warmest hello and the effortless way of making everyone feel seen and valued. "She never let anyone feel like a stranger, she learned your name, asked how you were, and really meant it. "Ellen graduated from UCC in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, commitment and genuine love for this team and everyone in it. Advertisement "As co-captain she brought us together, celebrated our wins big and small, and made sure that no one ever felt alone. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Ellen's family, her many friends, and everyone lucky enough to have known her. "Her absence is felt deeply, but her spirit will always be a part of this team. "We love you Ellen, thank you for everything. You will always be with us, in every practice, every race, every laugh on deck and in our hearts. Rest in peace, Ellen Cassidy." Advertisement
The Irish Sun
03-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Irish Olympic medallist adds to tributes for young woman who died after running Cork half-marathon
OLYMPIC medallist Mona McSharry has added to the tributes paid after the death of Ellen Cassidy following the Cork half-marathon. Ellen, 24, 4 Ellen Cassidy died after competing in the Cork City half-marathon on Sunday Credit: 4 McSharry has expressed her sympathy as the Irish swimming community mourns Ms Cassidy's death 4 The Olympic bronze medallist reposted University College Cork's heartfelt statement mourning Ellen's death Credit: @MONALMCSHARRY She was tended to at the scene by paramedics before being transferred to Cork University Ellen was a champion Such was her ability that she had represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics as well as the European Junior Championships. The college graduate was a member of University College Cork's Emerging Talent programme. Read More On Irish Sport Her college issued a heartfelt statement on her passing which Paris Games medallist McSharry has since reposted on her Instagram account. It read: "In loving memory of Ellen Cassidy. It is with heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of Ellen's sudden passing of our dear friend, teammate and former captain, who tragically passed away on Sunday. "Ellen was so much more than just a swimmer, she was the heart of it. "From her early days as treasure to her her time leading as co-captain, Ellen brought unmatched energy, dedication and care to everything she did. Most read in Other Sports "She was the kind of person who showed up for every set, every teammate, every moment and she made it better by just being there. "Anyone who knew Ellen will remember the way she lit up a pool deck. Mona McSharry in tears after nabbing Ireland's first Paris Olympics medal with BRONZE in tightly-fought final "She had the brightest smile, the warmest hello and the effortless way of making everyone feel seen and valued. "She never let anyone feel like a stranger, she learned your name, asked how you were, and really meant it. "Ellen graduated from UCC in 2024, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, commitment and genuine love for this team and everyone in it. "As co-captain she brought us together, celebrated our wins big and small, and made sure that no one ever felt alone ever. "Our thoughts and sympathies are with Ellen's family, her many friends, and everyone lucky enough to have known her. "Her absence is felt deeply, but her spirit will always be a part of this team. "We love you Ellen, thank you for everything. You will always be with us, in every practice, every race, every laugh on deck and in our hearts. Rest in peace, Ellen Cassidy." SEPARATE TRAGEDY Tragically, Olivia Tuohy was a student at Queen Margaret University on the outskirts of the Scottish capital. The news of her tragic passing has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community in Ennis, Co In a moving tribute paid by her heartbroken family, they said: "Olivia, a bright and beautiful spirit, passed away on May 25 while participating in the Edinburgh Half Marathon. "Olivia's bubbly personality and kind heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her. "Olivia is survived by her heartbroken parents, Kieran and Liz; her brother Stephen and his partner Laura; her loving partner Michael and his parents Maria-Elena and Steven; her aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbours, and her friends both in Ireland and Edinburgh." 4 Olivia Tuohy passed away after running in the Edinburgh Half Marathon on May 25 Credit: Tributes were also paid by the Clare ladies football team, stating how her "kindness, warmth and vibrant spirit" had a huge impact on their lives. They wrote: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Olivia Tuohy. "Her kindness, warmth, and vibrant spirit touched so many lives on and off the football field, and her absence will be felt profoundly. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, her partner and all who loved her during this difficult time. May she rest in peace." The Banner Ladies football club, for whom she also played, said: "We wish to express our sadness at the passing of our friend and former teammate, Olivia Tuohy, daughter of Liz and Kieran. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents, her brother Stephen, her partner Michael, and her family at this sad time. May her gentle soul rest in peace." On Sunday a minute's silence was observed at all GAA games in Clare in her memory.
