Amy o'donoghue
Amy O'Donoghue is an Irish middle-distance runner who specialises in the 800m and 1500m. The Limerick runner has gone full-time with her time on the track and most recently secured her first national outdoor title, with victory at the 1500m Irish Nationals Championships in 2020.
While her athletic ability and work-ethic is unquestionable, O'Donoghue also has a keen interest in positively inspiring young girls and women in all aspects of life. The Emerald Athletics Club star, has a particular interest in mindset and positivity which she often speaks about publicly.
'One thing I like to do before a race, if I have doubts or negative thoughts is to replace them with three positive ones. That's the thing with the mental side of things. It's like training, you have to exercise your mind as well.'
SOCIAL MEDIA
BEIBHINN PARSONS
Beibhinn Parsons is one of Ireland's brightest prospects in rugby. Blessed with raw pace and twinkle-toes, Parsons would side-step you in a phone box!
In 2019.the Ballinasloe winger became the youngest player in Irish rugby history, male or female, to play senior international rugby when she made her debut against the USA at the age of just 16. In 2020, Parsons was named the 2020 Guinness Rugby Writers Ireland Women’s Player of the Year following her stunning performances in the Six Nations.
Parsons has been vocal about a number of important topics including body image in sport.
'Advice I would give to young girls is that food is fuel. If you change your mindset to one of performance instead of one of aesthetics, you'll see the benefits. You don't need a six pack to be an athlete. You don't need a six pack to play for an Irish team. You need to be fuelled and have energy.'
SOCIAL MEDIA
DARRAGH GREENE
Darragh Greene is an Irish swimmer who competes internationally in the 100m breaststroke. Having played various different sports as a teenager, including soccer, rugby and GAA, Greene found a passion for swimming and has dedicated his life to his craft ever since.
Darragh says “Why wouldn’t you do it?” in relation to advocating for women in sport. Understanding the commitment it takes to be a top level athlete and training in a mixed gender team, Darragh has great respect for all his teammates.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Katie O'Brien
A history maker in rowing and a practicing veterinarian, Katie O'Brien is on the go 24/7.
Born with a severe case of spina bifida, O'Brien has refused to let that set her back and after finding a love for rowing, has climbed to the top of her sport.
In 2019, the Clarinbridge native won bronze at the 2019 World Rowing Championships, this after she made history at Henley, becoming the first Irish Para Rower to ever enter the prestigious Regatta and then go on to win gold.
O'Brien is passionate about paving the way for the next generation of children with disabilities and hopes her success can inspire children and also their parents, showing that there is opportunities for disabled athletes.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Nicole Turner
At the age of 14-years-old, Nicole Tuner had competed at FIVE events at the Paralympic Games. Boasting an incredible array of medals, Turner is already a World and European silver and bronze medallist - at just the age of 18!
The Portarlington swimmer was 7-years-old when she was diagnosed with hypochondroplasia - a type of dwarfism.
SOCIAL MEDIA
PHILIP DOYLE
Banbridge's Philip Doyle started rowing in 2014 while he was at Queens University studying medicine.
Despite a relatively late start to the sport, Doyle has excelled of late, winning silver in the 2019 World Rowing Cup III in Rotterdam. Alongside his Double's partner they repeated this 2019 World Championships in Linz which also qualified the boat for the 2020 Olympics.
"Why wouldn't you support women's sport? It's alright being a male in sport...and thinking I'll keep my opinion to myself and not step out. But the only way you're going to make a change is by doing something different."