Carlow sensation Amy O'Rourke recognised at Triathlon Ireland Awards
Amy O'Rourke at the annual Triathlon Ireland Awards.
There has been tremendous success recently for one young Carlow athlete which has seen individual glory and national recognition.
Amy O’Rourke, 16, from Carlow town, scooped four separate honours at the annual Triathlon Ireland Awards ceremony held at the Clayton Hotel Burlington in Dublin.
Amy received her gold medal for a wonderful season in the Duathlon National Championships 16-17 age group.
The duathlon race consists of a 5km run followed by a 20km cycle and ending with another 5km run.
Athletes must compete in four of these events throughout the season, including the nationals, which this year took place in the University of Limerick.
Amy won all four of her races on her way to collecting the gold medal, and was also honoured for her victory in the Duathlon National Series 16-17 age group.
The Carlow athlete scooped yet another gold medal at 16-17 age group, finishing first in the Aquabike National Championships.
The aquabike nationals were held in Galway University and consisted of an 800m swim followed by a 22.82km cycle.
Finally, Amy was recognised for her third-place finish in the Triathlon Ireland Varsity Series 16-19 age group, a competition for schools and college athletes.
Amy's father, David O’Rourke, commended his daughter's work-ethic in achieving these awards.
"In fairness to her now, she's done really well this season," Mr O’Rourke said.
"She knuckled down and at the end of the season kind of picked up because she got a coach in. So, hopefully now we can bring her on a small bit more again.
"She's fairly happy now, so hopefully she can plough on next year."
Her year of remarkable success has seen Amy qualify to represent Ireland at the 2026 World Triathlon Age-Group Championships in Pontevedra, Spain.
"She'll be going to Spain next year and that's her main goal," Mr O’Rourke said. "She will be doing all the series and the National Championships over here as well, obviously, but her main goal next year is to do well in Spain."
