O’Rourke claims bronze at National Aquabike Championships

Amy O’Rourke has had a year to remember so far this season, with the young athlete picking up bronze at the Aquabike National Championships recently in the 16-19 age group.

The race was held in Galway city, with the distance of the swim being 800m, and the cycle being 22km. It’s Amy’s first year at the longer distance so to be getting on the podium is a big achievement, according to her father, David O’Rourke.

“It was a great achievement; she was thrilled with it. In the last few years, she has been finishing second and third in the national youth series, so to step up at 16 in this category and to finish third is an unbelievable achievement. It was hosted by the Galway Triathlon club. The race took place in the University campus there in Galway. The swim took place in the River Corrib, just beside the campus. She had never been to swim in the River Corrib, she’s never raced in this race before because there wasn’t a 16-19 category there.” 

David explained that her and Amy travelled to Galway the night before the race to make sure she was comfortable with her surroundings in the west.

“You would be very proud as a father but sickened that she can beat me! Before the race in Galway, we went up the night before. We visited the area the day before the race. We went through the course and all. Galway is too far, we had to go up the night before to get the legs right. You don’t mind travelling the day of the race if it’s an hour or an hour and a half away, but places like Galway or Cork you have to go up the night before.” Amy is back in action next weekend, and her father believes the sky is the limit for her.

“She has a really high ceiling; she has huge potential. She has a race again next weekend, another national championship race, a full triathlon in Longford. The training they have to do is incredible. She swims eight hours a week, cycles 140km a week and runs 20km a week. You have to be well balanced at all three. Carlow Triatholon club have been a huge help and show them how to train and that.” 

O’Rourke wasn’t the only member of the Carlow Triathlon Club to claim a medal in Galway. Anthony Lawlor finished second in the 40-45 age group. Fergus Meade picked up bronze in the 40-45 age group, while Mary Shirlley finished third in the 50-55 age category.