PATRICIA AMOND-LAWLER - Hall of Fame

Patricia Amond-Lawler was one of Irelands most dedicated and accomplished athletes over 100m, 200m and 400m during a period that extended from 1978 to 2000. She achieved multiple National Senior titles along with many International successes. Many of her records still stand today.

She initially honed her skills at sports and field days around Leinster and beyond which, in turn, progressed onto the annual Community Games competitions.

In 1978, 16-year old, Patricia won the British 100m sprint title at Crystal Palace, London. Carlow people acknowledged her achievement and she was accorded a Civic Reception on her return home.

The following year she represented Ireland and her School, Presentation Convent at the All American High School Championships in Chicago, finishing second to Jamaican Olympic medallist Merlene Ottey. That same year she made both the 100m and 200m European Junior Championships finals in Poland. Those finals included two Russians, two East Germans and Irish athletes, Patricia and her friend and rival Michelle Walsh.

The years that followed saw Patricia win many Irish Senior Championships and represent her country abroad with distinction. She just missed qualification for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, running the standard but missing the deadline for selection.

The following year, Patricia win her first senior Irish cap winning the 400m at the Europa Cup in Reykjavik, Iceland. She was the sole Irish winner on day one of that competition.

In 1987, the Carlow athlete represented Ireland at the World Track and Field Championships in Rome on the 4 X 400m relay team along with Michelle Walsh, Barbara Johnson and Patricia Walsh. They set a new Irish record in a race which included the legendary American sprinter, Florence Griffith Joyner (“Flo Jo”).

1988 was a big year, being nominated for the Seoul Olympic Games by Athletics Ireland but unfortunately her selection was not ratified by the Olympic Council of Ireland. Having given so much of her life to the sport, it was a huge disappointment for Patricia. Gradually she drifted away from the cut and thrust of athletics. Patricia moved on and started her family in the 1990's. The bug was still there and in 2000 at the age of 38, she won the European Masters 100m and 200m in Jyvaskyla, Finland. On her return she received a Civic Reception once again 22 years after her first.

Patricia’s greatest sporting satisfaction, after her disappointment of not making the Olympic Games herself, was preparing and helping her son, Marcus, reach the pinnacle of his chosen sport in representing Ireland at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.

No doubt she is one of Ireland and Carlow’s finest sports persons while Tom, her husband, children, Marcus, Maurice and Grace, have continued to compete on the sports fields of Carlow and Ireland, and beyond, with distinction.