Limerick athletes shining at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Three Limerick athletes are representing two nations at the Paris 2024 Paralympic games

Three Limerick athletes are representing two nations at the Paris 2024 Paralympic games with Tiarnán O’Donnell and Róisín Ní Riain with Team Ireland and Jodie Waite representing Team GB

With the Paris 2024 Paralympics well underway, three Limerick athletes are representing two nations bringing pride to the Treaty County, Tiarnán O’Donnell, Róisín Ní Riain, and Jodie Waite will represent Team Ireland and Team GB.

Tiarnán O’Donnell’s journey to becoming a Paralympic rower is remarkable as he takes to the waters with teammate, Katie O’Brien. Tiarnán, competing for Team Ireland in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls, is one of Limerick’s standout athletes although he is a relative newcomer to the sport. 

Tiarnán made a name for himself with the Limerick Celtics winning a number of national and European accolades for his involvement in basketball, even captaining the Irish under-23 Wheelchair Basketball team to the podium in Finland in 2023.

In 2023, Tiarnán set his sights on representing Team Ireland at this year’s Paralympic Games after he decided to pivot from wheelchair basketball to rowing after receiving an encouraging message from world champion rower Katie O’Brien.

Speaking following his graduation from University of Limerick, Tiarnán said, “Katie is at the top of this sport and messaged me saying: ‘I think you could be amazing at rowing if you gave it a go’. I decided that once my degree was secured, I would commit everything to this goal of going to the Paralympics next year.

Tiarnán, alongside his teammate Katie, will compete in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls on August 30th, aiming to add a Paralympic medal to his growing list of achievements.
Róisín Ni Riain has made a name for herself as a Limerick swimming sensation and is adding to her achievements as she is now in her second Paralympics representing Team Ireland.

Róisín first made waves on the international stage in 2020 and has since established herself as a dominant force in para-swimming, at just 20 years old, Róisín already holds the World Para Swimming Championship title in the 100m backstroke and the world record in the 200m backstroke, set in 2023.

Last night she took fourth place in the Final of her first event, and this morning Róisín Ní Ríain takes to the pool once again to compete in the S13 100m Backstroke

The whole of UL is wishing her the very best!https://t.co/TpcLPXu089#StudyatUL #Paris2024 #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/BDrvo7Bd0A— University Of Limerick (@UL) August 30, 2024

Her Paralympic debut in Tokyo saw her reach the finals in five events, and she has continued to excel, bringing home five medals from this year’s European Championships. Despite her demanding training schedule, Róisín is also pursuing a Science degree at the University of Limerick. Having narrowly missed out on a medal in the Women’s 100m Butterfly Final, Róisín still has many opportunities to grab a medal for Team Ireland at Paris 2024.

Jodie Waite’s Paralympic debut got off to an incredible start with Team GB defeating Spain 69-34. Born in Limerick but representing Team GB, 19-year-old Jodie Waite makes her Paralympic debut in wheelchair basketball.

As Wheelchair Basketball starts soon in Paris, we'd like to wish IWA member and former @LimerickCeltics player, Jodie Waite good luck, repping @TeamGB. And also good luck to James MacSorely, who played with NI Knights

They play at 9:30am against Germany#Paris2024 #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/KxRqWLdgNQ— IWA-Sport (@IWASport) August 29, 2024

Jodie’s talent was recognised early, and she has been named the Best Irish Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Player of the Year for three consecutive years. She made her junior debut in 2023 at the U25 World Championships in Thailand, where the squad claimed silver. 

Despite living and studying in London, Jodie stays connected to her roots and family, often FaceTiming her golden retriever. Her journey in Paris will be one to watch as she competes on the world stage for the first time.