Rio Olympic Rowing champion Sinead Jennings visits UHL Childrens Ark

Sinead Jennings visits UHL Childrens Ark – Pictured are Dr Michael Mahony, Dr. Sinead Jennings, Mary Carr, Children’s Ark School with Amy Pashley (aged 10) , Shannon Co. Clare, Beverley Cleland (aged 13), Dooradoyle, Margaret McCarthy, Principal, Children’s Ark School, Edwin Thomas (aged 6) , Dooradoyle.

Staff at the Children’s Ark, University Hospital Limerick were delighted to welcome former colleague as Olympic Rowing Champion Sinead Jennings visits UHL Childrens Ark this week. She was invited by Consultant Paediatrician Dr Michael Mahony to drop by and share her experiences in Rio this Summer, where she competed in the lightweight double sculls taking sixth place in the race.

During 2013, Sinead spent six months with the Children’s Ark, UHL as SHO (Senior House Officer) as part of her medical training to become a GP.

Dr. John Twomey, Consultant, Paediatrician, Dr. Sinead Jennings, Dr. Michael Mahony Consultant Paediatrician & Marian Floyd, Secretary to Dr. Mahony pictured in the garden at the Children’s Ark School, UHL

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A Letterkenny native, Sinead lives in Limerick and is a member of St Michael’s Rowing Club on O’Callaghan Strand in Limerick City.  She moved to Limerick after her marriage to Limerick’s two time Olympic rower Sam Lynch. They have three daughters Clodagh (5), Molly (3) and Hannah (2).

Speaking about her SHO training at UHL, the Olympic Champion said, ‘Working as an SHO was much harder than training to be an Olympic rower, but just as rewarding! I really enjoyed my time here and am delighted to be invited back to meet former colleagues and get an opportunity to say hello to some of the children here as well.’

Dr Michael Mahony, Consultant Paediatrician at University Hospital Limerick said, “The fact that Sinead Jennings visits UHL Childrens Ark means so much to all of us here at the hospital.  To have an Olympic finalist who worked with us here in UHL is extraordinary, we are very proud indeed – pharmacist, doctor, mother, world champion and Olympian, she has done it all but no doubt there is more to do, an incredible achievement!’

Sinead is also delighted with the surge in interest in her sport ‘post – Rio’, particularly from young girls.

‘My rowing club here have been inundated with juniors, its’ great for rowing, as a mother of three young girls it’s great to see this level of interest.’

‘Ive also been asked to be an ambassador for the Limerick Suicide Prevention Group so I’m delighted about that and am very happy to help them out to raise awareness.’

To compete in the Rio Olympics, Sinead had put medicine on temporary hold, she returns to her GP Training programme in October which will take a further two years to complete.

For previous stories on UHL from I Love Limerick click here.