'Limerick for Hurlers and Hurdlers' - how one Limerick family accomplished their mission to support Sarah Lavin at the Olympics

ONE lucky Limerick family got to cheer on Emerald AC athlete, Sarah Lavin, from the stands in the Stade de France Arena, in Wednesday morning's heats of the women's 100m hurdles at the Paris Olympic Games. 

Mike Fitzgerald, along with his partner Anne-Marie and their three children, Fionn, Liam and Sadhbh, from Galbally, in Limerick had front row seats as Lavin stormed her way into the women's 100m hurdles semi-final after finishing second in her first round heat in Paris.

Speaking about the terrific atmosphere in the magnificent stadium, Mike Fitzgerald said: "The atmosphere inside was brilliant. There are lots of Irish supporters here. Outside of the French the Irish athletes were probably getting the next biggest cheers. The organisers have done a great job with the event, it was very easy to travel to and from the Stade de France and also the Eiffel Tower, even with a young family.

"To top it off then, Sarah Lavin was excellent in her heat. Everyone was so fast, she had to be spot on and she really was. Mark English had a great run also."

The Galbally family were truly lucky to be at the event after entering the lottery for tickets in 2023. To their surprise they were successful. They then bought tickets for the athletics as with the next two Olympic Games being in the USA and then Australia, it was probably the best chance to bring the young family to sport's greatest show.

Mike and his family were doubly interested in Wednesday morning's women's 100m hurdles heats, not only because of the Limerick connection but also through the fact that Sarah had visited the school where Mike works, Herbertstown NS, previously as part of the Dare to Believe programme.

Mike Fitzgerald saidf: "Sarah couldn’t have been nicer to all the kids. Hopefully she will have a great run in the semi-final (Friday morning 11.05am Irish time)."

This is the Fitzgerald family’s only event to attend at the Paris Olympics, but it's been a once in a lifetime opportunity for the young family with the remainder of their trip being spent travelling around France. 

Mike Fitzgerald explained: "We would be big into sport and have been very fortunate the last few years with all the great days out supporting the Limerick hurlers. Fionn has just started athletics so a great experience for all the kids to see the Paris Games."

Limerick's Sarah Lavin stormed through the fourth heat of the 100m hurdles this morning in a time of 12.73 to book her direct spot in the semi-final which takes place on Friday morning at 11:05 Irish Time.