Young Limerick star named Irish Paralympic Swimmer of the Year

LIMERICK swimmer Róisín Ni Riain has been honoured at the Swim Ireland awards by being named Para Swimmer of the Year.

The 18-year-old native of Drombanna had a stellar year that saw her win medalsl at the World Championships. Ni Riain won gold gold and silver medals, as well as securing a quota sport for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Roisin also set two new World Records across the year. Her National Centre Limerick Coach John Szaranek was also named Coach of the Year.

Speaking at the event Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane said ‘We are delighted to come together, to celebrate the success of our athletes and to honour those that have helped them to get to where they are. It was fantastic to see so many of our community present to celebrate an outstanding year for Irish Aquatics.’

Róisín came to the fore in Manchester with her stunning performances in this year's World Championships and did so while combining her studies for the Leaving Certificiate. She won her gold medal in the S13 100m backstroke.

“After a long year balancing my Leaving Cert and training I was absolutely delighted to come home from worlds with a gold and silver meal and a slot for Team Ireland for Paris 2024.”

Ni Riain featured in the Limerick Leader's Women in Sport feature and said the best bit of advice she could give to up an coming swimmers was the following.

“I can say from experience that there’s always going to be different things that get in the way, but it’s how you find a way to navigate around these obstacles that’s important. In sport especially there will always be a number of setbacks, injuries or illnesses that may stand in your way but it’s all about how you bounce back.”