Silver for Orla Barry from Ladysbridge at World Para Athletics Championships

At the Para Athletics World Championships in London, Orla Barry has managed to secure Silver in the F57 discus. Orla who is from Ladysbridge in East Cork won a Bronze medal at the 2015 Championships in Doha.

The results are shown below and as can be seen, Orla effectively secured the Silver with her first attempt.

Orla Barry from Ladysbridge in East Cork wins Silver in the F57 discus at the Paralympic Games in Rio

Orla Barry from Ladysbridge in East Cork added to her medal collection when she won a Silver medal in the F57 discus at the Paralympic Games in Rio. This is a step up from the Games in London in 2012 where she won Silver.

Interview with Orla before the competition...

"My congratulations to Orla Barry on winning Silver in the F57 Discus at #Rio2016" MDH #MoreThanSport @ParalympicsIRE

— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) September 15, 2016

Red FM interview with Paralympic atheltes Orla Barry and Niamh McCarthy

Now that the Olympics in Rio are out of the way, the Paralympics are up next in September. Orla Barry, Noelle Lenihan and Niamh McCarthy from Cork will be taking part in the athletics disciplines.

Before they leave for Rio, they had a quick chat with local radio station Red FM. You can download the podcast HERE ......listen from 29:43 on.

Cork Paralympic Athletes compete in Berlin Grand Prix last weekend

As part of their build up to the Paralympic Games in Rio in September, Cork athletes Orla Barry, Noelle Lenihan and Niamh McCarthy were part of an Irish squad that took part in a Grand Prix in Berlin last weekend.

From Paralympics Ireland........"All eyes turn to Rio as Para-Athletics squad finish off Grand Prix in Berlin. There were some good results from the Irish para-athletics squad this weekend as they competed in Berlin at the Para-Athletics Grand Prix.

Day One saw success for the Cork’s Noelle Lenihan took home a silver medal in the F38 Shot Put with a throw of 10.78m. Orla Barry continued her winning form as she took home another gold medal to add to her collection, winning first place in the F57 Discus final with a throw of 29.06m.

Day Two (Sunday, July 17th) saw more medals, with wins for Noelle Lenihan in the Discus final with a 31.04m throw, a win for Niamh McCarthy with a 22.79m throw in her Discus final.

"This competition was a valuable learning tool for our athletes," said Irish Para-Athletics team leader, James Nolan. "While there were no Personal Bests secured, many of the athletes achieved these when it mattered most - at Europeans last month. This competition was a good stepping stone to help them to focus their minds on the biggest competition of their lives in less than eight weeks' time in Rio."

Three Cork athletes selected for Paralympic Team for Rio

It has just been announced that three athletes from Cork will represent Ireland at the Paralympic Games in Rio in September. They are...

The London 2012 bronze medalist and World Championship silver medalist Orla Barry from Ladysbridge.

The World Championship silver medalist and world record holder, Noelle Lenihan from North Cork.

And the World Championship bronze medalist and European record holder Niamh McCarthy from Carrigaline.

The full Irish team can be seen HERE

Orla Barry from Ladysbridge in Cork upgraded to World Championship silver medal

It was announced today that the Paralympic athlete Orla Barry from Ladysbridge in East Cork will be now be upgraded to a World Championship silver medal after she won a bronze medal at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha last year.

Orla, who originally took bronze in the F57 Discus final will now have a World Championship silver medal to add to her collection following the news that Bulgarian field athlete, Stela Eneva, has been suspended by the IPC for four years for an Anti-Doping Rule violation.

Her silver medal has now been awarded to the Cork athlete, whilst the bronze medal will go to Algeria’s Safia Djelal.

Source : Paralympics Ireland

Orla Barry from Ladysbridge wins Gold at the European Paralympic Championships

Cork para-athlete Orla Barry has secured Ireland’s third medal of the 2016 IPC Athletics European Championships this afternoon in Grosseto, Italy, when she took home gold in the F57 Discus final.

Orla who is from Ladysbridge in East Cork threw a Personal Best distance of 31.18m to ensure her place at the top of the podium.

Full report HERE

This success follows on from the Gold that 16 year old Noelle Lenihan from North Cork won at the same games last Sunday. Report HERE

Noelle Lenihan & Orla Barry from Cork win medals at the IPC Parlympic Games in Doha

Following on from Niamh McCarthy's recent Bronze medal at the IPC Paralympic Athletics World Championships in Doha, two more athletes from Cork have gotten into the medals as well.

On Monday, 15 year old Noelle Lenihan from Charleville won silver in the F38 discus and also managed to set a new world record. After her throw of 31.64m, Noelle said..."I got a PB, world record and silver medal in my first major championship. I turn 16 in a few days time so naturally I’m going to gain more experience and improve my explosive power which can only result in further improvement. But for today I’m delighted!"

On Tuesday, Orla Barry from Ladysbridge won bronze for Ireland in the F57 discus.

Noelle Lenihan & Orla Barry

Orla Barry from Ladysbridge wins silver at the Euro Paralympic Games

At the Paralympic European Championships in Swansea today, Orla Barry of Ireland won a silver medal in the discus.

Orla who is from Ladysbridge in East Cork and is a member of Leevale AC threw 28.13 metres in her second attempt to secure second place.

In 2012, Orla won a bronze at the Paralympic Games in London. In 2013, she set a new world record of 31.08m for her class at the World Championships in France and was later awarded the Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month award for June 2013.

There is a short video about Orla in this earlier post.

This new Silver medal adds to the impressive haul for the East Cork athlete.

Bio on IPC website.

Orla Barry is Cork City Sports Athlete of the Month for June 2013

At a special presentation ceremony in Cork today, Orla Barry of Leevale AC was presented with an award for being the Cork City Sports Athlete of the month for the month of June. Orla who is from Ladysbridge in East Cork secured her best ever result at a major Championship by winning silver in the F57/58 women’s discus at the Paralympic Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France.

Orla Barry from Ladysbridge sets new world record in the F57 class at Paralympic World Championships

Orla Barry from Ladysbridge in East Cork won the silver medal in the F57/58 discus at the IPC World Athletics Championships at Lyon’s Rhone Stadium on Saturday, the 27th of July 2013. On her final throw, 22 year old Orla threw 31.08 metres which was a new world record in the F57 class.

In an interview after the event, Orla said.......“I did what I came to do. I broke the world record and I’m delighted to be going home with a silver medal.”

James Nolan, head of Irish Paralympic Athletics said...."Orla’s performances all year have been very consistent and regularly over 30m. She has now produced a 31m plus throw and the world record at the major championships, which is three metres further than her throw last year to win bronze at the Paralympic Games. The Algerian had to throw a world record to beat her. Silver is excellent and another step forward for Orla.”

In the World Championships in Christchurch in New Zealand in 2010, Olrla had finished 4th in the same event. Her new silver medal adds to her tally having won bronze at the bronze at the London Paralympics in 2012.

Cork athletes head for the Paralympics World Championships in Lyon, France...

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships will be held in Lyon in the south-east of France between the 19th and 28th of July. Three athletes from Cork will be on the Irish team of eight for the athletics events.

Amanda Crotty, Orla Barry and John McCarthy...the Cork athletes heading for the IPC World Championships

AMANDA CROTTY
Event...1500m    PB...5:15.00    Class...T12
In August 2011, Amanda ran a Paralympic “A” standard for 1500m at the National Championships with her guide runner James Cosgrave. Having narrowly missed out on selection for London 2012, July’s IPC World Athletics Championships in Lyon will be Amanda’s first major championship. Her guide on this occasion will be Kevin Nolan from Athlone. Amanda will be hoping to continue her impressive form as she builds towards the ultimate goal of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

ORLA BARRY
Event...Discus    PB...30.48m    Class...F57
Orla is a full-time athlete and broke onto the international scene aged just sixteen in 2006, earning a creditable fifth in her F57 discus final at Beijing 2008. She went two places higher when claiming a superb bronze in the same event at London 2012. Finishing just outside the medals at 2011′s IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand, Orla will be aiming for podium glory at this year’s championships in Lyon. With a world-best throw in Lyon’s test event in May, her form shows she is capable of further medal success.

JOHN MCCARTHY
Event...100m   PB...24.81   Class...T51 / Event...Club   PB...22.95m   Class...F51
John McCarthy took up Paralympic athletics in 1995 and represented Ireland at Athens 2004 (winning discus silver) and Beijing 2008. John competed creditably at London 2012, reaching the final of 100m wheelchair sprint. Outside of the Paralympic Games, John has competed in numerous international competitions with bronze in the club in 2006’s World Athletics Championships in Holland a particular highlight. He has also played wheelchair rugby to a high-level, representing Ireland at European Championship level.

The remaining five Irish athletes are...
Jason Smyth (Co Derry) – T13 100m & 200m
Michael McKillop (Co Antrim) – T37 800m &1500m
Catherine O’Neill (Co Wexford) – F51 Discus & Club Throw
Heather Jameson (Co Dublin) – T37 100m, 200m & Long Jump
Deirdre Mongan (Co Galway) – F52/53 Shot Put

Homecoming celebration for Paralympian Orla Barry...

At the recent Paralympic Games in London, Orla Barry from Ladysbridge in East Cork won a bronze medal in the discus.

Next Sunday evening (Sun 16th Sept) at 5pm, there will be a homecoming celebration for Orla in the car park of the church in the village. The local Ballymacoda/Ladysbridge community council have issued an open invitation for anyone to come along and mark this special occasion.

Orla Barry from Ladysbridge wins bronze at the London Paralympics

A few months back, there was a programme called 'London Calling' which followed various athletes as they prepared for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. One of those featured at the time was Orla Barry from Ladysbridge in East Cork.

This was the description from the programme...... "Orla Barry is a 22-year-old discus thrower from Ladysbridge, Co Cork, who was born without kneecaps and lower leg bone. Her parents made the difficult decision to amputate both her legs above the knee when she was 11 months, but this traumatic early life did not hold Orla back. She broke onto the international scene aged just 18 finishing fifth in the final of the F57 discus at Beijing in 2008. She is now the European record holder in her class and will be hoping to win a medal in London."


On Tuesday the 4th of September, Orla won  the Bronze Medal in the Women’s Discus – F57/58. She threw 28.12m earning a total of 921 points to take third place.

Fourth Episode of London Calling now on the RTE Player

In the fourth episode of 'London Calling' on RTE television, they follow Irish race walker Jamie Costin from West Waterford AC as he tries to get a qualifying time for the London Olympics.

Description..."Jamie Costin is a 50km race walker who has qualified for three previous Olympics but only competed in two. He broke his back in a car crash just before the Athens Games and his return to competition and qualifying for the Beijing Olympics was a story of triumph against the odds in the face of adversity. This episode focuses on his return to fitness, despite doctor's advice. He then travels to Saransk in Russia for the Race Walking World Cup, the final chance for this three time Olympic warrior to make it four. But all is not well back at the farm.... 

Orla Barry is a 22-year-old discus thrower from Ladysbridge, Co Cork, who was born without kneecaps and lower leg bone. Her parents made the difficult decision to amputate both her legs above the knee when she was 11 months, but this traumatic early life did not hold Orla back. She broke onto the international scene aged just 18 finishing fifth in the final of the F57 discus at Beijing in 2008. She is now the European record holder in her class and will be hoping to win a medal in London. However despite her international pedigree, her inclusion in the Irish team is not a foregone conclusion and she faces the acid test trying to make the distance at the Irish Wheelchair Association National Championships in Santry. 

Ciarán Ó Lionáird is often better known by his nicknames- 'Mad Len' and 'The Bullet with the Mullet'. From West Cork he showed a talent for running from an early age. Upon joining Lee Vale Athletics Club in Cork City he realised he could use his ability to gain a college athletics scholarship in the USA. Leaving Ireland at 18, much of his career went unnoticed back home as a series of injuries stinted his progress. But he burst on the scene last year achieving the Olympic qualifying time, reaching the World Championships 1,500m final and being signed to run full time for Nike. The episode joins Ciarán on one of his few, but much cherished, trips home to see his mother and brothers. The series then jets stateside to see how this boy who grew up on a dairy farm in Cork mixes it with the world's elite athletes in Nike's state of the art world headquarters in Portland, Oregon. We then return to reflect with Angela, his mother, on her mix of emotions about her eldest son - her pride in his achievements while missing him dearly."

Ciarán is on from the start until 9:50
Orla is on from 14:50 to 20:45
Jamie is on from 9:50 to 14:50 and 20:45 to 22:50

The programme can be seen HERE  (Available until the 31st of July)