Ellen brings pride to the nation

A NORTHSIDE swimmer was given a hero’s welcome from locals when she arrived home from the Paralympic Games with a bronze medal last week.

Ellen Keane (21), from Clontarf, returned from Rio de Janeiro after finishing third in the 100-metres breaststroke final.

She also recorded Personal Best (PB) times in the backstroke and butterfly disciplines, reaching the finals in both.

On her arrival home, Ellen spoke to Northside People about her performance at the games.

“It didn’t really register that I won the medal over there until I came home so to come back with it is incredible,” she said.

“When I won that bronze, it really lifted me and helped me relax and get the other Personal Bests. It’s just a shame I couldn’t go a bit faster in the other finals.”

Clontarf Business Association and Clontarf Residents’ Association hosted a joint welcome home reception for Ellen and Mick Clohisey.

Raheny Shamrock AC’s Clohisey, also from Clontarf, was one of Ireland’s three competitors in the Marathon at the Rio Olympics in August.   

Ellen, who spent her first day back in Dublin signing autographs for local children at Clontarf Rugby Club, described the community’s response as “amazing”.

“Everyone has been so happy to see me and see the medal. It’s been really nice to see the support from everyone in Clontarf,” she said.

While she has booked the next month off, Ellen said she will be back in the pool after that to set her sights on next year’s World Championships in Mexico.

Ellen’s first appearance at the Paralympic Games was in 2008 in Beijing when she was just 13 and she was also on the Irish swimming team for the 2012 London Paralympics.

It will be a long four years before the next Paralympic Games in Tokyo, but the Northside star insists that she’ll be definitely “aiming for gold” in 2020.

Meanwhile, Greta Streimikyte, from Swords, stormed her way to a fantastic Personal Best finish in the final of the 1,500m at the Rio Paralympic Games. The Clonliffe Harriers AC club member finished fourth in a new Irish record, crossing the line in a time of 4.45.06.

“It was a fast race and I still need time to process what happened,” said Greta afterwards. “I did a PB, that is great you know. The race pace ruined my tactics because in the heats I led the field but here, the field led me and I had to push. It is a championship race and you never know. I am happy and look forward to Tokyo.”

Team Ireland won a total of 11 medals at the Rio Paralympics. Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, congratulated all of the team, including Ellen.

“Ellen Keane swam fantastically well to win a bronze medal in her event,” he said.

Minister of State at the Department of Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, said: “It was terrific to see Ellen earn Team Ireland’s first medal in the pool. She swam fantastically and it was brilliant to see her securing the bronze.”

Daniel O’Connor