World bronze for Newcastle mum

World bronze for Newcastle mum

4 November 2015

NEWCASTLE’S Deirdre Mongan is back at home after a fantastic performance at the Paralympic World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Deirdre won the bronze medal in the F53 shot putt competition with a best throw of four metres and two centimetres in the final.

Initially, it was only good enough for fifth, but she was promoted to third spot after two competitors from Ukraine and Bahrain were disqualified for using an illegal throwing action.

Deirdre’s medal meant the nine-strong Ireland team returned from the championships with seven medals.

Deirdre, who is originally from Galway, only returned to top level competition this year following the birth of her daughter, Amy. 

Deirdre said she was disappointed not to throw closer to her lifetime best of 4.26m, which she achieved earlier this year — something she put down to struggling the extreme heat.

“I just felt exhausted, in those kinds of temperatures my power is really affected,” she said.

Even so, she was delighted to finish up with a bronze medal.

“We had a long wait on the outcome of the protests so when news came through I was just so thrilled.

“It’s been a long road to get back to this level after having my daughter so to medal is a brilliant feeling.”

Among the first to congratulate Deirdre was national coach Dave Sweeney.

“I’m delighted for Deirdre. She’s worked so hard, showed such commitment and dedication to get herself back to be contesting the medals at this level,” he remarked.

On the disqualification of the two athletes, Sweeney said he was in no doubt that their actions were illegal.

“We, along with the other nations, were clear that the action of the two throwers was not that of putting the shot.

“They were essentially flinging the shot rather than putting it from their body, and the IPC jury agreed to ensure the right result prevailed.”