As we come to the end of another sporting year, we're looking back on some of our favourite stories on Balls.ie from 2024. In September, Ireland won two Paralympic bronze medals in the space of a few minutes through Orla Comerford and Róisín Ní Ríain, prompting one of the great RTÉ interviews. Here's our story from the time.
There were great scenes of joy in Paris on Tuesday night as Team Ireland celebrated two medals in the space of six glorious minutes at the Paralympic games.
Róisín Ní Riain and Orla Comerford won bronze much to the delight of family members, friends and supporters.
Having won silver earlier in the week in the S13 backstroke, Limerick swimmer Ní Riain backed it up with a bronze in the SM13 individual medley, finishing strong to hold off Shokhsanamkhon Toshpulatova of Uzbekistan by half a second.
Róisín Ní Riaín held on to take bronze in the Women's SM13 200m individual medley, adding to the silver medal she already won at #paris2024 #RTEparalympics
📺Watch @rte2 @rteplayer
📱Updates https://t.co/nBSbBucybs pic.twitter.com/ubXu3C1PxI— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 3, 2024
Comerford kept the Irish flag flying five minutes later, breaking the 12 second barrier for only the second time in her career, storming to a brilliant bronze medal in the T13 100m final.
The Tokyo games were a write-off for the Dubliner who has been restricted by numerous injuries over the years but this bronze medal was her reward for sticking at it and afterwards, she was eyeing more success.
"I just feel like there is a lot more in the tank," she said.
"I reckoned at the start of the year that it was going to take a world record to win it, that’s what I had my eyes on.
"I know that was ambitious, but I think that is well within my wheelhouse, so I’m excited for the next cycle to push on towards that and faster."
RTÉ's Darren Frehill caught up with her family outside the Stade de France in the aftermath, and their pride was evident in a joyous interview.
Proud parents Siobhan and Ger, along with brothers Gavin and Morgan, pay tribute after Orla Comerford's bronze in the 100m T13, with mum Siobhan saying the Paralympics is a "wonderful showcase of ability" #RTEparalympics #paris2024 pic.twitter.com/qRey1fl2Dd
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 3, 2024
"Absolutely euphoric. Years and years of hard work. Injury, rehab, injury, rehab... she's now here and she's got her medal," said mother Siobhán.
"The nails are chewed to bits. It's just unreal, the excitement, the buzz, the support. She's worked so hard for it, she deserves every bit of it," added dad Ger.
"Incredibly proud," added brother Gavin.
"There are no words," added Morgan, with the brothers sporting bucket hats with their sisters' face on it.
"How much were they?" asked Darren Frehill.
"You don't want to know," said the boys, "They were more expensive than the flights over."
