Kate O'Connor added to Ireland's medal haul at the European Indoor Athletics Championships with a dominant performance to claim bronze in the Women's Pentathlon.
O'Connor was dialled in all day as she put in personal bests in multiple events before breaking the National Record in the 800m to take bronze.
O'Connor, who is from Newry, put in a dominant performance in the 800m to get the job done and add to the haul started by Mark English and gold medallist Sarah Healy earlier in the day.
Kate O'Connor ran a DOMINANT final event to win bronze for Ireland in the pentathlon! 🥉
What a performance! ☘️pic.twitter.com/KDU1V5tf6T
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 9, 2025
Kate O'Connor and Dad gave interview of the year
She spoke to RTÉ's David Gillick in the company of her father Michael, who is also her coach, and it made for great TV.
O'Connor admitted she tore up the script en route to victory before putting her efforts into context given that she is currently doing a Masters in communications and PR at the Ulster University.
I was preparing my fourth place speech because those girls are good 800m runners and I knew it would take something special."
"We had a plan and Halfway through the race I said 'I'm going to run as fast as I flippin' can.
"All those girls out there are professionals, the top two and the girl who finished below me.
"I am just a little girl studying a Masters, doing athletics on the side so to be able to finish up there with the top girls in Europe and get a bronze medal for my country is unbelievable!"
"We had a plan, but halfway through the race I said 'I'm going to run as fast as I flippin' can' - Kate O'Connor tore up the script midway through the 800m race to secure bronze at the European Indoors.
Watch live on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer#Apeldoorn2025 #IrishAthletics #rtesport pic.twitter.com/lLcBzFq9YJ— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 9, 2025
Her father, Michael, cut an emotional figure as he paid tribute directly to his daughter after her performance.
'It was brilliant... it was class! She is an amazing athlete, so coachable; it is a pleasure to be involved with you, you are outstanding and you have given me one of the days of my life. Thank you so much."
Beautiful stuff.
O'Connor made history just moments after Healy put in a brilliant performance to claim gold for Ireland in the 3000m Women's Final.
Meanwhile, minutes before Healy's success, Donegal man English claimed bronze in the Men's 1500m final after a never-die attitude saw him battle across the line.
