Magnificent Mona!
IT WAS A SENSATIONAL WEEK FOR GRANGE TEENAGER MONA MCSHARRY AT THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
SHE had already won a gold and silver medal along with setting two Irish Senior and Junior records before Sunday’s 100m Breaststroke final but Grange’s Mona McSharry wasn’t finished just yet.
The 16-year-old followed her 50m Gold and 200m Silver with another Gold in the 100m, wrapping up an unforgettable weekend at the European Junior Championships in Netanya, Israel. It was a long way from North Sligo, but any nerves at competing on such a level were not on show by the teenager, who swims with Marlins Swim Club in Ballyshannon.
On Sunday, the gold medal was never in doubt for Mona as she stormed to victory with over a second to spare on the Netherlands Tes Schouten (1:09.03) in 1 minute 07.61 seconds. In fact, no other swimmer broke 1:09 in the race. The Marlins swimmer set two new Irish Senior and Junior Records in those events as well as Irish Junior Records with the 400m Mixed Medley Relay who finished fourth in Sunday’s Final.
Mona said after the race: “I am delighted to finish off a successful meet with a gold medal in my main event.
“There are a few things now that I can work on when I get back to training to help me swim faster at World Junior Championships.”
They are coming up in Budapest in July and Mona will sure be boosted at her success from Israel.
She now becomes Ireland’s most decorated European Junior medallist with two Gold and a Silver medal at this event and silver and bronze from the 2016 edition.
Speaking after qualifying for the 200m final, Mona said: “It was tough, I didn’t get to sleep until late enough but I just had to pull myself back together. I did really well and I was really happy with the swim. “It’s difficult to jump from the extreme of the 50m having to stretch it out to the 200m, I’m still learning how to do the 200m but I definitely think I did it well this evening.”
She said before the 200m final that she would love to medal, having come 6th last year and she did that in style, winning silver ahead of Gold in Sunday’s 100m final. What a week for the 16-year-old and what an inspiration she is to athletes back home.
Social media was alight with congratulatory messages for Mona following her success at the weekend, including from Marlins Swim Club in Ballyshannon.
At yesterday’s County Council meeting, there was high praise too from councillors who agreed to honour Mona’s achievements with a Civic Reception, date yet to be announced.
Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council Cllr Seamus Kilgannon led tributes to the Grange swimmer. He said: “This is a great achievement for Mona and her parents who made many early morning and late evening trips to Ballyshannon swimming pool.”
Cllr Marie Casserly added: “The entire county and particularly North Sligo are so proud of Mona and her achievements.
“She has worked so hard over the years to get to this standard of competition and is not only breaking Irish Junior records but also Senior records.
“She is a credit to her entire family and even helps out with junior athletes in North Sligo Athletic Club during her limited free time which is admirable.
“Young athletes in North Sligo continue to punch above their weight both nationally and internationally in athletics and it is a testament to the thousands of hours that are given voluntarily by coaches and volunteers to nurture, promote, and support all this talent. Mona is a fantastic role model for all,” Cllr Casserly said.
Cllr Hubert Keaney added: “Mona is a outstanding ambassador for our region, her achievements to date are remarkable and offer great hope for her future as a outstanding sportsperson.
“She has and will continue to inspire our young people and to demonstrate that through hard work, skill and belief that great things can be achieved. “Indeed she has given us all hope and the opportunity to dare to dream.”
Last night, crowds flocked to welcome the outstanding teenager back to her hometown of Grange, European medals in hand as children proudly cheered and waved flags. It was an occasion to honour the countless hours the athlete has spent training for moments like this, with many more victories yet to come.