DHU Aifric Keogh pays a visit to Fermoy
Olympian bronze medalist, Aifric Keogh, paid a visit to Fermoy this week, meeting with children of Bishop Murphy Memorial School at Fermoy Rowing Club.
The visit took place as part of the 'Dare to Believe' primary school programme which brings the Olympics to the classroom and inspires students to believe in themselves.
Speaking with The Avondhu, principal of Bishop Murphy Memorial School, Joe Aherne, said that there was plenty of excitement among pupils, with the opportunity to meet and speak with an Olympic hero.
“We’re a diverse school which is growing in diversity and the Dare to Believe programme is a great opportunity to help build on the school and its pupils' resilience. We got an email to say we had been successful in the programme and we thought it would be over Zoom, but Aifric actually came down to see us,” principal Aherne said.
REMARKABLE PROGRESSION
A Galway native, Aifric began rowing in 2006 during her first year of secondary school and has since gone on to compete in World Rowing Championships and secured a bronze medal in the Women’s Four at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Ms Keogh has also qualified for the 2024 Olympics.
Taking to Fermoy Rowing Club on Wednesday, she met with the local pupils, showed them around the clubhouse and explained about rowing boats to the children.
Also on hand were members of Fermoy Rowing Club and the committee, who welcomed Aifric and presented her with the local club jersey.
At Fermoy Youth Centre, Ms Keogh gave a presentation to pupils from Bishop Murphy Memorial School on her journey in rowing as part of the Dare to Believe programme.