Louth’s Kate O’Connor ‘a role model for every young girl and boy’ says Cathaoirleach

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Tributes to Dundalk athlete Kate O’Connor have been flowing in this week, with Louth County Council publicly congratulating her on silver medal success in the women’s heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The St Gerard’s AC star made history by becoming the first ever Irish multi-event athlete to win a global outdoor medal, producing a sensational performance across all seven events to finish on 6,714 points - a new Irish record.

The 24-year-old delivered five personal bests, in the hurdles, high jump, 200m, javelin, and the deciding 800m, where she sealed the silver with a determined run on Saturday afternoon.

This latest milestone adds to an already exceptional year for the Dundalk native who previously won European Indoor bronze, World Indoor silver, World University Games gold.

Earlier this year, Louth County Council honoured Kate with a Civic Reception in County Hall, Dundalk, recognising her trailblazing success and inspirational role in Irish sport.

Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: “Kate O’Connor has once again made history and brought immense pride to Dundalk, to Louth, and to Ireland. Winning silver at the World Championships is a remarkable achievement, and to do so with such resilience and heart makes it even more special. We were honoured to celebrate her at a Civic Reception earlier this year, and we are even prouder now as she takes her place on the world stage as one of Ireland’s greatest athletes - and a role model for every young girl and boy around the county.”

David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, added: “Kate’s performance in Tokyo is yet another example of her hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. She has consistently shown that Irish athletes can compete and succeed at the very highest level. This silver medal is a historic milestone, not just for Kate but for Irish athletics. We congratulate her, we celebrate her, and we look forward to all she will continue to achieve in the future.”