Galway girl strikes Henley gold

Galway native Katie O’Brien made history on several fronts last weekend as she became the first Irish Para Rower ever to enter the prestigious Henley Women’s Regatta in England – and promptly went on to win gold, the first Irish medal in Henley since 2010.

On top of that, Katie – from Clarinbridge – also set a course record at what is the premier rowing Regatta for women in the UK, drawing rowers from all over the world.

What is even more amazing is that Katie achieved all of this little over a year after taking up rowing and while still only seventeen years old.

But sporting success is nothing new to Katie or the O’Briens – she herself is also an accomplished horsewoman and her brother Sean was the captain of the Irish U20 rugby team for the Six Nations this year.

Katie’s victory at Henley has gained widespread acclaim but the biggest triumphs of her life so far have happened in a much quieter place.

She was born with Spina Bifida, and her parents were told that she would struggle to sit up and would never be able to walk. By the time she was ten years old she had more serious operations notched up than birthdays.

Katie underwent gruelling reconstructive leg surgery in her early teens and through extraordinary force of will, pain, and hard work she has built herself to be able walk unaided.

This again is another family trait as anyone who knew him could testify to the fierce determination and strength of character of Katie’s father, Iain O’Brien, who sadly passed away in November 2012 after a long battle with cancer.

Katie, who competed in the Trunk and Arms single scull category, dominated all stages of the competition, winning the time trial on Friday, setting the course record of 4:30 in her semi final on Sunday before going to win the final by three lengths later that day, in a time of 4:39.

National Para Rowing coach Peter Heaney described Katie as “a special kid who has all the right attributes.” Her progress since taking up rowing in January 2013 is “astounding.”

Coach Heaney explained that Katie was sent to Henley in order to gain experience, as she is pivotal to the Irish Para Rowing team’s plans for the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro 2016.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.