More power to Mullagh’s Casey!
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From left: Micheál McKeon, director, Park Rí; Coach Bryan Foy; parents Tracey and Noel; and Damien Duffy, Director, Park Rí.Image 2 of 3
Casey Fitzgerald with her coach Bryan Foy.Image 3 of 3
Casey Fitzgerald (centre), World Para Powerlifting Champion from Mullagh, with family and friends at a reception hosted by Park Ri Kells where she was honoured on Friday evening. Back (from left): Micheál McKeon, director, Park Rí; Amanda Nevin; coach Bryan Foy; Michelle Fitzgerald; Casey’s father Noel; Casey’s mother Tracey; Beckii and Aimee Fitzgerald; Patricja Pavlovic; Aimee Cunningham; Anne Marie Brennan and Damien Duffy, director, Park Rí; front, Szymon Mitreja, Patrick Joyce; Josh, Harry, Casey and Lucy Fitzgerald; Zoe Joyce; Jamie Fitzgerald and Ava Reilly.PHOTOS: SHEILA ROONEYWorld Para Powerlifting Champion, Casey Fitzgerald, was honoured at a reception in Park Ri Kells last Friday, September 8.
The Mullagh girl was joined by her mother and father, Tracey and Noel, and her coach Bryan Foy, Club Active, Kells, as well as other family members, friends and well wishers all keen to get a look at Casey’s gold medals won following on from her success at the Irish National Championships last year.
The young woman took two gold medals in Dubai after she placed first in her weight category for new generation lifters and 1st place for overall weight lifted. She also secured bronze in the seniors, a category Casey only entered for experience.
Having just taken up the sport in late 2021, Casey’s progression is impressive and she is already ranked #23 in the world.
The star of the show, Casey, thanked all of those who supported her, in particular her coach, Bryan, for preparing her well to claim two gold medals. The determined teen is now focussed on her continued training in Club Active in preparation for her bid to secure a place on Team Ireland for the Paralympics in Paris in 2024.
Next up for Casey is the National Para Powerlifting Championships in Dublin in November, before competitions in Dubai and Manchester early next year on the road to qualification for the Paralympics. Speaking at the reception, Micheál McKeon, managing director of Park Ri, congratulated Casey on her success: “At just 17, Casey is an inspiration to us all and has demonstrated that hard work pays off. The team here in Park Ri Kells were delighted to support Casey in her travels to Dubai to compete in the Para Powerlifting Championships this August and we are very proud of her achievement of coming home with two gold medals. We wish Casey every success in her bid to secure a place in the Ireland Team to travel to the Paralympics in Paris in 2024.”