Young Sports Star of the Year Finalist: Crotty is an international star
Cavan Town athlete Renee Crotty enjoyed a stellar 2023 on the track. Renee made her debut for Ireland at the U20 European Championships in Jerusalem, putting in a memorable performance that promises much more in the future.
Despite having only turned 18, Renee qualified to run for Team Ireland in the 4x400m relay, and they progressed through to European final courtesy of a fabulous performance in a thrilling semi-final.
In that semi-final Renee ran a blistering third leg, keeping pace with French, British and Czech rivals. Team Ireland ultimately came seventh in Europe, an achievement that exceeded all expectations.
Due to her youth, it was in hope rather than expectation she had targeted the qualifying standards during the Indoor (January to April) and Outdoor (late April to late August) season.
"I was very shocked when I got the email [announcing she made the Irish team] because I wasn't expecting to get picked this year, because I had just done my Leaving Cert,” she told the Anglo-Celt.
She hit the qualifying standard for the Ireland in the 400m. She only actually ran two 400m races in the season, and yet set a time that was quick enough to qualify for her country. Given Renee is below the age bar for the U20s, and wasn't running her preferred distance in Jerusalem, it is hard not to get excited about her future.
"I focussed on 800 all year, and only did two 400s this year. I did two 400s before they selected the team and ran a really fast 400 up in Santry one day and got picked from that race, so it was literally very last minute. I had been targetting the 800 individual standard, but I missed out by a second or so. When I was picked for the 400m I was really happy."
Success for Renee at this level has been built on dedication to the sport from a very young age running with her club Annalee AC. "I started running when I was six under Rob Murphy, Edel Kellegher and Mark McNamara."
Renee has attended a boarding school in Dublin and was invited to train with UCD's athletes under coaches James Nolan and Damian Lawlor. Renee’s specialist discipline is the 800m and she has dreams of qualifying for the Olynpic Games in the future.
"It's so good - it's such an honour to represent Ireland as well as my county and my club Annalee. I've always dreamed of this since I was younger so it's great to be at the major championships stage now, and hopefully keep aiming towards the Olympics in a few years,” she told this newspaper last year.