Derval O'Rourke retires

gerard_65

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/other/orourke-announces-retirement-634217.html

walshb

An Irish Athletics legend! That word is bandied about too easily. She is worthy!

MacSwifty

Thanks for All those good Memories Derval!!!

Enjoy your next venture!

Kristopherus

What an athlete. Best of luck for the future.

eyescreamcone

A tremendous competitor
Hard to replace quality like that

Rineanna

I'm roaring crying here. My athletics obsession started during the 2005 World University Games when DO'R, Ailis McSweeney, Anna Boyle and Emily Maher took 4x1 bronze and DO'R herself won bronze, and I've really enjoyed following her progression to become a World Champion and multi-European medalist. I remember watching her 4th place finish at the '09 World Champs from the stands in Berlin and trying to will her over the line in third place, but it wasn't to be.

A fierce competitor.

rom

Hope she continues to writes on the sport.

Skid X

Derval was a great Championship runner, she had a terrific ability to run well when it mattered most.

Thanks for the memories.

Chivito550

Will never forget being in the front row by the start line in barca, when she won her silver, and became a defacto European Champion behind that filthy Turkish cheat. She came over to us on her lap of honour and we got a bit over excited and nearly killed her. Think I shouldered her in the jaw.

Great memories.

runjb

What an athlete...she was a competitor and a half. How many championships has she faced into with below par seasons best only to progress through the rounds and grab medals? I think her bubbly personality also captured the hearts of many Irish fans, and not just athletic fans. I hope she goes on to do media work, I could listen to her all day!

The world title she will always have and not many can say that! 5 championships medals and a 4th placing at the world outdoors is an excellent career.

A true great, one of the best we've ever had!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2014/0623/625847-orourke-calls-time-on-hurdling-career/

horsebox1977

Excellent athlete who always delivered on the big occasions.

Slighty off topic but has Gillick retired too?

Chivito550

Anyone know if she has been awarded her bronze medal for 2013 Euro Indoors yet? If no, will she be getting it at all, and why is it taking so long when it has been over a year since that scum was busted?

Rineanna

Chivito550 wrote: »

Anyone know if she has been awarded her bronze medal for 2013 Euro Indoors yet? If no, will she be getting it at all, and why is it taking so long when it has been over a year since that scum was busted?

I read in one of today's articles that she hasn't received the actual medal yet. Would be nice for her to receive it at Nationals or on home turf at the Cork City Sports.

horsebox1977 wrote:

Slighty off topic but has Gillick retired too?

Would love to know the answer to this one too. He's back playing GAA again for his local club anyway. There was a period over the last two years where it seems himself, Hession, Cuddihy, Carey, Deirdre Ryan and more just stopped competing, and I can't remember ever hearing about any of them retiring. I can remember when they were all competing in U23 and University Games - feeling old.

rom

Pity that the most popular video on youtube of her is not for her athletic talent. A sad day for the sport.

pconn062

Good article here:

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/other-sports/she-inspired-us-to-compete-with-the-best-in-the-world-273118.html

flutered

her ability to peak for a major championship was something else.

walshb

Was Derval's PB over 100 metres in 2005 ever an Irish record?

ecoli

walshb wrote: »

Was Derval's PB over 100 metres in 2005 ever an Irish record?

Nope was 4th on the All time list (at the time)

Skid X

Derval wrote a column in The Irish Examiner about her decision to retire, worth a read ...

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/its-not-a-fairytale-its-sport-and-its-been-amazing-273158.html

Chivito550

Nice collection of photos from here career here:

http://sport.ie.msn.com/other-sports/20-pictures-that-celebrate-derval-o%E2%80%99rourke%E2%80%99s-brilliant-hurdling-career

runjb

http://www.rte.ie/sport/athletics/2014/0707/629114-orourke-calls-for-full-time-athletics-coaches/

Good article there. Full time coaches is definitely something we must strive towards.