Report from New Ross by Dan Walsh
It was sporting celebration time in New Ross last evening where a large crowd turned out for the official celebration homecoming for ‘Our Olympian’, the new world superstar from New Ross, Sophie Becker who won a silver medal at the 2024 European Athletics Championships with a team that set a new national Irish record and was a member of the team that finished fourth in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris a few weeks ago.
Sophie was given a warm welcome back to New Ross by Cllr Bridín Murphy, Cathaoirleach New Ross Municipal District Council.
Retired RTÉ newsreader Eileen Dunne was a guest in her role as Chair of the Board of the Kennedy Summer School and interviewed Sophie on stage where she talked about her experiences at the Olympics, explained how she was thrilled to see so many people turn out for her homecoming, and chatted positively about the future of her athletics career.
The 27 years old from Ballykelly, a few miles outside New Ross who competes in sprint events and mainly specialises in the 400 metres recently represented Ireland at the Olympic Games in Paris and the World Athletics Championships won a silver medal at the 2024 European Athletics Championships with the women’s 4×400 metres relay team which set a new Irish national record.
Speaking at the homecoming Susan Lannigan, Chairperson, St. Joseph’s Athletic Club outlined the athletic achievements by Sophie who played football with Horeswood GAA Club and attended St. Mary’s Secondary School in New Ross.
Sophie was welcomed at Pearse Park by a large attendance and St. Michael’s Pipe Band played a musical escort to the stage where Alan Fitzhenry, District Manager of New Ross Municipal District Council acted as master of ceremonies.
The attendance included Deputies Johnny Mythen and Verona Murphy, Cllrs John Fleming, Michael Sheehan, Pat Barden, John Dwyer and Matty Murphy, Deputy Chief Executive of Wexford County Council, Eamonn Hore, members of the Becker family, friends and well-wishers.
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