Newry-born athlete O’Connor congratulated at Stormont

During members’ statements on Monday, SDLP MLA Justin McNulty applauded “the achievements of a young woman who was born at the turn of the century in Daisy Hill Hospital”.

O'Connor, who lives in Dundalk, won silver in the heptathlon at the World Athletics Indoor Championships 12 days after winning a bronze at the European Athletics Indoor Championships.

"That is an extraordinary achievement,” said Mr McNulty. “Dundalk has a wonderful sporting tradition in soccer and Gaelic games but a hotbed of the heptathlon it is not, which makes this achievement all the more special and wonderful.

"She is coached by her father, who is a teacher in CBS Primary School in Dundalk, alongside my sister Emer.

"There is huge pride in CBS Primary School, huge pride in St Vincent's Secondary School and huge pride in St Gerard's Athletics Club in Dundalk. There is huge pride among everybody in Dundalk, and there is huge pride across Ireland at this young woman's achievement.

"She is testament to what you can do if you dream big and work hard. Kate kept saying to herself, ‘How much do you want this medal?’, and she is an example to all of us of what can be achieved if you really push for something and go for it. Huge credit to her and to her father — her coach.

"I am excited to see the possibilities that lie ahead for her in Tokyo and Beijing at the next two World Athletics Championships and in Los Angeles at the 2028 Olympics.”