The family of Olympic swimmer Mona McSharry say they have been on an emotional rollercoaster over the past few days as she competed in Tokyo 2020.
Her father Aidan said getting to the final was fantastic and they are immensely proud of their daughter's achievement.
The 20-year-old finished eighth in this morning's final in a time of 1:06.94.
American teenager Lydia Jacoby took gold, with Tatjana Schoenmaker of South Africa winning the silver and American Lilly King taking bronze.
"Mona was delighted to compete in her first Olympics and getting to swim in the 100 metre final was a big bonus. She had talked about 'sneaking' into the final," Aidan said laughing.
"The 200 metre breaststroke will be her next event on Wednesday and although not her favourite she will shift her attention to that competition and gain more experience because Paris 2024 is her main focus."
Mona's 18-year-old brother Mouric said he was filled with pride and admiration.
He said: "It's unreal to think she has just competed with some of the best swimmers in the world.
"She has spent years training really hard with her coach Grace Meade and her discipline, hard work and talent has really paid off."
Younger sister Luca agrees. "She inspires all of us and is a great role model for up-and-coming young swimmers.
"I don't remember her ever taking a day off from her strict training regime. When I go to school people always ask me about Mona."
Viola says her daughter has done so well and has the single-minded determination and talent that will stand to her going forward.
"Marlins Club in Ballyshannon have been instrumental in getting Mona to this level.
"It's a phenomenal achievement for a small local club and I hope it inspires other young swimmers who are in similar clubs around the country."
There are hundreds of medals adorning a balcony in the family home in Grange.
They belong to all three siblings who are avid swimmers and were won in local, national and international competitions.
The McSharrys won Ireland's Fittest Family in 2019.
Mona McSharry's parents Aidan and Viola on the delight of seeing their daughter perform in an Olympic final and the road taken to get to this point #olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport #grange @swimireland @MonaMcsharry pic.twitter.com/bgTHBEJ2vx
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 27, 2021
Speaking later on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Viola said she had not had a chance to speak to her daughter yet, although they have exchanged text messages.
She said the family was on the way back from Ballyshannon, where they went for a swim this morning.
Viola said she realised that Mona had a talent for swimming when she was around 10 or 11 and taking part in competitions.
She said her daughter was lucky that the pool in Ballyshannon was always very accommodating and allowed her to use the pool during her free time.
Garda Clara McSharry of Clontarf Garda Station is proud to support her cousin Mona McSharry in the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) July 27, 2021
Mona McSharry is the second ever Irish swimmer to reach a final in the Olympics. pic.twitter.com/vP3Dyxn16J
'Gruelling training schedule'
Mona had a gruelling training schedule six days a week, she said, swimming early in the morning, later in the day, and going to the gym as well.
She said that Mona had glandular fever that "took her out of the pool for a long time" in 2018/2019.
Viola said that the family would have loved to support Mona in person but in the end they were just glad that the games went ahead and the athletes could put their training to the test.
A member of Mona's swimming club in Ballyshannon has spoken of the pride and excitement in the club and town after she reached the Olympic final.
"It's something I'm still trying to get my head around" - Mona McSharry reflects on the experience of being the first Irish swimmer in an Olympic final for 25 years.#olympics #tokyo2020 #RTESport
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 27, 2021
📺 Watch live - https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ
📱 Updates – https://t.co/eT5tYOLr9U pic.twitter.com/1ZAdBq9qCD
Karen Sommerville from the Ballyshannon Marlins Swimming club told the same programme: "Our hearts are just bursting with pride, it has been such a wonderful few days and there has been huge excitement here in Ballyshannon ...and the whole northwest.
"The flags are flying so high over Ballyshannon today and it is just unbelievable.
"It goes to show hard work, determination and perseverence pay off in the end and Mona dreamed as a young girl of going to the Olympics and dreams do come true."
She said that Mona is "a wonderful, wonderful person as well as a fantastic swimmer and it was wonderful to watch her walking onto the pool deck with a beaming smile on her face about to swim in an Olympic final ... we couldn't be prouder of her".
