London 2012 Paralympic silver medallist Catherine O'Neill has announced her retirement from competitive athletics.
O'Neill who hails from Ramsgrange in County Wexford, has competed at three Paralympic Games for Ireland in the Discus and Club Throw events; Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, and London 2012.
Qualifying for her first Paralympic Games in Sydney 2000 O’Neill placed fourth in the final, before recovering from the disappointment of missing to 2004 games to qualify Beijing 2008 where she finished sixth in the discus final.
The 2011 Paralympic Athletics World Championships in New Zealand were undoubtedly her most successful claiming a gold in the discus and a silver in the club throw.
She followed up those medals with her most coveted one; a Paralympic silver in the Discus at the 2012 London Games. O'Neill went on to compete at the 2013 World Championships in France and the European Championships in Swansea last summer.
Speaking about her decision to retire O’Neill said; "I spent a good bit of time thinking about it after Swansea [2014 European Championships] and over Christmas I decided the time was right.
"I've had an amazing career with plenty of highs and lows along the way. I managed to win the Paralympic medal I always dreamt of and worked so hard for at my last Paralympic Games in London.
"I have to say when you step on the podium to receive a medal its some honour, but throughout my career it was always an honour to represent my country and wear the Irish colours abroad with pride."
Head of Paralympic Athletics James Nolan paid tribute to O’Neill: "The longevity of Catherine’s career in the sport has meant that she has overseen the growth of the movement and constantly increasing standards in Paralympic sport.
"It is very fitting that she medalled in what was the biggest, most successful Paralympic games ever; London 2012 in the full glare of the world’s media."
