The Olympic Games will take place in Paris later this year and there will be keen Laois interest in Team Ireland.
That is because Portarlington’s Alanna Fitzpatrick has been chosen in the Ireland 7s Women’s rugby squad for the games.
Today’s news completes a remarkable rise in the game for Fitzpatrick.
She only made her debut for the Ireland Rugby Sevens Women’s Team at the Rugby European Sevens Championship Series in Hamburg, Germany last July.
Alanna crowned her debut tournament for the Ireland with a try, a major highlight of Ireland’s efforts in the Hamburg Sevens.
The PortDara club member continued her rise through the game and in January, she won on the international stage with Ireland.
History was made in front of a sell-out crowd at the inaugural Perth 7s as Ireland claimed a first ever rugby sevens victory on the world stage.
Ireland overcame hosts and 7s leaders, Australia in an epic final, winning 19-14 to get their hands on the trophy for the very first time.
But being selected for the Irish team to compete at the Olympics will top all of that.
People from Laois who have represented Ireland at the Olympics have been few and far between over the years.
Laois have previously been represented at the Olympics by fellow Portarlington athlete, American-born swimmer Shane Ryan.
While Portlaoise’s Anne Keenan Buckley competed for Ireland in Seoul too in the 3000 metres – finishing 24th.
Before that, Frank Moore from Emo represented Ireland in two Olympics in rowing.
He competed at 1984 in Los Angeles and 1988 in Seoul- and he carried the Irish Flag at opening ceremony.
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