[Published May 2017]

Our Little Athletics and Juvenile programmes are thriving. Get to know our athletes of the future over the coming weeks and months as they are featured here.

Aisling O’Shaughnessy (U15)

Aisling with coach Frank Doherty at the Munster Schools where Aisling was 3rd in the 1200m race walking competition

Coach: Dave O’Keeffe/Frank Doherty.

What events do you like best? Race Walking.

What’s your most memorable race(s)?  I was 11th in the All Ireland outdoor race walking last year and this year I was second in the Munsters.

What do you like most about Togher AC? It’s a really friendly community, everyone knows everyone.

When you are older, would you still like to be involved in athletics? I’d definitely like to keep going to competitions and still like to do race walking as a hobby when I am older.

What’s your goal for this year? I would like to do better in the All Ireland juvenile competition, to place there.

Do you have a favourite sports hero? I have seen Rob Heffernan train on the track here and when we were having a hockey blitz, we had a race with him and that was fun. I also like Simone Biles I’ve seen a documentary about her and it’s very good.

What’s your favourite drink, food and film? Coke, Pizza, ‘Me before You’!

Alex Traynor (U11)

Alex at the Leevale T&F Competition, May 2017

What events do you like best? The Javelin.

What’s the most fun thing about training?  I enjoy playing with friends and doing all the activities.

What do you like most about Togher AC? Being here gives me exercise and I feel tired after it.

When you are older, what activity would you like most to do then?  The Javelin.

What’s your favourite drink, food and film? 7up, Chips and Chicken Nuggets and ‘Boss Baby’!

Kate McCarthy (U10)

Kate at the Leevale Sports Day, May 2017

What events do you like best? Long Jump, Long Distance and Sprinting.

What’s the most fun thing about training?  Long Jump free style into the pit.

What do you like most about Togher AC? Everybody gets to join in everything and its all fair and everyone gets the same amount of trys as everyone else and being active obviously.

When you are older, what activity would you like most to do then?  Long distance because when I’m older I can do more of it.

Do you have a favourite sports hero? Gabby Douglas.

What’s your favourite drink, food and film? Water or the odd time a Fizzy Drink, Apple or Chocolate and ‘Harry Potter’!

James Traynor (U11)

James at the Leevale T&F Sports Day, May 2017

What events do you like best? Sprinting.

What do you like most about Togher AC? I like doing sports and running is good for the lungs.

When you are older, what activity would you like most to do then? Sprinting.

Do you have a favourite sports hero? Ronaldo is my sports hero.

What’s your favourite drink, food and film? Water, Apples and ‘Despicable Me’!

Dilly Barry Twohig (U10)

Dilly at the County Juvenile Championships, May 2017

What events do you like best? Javelin, Sprinting and Fast Walking.

What’s the most fun thing about training? Javelin and laps around the track, running and jogging.

What do you like most about Togher AC? A lot of the coaches who train us and feeling really good they train us so we can get faster.

When you are older, what activity would you like most to do then? Javelin.

Do you have a favourite sports hero? Chris O’Leary.

What’s your favourite drink, food and film? 7up, Spagetti Bolognese and ‘Monster High’!

Darren O’Connell (U9)

Darren with Rob Heffernan at Little Athletics Training

What events do you like best? I like sprinting the best, the relays and fast walking.

What’s the most fun thing about training? The games, sprinting and fast walking.

What do you like most about Togher AC? Most of it, doing running and fast walking and having different options.

When you are older, what activity would you like most to do then? I’d like to keep sprinting and fast walking.

Do you have a favourite sports hero? Usain Bolt and Paul O’Connell.

What’s your favourite drink, food and film? 7up or Coke, Bananas and ‘Scooby Doo’!