Athletes – Mary Peters Trust

Meet Our
Supported Athletes

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The Trust has funded thousands of athletes, including 80% of the Northern Irish contingent in the Olympic and Paralympic teams in Rio 2016.

boxing

Michael Conlan

Michael began his boxing career at the age of 11, winning his first Ulster novice title and now, is a three-time Irish National Flyweight Champion. In October 2015, Michael won the gold medal in the Bantamweight division at the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships

gymnastics

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Rhys McClenaghan

Rhys took up gymnastics when he was seven. At nine, he began receiving support from the Mary Peters Trust. Tracy remembers: "Mary gave him a chocolate medal with his first monetary award and now he has turned it into gold."

rowing

Alan Campbell

Alan Campbell began rowing at the Coleraine Academical Institution before going on to join the Tideway Scullers School in London. After winning the Diamond Sculls at Henley Royal Regatta, Alan made his international debut at the World U23 Championships in 2003.

swimmer

Bethany Firth

Bethany Charlotte Firth, MBE (born 14 February 1996) is a Northern Irish swimmer competing for Great Britain and Northern Ireland as of 2014; previously Firth had competed for Ireland. A four time Paralympic gold medalist

boxing

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Carl Frampton

Born in Belfast’s Tiger’s Bay, Carl Frampton started boxing at the age of 11. He went on to win the Irish Senior Flyweight amateur title in 2005 and the Irish featherweight title in 2009, turning professional in 2009.

running

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Ciara Mageean

Ciara born 12 March 1992 is an Irish middle-distance runner. The UCD physiotherapy student has won silver medals at the World Youth 2009 and the Junior 2010 championships. Ciara won a bronze medal competing in the 1500m event in the 2016 Europeans Athletics Championship.

hockey

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Eugene Magee

Eugene is an Irish Hockey international born 1st April 1986. The Quantity Surveyor is the first Ulsterman with over 200 Caps for Ireland and was also a member of the history making Ireland team who made to Rio Olympic Games

golf

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Graeme McDowell

Born in Portrush, Graeme McDowell began playing golf at just eight years old. He began a degree in Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, transferring to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he won the Haskins award for outstanding collegiate golfer in 2002.

wheelchair basketball

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Jack Agnew

Jack has represented GB and NI in under 18s Wheelchair basketball at the Paralympic Youth Festive in Holland as well as being selected for the Junior Wheelchair Athletes in the UK to represent team GB&NI at the Brazilian Nation Junior Paralympic Championship in Natal.

motorbike

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Josh Elliot

Born into a bike racing family, Josh started riding at two years old and began his winning career as a five-time Irish Mini Moto Champion, including two ‘doubles’, between the ages 9 and 12.

running

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Katie Kirk

21 year old Katie Kirk is a rising star in the world of middle distance running. She was chosen by Dame Mary to carry the Olympic torch at the 2012 Opening Ceremony in London and since gone on to become the third fastest 800m runner in the Irish Women’s rankings.

skiing

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Kelly Gallagher

Kelly discovered her love for skiing on a trip to Andorra when she was 17 and in August 2009, she made her international debut at the Winter Games in New Zealand. The following year she was selected for the British team and made her Paralympic debut in Vancouver

running

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Michael Mckillop

Michael realised his natural flair for athletics at the age of 12 and began running for his school and local club, St. Malachy’s AC. He then came storming into the Paralympic world stage in 2005 at the age of 15 and went on to win two European medals in the T37 800m and 1500m.

boxing

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Paddy Barnes

Belfast-born Paddy Barnes began his boxing career at the young age of ten, winning his first fight at the age of eleven and now 17 years later, is the reigning Irish Elite Champion, following a seventh successive victory in the World Series of Boxing.

rowing

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Richard & Peter Chambers

Coleraine brothers Richard and Peter Chambers began their training as teenagers on their long journey towards the 2012 London Olympics, where they were part of the British crew that won the silver medal in the lightweight men’s four.

sailing

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Ryan Seaton & Matthew McGovern

49er Sailors Matt McGovern and Ryan Seaton were the first athletes from Northern Ireland to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, having finished 10th in the World Championships in 2011.The dynamic duo also qualified Team Ireland in the 49er category for the 2016 Games at the ISAF World Championships.

running

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Sally Brown

Sally, who was born with dysmelia in her lower arms, which resulted in her left arm not fully developing, took up athletics for enjoyment at the age of nine. As a result, she then joined Springwell Runners and began her competitive career in athletics.

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