When Noelle Lynskey from Hayes & Hayes totalhealth Pharmacy, Portumna heard that 21 year old Sinéad Keon also known as the ‘Pocket Rocket’ from Kyelbrack near Woodford was looking for a sponsor to help her compete in the IWAS (International Wheelchair & Amputee Sport) World Games in the United Arab Emirates in February 2019, she contacted her colleagues in Loughrea and Ballinasloe with a view to jointly sponsoring Sinéad. Jack Staunton from Brogan’s totalhealth Pharmacy, Loughrea and Niamh Murphy from Murphy’s totalhealth Medical Hall, Ballinasloe were only too happy to join with Noelle in supporting the wonderful Sinéad.
Sinéad is always keen to put in a good performance and push herself hard. Born with achondroplasia – a congenital condition affecting bone growth – she was inspired to take up Para athletics after the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Her ascent to notoriety has been swift; in the same year she was named Best Newcomer of the Year by the Irish Wheelchair Association Sport.
2018 was a busy season for the Galway athlete who competed in eight home games, and two International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games in Portugal and Athlone. The highlight of the year came in Athlone in July when Sinead recorded a new Irish and European javelin record – with a 16.85 metres throw. She has represented Ireland at seven World Games and won gold medals at discus and shot putt, three silver medals in javelin and two bronze in shot putt. She is a two-times World table tennis champion and has won countless medals at Irish and UK National competitions. The sporting achievements of Sinead, who has a form of dwarfism, are numerous and have been recognised by the Irish Grand Prix Awards.
Niamh, Noelle & Jack from the Ballinasloe, Loughrea & Portumna totalhealth Pharmacies were delighted to support local girl Sinead Keon on her journey to the IWAS and hopefully onto the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.
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