Killybegs AC coach Mary O’Callaghan clocked a phenomenal 24.10 seconds in the 100m at the World Masters Gothenburg yesterday.
Mary’s achievement placed her in the top 20 athletes globally in the over 70s category.
The feat is even more remarkable considering Mary was recovering from a calf tear just weeks ago.
The experienced athlete turns 72 in two days time.
No stranger to high-level competition, Mary previously clinched a silver medal with the Irish relay team at the inaugural European Indoor Masters Athletics Championships in Birmingham in 1997. She also represented Ireland at the World Championships in Brisbane, Australia four years later.
Mary undertakes her training regime alongside her daughter, Ciara Kearns. Ciara, a member of Tir Chonaill AC, is also competing at the World Masters, with the long jump final scheduled for Sunday the 18th. She too faces plenty of competition from over 30 athletes worldwide.
Like mother like daughter! Ciara and Mary warming up at the World Masters in Gothenburg