Laois' Ava O'Connor looking to lay down a marker in the green of Ireland

Emo’s Ava O’Connor has been on cloud nine recently as she represented Ireland at senior level for the first time at the European Championships in Krakow helping her Irish side to the Division Three title.

Ava herself exceeded all expectations at the championships by coming an incredible third place in the steeplechase which is a race she is still getting used to.

After the jubilation of helping the Irish team to Division Three glory, her attention has now turned to Finland in July where she is representing Ireland at the U-23 European Championships.

Above: Ava O'Connor in the green vest of Ireland

O’Connor who is halfway through her scholarship in the States spoke to the Leinster Express/ Laois Live about all thing’s athletics along with her time in America to date including an invitation to meet President Biden.

Since moving to America in July 2021, O’Connor is loving life in the States and has achieved a lot since making the move.

She said: “It’s hard to believe I’ve two years done and am heading into my 3rd year of university.  I suppose from first year in secondary school,  the American Student-Athlete route was the path I wanted to go down. I feel for me moving to America was probably the greatest thing I’ve done to progress as an athlete and student. 

“America has been great for me, I moved to America as mainly an 800m and 1500m runner. Before moving to the US, I ran 2.11.28 for 800m, since being in the states I’ve gotten my 800m down to 2.09.08. In the 1500m, I went in as a 4.26.45 and I have gotten it down to 4.20.04.

“I decided in 2022 to try a 3000m and I ran 9.37.86 and then this year at indoor nationals in Virginia Beach I got my time down to 9.16.59. This outdoor season, I also decided to try the 3000m steeplechase where I ran 11.06.67 at an altitude of 4691ft and I then went on to race in California where I lowered my time to 10.07.96 which was a European U-23 Qualifying time. 

“I think one memory that stands out from America so far would probably be winning the indoor national team title with the girls, it was just kind of a special moment considering we had no sprinters or field eventers, so it was just the distance girls who scored really well and that usually doesn’t happen.”

Fast forward to this Summer when O’Connor achieved her most impressive performance to date as an athlete coming third in the steeplechase in the Senior European Championships and while doing so, she missed the chance to get to meet the American President Joe Biden.

Laois runner O'Connor makes impressive Senior Irish debut with European Games podium

O’Connor’s running team was invited to a meet and greet with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as part of a college athlete day but unfortunately for O’Connor, she had returned home to Laois in preparation for the European’s before the invitation and the return was out of the question as flights were too expensive.

But all was forgotten as the sacrifice of missing out on the trip to the White House paid off with O’Connor making a stunning debut in Krakow at the championships.

“It would have been really nice to go to the White House with my coaches and team and it was disappointing to miss such a rare opportunity. I guess sometimes in sports you have to make sacrifices and thankfully it paid off with the success the Irish Team had out in Poland. Hopefully the invitation will come my way again.”

O’Connor also revealed having her coach Damian Lawlor at the race was a huge help controlling her nerves and proved crucial coming third in the race to the delight of the Laois athlete.

She said: “Definitely on the start line when the camera came up close to me while I was standing on the line, I got a bit nervous, but I knew my training had been going well and I was feeling strong mentally and physically.

“I definitely think nerves are good for me as it gets some adrenaline going, I think I would definitely question myself more if I wasn’t nervous before a Senior European Championship. I was blessed that my club coach Damian was at the event so if I needed anything he was there to help, and his prep talks are always great.

“I knew going into the competition that the opposition was fierce such as Albania’s Luiza Gega and Israel’s Adva Cohen. The Austrian girl had a 7 second PB advantage over me so my plan going into the race was to track her, at this point of the competition Ireland and Austria were neck and neck so the main goal then was to finish ahead of her to secure more valuable points for Team Ireland that I secured nicely.

“I was over the moon to finish above my ranking and delighted with my 3rd place finish. I think the European team championships is a very special event because most of the time we compete as individuals, so it was really nice seeing the team working really hard for each other to secure the spot in Division Two for 2025.”

Laois athletes chosen to compete for Team Ireland at European Championships

Since O’Connor’s exploits in Krakow, she is now looking forward to the U-23 European championships in Finland and is hoping to make the final as preparations are going well.

She added:” My training is going really well and the steeplechase is a new event for me so I’m still learning how to hurdle well. The European standard is very competitive at the moment so I think going into the championship I’d be very happy with making the final and if I make the final, who knows what could happen but I’m definitely going into the championship to give it my all.”