McSharry family 'so proud' following bronze medal win

Mona McSharry's family are "so proud of her" after she won a bronze medal for Ireland in the 100m breaststroke at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Competing in her second Olympic final, the Sligo swimmer touched out third by the very slimmest of margins, beating Italy's Benedetta Pilato and world record holder and 2016 champion Lilly King of the United States both by 0.01 of a second in a time of 1:05.59.

South Africa's Tatjana Smith took gold in 1:05.28, with China's Qiantang Tang second in 1:05.54

Speaking in her home village of Grange following the final, her grandfather Patrick McSharry said: "We’re so proud of her and all the hard work she put in over the years, many a hard morning in the frost and snow she went swimming, so all here in Grange is so proud."

"If I could give her a message right now I would give her a big hug and tell her how proud I am," he added.

Her family had gathered at her grandparents' house to watch the race.

As the celebrations got under way, neighbours, friends and local media descended on the McSharry household.

Her aunt Patricia Doonan said she was a "really proud auntie".

"I am just elated, I feel like I did the swim myself. I'm just so delighted for her, it's amazing, such an achievement.

"She's dreamed of this since a little girl. But, you know, we hear these things being said, and just the reality of it is just so much more amazing. We're so proud, she's just our hero," she said.

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Mona’s cousins said she is an inspiration to people their age and anyone across Ireland and the world.

This is one of the many accolades the swimmer has but