Mayo Young Sports Stars: Local triathlete rules the road and the water

The list of achievements by Swinford triathlete Pearse Gallagher is incredible: Irish Junior Champion in sprint distance triathlon (750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run); youth national champion in 16-17 age category; senior sprint distance winner at the Lough Cultra Triathlon; and winner of national series triathlon races in Laois (Tri Laois Triathlon ) and Clonmel (Camida Triathlon).

Those achivements, among others, saw him selected to represent Ireland at the European Triathlon Junior Championship in Ballisker Turkey last August, and he was also selected to represent Ireland at the European Triathlon Youth Championship in Banoyles Spain last September, becoming the first ever Irish triathlete to qualify for the A final.

No surprise, then, that he is the triathlon category winner in The Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards 2024.

Last year, Pearse proved himself more than a match for athletes many years his senior. In one race, the teenager was beaten only by Olympian Russell White in the men's senior race at the renowned Crooked Lake Triathlon in Armagh.

A Leaving Certificate student in St. Gerald's College, Castlebar, Pearse is hoping for another stellar year after he sits the state exams this June.

As well as triathlons, Pearse runs for Swinford Athletics Club and cycles for Castlebar Cycling Club, and has had many numerous winning results in the world of athletics and cycling over the past number of years.

It will come as no surprise to learn that Pearse hails from a very sporting family. His sister Maeve is a well known Irish triathlete and his brothers Conor and Rory have all represented Ireland at cycling races at a national and international level.

But in terms of recognition at local level this time around, it's Pearse who is on the podium at the Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards.

The gala awards ceremony will be held on Friday, March 7, in Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar. For details, contact Aiden Henry on (087) 6582141 or aiden.henry@con-telegraph.ie.