THE IRISH FLAG is flying at half mast at Limerick City Hall today as a mark of respect for Ailish Sheehan.
The champion Irish rower died last week. She was from Kildimo, Co Limerick.
The 23-year-old accidentally fell on a footpath just over a week ago while celebrating winning a bronze medal at the FISU World University Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland.
Sheehan, a former member of St Michael’s Rowing Club in Limerick, was rushed by ambulance to hospital following the incident and she was placed on a life support machine.
Tributes poured in for Sheehan last week, with Rowing Ireland saying it was “deeply saddened” to learn of her tragic death.
Limerick city and county mayor Kieran O’Hanlon offered his condolences to her family, saying: “To lose a child is heartbreaking, but to lose them in such tragic circumstances is unimaginable.
Ailish was a remarkable young woman and athlete in the prime of her life. She is going to be sadly missed, not just by her family, but by her friends and rowing colleagues in Limerick and Britain as well.
‘Devastated’
Sheehan was a member of the University of London Boat Club.
Club chief coach Phil Gray said: “The whole club is devastated by this news. Not only was Ailish a top oarswoman with a significant future in the international side of the sport but she also lit up the club with her humour and laughter.
“She was a great example to younger members and starting next year without her is hard to imagine at the moment especially as she had been elected vice captain. But our main thoughts are with Ailish’s family who obviously meant so much to her.”
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