An 'inspirational' sister and 'role model'

Ross Timothy is well-placed to assess sporting exploits.

The former Roscommon footballer will be in Paris supporting his younger sister Richael when she represents her country at the Paralympic Games, which get underway this week.

Alongside his parents Tommy and Rosaleen and younger brother Rónán, Ross has watched his sister prosper on the international stage. It doesn’t surprise him. He remembers her being able to “more than hold her own” when training with the boys in St. Croan’s at underage level.

When Richael saw her intercounty career cut short, she shifted her focus elsewhere. The 29-year-old will soon represent Ireland at her Paralympic Games. Ross is her biggest fan, hailing her as “inspirational”.

“You would describe her as a real role model. She really does show, particularly young people, that you don’t have to be good at everything. You just need one thing that you can pursue and that is all you look for people to do — to be the best that they can at whatever they enjoy or choose.

“There would be ads that pop up on YouTube and she would be in one or two of them. She was telling us there a few weeks ago that one day she was in a shop and kids were there with their parents. One of the kids were saying ‘I think that’s her.’ “They were trying to work out if it really was Richael. Eventually one of them got the courage to ask ‘did I see you on YouTube?’ Things like that show kids that there is somebody local who has put in the hard work and show what they can do, whether it be in the Paralympics, in sport or at anything in life,” he explained.

After making her Irish debut on the bike in 2017, Richael has made rapid progress. To be competing at her second Paralympic Games is a testament to the Ballymoe woman’s grit and tenacity.

Indeed Ross isn’t surprised that his sister has managed to qualify to compete against the world’s best once more.

“Richael would be very determined. That would be a word that you would definitely use to describe her. Richael would be persistent. When she sets her mind to something she is going to get there.

“We always knew she could do it. She puts a massive amount of work. Were we surprised she got to Tokyo initially? Not majorly surprised because she put in the work to get there, and she does train very hard.

“The amount of hours they put in on the bike to build up the endurance is just phenomenal. If you calculated the hours she has done, most people probably wouldn’t believe it. We always knew she had it in her. I am sure she will say this herself that the cycling was an outlet for her and a way to get back into sport in general,” he noted.

Richael will be competing on August 29th and 31st on the track before hitting the road on September 4th and 7th. As the Paralympic Games draw closer, the focus on flights, accommodation and tickets has become even more pronounced. Richael even set up a WhatsApp group for her family to organise themselves and have discussions about obtaining tickets.

Ross admits the group chat has seen a whirlwind of action in recent weeks especially as the demand for tickets from friends continues to increase. The 31-year-old believes supporters being permitted to attend events at these Games after an inability to do so in Tokyo is a major boost for Richael.

He credits the support of people in Ballymoe and the surrounding areas in generating the hype ahead of Richael’s second Paralympic Games.

“The group was a great idea because you might have people on to me and Rónán (Ross’ younger brother) and it could get confusing. With the road race, you don’t need tickets for that. You just find a spot on the side of the road. With the velodrome you have to have your tickets sorted.

“The organisers have a page for the selling of the tickets so every Thursday, tickets are released. Then there is a resale page. The last month or two we have been constantly looking on that page to get tickets for everyone. Once they pop up you must buy them straight away. Every week you have enough tickets and then you get a message from someone else saying they might go over. It only adds to the excitement of it.

“Recently, I was passing through the village (Ballymoe) and there were lots of flags out and well wishes. Compared to Tokyo, you can get excited because we can go this time. The excitement was there for Tokyo but the atmosphere was different. The buzz is really starting to build up now,” he concluded.