TV: Cork duo fighting for sporting success
A new three-part documentary series, Cailíní Comhraic, starting on RTÉ1 on Monday at 8pm, shines a spotlight on some of these pioneers.
Among the women celebrated are Cork duo Rosa Walsh, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor at the top of her game, and Christina Desmond, a boxer who we follow as she embarks on a mission to secure her place on the national team for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
The series aims to capture the highs and lows of women at all ages and abilities as they push themselves to their limits in boxing, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and karate.
Christina features in the first episode, while we also follow Rosa as she trains relentlessly in preparation for the European Brazilian jiu jitsu trials.
Meanwhile, in the world of karate, the spotlight is on Mary O’Neill, a third-dan sensei who opened the first female-run martial arts school in Donegal
In th programme, she attends her first karate competition of the year, ready to prove herself on the mat.
Later in the series, there is a profile of Sienna Ní Shúilleabháin, a member of Club Dornálaíochta Chonamara, where she is coached by her mother Julie Devane.
Walsh became the youngest female Irish Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt ever, at just 25 years old, as well as setting a record for being the first female black belt from Cork.
Desmond, a native of Cill na Matra, boxed with the local Macroom boxing club and is also a Garda. She has been hailed as one of Cork’s best ever boxers.
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