Phil Healy's athlete sister praises her European silver medal

11 days ago

EVOKE

Phil Healy is an integral part of the Irish running team, making headlines at the moment for putting the country on the world athletics stage.

The Cork native's older sister Joan Healy, who is also a runner, opened up on how proud she is of her sister, and Team Ireland.

On Tuesday night Phil, alongside Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, and Sharlene Mawdsley, won a European silver medal for Ireland in the women's 4x400m relay in Rome.

Rhasidat Adeleke, Sophie Becker, Phil Healy, and Sharlene Mawdsley. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

But Joan explained that the girl's winning streak isn't due to 'an overnight success.'

'These girls have been working so hard for so many years. But we all knew that there was a chance last night so it was just so exciting and it was just a brilliant sight to see,' the Ballineen native said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

Phil Healy and Joan Healy. Pic: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

Joan also credits her parents for her younger sister's international success.

'We're a family of runners, we're down here in Cork, and we don't have as many facilities as some parts around the country and we've had to travel up and down to Dublin quite a bit and travelling abroad a lot', she explained.

Phil Healy (centre) and her sister Joan Healy (left). Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

'But they've been with us every step of the way and they've been supporting us and they've been at every race, every championship, and either of us and especially Phil wouldn't be here without them.

'I spoke to my mom straight after the race and she was hysterical but it was an amazing thing for them to see because they've been with us since we started athletics when we were 10 and 11.'

Joan Healy (left) and Phil Healy (right) with their mother Phil. Pic: Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile

Speaking after the race, Phil, 29, who has battled back from a thyroid condition that had her contemplating retirement last year, spoke about how the silver medal 'makes the last few tough years worthwhile'.

Phil told RTE's David Gillick: 'I'm not gonna lie, I definitely contemplated retiring last summer many, many times and I stuck with it and it makes it all worth it for special moments like this... [it] makes the last tough few tough years so worthwhile.

Joan Healy (left) and Phil Healy (right) with Ciara Neville (centre). Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

She continued: 'This is just stuff of dreams. This is what we train for. This is just so, so special.'

Phil previously made athletics history as the first Irish female athlete to compete in three track and field events at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.