Kilkenny hockey player reaches big milestone

Happy birthday to Kilkenny Hockey Club Ladies’ First team regular Niamh Spratt O’Shea, who turned 50 last Monday.

She celebrated her big day, then donned the black and amber on Tuesday night to play a match for the Ladies Firsts against Three Rock Rovers Firsts.

Niamh first represented Kilkenny as a schoolgirl in the ’90s and has been a regular on the Ladies Firsts since returning to Kilkenny in 2008.

She has represented the club at provincial and Irish Masters level, coaches underage girls hockey in the club and has been a driving force behind the establishment and coaching of the Inclusive Hockey group for children with intellectual disabilities.

Through her research and work at SETU Carlow, coaching, volunteering and playing, Niamh embodies her belief that sport and physical activity should be accessible to all, regardless of age, gender or ability