16 Maeve Gallagher Going for Gold Pharmacy student Maeve talks about juggling pharmacy with her elite achievements International Triathlete Maeve Gallagher wears many hats. Not only is she a member of the Triathlon Elite Squad, she is also studying to join the world of pharmacy.

Mayo’s Maeve Gallagher, Pharmacy Student and international Triathlete

19 year-old Maeve, who hails from Maeve credits a strong work Representing Ireland “I managed one better in 2019 by Mayo, has always had a keen ethic, created by her parents who emphasised the importance of in Dakar in Senegal. I have amazing She explains, “From a young hard work from a young age, for something special by representing memories from travelling to races age I always had an interest in Ireland in 3 separate European in places such as , Pharmacy. I was a kind; caring Championships in Cycling, , Estonia and Russia with child and I remember setting up “I love a challenge and there Triathlon and Cross country team Ireland and also competing in my own outdoor plant pharmacy is no better one than trying to running. Now at the age of 19, she the Tokyo Olympics test event in 2019 as part of the mixed at the age of 7. I was selling dock study a demanding course along has 24 National titles in cycling, team relay.” leaf ointments and plasters to my with training for three sports,” athletics, and triathlon. she says. “I am very lucky that I brothers who destroyed their legs She continues, “When I started It is her goal, she says, to represent from messing around outside! was awarded a Quercus Sports at 12, I continued to train Ireland at the Olympics. “My sights Scholarship from UCC and the are set on Paris 2024. At the and get better with age. I was part “This interest grew during my support and assistance I have moment I am focused on continuing transition year work experience received from this scholarship of the Triathlon Ireland emerging representing Ireland in various in secondary school, I spent time has been vital in helping me talent programme and at 16 I was World and European Cup races.” with Gary Smyth in Heneghan’s balance my studies and selected to become a member of Pharmacy in Kiltimagh and with sporting demands.” the High-Performance squad At the time of talking to Irish Nuala and Ian Johnson in Total after competing in local triathlons Pharmacy News, Maeve was in Health Pharmacy Swinford. In tandem with her passion for in Ireland. This allowed me to go where she raced in the pharmacy, Maeve’s love of sport to international competitions 2021 European Triathlon Championship having achieved also began from an early age. for Ireland. placements and I loved seeing the She adds, “I have always been 22nd in U23 category. attention to detail required and incredibly involved in sport and how each pharmacist carefully started off playing both Gaelic in 2017, age 16 and it was advised every customer, it was a football and soccer for Mayo when Pharmacist Kevin Kelly and the team community helping each other at European Medal in a Triathlon Cup from Kelly’s Pharmacy, Carlow its best.” athletics club age 5 and I fell in in Romania placing second. love with the sport straight away. And it seems pharmacy and athleticism runs in the family. “I took part in the Community Maeve adds, “My cousin, Sinead Games from U6 up to U16 winning Jennings, who is an Olympian, I loved racing cross country and has been a role model for me in 1500m track races where I picked both sport and academic terms. I up numerous All-Ireland titles, achieved the points to gain entry out of a pure love for the sport. In to the MSc Pharmacy programme swimming and cycling clubs in Castlebar and discovered the sport the course content so far.” of triathlons.”

PHARMACYNEWSIRELAND.COM 17

Maeve Gallagher, focused on the future

Focusing on the Future pharmacy is changing at present. up like this that allows a customer Since the rollout of the Covid-19 Like every career there are going to vaccines in the local pharmacy pharmacist. I would also love to be challenges for pharmacy. “The stores I believe more day-to-day see more pharmacies specialise in speed at which new technology, different areas. methodologies and pharmaceutics medical treatments can be offered within the pharmacy setting. “As I am very passionate about (Sponser Sports Food) continues sport, I teamed up with Kevin “I like the introduction of the to support Irish Dairy Farmers Kelly’s Pharmacy in Carlow However she adds, “I really believe consulting room within the close to U.C.C. where Maeve who are Ireland's No.1 sports this is a truly rewarding career pharmacy, and I would love to studies. They use Irish Whey path to follow and the world of see more opportunities opened pharmacy, and I am a brand ambassador for the Sponser produced in Carbery, Co. Cork Sports nutritional products which as the main ingredient in their the pharmacy provides. Kevin has Pro Recovery Product Range. been exceptional in advising me Kevin looks forward to Maeve on different Sponser products to qualifying as a Pharmacist as she use, focusing on recovery, energy has promised to locum for all of providing and overall health and his holidays. Maeve is a upcoming vitality. It has been a pleasure star in Irish Triathlon and highly working with them and I highly rated by Sponser Sports Drink recommend visiting Kevin Kelly’s to () who have Nicola get professional advice on suitable Spirig [World Champion Triathlete] nutritional supplements tailored to as their Brand Ambassador. each individual’s needs.” “Equally important, we are Pharmacist Kevin adds, “We are delighted that Sponser Sports delighted to have Maeve as our Drinks continues to support Irish Brand Ambassador for Sponser Dairy Farmers by using Irish Whey Sports Drinks and to assist her as their main ingredient in their with our expertise and with our Pro Recovery Products range. Sponser Sports Drinks. Maeve is Maeve has promised to do all my a star in Irish Triathlon and is very holiday cover for the next number highly rated by Sponser Sports of years!” Drinks (Switzerland ) whose Brand With the athletics and pharmacy Ambassador is Nicola Spirig (World world very much at her feet, where Champion Triathlete). Maeve is wonderful ambassador for Irish Sport, The Pharmacy Profession my Pharmacy degree and to be and a wonderful Role Model for a full-time professional athlete young girls especially. Kevin is very representing Ireland at International proud that this Swiss company races,” she tells us. “I would also like to be an advocate for younger girls allowing them to realise that if they work hard and pursue what they love they can achieve both in the Kelly’s Pharmacy, Carlow sporting and academic world.”

PHARMACYNEWSIRELAND.COM