Declan Ryan (IRL), with his guide runner, competing in the World Para 2019 London Marathon. Declan finished 16th in a time of 02:45:42
Declan Ryan (IRL), with his guide runner, competing in the World Para 2019 London Marathon. Declan finished 16th in a time of 02:45:42A Thurles Crokes athlete who has been described as ' the biggest inspiration in the club' has been lauded for his bravery and his ability to leapfrog the many obstacles life has thrown at him. Clonoulty Rossmore parishioner Declan Ryan, who ran his 11th marathon in Dublin in October in a time - knocking eight minutes off his personal best - is an integral part of the Thurles Crokes club team which won county championships in novice, intermediate and 10 mile road championships while he has also competed in cross country championships in extremely mucky and rough terrain. So, what makes Declan so inspirational? Why are his achievements even more noteworthy than normal? Quite simply because a genetic eye disorder has rendered him practically blind, but the heavy cross he carries has not been allowed to weigh him down. Back in 1997 when the former Gairm Scoil Mhuire, Thurles student, was 18 and was studying in his first year in UCD for an engineering degree, he was diagnosed with Lebers Optic Apthropy, a genetic eye disorder which left him with 8% vision. He tried to continue with his studies but at the time it proved to be too difficult so he returned home to reassess his situation and figure how what to do next. At the time his father was a licensed horse trainer and Declan always had a love of horses so he started working with him. He would spend so much time with the horses getting to know them and the training area, that he ended up doing most of the riding of the horses which to this day continues to amaze all his family and friends. In 2006 he was successful in securing a place as a mature student in the University of Limerick and in 2009 he graduated top of his class with a first class honours Degree in Equine Science.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: North Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, United Kingdom
Photo credit: © John Gaffen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 16th, 2019, athlete, athletic, athletics, cabot, colonnade, competitor, crokes, declan, distance, dogs, elite, endurance, famous, guide, impared, irish, irl, isle, london, long, long-distance, marathon, north, para, race, racing, railings, road, run, runner, running, ryan, shoes, shorts, spectators, square, t11/12, t12, thurles, vest, visually
