Sports Year in Review 2020: April

By Hayden Moore 

AMIDST all of the uncertainty of the COVID-19 crises, athletes around South Dublin continued to train and prepare for a return to action in what increasingly appeared to be a decimated season for all sports.

One of Ireland’s top international canoeists Peter Egan spoke to The Echo about his experience after contracting COVID-19 and the importance of respecting the HSE guidelines.

The Lucan man, who captured gold at the ICF World Masters Canoe Marathon Championships in China, asked the public to “look at people on the front line who have lost their lives”.

The effects of the pandemic on the economy began to be really felt in sport throughout the country and that was illustrated when St Patrick’s Athletic were forced to temporarily release their playing and coaching staff.

Athletes such as badminton player Kate Frost, boxer George Bates, canoeist Jenny Egan, swimmer Brendan Hyland and runner Nadia Power kept working throughout the lockdown with the hopes of building up to qualification for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo and/or 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

For a full look back at June visit The Echo’s website HERE, where all editions from 2020 are free to read online until January 31.