St Joseph’s NS and the lovehacketstown group joined forces to welcome home their native Molly Scott from the European Indoor Athletics Championship 2021. Locals and the children from St Joseph’s NS were very excited to speak to Molly about her experience representing Ireland in the women’s 60m sprint where she recorded 7.37 in a powerful race.

Keeping her social distance and having received negative covid tests following her return from Poland Molly was welcomed with open arms and a giant size poster made by the students in St Joseph’s NS. At an outdoor gathering, the teachers and children were delighted to congratulate Molly which followed by a question and answer session. The main question posed by the students was “How do you run so fast” to which Molly replied “With lots of training for the past 10 years”.  The second most popular question was “Can you give us a shout out the next time you are on telly”!

“We are super proud of Molly here at St. Joseph’s NS, she is an inspiration to all of us and a great role model for the students. Molly always takes time out of her busy schedule, training and studying to support events happening in the school”, commented Doireann Hester, St Joseph’s NS Principal and member of the lovehacketstown group.

Following the visit to the school Molly was treated to a coffee and refreshments from Hacketstown’s Ger Moorehead, Let’s Talk About Coffee and chatted to locals (socially distancing) about her experience in Poland.

“I am very grateful to everyone in Hacketstown for all their support. The poster made by the students in St Joseph’s was fantastic and holds pride of place in my home gym”, said Molly.

“We wish Molly every success and are behind here all the way.  It’s great for the community to meet their local Irish Athletics Champion and support her through her very exciting journey”, commented Paula Butler from the lovehacketstown group.