Rory O'Neill (aka Panti Bliss)
Panti Bliss at home with his Mum, former Connaught Secretary
Rory O'Neill (aka Panti Bliss) took some time out to chat to us about his time in Community Games
Did you ever compete in Community Games and if so in what sport did you enjoy competing ?
Yes, I did compete. In everything from the long jump to the hurdles! But I even got as far as the National Ffinals in Mosney in the art competition.
What was it like living at home with The Connaught Secetary as your mother ( non stop phone calls / birthcerts / attending finals ) , in general a mad house?
When your Mam is Connaught Secretary, the Community Games is a big part of your family life. She was always coming and going to meetings, organising fundraisers, dealing with disputes, and piling sports gear and county flags into the car. We would always go with her to the Mayo County Finals and the Connaught finals and be put to work helping out whatever way we could, while also trying to get away for a bit to cheer on local favourites.
Can you give the young people of today a few lines of encouragement in believing in themselves !!
To do well in the Community Games you need to train hard - but you also ned to enjoy it. And that's a life lesson. Find what you love to do, and then work hard at it. Then anything is possible.
Thanks a million Rory!! We couldn't agree more!
Did you ever compete in Community Games and if so in what sport did you enjoy competing ?
Yes, I did compete. In everything from the long jump to the hurdles! But I even got as far as the National Ffinals in Mosney in the art competition.
What was it like living at home with The Connaught Secetary as your mother ( non stop phone calls / birthcerts / attending finals ) , in general a mad house?
When your Mam is Connaught Secretary, the Community Games is a big part of your family life. She was always coming and going to meetings, organising fundraisers, dealing with disputes, and piling sports gear and county flags into the car. We would always go with her to the Mayo County Finals and the Connaught finals and be put to work helping out whatever way we could, while also trying to get away for a bit to cheer on local favourites.
Can you give the young people of today a few lines of encouragement in believing in themselves !!
To do well in the Community Games you need to train hard - but you also ned to enjoy it. And that's a life lesson. Find what you love to do, and then work hard at it. Then anything is possible.
Thanks a million Rory!! We couldn't agree more!
