Countdown for Sara and Natalya
Meath women Sara Treacy and Natalya Coyle will be focused on success at the Olympic Games over the next 10 days or so, but they have featured together frequently in their sporting endeavours so why should a trip to Brazil be any different?
Sara Treacy from Moynalvey and Natalya Coyle from Tara.
Sara and Natalya played together when they were children.
They were in the Meath Pony Club together,
They were at secondary school together
They played hockey together.
Now they will compete at the Olympic Games together for Ireland - one in the 3,000m steeplechase and the other in the Modern Pentathlon.
Natalya’s brother Charles was on the same Moynalvey / Kilcloon AC team as Sara for the Meath Track & Field Championships at Claremont Stadium in Navan some 14 years ago (see photo).
Sara’s brother Daniel, now a senior footballer with Moynalvey, was on the same team.
The girls would cross paths again at secondary school in King’s Hospital where they were colleagues on the hockey team.
They would also cross paths regularly at the Meath Sports Awards over the last four years.
Both ladies were monthly award winners in 2012.
Natalya won another monthly award in 2013.
Sara took the accolade in 2014.
Then, in 2015, both took ladies won monthly awards again.
Natalya for January 2015 and Sara for February.
This year, Natalya has already received a nomination, Sara Treacy has yet to make it, but the Birmingham-based doctor has time to deliver on that front also.
Sara will be first into action this weekend.
SCHEDULE FOR SARA AND NATALYA
SATURDAY 13th AUGUST (Sara)
First round 3,000m steeplechase, 2.05pm.
MONDAY 15th AUGUST
Final - 3,000m steeplechase, 3.05pm.
THURSDAY 18th AUGUST (Natalya)
Modern Pentathlon - women’s fencing 2pm.
FRIDAY 19th AUGUST
Modern Pentathlon - women’s swimming 4pm; bonus fencing 6pm; showjumping 7.30pm; combined running and shooting 10pm.
CAPTION FOR PHOTO
Sara Treacy with the Moynalvey / Kilcloon team at the Meath Track & Field Championships. Back (from left) - Brian Mitchell, Fodhla Treacy, Owen Byrne, Charles Coyle; front - Mairead Kenny, Domhnall O'Hanlon, Sara Treacy, Daniel Treacy.