When it’s perhaps least expected, you derive more satisfaction.
And that could be how Róisín Ní Riain reflected on the gold and silver she won at the recent World Para Swimming European Championships in Turkey.
Not a bad way to round off the season then. That was a fortnight ago and now it’s a chance to unwind.
The Limerick native and medallist from the 2024 Paralympic Games, speaking at an even to mark the launch of SPAR and EUROSPAR’S Community Sports Fund, was a figure of contentment as she recalled her latest, if somewhat unexpected, medal haul.
“It was a very successful week for me and I think I went into that competition with less expectation than I would have had in the past,” she told RTÉ Sport.
Róisín Ní Riain was speaking at a Spar event
“I had a shoulder injury for a good part of the season, so it was tough this year. I’ve been blessed so far, never really been injured. It was more mental than physical, not being able to race or compete for a while.
“I put in a lot of time on the bike, a new side for me! It was all about managing things to see could we get to the end of the season.
“Going to Turkey I was looking forward to getting out, getting good races. And the week for me started well, and it just got better after that.
“Taking a silver in the 100m freestyle was very unexpected. To follow it up the following day and become European champion in the 100m backstroke, to retain that, that was the cherry on top.
“I came way from that championships really, really happy.”
Season over and Ní Riain is back in UL where she is in her final year of her degree programme in pharmaceutical chemistry.
Not only that, she has a promise to keep.
“Three weeks completely out of the pool is what we agreed on,” she revealed.
“I haven’t been in the pool for over a week and that potentially could be the longest I’ve been out of the pool in my career.
“Typically in my off season I would go in and swim at least once a week. I’m really focusing on giving my body a rest. I’ve got on the bike for 30 minutes yesterday and that’s the only exercise I’ve done in the last two weeks.
“That’s different for me, usually I’ll be quite an active person even in my off season. I’m focusing now on giving my body the rest that it needs.
“I’m back in college, living a college life, more than I normally would be. I’m actually going to all my classes, so putting my focus into that. My team-mates competed earlier than me so they’re back now. I’ll follow a similar path shortly. Start off with five swim sessions a week, then add one in every week thereafter.
“It’s about building that aerobic base through the winter months. I may have some training camps, not quite sure yet. There will be a a few racing opportunities here in Ireland.
“For now I’m nearly two months into my off season and I’m really enjoying it.”
“I’m always confident in myself when I go out to perform; I always think I have put in the work”
The serious business will crank up again early in the new year, all ahead of the Worlds next August and seeking qualification for LA 2028.
There is a slight shift in Ní Riain’s tone when you mention Paralympic qualification, a steely determination emerges.
“I always have confidence in myself, confidence is key,” the 21-year-old remarked on the challenge ahead.
“We’ll have the World Championships, start of our qualification, so 2027 is a big year, big focus on that.
“It’s about how I can now deliver my performance next August to get myself a slot in LA, so guaranteeing my place at the Paralympics.
“You have to be able to perform on the day to get there. I need to go out and earn my slot.
“Qualification is quite tough. I’m always confident in myself when I go out to perform; I always think I have put in the work, I’m a really hard worker and train to the best of my ability. You need to back yourself and every time I get up behind the blocks I’ll have that confidence in myself.
“When I was kid I wouldn’t have seen girls like me, girls with a visual impairment performing. For the younger generation coming up to be able to see people with disabilities in sport performing at the highest level, winning medals on the global stage, that is also a driver for me. We have come so far but I think we can grow my sport even more.
“I remain as driven as ever to succeed.”
No shortage of focus then and the expectation there to deliver come August 2028. That, no doubt, will garner even greater satisfaction than was the case after Ní Riain latest step on to the podium.