Shannon kelly

Having been involved in sport from a young age and growing up in my dad’s martial arts gym, I found triathlon during my medical school years with the aim to make more friends whilst gaining new skills in sport. Unfortunately, my triathlon journey ended as quickly as it began in 2019 when a routine screening showed a large clot in a chamber of my heart. A rare event which saw doctors unsure of what the future may bring. As a precaution I was kept in Hospital for weeks at a time, ingesting blood thinners daily and told I would most likely never do a triathlon again.  

A year off med school and sport, I filled my time with fostering animals and broadening my knowledge through reading and online courses. Finally, I got all clear to recommence my medical studies and sport just as covid hit. I quickly graduated and was thrown on the frontline as a Junior Doctor, working 45-hour weeks with night shifts, whilst juggling my love of triathlon.  

I started competing in 2021 where I won and podiumed on various National series/championship races. I then gained my first call up for Ireland to race elite in 2022. And a couple of months later, in 2023 I decided to give triathlon a primary focus to fulfil my curiosity about my potential in the sport. Highlights of my career on the short course Triathlon circuit include top 15 in European Championships in the MTR for Ireland. African Aquathlon Champion. World Beach Games Qualifier.  

Targeting big goals in 2024 unfortunately did not go to plan as in my first race of the season in Continental cup Pokra Nepal I broke my leg racing and was out for the rest of the season. The end of 2024, seen me return to my medical career in Oncology. Missing giving back to others I decided to return and give my body time to heal. 

In 2025 seen me return to sport whilst conquering longer distances in all three elements. I became Irish 10km National Senior Open water Gold Medallist. I also won a handful of home races on Irish soil and finished the year with a podium (2nd overall female) in Klassmark 30km Trail race, with 1000m elevation held in Girona, Spain.  

In 2026 I am to break into the Long-Distance Triathlon scene. Having never rode a TT bike before of completed the distance I am eager to see what I can achieve. I aim to place Ireland on the map in this even and hope to break some Irish records in the process. Watch this space!