Sport

Lynn Hanna Short bows out after incredible career

THE curtain came down on an outstanding water polo career this week when Lynn Hanna Short announced that she was retiring after an adventure that has lasted for 34 years.

Everything at home that could be won was achieved.

She went to the Commonwealth tournament in Manchester in 2002 and played in European Club Championships with Brugha.

A regular on the Ireland team for many years,including a spell as captain,she played her last international just two years ago at the age of forty-two.

Lynn was born into water polo as the youngest child of Gerry "Big G" and Alice Hanna,she still works out on a regular basis with five of her nephews who all play for Brugha.

In her early years Brugha didn't have a big female section but that was to change dramatically when Lynn and her friends persuaded the Club management to enter a team in the National League.

They were undeterred by some heavy early defeats and even had a celebration when they scored their first goal.

In a short space of time however they developed into a strong competitive unit that would go on to win three Irish Senior Cups and National League titles.

Lynn has been a great ambassador for women in sport and happily she will not be lost to water polo as she is in the process acquiring her coaching badges.

Just a few weeks back she was a very popular assistant coach to the Brugha team that won the Irish U15 Cup in Galway.

Daughter Polly was part of that squad and with young sons Paddy and Leon at Fundamentals and under nine sessions there will not be much free time in the Short household.

Husband and dad Gary as a former player with Clanrye from Newry and Brugha completes a very sporting family.

The Ireland boys u.15 team picked up the Bronze medals when they finished third in their section of the ASA championships in Liverpool last week.

The girls competition is being played his weekend at Mill Hill in Somerset.