A GAA coach and former handball world champion has been selected to replace the outgoing west Belfast Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann.
Aisling Reilly, a 32-year-old coach at St Paul's GAC, will take over the seat in the coming days.
Mr McCann announced earlier this week that he is stepping down from front-line politics due to ill health.
A former pupil at Coláiste Feirste, Ms Reilly is a fluent Irish speaker and hold multiple titles from her successes in handball, including world and all-Ireland accolades.
Speaking following her selection to fill the Assembly seat, she said: "As a community activist, I am passionate about ensuring our community has a strong voice reflecting the needs of families and workers.
Sinn Féin deputy first minister Michelle O'Neill said: "It is particularly fantastic to have a proud Gaelgeoir who has emerged from the flourishing Irish medium schools of west Belfast on our team".
