Tipperary Rose Lynda makes it through to Tralee finals
Tipperary Rose and former international rugby player Lynda Kelly scored another big victory at the weekend, when she was selected to go forward to the final of the Rose of Tralee International Festival.
The glamorous 26-year-old was among only six of 29 contestants to qualify from the Irish Regional Final, which was held during a fun-packed festival weekend in Portlaoise.
A native of Tipperary Town, Lynda is now looking forward to being interviewed by television personality Daithi O S in the final of the world famous competition, which will be held at The Dome in Tralee next August.
The six Roses who qualified at the Irish Regional Final on Sunday night, who included women from Down, Carlow, Laois, Leitrim and Belfast, will be joined by 25 other contestants from Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Dubai.
Managing Director of the Rose of Tralee festival, Anthony O'Gara, congratulated Lynda and every one of the Roses who represented their communities at the weekend.
He said: "All the Roses are extraordinary women and they are a credit to their families. We hope this will be a life-altering experience for them all."
A long-time fan of the Rose of Tralee festival, Lynda teaches Management and Organisational Studies at the Garda Training College in Templemore and holds a degree in Psychology and a Master's in Work and Organisational Psychology from NUI Maynooth.
A talented and successful sportswoman, she was the first female to be named Athlete of the Year (2003) at NUI Maynooth, while she was playing for Munster and Ireland in senior ladies' rugby, and gained an international cap in the 2003 Six Nations against Cardiff. Her sister Patrique also played rugby for Ireland for eight years.
Lynda's interest in rugby was fostered by her father Pat, who was always deeply involved with Kilfeacle Rugby Club in a variety of roles, including player, coach and manager. Both father and daughter also played with Clanwilliam Rugby Club.
Although Lynda had to retire prematurely from rugby due to a back injury, she is still an avid sportswoman and plays basketball with the Tipp Tornadoes team, as well as hockey with the Tipperary Titans.
A daughter of Pat and Antoinette Kelly from Springfield on the old Limerick Road, Lynda will be supported at the Rose of Tralee festival by her sisters Patrique and Rhea as well as other family members and friends.
Also representing the county at the Rose of Tralee finals will be 29-year-old solicitor Odhran Lloyd from Moyne, who was selected as Tipperary escort last month.
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Weather for Clonmel
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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