Keeping Sport In The Family – Susan & Holly Mulholland: Happy Mother’s Day

In the lead up to Mother’s Day on Sunday 14th March, getactiveabc is interviewing three local and talented female sports mums and their daughters. Our second mum and daughter sporting combo is Susan Mulholland and her daughter Holly. Mum is coach to Holly, a former pupil of Lismore Comprehensive and NI hurdles champion. Susan and Holly both say that living near Craigavon Lakes has been crucial in their ability to train during lockdown. Read on…

MUM: Susan Mulholland

Sport:  I have always loved sport and many, many years ago I was involved in gymnastics and diving

How have you been involved with your daughter in their chosen sport? I started taking Holly to her training sessions in Jordanstown and The Mary Peters track and then went on to get my qualifications to enable me to coach Holly.

What advice have you given them from your own sporting days? The best piece of advice I have given Holly is to always give 100% in training sessions

What support do you give them with their sporting activity?  As well as being Holly’s coach, I have tried as a mum to always be there for her during good and bad times, helping her deal with disappointment as well as celebrating her wins and achievements.

Has participating in sport together or being involved with the same club helped your relationship? Do you have any arguments lol? We have had loads of great times together traveling around Ireland, Scotland and England and our involvement and shared interest in athletics has made us very close. Arguments, well what can I say, she is a teenager at the end of the day!

How have you coped during lockdown and have you been able to carry on with any sports activities? We have had to compromise with our sessions but thankfully, living close to the Craigavon Lakes, we were able to do our hills/ sprint sessions. We have tried to stick to a routine and our training days stayed the same.

How do you spend Mother’s Day and do you get to put your feet up and be pampered? My hubby will cook me a lovely Sunday dinner and the kids will help me finish the chocolate!

DAUGHTER: Holly Mulholland

Sport: Athletics [hurdles]

Club: City of Lisburn Athletic Club

How did you get involved with your sport? Through sports days in primary school. I realised I enjoyed running.

What sporting achievements are you most proud of ?  I was thrilled at breaking the All Ireland record in hurdles that had been held for 14 years. I’m also proud to say I have held the NI title for hurdles for the last 5 years, both indoors and outdoors. My most memorable competition was when I came third in the UK school games.

What influence has your mum been in your sports up until now? My mum has always pushed me during training and competitions and encouraged me to always do my best and to be happy, no matter the outcome.

Has participating in sport together or being involved with the same club helped your relationship? Do you have any arguments lol? We have had our ups and down as most mums and daughters but have great memories of traveling together to competitions around the UK.

How have you coped during lockdown and have you been able to carry on with any sports activities? I found it hard at times to get motivated for sessions as I have always enjoyed my sessions at the Mary Peter’s Track but with lockdown that wasn’t possible. However, I continued on with training and was lucky I lived close to the Craigavon lakes to do most sessions. My training schedule didn’t change, unfortunately I wasn’t able to run over the hurdles but was still able to do my drills.

How do you normally spend Mother’s Day and do you spoil and pamper your mum? What are the plans for this year or is that a surprise?  Yes, my mum will be spoilt and the plan will be a surprise!

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Getactiveabc would like to wish Susan and all mums across the borough a very happy Mother’s Day 👏👏👏 💐💐💐