Cailíní Comhraic Shines Spotlight on Extraordinary Irish Women in Combat Sports
Date Posted: March 21, 2025
Mná Misniúla na hÉireann sna Spóirt Chomhraic i Lár an Aonaigh ar Shraith Faisnéise Nua
Is sraith úr faisnéise bhreathnaitheach trí chlár é ‘Cailíní Comhraic’, sraith inspioráideach a dhíríonn ar mhná sin na hÉireann atá ag briseadh talamh úr sna spóirt chomhraic. Fiosraítear na cora móra a thiteann amach i saol na mban seo – mná de gach aois agus ar gach leibhéal cumais agus iad ag obair agus ag traenáil ar theann a ndíchill ina gcuid spóirt féin.
Is é Below the Radar TV a léirigh an tsraith ar son RTÉ agus fuarthas tacaíocht ó Chiste Craoltóireachta Gaeilge Scáileán Thuaisceart Éireann (ILBF). Craolfar an chéad chlár de ‘Cailíní Comhraic’ ar RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Player, ar an Luan 24 Márta ag 8 i.n.
Idir lúthchleasaithe seanbhunaithe agus réaltaí óga, leanann Cailíní Comhraic turais na mban iontach seo agus iad ag briseadh steiréitíopaí ina smidiríní le linn dóibh misneach gan sárú a léiriú agus lorg láidir á fhágáil acu ar dhomhan iomaíoch na spórt comhraic.
Leanann an tsraith seo grúpa inspioráideach ban sna spóirt chomhraic in Éirinn.
Is dan sensei den tríú céim í Mary O’Neill, agus tá tús curtha aici le ré nua iontach ina saol: tá a cumann ealaíne comhraic féin curtha ar bun aici, an chéad chumann riamh atá á reáchtáil ag mná i nDún na nGall. Leanfaimid í agus í ag tabhairt aghaidh ar na dúshláin agus ar na buaicphointí a thagann i gceist sa chéad bhliain den ghnó úr.
Is as Corcaigh ó dhúchas do Christina Desmond, agus is ball seanbhunaithe d’fhoireann Oilimpeach dornálaíochta na hÉireann í. Tá sí ar a dícheall áit a bhaint amach ar an bhfoireann náisiúnta do Chluichí Oilimpeacha 2024.
Corcaíoch eile í an réalta óg Rosa Walsh, agus beimid léi sa Chróit ag na trialacha Eorpacha sa Jú-Jiotsú Brasaíleach, áit a mbeidh sí ag troid dá céad chraobh dhomhanda. Ar deireadh, buailfimid le Julie agus Sienna, máthair agus iníon lán fuinnimh as Conamara. Tá Sienna ar thóir a haislinge – craobh dornálaíochta na hÉireann a bhaint den chéad uair riamh – agus bíonn a máthair Julie ag tacú léi feadh an aistir ar fad.
Seo mar a labhair stiúrthóir na sraithe, Seán Ó Baoill agus é ag trácht ar thaifeadadh na sraithe féin:
“Ní hé amháin go mbaineann Cailíní Comhraic leis an spairn sa chró nó ar an mata, ach tá misneach, uaillmhian agus íobairtí na mban seo atá ar thóir a n-aislingí ina n-orlaí tríd chomh maith. Tá lúcháir orainn go mbeidh na lúthchleasaithe iontacha seo agus a scéalta pearsanta féin i lár an aonaigh.”
New Series Shines Spotlight on Extraordinary Irish Women in Combat Sports
‘Cailíní Comhraic’, is an inspiring new 3-part observational documentary series for RTÉ focusing on Irish women breaking boundaries in combat sports. The series explores the highs and lows of women at all ages and abilities as they push themselves to their limits in their individual sports.
Produced by Below the Radar TV for RTÉ and supported by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF), the first episode of ‘Cailíní Comhraic’ will broadcast on RTÉ ONE & RTÉ Player on Monday 24th of March at 8pm.
From seasoned athletes to rising stars, Cailíní Comhraic captures the journeys of these remarkable women as they shatter stereotypes, show incredible grit, and make their mark in the competitive world of combat sports.
The series follows an inspiring group of women in Irish combat sports.
Mary O’Neill, a third-dan sensei from Donegal, is embarking on an exciting new chapter, starting her own martial arts club, the first female-run club in Donegal. We follow her through the challenges and triumphs of her first year in business.
Christina Desmond, a Cork native and seasoned member of the Irish Olympic boxing team, is on a mission to secure her place on the national team for the 2024 Olympics.
Meanwhile, rising star Rosa Walsh, also from Cork, takes us to the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu European trials in Croatia as she fights for a chance to win her first world title.
Also, we meet Julie and Sienna, a dynamic mother-daughter duo from Connemara. Sienna is chasing her dream of winning her first All-Ireland boxing title, with her mother Julie by her side every step of the way.
Reflecting on the making of the series, Director Seán Ó Baoill said:
“Cailíní Comhraic isn’t just about what happens in the ring or on the mat, it’s about resilience, ambition, and the sacrifices these women make to chase their dreams. It was a pleasure to shine a spotlight on these incredible athletes and their personal journeys.”
