Orlaith Boylan arrived home to Dublin Airport two weeks ago to cheers and celebrations as the Irish Masters Over 55 women's basketball team proudly brought back a Bronze Medal from the FIMBA Masters European Championships in Malaga.

Orlaith who works as a Clerical Manager in the Dublin Mails Centre, is still absorbing the huge win for the Irish team after their success at the Europeans. 

"It was a huge honour to represent my country and it was such a great experience. Never did I imagine I would be playing for my country at 55, I was so happy when I was selected to play four months ago."

The Irish Masters team trained hard beforehand, getting together 3 times a week in preparation for the challenge of the tough championships. 

"There were 180 teams participating in age groups from Over 35 to Over 75," explains Orlaith. "Competition was extremely good so to bring home a medal was a major achievement."

Playing Masters basketball for the last 15 years, Orlaith travels abroad with the Irish team for tournaments as well as competing around Ireland. 

And buoyed up with their medal success, the team are already preparing for their next tournament in Venice. 

"It's a hard life for us ballers!" laughs Orlaith, who plays in what she calls her 'lucky number 7' Ireland jersey.  

"Playing in the Masters is a great way to keep playing a game I love and the social aspect is good too, I have made so many friends. 

"As players we always hope that younger players will keep going as they get older or return to basketball at a later stage."

Orlaith is someone who firmly believes that age is just a number and her positive mindset and enthuasism would inspire anyone thinking of going back to something they love. 

"The reason we grow old is not because we slow down, it's because we stop moving," she says. And with a fantastic bronze medal for Ireland, Orlaith is certainly proof of that!

Congratulations to Orlaith and the Irish Masters Over 55 team! 👏