Kate O'Connor describes the unique relationship with her father and coach Michael as a "complicated dynamic" that somehow works beautifully. The 25-year-old heptathlete has been coached by her father since age 10, and their partnership has yielded remarkable success.
O'Connor burst onto the global stage in 2025 with four medals: gold at the World University Games, silver at both the World Indoor and Outdoor Championships, and bronze at the European Indoor Championships. She credits her father's multifaceted role — agent, coach, and dad — for her achievements.
"He's the middle man that organises things and decides when I have days off to do sponsors stuff. I know he's fully on my side and understands both sides of being an athlete," she said.
However, the emotional intensity can be challenging during competitions. When she injured her knee at the World Championships in Tokyo, seeing her father's distress added to the pressure. "When something is slightly derailing me he does his best to give me pep talks... you can see how much it means to him too," she explained.
O'Connor also admitted to taking success for granted after her stellar 2025 season. Winning bronze at the World Indoors in March — despite setting a new Irish record — felt disappointing initially but served as a reality check.
"Last year I maybe started to take the medals for granted... it was a check in my brain that these medals don't come by that easy," she said. "I know I have to turn up and show up to secure anything."
With the Commonwealth Games and European Championships approaching, O'Connor is focused and motivated to continue her upward trajectory.