Injury after injury and the long road back.

Virtually every dancer has had their own difficulties to overcome at some time during their Irish dancing journey. Some of these difficulties are illness related, some are injury related; some dancers have experienced terrible situations in their lives outside of Irish dancing. In this new series of Inspirational Dancer articles, FEIS App will be recognizing dancers who have been through journeys that have been more difficult than most. Why? Because no doubt many dancers will be able to relate to these dancers’ experiences. By sharing the stories of the extreme hardships some dancers have had to overcome, we can collectively feel uplifted by their courage and resilience.

Fionn O’Sullivan is a dancer who has experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows of Irish dancing. Fionn is a CLRG world champion. When we think of world champions, we tend to think of perfection. We think of people who just have to turn up, make it look so easy, and win. We may think of them almost as automatons and not as perfectly normal human beings who are experiencing similar difficulties to the rest of us.

Fionn (or Fionn James Michael O’Sullivan McCarthy) is from Ballysimon in county Limerick (Munster Region) and dances for the Flynn O’Kane Academy. His record of achievements so far is nothing short of incredible:

World Champion 2016

All Ireland Champion x3

North American National Champion

Great Britain Champion x5

Irish National Champion x4

All Scotland Champion x2

Munster Champion x7

But this success is just what the outside world sees. This is what people who aren’t aware of what has been going on in Fionn’s life see. It hasn’t always been bright lights and trophies for Fionn; he has suffered more than most for the sport that he loves so much.

Over the past three years Fionn has spent more time recovering from serious injuries than he has dancing. Just under three years ago Fionn started developing pain in both heels and was diagnosed with severe lesions. This put him out of action for 14 weeks during a significant period of the Irish dancing calendar. But with the world championships looming, Fionn had to lace up his shoes again regardless of how he was feeling and compete. At this stage the injury was worsening and so post-worlds he was advised not to dance for a further 10 weeks. That’s 24 weeks of a dancing calendar spent completely out of action!

Eventually the injury settled down and the pain subsided — Fionn was able to return to class. 8 weeks of dancing followed before another injury was to strike Fionn. This time it was a significant knee injury. Sinding Larsen Johansson Sydrome was the culprit — a condition where the pad underneath the kneecap becomes inflamed and extremely painful — Fionn had to follow doctor’s orders, and that meant another 8 weeks on the sidelines.

As he gradually recovered Fionn was able to ease his way back into class, and he decided to compete at his first feis in 8 months. It was at this feis that an injury occurred yet again and this time it was a torn TFL ligament. This was particularly worrying as Fionn could not lift his leg above his hip; but he had to keep dancing, as his regional qualifying was only a few weeks away. After winning his regional championship despite the pain, he thankfully experienced 6 months of dancing without injury.

In July of 2018 Fionn transferred to a new dancing school and shortly after tore his TFL again, this time it was much worse. He’d torn both hips and was out of action for seven months! It wouldn’t be until May 2019 that Fionn would dance on stage again. And guess what? Four days after this competition, his first in a year, he broke his fifth metatarsal in his foot. Another 13 weeks out of class followed.

What must that have felt like? Over the course of three years to only be able to do what he loved most for a fraction of the time. Repeatedly sustaining serious injuries can only have hindered Fionn’s ability to trust his own body, but Fionn remained mentally resilient and looked to understand why these things kept happening. He found answers, and it might sound strange, but he felt lucky. Virtually all of his injuries were growth related. His bones were growing at a faster rate than his muscles, and he was pushing his new taller body too hard, too soon. In the three years during which he had experienced recurring injuries Fionn had grown 14 inches! It was this rapid growth combined with his dancing that was causing injury to his body. Now Fionn was receiving physiotherapy — sometimes up to three times a week.

Fionn is quick to point out that he had (and has) a fantastic support network at home. “Ultimately, it was my parents who helped me the most. They knew exactly how I was feeling. I tried not to let my teachers know how despairing I was at times.”

We asked Fionn how the injuries had affected his mindset at the time.

“I don’t particularly like thinking or talking about those dark days, but if it helps other dancers then it is worthwhile. I had nobody to turn to who had also been through injuries long term. Injury had the biggest effect on me mentally, even more than how it affected me physically. I was unable to do what I love — travel to competitions, meet my dance friends and simply be in the world of Irish Dance. I felt rather alone despite the support I was receiving from family, friends, and teachers. I would spend time in my room wondering if this period of disappointment would ever end.

 Fionn with his 2019 Great Britain Championship Title trophy.

This led to Fionn questioning his dancing career altogether — a world champion considering throwing it all away at such a young age — “I thought, why even bother if I can’t get through a class without doing myself an injury. I admit that I sometimes concentrated too much on the negatives when there were positives too.

I gradually realized that I had to dig deep and believe that everything happens for a reason.”

FEIS App asked Fionn the following questions.

Q - Can you remember your first class? What was it like? How did you feel?

A - I can only vaguely remember my first class. I went straight from school to the class. I can remember standing straight up and saying I want to be a world champion. All the other kids laughed and didn’t even know what I meant.

Q - How did you get into Irish dancing?

A - From the age of two, I watched Riverdance on the TV, and I used to dance around the house saying, ‘watch me, look what I can do’; I begged my Mam to let me start.

Q - Who would you say is your biggest supporter? How do they show their support?

A - I would say my biggest supporters are both my Mam and Dad. They have sacrificed literally everything for me to get where I am today. They never miss a feis that I am dancing at.

Q - What is your first big win that you can remember?

A - It was my first Regional title in 2012. I was under seven and my family was there to watch me. I remember finishing my first dance and not remembering a bit of it. I came down and asked my teacher if I had done the correct dance!

Q - How would you describe your dance journey and the hurdles you have overcome?

A - I am beyond grateful to have had such a successful dance career. I have made friends that will last a lifetime and I have many memories to cherish forever. The main hurdle I have had to overcome is injury. Not only did it affect me, but it also at times left my parents heartbroken to see me so upset.

Q - Do you have a strategy for preparing for a big competition? Do you have a special routine? Superstitions? Mental Prep?

A - The day before a big competition, I usually spend an hour on my own. I’ll sit and listen to my dance music taking deep breaths to relax and calm down. On the day of competition, I try not to spend too much time at the venue before I dance.

Q - Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your Irish dancing and why? If you could put your success down to one person, who would it be.

A - Of course, my parents have helped me become the dancer I am today. I truly will never be able to thank them enough. The teachers at Scoil Rince Uí Bhriain were a huge part of my early success. My dance teachers now, Bernie and Damien, are behind my recent success in dancing. They have been so dedicated and driven to help me achieve my best. I can honestly say it takes many people to help you become successful.

Q -What are you doing currently outside of the world if Irish dance?

A - I attend an Irish speaking secondary school in Limerick. My education has always been through Irish. My family believes it is important to keep our Irish culture alive.

Q - Give us an insight into your practice regime in the build up to a big event?

A - Usually there will be extra classes up to 6 times a week. I make sure I eat healthily, as good nutrition is so important. We are athletes so we have to treat our bodies well.

Q - Do you just do Irish dancing or do you incorporate gym, stretching and other styles of dance? Do you do anything extra to give you that edge?

A - The Irish dance coach James Devine has been the person involved in getting me back to full health. Although he pushes me in the gym he will always listen to any struggles or doubts I have and help me overcome them.

Q - Who decides on choreography?

A - My teacher Damien does my choreography. He knows my style and always gives me challenging new steps when choreographing my dances.

Q - Is there anything you didn’t achieve that you really wished you had?

A - No. I’ve been very fortunate with my success in dancing but every time I dance on stage, my aim is just to be better than I was at the last competition. You are your own competition. Winning is a bonus.

Q - What characteristics do you think a dancer needs in order to become the best?

A - Perseverance, Dedication, Patience and Understanding.

If you are not able to persevere through the tough times and stay dedicated to your training then you’ll quickly learn that you won’t place high or even climb up the ranks. Staying dedicated is the key. On the other hand, you have to be patient with the process, champions are not made overnight. Understand that it’s normal to have bad days at class. It’s ok to cry if you feel you have not done enough. But if you can persevere through a bad class, stay positive and understand that you’re only human, then you’ve done your job. That’s what makes champions.

Q - What would you say is your biggest ever achievement in Irish dancing? Why does this achievement stand out for you?

A - Of course, winning the World Championships was the biggest achievement for me competitively but in my career as an Irish dancer, my biggest achievement is fighting back from injury after injury and getting stronger and stronger. It has made me who I am today.

Q - What do you feel when you are on stage? Nervous? Nothing? Focused? Tense?

A - To be honest, before walking on stage at major competitions, I tend to over-think everything, but once I am on stage it all goes away. I feel so in control and confident on stage and I love performing every second of my dances.

Q - What top tips (say 4 or 5) would you give an aspiring young Irish dancer?

a.         Make it to every class you possibly can.

b.         Work hard at home keeping up fitness, stretching etc.

c.          Ensure you follow a relatively healthy diet. A treat is good now and again but don’t expect your body to perform to its max if you keep filling it with junk food.

d.         Listen to your body. Consistent long lasting pain is not good, so pull back and take care of your body if you are in pain.

Q - Do you have any words or a poem or quote that lifts you up?

A - Everything happens for a reason. These words were the only reassuring thing

to me whilst I was injured. I knew that God had a plan for me and what is meant to be will be.

This is the first inspirational dancer article in the FEIS App series. Fionn is the first person to be recognized, and there will be many more. Fionn was suggested to us NOT because he was a world champion, but because of whom he is as a person. Fionn’s achievements against the odds needed to be recognized and shared. This is a young man who has suffered physically and emotionally; a young man who constantly had to be told, ‘You can’t dance’ over and over again for three years. Fionn’s story is so powerful because there are thousands of dancers, teachers, parents/carers, brothers, sisters and friends around the world who will be able to relate to this story. The uplifting and inspirational parts are the parts that can’t be captured by a trophy on the mantle piece. The inspirational parts are the parts that we recognize in this ‘story’: the grit and determination not to quit; the empathy for Fionn from those around him during his times of challenge; the disappointment that we know the teachers and family will have felt watching a phenomenal talent go without success for so long; but most of all the happy ending. The suffering wasn’t for nothing — Fionn is back, and he is winning titles and it looks like he is at his happiest doing just that.

FEIS App is incredibly proud to call Fionn our very first Inspirational Dancer and we wish him the best of luck throughout his dancing career.