A Dublin-based female garda has missed her shot at Olympic glory because her abilities were not supported by the sporting chiefs, she claimed this week.

Talented rower Garda Caroline Ryan (28) recently became the first Irish woman to win the Henley Royal Regatta in England earlier this month. But despite her obvious skills, the Pearse Street-based garda was passed over for Olympic glory.

"I didn't get the opportunity to try out. This year the big thing for me was getting to the qualifiers. I thought getting to the Olympics was a real possibility for me. But I didn't get the opportunity to try. They haven't done much for women in rowing in this country this year," Caroline told the Herald.

QUALIFY

"It was decided myself and another girl who wanted to try and qualify were not fast enough. I would have loved the experience of trying. It is sickening to think I could have been at the Olympics," she added.

Caroline, from Enfield in Kildare, is a member of the Garda Boat Club and was honoured by her garda superiors this week for her achievements on the water.

The young garda received a formal 'pat on the back' from the Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy for her sporting achievements in the sport.

Obviously delighted with her record breaking achievement in England, Caroline says she is determined that next time round she will be given a proper Olympic shot.

"It was hard to see a Spanish girl being put forward to compete in the Olympics by her country when I have beaten her time in the past. I am 100pc committed to getting to the next Olympics now. I just hope there is more of a support system in place for us here by then," she said.

Garda Ryan created rowing history by winning the 'Princess Royal Challenge Cup' at the Henley Royal Regatta in England earlier this month, the first Irish woman to do so.

And it seems success on the water is a family affair for the young garda as both her father and uncle have previously competed in the Regatta for the gardai in 1979.

"My dad and my uncle Ted coached me. I didn't really have much interest in rowing until I left school and once I showed an interest they really helped me out," she described.

When she is not rowing, Caroline is busy pounding the pavement of the capital with her colleagues at the busy Pearse Street Station. Her friends in the force have been supportive, she says.

"I wouldn't be able to train the way I have been or go away on training camps if they weren't as flexible as they are. They have been very supportive, really great," she enthused.

- Lisa-Anne Crookes