Fionnuala is a legendary mudlark; European cross country champion twice (2011 and 2012), a double gold medallist (with the team) in 2012, fifth at World XC in 2014, and fourth five times also at European XC.

At Paris 2024 she made more history as the first Irish woman to compete at five Olympic Games. The European indoor bronze medallist at 3000m in 2013 raced the steeplechase in Beijing, the 5000m and 10,000m in London (15th), and the Marathon in the last two Games, finishing 20th and 25th respectively.

Catherina McKiernan is the only Irish woman who has run a faster marathon and Fionnuala qualified for Paris by running 2:26.19 in Valencia, just six months after having her third child, and a week later finished fourth at European XC.