McDonnell Mortalo Academy

McDonnell Mortalo’s take on the World Championships in Chicago 2026 🌍🎉

We had the most incredible week, all the hard work over the past year has paid off. We are delighted to say out of our 11 dancers we had 8 in the final recall, 4 of which made the TOP 10 and earned a World Medal, automatically earning their place for the World Championships in Belfast.

They say it takes a village, and it really does. Thank you Joan .joan and Emily not only for coming with us last week all the way to Chicago but for all the help and support over the past year in preparation. To the MMA gang who supported from near (and from home) and to all who wished us well, we really appreciate it!

Our Worlds Roundup:

🏅🌍 8TH PLACE - Eve January Byrne - U11
TOP 10 / WORLD MEDAL HOLDER

🏅🌍 9TH PLACE - Grainne Coyle - U13
TOP 10 / WORLD MEDAL HOLDER

🏅🌍 10TH PLACE - Ayasha Lombard - U16
TOP 10 / WORLD MEDAL HOLDER

🏅🌍 10TH PLACE - Niamh Cunningham - U21
TOP 10 / WORLD MEDAL HOLDER

🏅21ST PLACE - Holly Foley - U16
🏅29TH PLACE - Leah Warren - U19
🏅30TH PLACE - Brooke Daly - U15
🏅38TH PLACE - Elle McAndrew - U13

2 great performances from Saoirse Coyle, Chloe Murphy & Ayla Wynn Doherty. Not your day this year but represented our school in the best way, we are still immensely proud 💙

A bit of time to rest, reflect and get geared up for the new Feis season coming up. But for now, thank you Chicago!

Niamh Cunningham - TOP 10 IN THE WORLD U21 and World Medal Holder! 🏅🌍🥳💙

What an incredible finish for our school, and our fourth top 10 and medalist this year! Niamh you danced amazing and we couldn’t be happier for you! What an improvement you have made this year and great success, with a top 10 finish to complete the season… now we celebrate!! 🥳

Leah Warren - 29th in the World 🌎

What an incredible finish at your first World Championship!! You danced out of your skin and the result was a testament to all your hard work. We couldn’t be more proud of you 💙🥹🏅

Ayla Wynn Doherty 💚

What a journey! We were so happy to see you dance 2 amazing rounds in that insane u17 age group on the World Stage today. No recall but you represented McDonnell Mortalo so well! Huge well done 🥳🙌🏼

Chloe Murphy ❤️

2 amazing rounds and improving on last year, that age group was amazing and you held your own, you made us very proud! Onwards and upwards 🙌🏼

Holly Foley - 21st in THE WORLD U16 🌍💙🥳

What can we say Holly… couldn’t even dance the All Ireland a few weeks ago due to injury but you came back fighting and, what a comeback! Only 2 places away from a WORLD MEDAL! You continue to amaze us Holly 💕

Ayasha Lombard - TOP 10 in the WORLD! 🌍

We are absolutely delighted for you, you have worked so hard for this and to hold that coveted World Medal and be inside the top 10 of an incredible U16 age group, proud teachers 🥹💙

Brooke Daly - top 30 in the WORLD! 🌍🌍🌍

One of the most resilient dancers we’ve ever taught, a tough worlds last year not recalling but you bounced back better than ever, becoming Leinster Champion and getting back into the recall and 30th place in an amazing u15 competition - keep being you 💙

Saoirse Coyle 💕

No recall today but 2 great rounds in a massive competition of over 150 girls - you should be so proud of yourself, and we know you will come back stronger than ever! 🥳💙

Elle McAndrew - 38th in the World U13 🌍🥳🏅 what a fabulous result at your first world championship! You represented MMA so well and we couldn’t be happier with you today! You really lit up that stage 💙

Grainne Coyle 9TH IN THE WORLD 🌍🥳💙

3 amazing performances from our girl in gold and she smashed it! Top 10 and world medal holder once again, so so proud 🥳🙌🏼