Maeve Kyle, who became Ireland’s first female track and field Olympian at the 1956 summer Games in Melbourne, has died at the age of 96.

The Kilkenny native played hockey for Ireland before forging a successful international athletics career.

Her move to athletics, although she still played hockey, came after meeting Ballymena man Sean Kyle in 1953.

The athlete gave birth to daughter Shauna in 1954 after their marriage but was soon back in Olympic training.

The by-now Ballymena-based athlete’s Olympic selection led a letter writer to the Irish Times branding her a “disgrace to Irish motherhood and the Irish nation” but the 28-year remained unperturbed as she ran in the 100m and 200m at the Melbourne Games after having to pay the then huge sum of £200 which the Olympic Council of Ireland had demanded of her.