Nemesha Balasundaram

News and Sports Reporter - The Irish Post

United Kingdom

Reporter for The Irish Post with over two years experience working on hard news and sport across both print and digital platforms.

Well versed in using Photoshop, WordPress, GIMP, Campaign Master and in setting up and running social media accounts, including Twitter and Facebook.

Achieved the gold standard NCTJ Multi-media Journalism Diploma (part-time) at News Associates, London.

WINNER - Trainee Sports Journalist Award (NCTJ Awards for Excellence)

SHORTLISTED - Young Sports Writer of the Year (Sports Journalists' Association)

Portfolio

THE IRISH POST (SPORT)

The Irish Post
05/07/2015
Irish Paralympic cyclist appeals to donors for new prosthetic leg

AN Irish Paralympic cyclist has launched an online campaign to raise funds for a new prosthetic leg that would enable him to compete at Rio 2016. Manchester-based Colin Lynch is appealing to generous donors, to gain investment into a new custom-made carbon cycling leg ahead of next year's Paralympic Games in Brazil.

The Irish Post
04/18/2015
Irish stars hoping to shine with Middlesex - The Irish Post

Middlesex cricketers Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie have high hopes for the Championship season, following Ireland's "disappointing" exit from last month's World Cup. After the Boys in Green impressed at the tournament, which took place across Australia and New Zealand, the Irish duo return to the county fold.

The Irish Post
05/05/2015
Ryan Cullen rues over 'shocking' weekend in Belgium

IRISH driver Ryan Cullen believes the weekend's Porsche Carrera Cup GB race in Belgium was a missed opportunity to claim a podium spot. The 23-year-old - based in Somerset - finished eighth and ninth in races one and two at the Championship's inaugural Spa-Francorchamps circuit.

The Irish Post
02/12/2015
Joe Trayfoot looking forward to new challenge at London Irish

or a good portion of his life, Joe Trayfoot has taken comfort in the familiarity of his surroundings. A 14-year spell at London-based Harlequins gave the Chiswick-born back rower the opportunity to harness his craft and take the leap into professional rugby to satisfy a childhood passion for the sport.

The Irish Post
01/28/2015
Ireland focused for Six Nations opener against Italy

Home > Sport > Ireland focused for Six Nations opener against Italy, says O'Connell By Nemesha Balasundaram on January 28, 2015 PAUL O'Connell says that reigning Six Nations champions Ireland are focused on preparations for the Italy opener on Saturday week, rather than being hailed favourites ahead of the tournament.

Irishpost
01/12/2015
On the spot with... Stephanie Roche - The Irish Post

Ireland striker Stephanie Roche will find out today if she's won FIFA's Puskas Award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich. If she wins the award for her fantastic volley for former club Peamount United, ahead of James Rodriguez and Robin van Persie, she'll become the first woman to do so.

Irishpost
09/10/2014
GAA Clubs in London - Training times, contact details and locations

Brothers Pearse Willesden Sports Centre, Donnington Road, London NW10 3QX. Senior training every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm. Contact PJ Kennedy (Team manager) on 07590 696 220 for more details. Eire Og GAA (Football) Downhills Park, Downhills Park Road, London, N17 6AP. Senior training every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7.45pm.

Irishpost
08/19/2014
Fiona Coghlan rules out coaching after announcing retirement

The 33-year-old Clontarf native steps down after 13 years and 85 caps as one of Ireland's most successful rugby captains, following a World Cup tournament that has further raised the profile of the sport for women. Speaking to The Irish Post this afternoon, she said: "My body is probably in the best shape it's ever been in.

Irishpost
08/20/2014
Ireland ladies confident of World Cup play-off place

NIAMH Fahey believes that Ireland could still reach the play-offs for the 2015 Women's World Cup, if they record a win against Slovenia tonight. The ladies' side have three qualifying fixtures remaining, which they will need to win if they are to stand any chance of competing in next year's tournament in Canada.

Irishpost
03/17/2014
'Ireland are hoping for St Patrick's Day victory' says Niall O'Brien

CRICKETER Niall O'Brien is confident that Ireland can kick off their World Twenty20 campaign with a St Patrick's Day victory over Zimbabwe and "cap off a fine weekend of Irish sport". Ireland begin their opening qualification stage fixture in Bangladesh knowing that securing a win against their biggest threat in Group B is crucial if they are to proceed to the Super 10 stage of the tournament.

Irishpost
05/22/2014
Loss of Galway captain will not affect London's game plan, says Coggins

LONDON manager Paul Coggins has insisted that injury to Galway captain Paul Conroy will not affect his sides game plan ahead of Sunday's Senior Football Championship clash at Ruislip. Conroy has been confirmed as a "definite absentee" after the St James' man had sustained a fractured metatarsal.

Irishpost
02/21/2014
Rob Kearney: 'A win against England would be the biggest one yet'

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the highly-anticipated game at Twickenham, the Ireland full-back spoke of the challenge facing the visitors as they play their first away game of this year's Six Nations campaign and of Joe Schmidt's reign as Ireland coach. "It's no doubt it's going to be a tough game.

Irishpost
02/03/2014
Ireland's teen ski racer secured Winter Olympics spot ahead of sister

Home > Sport > Ireland's teenage ski racer secured Winter Olympics spot ahead of sister By Nemesha Balasundaram on February 3, 2014 WHILE Ireland's Winter Olympic hopeful Florence Bell will proudly wave the Irish flag in Sochi next week the moment will be a little bitter sweet.

THE IRISH POST (NEWS & BUSINESS)

The Irish Post
07/07/2015
Ten years on from 7/7: The story of Ciaran Cassidy

When Veronica Cassidy waved goodbye to her son one summer's morning 10 years ago, she never imagined that it would be for the final time. The day had begun like any other. The pair set off on their daily commute together from their home in the leafy, suburban Crouch Hill, north London, on Thursday, July 7, 2005.

The Irish Post
07/08/2015
Family will celebrate first ever reunion in Gatwick

THE first ever reunion of a family who descended from a couple who 'fell in love at first sight' a century ago, will gather in Gatwick this weekend. Around 64 adults and eight children will attend the get-together that has taken one year to plan, on Saturday, July 11 at Gatwick Manor.

The Irish Post
04/30/2015
Family of Troubles victim begin case against former army chief

THE family of a Catholic minibus driver killed during the Troubles were in London today to commence legal proceedings over his unlawful death. Mary, the widow of Patrick "Paddy" Heenan, and her son Eugene, served legal papers in a symbolic gesture against the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and a retired army general on Thursday, April 30.

The Irish Post
04/11/2015
How Irish camaraderie on sites created a home from home

Nemesha Balasundaram meets Scotland-based Clare man Joe Quinlivan, author of a soon to be released book about the Irish construction industry in Britain SIXTY years have passed since Joe Quinlivan waved goodbye to his mother as he boarded a bus from his native Co. Clare in search of a better life in London.

The Irish Post
01/15/2015
London-Irish newsagent refuses to sell Charlie Hebdo 'out of respect'

Home > News > London-Irish newsagent refuses to sell Charlie Hebdo 'out of respect to local community' By Nemesha Balasundaram on January 15, 2015 AS hundreds of copies of the latest edition of France's Charlie Hebdo magazine go on sale in Britain this week, one Irish newsagents in North-West London has decided against stocking the satirical publication.

THE IRISH POST (LIFE & STYLE)

Irishpost
08/28/2014
Five things not to miss in Caen, Normandy - The Irish Post

LYING close to the shores of lower Normandy, Caen is a city that was severely destroyed during WWII, yet still exhibits the architectural beauty and cultural offerings that you might desire for a weekend away. Celebrating 70 years since the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy, it's a great time to visit the region of ...

BLOG

Blogspot - Sports Digest
Fast cars and bright lights on Singapore's streets

'In Singapore everything is expensive, except for three things...the sun, the moon and the rain'. Taxi Driver (September 2013) This worryingly bleak prospect greeted me in the form of a bleary-eyed taxi driver at the taxi rank directly outside arrivals at Changi International Airport.

Blogspot - Sports Digest
From Glory to Ashes

In the midst of the summer-haze, amongst the neatly aligned rows of broad-brimmed cricket hats, sun-cream-smothered shoulders and glorious surroundings of Australia's natural beauty; everyone is waiting in eager anticipation for the finale. Sea-blue skies reign over the ground and a few cotton-like clouds that circle overhead paint the only hints of imperfection on an otherwise perfect day.