Monday 4 July 2011

Ireland Special Olympics Team News


There were smiles all round for Team Ireland on Monday – the final day of competition in the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens.

In bowling the Men’s team, made up of Michael Hardiman , Jonathon Griffin, Paul Bridgman andCiaran Mallon showed they had the Midas touch by winning gold in their competition.

In table tennis Mary O’ Brien and Carole Catling wongold in the women’s doubles event, beating their German opponents 2 – 0. The three Irish mixed teams took 4th place in their events (Ann-Marie Talbot andWilliam Naughton ; Paul Kavanagh and Mary O’ Brien ; and Robert Deegan and Carole Catling ).

It was another great day for the gymnastics team with Belfast woman, Una McGarry winning one gold, one silver and three Bronze medals for her Rhythmic Gymnastics routine.

In bocce, Mary Kirby and Lisa Maher won bronze in their doubles event.

In equestrian, Pamela Collins and John Loughnane won silver in the team relay.

In badminton the mixed doubles team of Adrian Cornwall and Bernadette Kennedy took silver while team-mates Jonathon Deering and Jacqueline Gault won bronze. Jacqueline Gault and Bernadette Kennedy won bronze in the women’s doubles event.

In aquatics, Lorraine O’Halloran won silver in the 400m Freestyle. The 4x50m team (Fergal Gregory ,Joseph Cullen , Lorraine O’ Halloran and Peter Oxley ) came in 5th position recording a personal best time of 3.17. The 4x25m freestyle team (Diarmuid O’ Flynn , Rowan Gill , Mary Gavin andCaitriona Kearney came 7th.) 

In athletics Rachel Ryan won bronze in the 200m event while Edward Kennedy came 6th in the 100m competition, Gary O’ Brien came 7th in the same event and Timothy Morahan came in 8th place in the Long Jump. 

Today's medal tally from the Games stands at 15: 3 Gold, 4 silver and 8 bronze(*). The compete tally from the Games will be known tomorrow

The closing ceremony tomorrow evening will officially mark the end of the Games.

Team Ireland will return to a heroes welcome in Dublin Airport at approx 12.30 pm on Tuesday afternoon. To follow their progress or to leave a message of support please visitwww.specialolympics.ie/athens


No comments: