LOCAL SUPPORT
Facing up against Poland was a big moment for the team, as it was essentially a battle to be named the best European team, with Ireland winning 6-0.
According to Stephen, Morocco, which Ireland faced up against in both the semi-final and final, was the toughest team they played.
“They made you work for it. It was a great battle between the two teams. In the semi-final, Morocco were fresh because they had no games that day, but we had Poland and Morocco. We were tired, we were just wrecked but we got through it in the end. It’s four games into it, we had conceded no goal, then Morocco scored and you knew it was getting real. It was getting tougher.”
‘TIME TO STEP UP’
After winning the semi-finals, Stephen knew that Team Ireland was coming home with either a silver or gold medal, but they still had one more game to go, against
Morocco, one more time.
Recounting the experience of playing in the final, Stephen said: “It was the same team but a new challenge, it’s like the second leg of a match. The game starts and it was a nervous couple of minutes. It took us a while to get in the game. They scored again and you just think, ‘Are we coming home with a silver?’”
“We’re 1-0 down, I crossed the ball into the box and it went into the net. It got us back into the game. At times being captain, you’re under so much pressure. You don’t realise how much it means to people to come back with a gold or silver and you’re under so much pressure to deliver. I was saying to myself, ‘You’ve been here before. It’s a big game and big experience, but it’s time to step up and put the last effort into it now’.
“We were 40 minutes away from being World champions. It went to extra time, the last couple of minutes. Darragh Graham crossed a lovely ball into the box. Ray Singleton our vice-captain got the vital header, making it 2-1. The final whistle blows, and we’re the champions of the world. We’re gold medallists and it was an amazing feeling. I get emotional talking about it sometimes.”
At home, the scenes were something else as Cheers Bar was packed with supporting Stephen and Team Ireland. Ballyhooly man Conor McCarthy live-streamed the match from Berlin, sharing it with those at home.
In the end, throughout the Special Olympics 2023, Team Ireland scored 31 goals, conceded just twice and won six out of six matches, becoming the first Irish football team to win gold since 2007.
“Coming back with gold as team captain, I couldn’t have gotten through without the support of the coaches and amazing players around me. It made my job much easier with great players around me. I was delighted to lead the boys out and lead Team Ireland to victory. I’m very thankful for them,” Stephen told
The Avondhu.
‘HEART-WARMING’ HOMECOMING
Arriving back in Dublin Airport, supporters and well-wishers packed the arrivals hall and little did Stephen know, the town of Fermoy would soon be rocking, set to welcome home their Olympic hero.
Stephen’s mother, Maura, said that she had known about the homecoming, but was trying to play it down to Stephen, pretending he was just meeting a few friends for a drink in the town to celebrate.
However, the reality soon set in for the soccer star. From his home at John Anderson Place, Stephen was led by a convoy of Garda cars and the local fire brigade to Cork Road where it seemed like the entire population of Fermoy had turned up to celebrate.
“The whole town was at the square,” Stephen recalls, “I thought I was only going for a few drinks with the lads. What can put that into words? It was overwhelming. The town and the community were always so supportive of me. They followed my journey and for everyone to get together that night and to see all the kids and everything there,
it was just heart-warming”.
ENJOYING THE MOMENT
2023 has been an exceptionally busy year for Stephen O’Leary, as he has been on-call for a multitude of events since his return from Berlin. He has become a local celebrity and is a well-recognised figure in the town, being regularly stopped to be congratulated – and for the odd selfie to be taken.
When asked what is next on the cards, he explained that he’s trying to just focus on the here and now and celebrate the year that he and his teammates have experienced.
“I’ve said that this will be my last World games. I’m 37 for the next one. I’m not getting any younger and you can’t get much higher than gold. It is getting tougher. Everyone is on about ‘in four years time’, but I just want to enjoy the moment. I’m getting back in club football with Cheers and with Leeds and hopefully, I’ll have good seasons with them.
“The future, you never know. I’ve had my opportunities, maybe it’s time for someone else to get selected, but trying to win the gold again, there’s just no bigger honour. Winning the gold is like winning the World Cup, it’s the biggest honour. I’ll just have to wait and see,” he reflects.
Stephen, through would like to thank his family, friends, the town of Fermoy, Team Ireland, those involved with the Special Olympics and to all who have followed him on his journey to date