Mallow’s James given a hero’s welcome home
HUGE CROWD TURN OUT TO WELCOME BRONZE MEDAL WINNING SPECIAL OLYMPIAN BACK HOME
THERE was great excitement at Dublin Airport last Friday as the Irish team arrived back from the Special Olympics Summer Games in Abu Dhabi to a rapturous welcome from the huge waiting crowd of family, friends and supporters.
A chorus of ‘Fields of Athenry’ reverberated around the packed arrivals hall as the crowd waited for the 91 athletes to appear with their impressive haul of 86 medals.
Among those waiting for the team, which included the contingent of nine athletes from Cork, were Sports Minister Shane Ross and Irish soccer legend Niall Quinn, who had taken the soccer team for a special training clinic prior to their departure for he games.
Two members of that team, James Hunter from Mallow and Steven O’Leary from Fermoy, proudly sported their bronze medals around their necks.
On his return to Mallow on Friday evening, James was given his own very special welcome home as a Garda escort led him and Julie Dwyer from the management team, golf coach Michael Forde, kayaking coach Angelina Foley and volunteer Tadgh Buckley through the town to the Arches Bar.
A large crowd, including Cllr’s Gearoid Murphy and John Paul O’Shea, family friends, fellow club members and supporters gave them a rousing welcome as they pulled up outside the bar.
Geraldine Buckley, Co-ordinator with Special Olympics Mallow, said it was the perfect way to round off an amazing week for James and the support team.
“It was an emotional occasion for all involved and it was wonderful to see the local community come out in such great numbers to celebrate with James on his incredible achievement,” said Geraldine.