Medals galore at Special Olympics
TEAM Connaught have returned home with a haul of 311 medals from the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games in Dublin. Some 221 local Team Connaught athletes competed in the Special Olympics Ireland Games between Friday 15th and Sunday 17th June. A total of 1600 athletes from the four corners of Ireland took part in the Games, which are one of the largest and most prestigious sporting events to take place in Ireland in 2018.
Sligo had a big team taking part winning numerous medals in a variety of sports. Clare Madden won Gold in swimming, Ella Shaw won Gold and Bronze in the athletics/track & field, Gerard Rafter won Gold in Golf, Bernadette Moroney won Gold in swimming, Sharon Watson won 2 golds in MATP, Helena Cunningham won silver and bronze in Equestrian, Geraldine Marren won silver in bocce, Killian Corr won silver and bronze in athletics/track & field, Jennifer Mulligan won silver and bronze in badminton, Heather Dunne won silver in badminton, Joe Fallon won silver and bronze in badminton, Martin McGarrigle won 2 silvers in bocce, John Golden won silver in swimming, Joan Milmoe won silver in swimming, Gabriel Field won silver and bronze in badminton, John Leonard won silver golf, Francis Kenny won silver and bronze in bocce, John Martin won bronze in badminton, Frances Kelly won 2 bronze medals in equestrian, Philip O’Donnell won bronze in equestrian and Hugh Mohan won bronze in golf.
Myra Merrick, regional director for Special Olympics Connaught said: “Our congratulations go to all of the athletes that took part and represented Connaught so well over the course of Games - we’re so proud of each and every one of them.
“For many of our Team Connaught athletes, the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games in Dublin were their first chance to compete on a national stage; to represent their region at these prestigious Games is, in itself, a phenomenal achievement.
“Bringing home 311 medals and personal bests from a competition of this level is a huge achievement. They are also returning home with memories and new friendships that will last a lifetime. I would also like to thank all the families, coaches and volunteers from across Connaught, who all played their part in making these Games such a huge success; it would not have been possible without them.”
Selected athletes from these Games will go on to represent Team Ireland at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.