TEAM Ireland has secured a further seven medals on day four of the 2015 Special Olympics to bring their current total up to 22 medals.
Fifteen-year-old Déarbháil Savage from Mowhan, Co Armagh, won gold as part of the equestrian team.
Caroline Brennan, Head Equestrian Coach, said that Déarbháil was a very popular figure at the games in Los Angeles.
“Déarbháil is thriving on all of the attention out here at the games – everyone loves her," Ms Brennan said.
“She is camera ready all the time and there have been lots of poses for selfies and pictures with people from right around the world.
“The pony she’s riding is very cute, it’s almost as if they were made for each other. Everyone we meet is asking about her; where she’s from, how old she is and how long she’s been competing.
"But when she gets on the horse, she means business. She’s a very talented young lady.”
@bbcnewsline Armagh latest GOLDEN girl Dearbhail Savage & Armagh volunteer Niamh Withers celebrate in LA. #going4gold pic.twitter.com/RvVL1I78b8
— Niamh Withers (@redniamh16) July 29, 2015
Another of her teammates also won gold, Elizabeth Mair (37) from Rathfarnham, while Sligo’s Thomas Connolly (38) managed a silver medal and John Deevy from Waterford secured a bronze.
#sligo we have #silver Thomas Connolly from sligo at the #equestrian #proud @oceanfm @sligobuzzin #LA2105 pic.twitter.com/WtoyAMftLP
— michelle cawley (@meshellyc) July 30, 2015
“I feel very proud of the whole team,” Ms Brennan said. “They’re riding strange horses and are competing in great heat. The athletes should all be exceptionally proud of their achievements here; their families are so happy and there were plenty of tears of joy.”
Team Ireland picked up another gold medal on the track, with Tipperary’s Rachel Ryan (26) coming first in the 400m. She also posted a personal best time in the race.
Rachel Ryan's sister Rosemary phoning home with her GOLD medal result @SOIreland @SineadDoyle @ailishathletics pic.twitter.com/EHjVVVRPs9
— Suzanne Hamilton (@SOI_suzanne) July 29, 2015
“I’m very happy and excited,” she said.
“I didn’t think I was going to come first but I guess when you don’t think a thing it ends up happening. So I’m very excited.”
There was further success on the track with James Meenan (20) from Dundalk taking a bronze medal in the 200m.
Tying up a fantastic day for Team Ireland, Frances Power (52) from Navan put in a huge performance to win a gold medal in the singles section of the table tennis competition.
Day 4 Special Olympics World Games from Sportsfile on Vimeo.
Round up from Day 4 of the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.
The athletes were also making friends in high places, as double bronze medallist Ashleigh O'Hagan caught up with singer Nicole Scherzinger.
Thanks so much for the pic @NicoleScherzy Ashleigh is thrilled to come all the way from Ireland to compete pic.twitter.com/W8DGyA03Kw
— Erin O'Hagan (@erinohagan2012) July 28, 2015