Northern Ireland

Irish success at LA Special Olympics

Team Ireland's Dearbhail Savage, a member of Saddle and Reins Special Olympics Club, from Mowhan, Co Armagh, is congratulated by her dad Michael, left, and her mother Karen as she is announced as a silver medal winner at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center
Team Ireland's Dearbhail Savage, a member of Saddle and Reins Special Olympics Club, from Mowhan, Co Armagh, is congratulated by her dad Michael, left, and her mother Karen as she is announced as a silver medal winner at the Los Angeles Equestrian Cen Team Ireland's Dearbhail Savage, a member of Saddle and Reins Special Olympics Club, from Mowhan, Co Armagh, is congratulated by her dad Michael, left, and her mother Karen as she is announced as a silver medal winner at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center

TEAM Ireland will be bringing home 86 medals from the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.

Sixteen medals in the Irish team's haul were secured during Saturday's final round of Olympic events, which saw two Special Olympics Ulster athletes on the winners' podium.

Team Ireland’s youngest competitor, 15-year-old equestrian Dearbhail Savage from Mowhan, Co Armagh, added to her previous gold and silver medal wins by taking the gold in team relay, while Co Donegal gymnast Patrick Quinlivan won a silver in vault, three bronze medals for horizontal bar, rings and parallel bars and three fourth place ribbons.

Also on the final day of the games, the Irish ladies basketball team delivered their best performance of the entire competition, beating Mexico 19 points to 17 to win the gold.

Team member Sarah Bryne (18), from Dublin, was stunned by her side's achievement: "I can't believe it," she said, "it was my dream to get a gold medal."

On Friday, Belfast boxing legend and Olympic silver medallist Wayne McCullough was on hand to witness James Meenan (20) from Dundalk taking the gold in the 100m and Sean Coleman (23) from Youghal in Co Cork winning silver in the 25m freestyle.

In total, the 88 Irish athletes competing secured 26 gold medals, 29 silver medals and 31 bronze medals, plus 43 placing ribbons.

Swimmer Sarah Jane Johnston from Lurgan, Newtownabbey table tennis athlete Carole Catling and footballers Christopher Kane from Lisburn and Peter Fitzpatrick from Ballynahinch all achieved place ribbons in their events.

Team Ireland also recorded 31 personal bests during the Games, the closing ceremony for which took place yesterday at LA's Coliseum stadium.

Speaking on the final day of competition, Team Ireland CEO Matt English said: "Each and every member of Team Ireland has put in an extraordinary effort here in Los Angeles.

"From medals, ribbon placements and personal bests, this has been one of the most successful World Games ever. A huge debt of gratitude must go to the coaches and management team who have led and assisted our athletes on every step of the way.

"And I know the people of Ireland will welcome back our athletes and give them the hero's welcome they rightly deserve."

Shaun Cassidy, regional director with Special Olympics Ulster, echoed Mr English's sentiments.

He said: "Over the last week, we have been incredibly uplifted and inspired by the incredible achievements of our Team Ireland athletes.

"It's fantastic to see their success being celebrated at home and abroad and we look forward to welcoming them back."

Team Ireland are due to return home tomorrow morning via Dublin Airport.