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Special Olympics team welcomed back on Irish soil

Special Olympics Team Ireland athlete Amy Quinn arrives back to a rapturous welcome at Dublin Airport having competed in the 2015 games in Los Angeles. Picture by Brian Lawless, PA Wire
Special Olympics Team Ireland athlete Amy Quinn arrives back to a rapturous welcome at Dublin Airport having competed in the 2015 games in Los Angeles. Picture by Brian Lawless, PA Wire Special Olympics Team Ireland athlete Amy Quinn arrives back to a rapturous welcome at Dublin Airport having competed in the 2015 games in Los Angeles. Picture by Brian Lawless, PA Wire (Brian Lawless/PA)

TEAM Ireland athletes were welcomed back on Irish soil this morning as crowds gathered at Dublin airport to hail their Special Olympics success, which saw the team collect 82 medals.

There was a need for extra baggage space on the flight from the US to Dublin after they collected 26 gold medals, 28 silver, 28 bronze and 41 placement ribbons at the games in Los Angeles.

Medals were won by Irish athletes in all 12 sports, while 31 competitors also notched up individual personal bests.

Ulster athletes claimed 19 medals, including five gold, and nine placement ribbons.

The youngest member of Team Ireland, Déarbháil Savage from Mowhan, Co Armagh, won two gold medals and one silver in equestrian.

A  homecoming for Déarbháil is due to take place in Clady at 7.30pm on Thursday.

Table tennis player Carole Catling from Newtownabbey also scooped gold.

In Strabane, a homecoming event is to be held in the Melvin Leisure Centref or Nuala Browne, who won two silver medals in kayaking.

The party also marks the achievements of Donegal pair Oliver Doherty, who collected a silver medal in golf, and Patrick Quinlivan, who brought home four medals and three ribbons.

In Belfast, it is to be a day of celebration at Shankill Leisure Centre for Kirsty Devlin, who returns home with two gold medals and two silver medals in gymnastics.

TUV councillor Jolene Bunting said the gymnast had "done the people of Belfast as extremely proud."

"Shankill Road girl Kirsty Devlin has done the people of Belfast extremely proud by two gold medals and two silver medals in gymnastics at the Special Olympics. Kirsty has put disabled sport into the spotlight in this community."

Green Party East Derry assembly member Claire Sugden said the success of the games highlighted the funding cuts faced by Disability Sport NI, and urged people to engage with an online survey into provision by next week.

“Disability Sport NI have worked hard with committed staff and volunteers to promote sport for all. In light of this great work, I am concerned at the disproportionate funding cuts which Disability Sport NI now face. They could now lose the extra funding they received following the 2012 Olympic Games, along with original funding for 7000 places on their various programmes.”

Ms Sudgen added: “In my own constituency, I have seen the fantastic work of organisations which provide sports for those with disabilities. This week Coleraine celebrates Sean Campbell’s success in winning a silver medal for ten pin bowling at the Special Olympics Summer Games. Opportunities must be given to others to achieve at this level.”

Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín also praised the athletes: "The 88 Team Ireland participants and their amazing efforts in Los Angeles are an inspiration to everyone in society."

Crackling excitement here as supporters wait for @SOIreland Team to arrive. Hear more on @RTENewsAtOne @rtenews pic.twitter.com/2Yhvk8XPIe — cian mccormack (@cian_mccormack) August 4, 2015

Special Olympics CEO Matt English said: "Team Ireland put a huge amount of effort into their training schedule in advance of these games and they certainly reaped the rewards in Los Angeles."

He added: "So many of our athletes recorded personal best performances as well as medal wins and we are equally proud of all of our athletes regardless of whether they return home with medals or not."

Shaun Cassidy, regional director of Special Olympics Ulster said there would be days of celebration ahead.

"There will be great celebration and tears of joy as the athletes return to their hometowns and communities, where they will realise the full weight of their achievements. Their determination, hard work and commitment has now paid off and it’s great to see them getting recognition for their success."

The Special Olympics featured 6,500 athletes from 165 countries, with more than 500,000 spectators, and were the biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympics.

Team Ireland's achievements


Sarah Jane Johnston, from Lurgan, Co. Armagh (Ripples Special Olympics Club)


Bronze in 100m Backstroke 100M


Bronze in 100m


5th place ribbon in 4x25m Freestyle Relay

Sean Campbell, from Coleraine, Co Derry (Causeway Coast Special Olympics Club)


Silver in Ten Pin Bowling Singles


Sixth place ribbon in Team Ireland Bowling team event


7th place ribbon in Bowling Doubles.

Kirsty Devlin, from Belfast (SALTO Gymnastics Club)


Gold in Ribbon


Gold in Rope


Silver in Ball


Silver in All Round


4th place ribbon in Hoop

Déarbháil Savage,from Mowhan, Co Armagh (Saddle & Reins, Newry)


Gold in English Equitation


Silver in Working Trails


Gold in Team Relay

Nuala Browne, from Strabane, Co Tyrone (North West Special Olympics Club)


Silver in 500m Kayaking


Silver in 200m Kayaking

Carole Catling, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim (Abbots Cross Special Olympics club)


Gold in Table Tennis Singles


Fourth place ribbon in mixed doubles

Jill Connery from Scarva, Co Armagh, along with her playing partner, Ursula McDonnell from Belfast, Co. Antrim


Silver in Level 2 Alternate Shot Golf

Oliver Doherty from Buncrana, Co Donegal


Silver in Golf (18 holes)

Patrick Quinlivan, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, SALTO Gymnastics Club


Silver in Vault


Bronze in Parallel Bars


Bronze Horizontal Bars


Bronze in Rings


4th place ribbon in Floor


4th place ribbon in Pommel Horse


4th place ribbon in All Round

Christopher Kane, Lisburn, Co Antrim (Lisburn Together Special Olympics Club) and Peter Fitzpatrick, Ballynahinch, Co Down, (Down Special Olympics Club)


5th place ribbon in five-a-side football (Day 7)