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.
Great support for returning #TeamIreland athletes @DublinAirport this morning. Atmosphere's electric for a true #HeroesWelcome #LA2015
— Special Olympics Uls (@SO_Ulster) August 4, 2015
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.
The green army lineout to give our athletes a true heroes welcome home. #TeamIreland #LA2015 pic.twitter.com/8zhnqaVqIj
— Special Olympics Irl (@SOIreland) August 4, 2015
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.
One of the many super signs on display in Dublin Airport this morning for the homecoming of 88 heroes # TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/mGKKjl1JBM
— Fiona Hynes (@HynesFiona) August 4, 2015
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."
Great support for returning #TeamIreland athletes @DublinAirport this morning. #Proud #HeroesWelcome #LA2015 pic.twitter.com/HW69BtP2iu
— Sport NI (@SportNINet) August 4, 2015
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)