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Team Ireland bring home 86 medals from Special Olympics

Team Ireland's ladies' basketball team. Back row L-R Linda McGowan, Sarah Byrne, Laura Reynolds, Michelle Stynes, Laura Mangan and Nicola Farrell. Front row L-R Clare Nolan, Megan Reynolds, Ann Marie Cooney and Amy Duffy
Team Ireland's ladies' basketball team. Back row L-R Linda McGowan, Sarah Byrne, Laura Reynolds, Michelle Stynes, Laura Mangan and Nicola Farrell. Front row L-R Clare Nolan, Megan Reynolds, Ann Marie Cooney and Amy Duffy Team Ireland's ladies' basketball team. Back row L-R Linda McGowan, Sarah Byrne, Laura Reynolds, Michelle Stynes, Laura Mangan and Nicola Farrell. Front row L-R Clare Nolan, Megan Reynolds, Ann Marie Cooney and Amy Duffy (Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE/SPORTSFILE)
By Cathal McGuigan

IRISH athletes won a further 16 medals on the final day of the Special Olympics in Los Angeles to bring the final medal total to 86.

The last day of competition saw Team Ireland pick up six gold, five silver and five bronze medals in events including table tennis, bocce, gymnastics and athletics.

The Irish ladies basketball team beat Mexico 19-17 to claim their gold medals.

One member of the team, Sarah Byrne from Dublin said it was her ‘dream’ to win a gold medal.

“We went to sleep for a little while but towards the end our defence picked up and our shooting got a bit better,” she said.

Coach Vicki Ronning said: “I am immensely proud of the girls and all the hard work they put in over the last nine months. Despite the strong competition they proved themselves to be the best.”

Brendan O’Connell from Kerry also took home a gold medal, for his performance in the 800m freestyle swimming, while Amy Quinn and Brian Hooper won gold in the mixed doubles badminton.

Members of the relay team performed well on the track with Aoife Beston (25), Donal O’Mahoney (42), Timothy Morahan (26) and James Meenan (20) bringing home silver medals.

Team Ireland’s 11-a-side football team also overcame Iceland. They take home bronze medals after winning 5-4 on penalties.

Team Ireland are to return home to Dublin Airport at 8am on Tuesday August 4, with a haul of 26 gold medals, 29 silver and 31 bronze.

Day 7 Special Olympic World Games-MPEG-4 from Sportsfile on Vimeo.

Matt English, CEO of Team Ireland, praised the efforts of all the athletes during the games.

“From medals, ribbon placements and personal bests, this has been one of the most successful world games ever,” said Mr English.

“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.”

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