North Tipp athletes star on Team Munster at Special Olympics Ireland Games
Team Munster have returned home with a haul of 536 medals from the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games in Dublin.
Some 381 local Team Munster athletes competed in the Special Olympics Ireland Games between Friday 15th and Sunday 17th June. A total of 1600 athletes from the four corners of Ireland took part in the Games, which are one of the largest and most prestigious sporting events to take place in Ireland in 2018.
Munster athletes competed in 13 sports and Motor Activities Training, including Athletics, Aquatics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Pitch & Putt and Table Tennis.
Team Munster won 536 medals (250 gold; 181 silver and 105 bronze), alongside countless fourth and fifth place finishes, participation ribbons and personal bests at the Games, which concluded in Dublin on Sunday (17th June).
Amongst the Munster champions was Moira Moran, 29, from Tullamore, Co. Offaly who was selected as a flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony and claimed a gold, silver and bronze medal in athletics. Meanwhile, Team Munster’s youngest athlete JJ Ryan, 10, from Monard, Co. Tipperary claimed double gold in Motor Activities Training.
Another rising star was DJ Dunleavy, 13 from Dungourney, Midleton, East Cork, who claimed a gold medal in the 50M run and a bronze medal in the Softball Throw.
Speaking from the Games, after DJ won his gold medal, proud dad Liam Dunleavy, originally from Co. Galway, said: “DJ ran very well and we are so proud of him. This is the best present for Father’s Day and not just because DJ won a gold medal, which is incredible, but the best present is that we are here together and he is having so much fun. He loves the atmosphere and seeing all his friends and having a good time with everyone.
“There’s a great atmosphere at the Games – it’s been an incredible experience for us as a family. DJ loves participating and the razzmatazz of the events; it’s all about the taking part, not the winning for DJ – he just loves taking part and being part of this has been very special indeed. He has four older brothers at home that are so proud of him and can’t wait to see him.”
A total of 2,144 medals (959 gold, 667 silver and 518 bronze) were awarded over the course of the four-day residential Games, with countless personal bests achieved by athletes from each of the five regions – Connaught, Eastern, Leinster, Munster and Ulster.
Athletes competed in 13 sports and Motor Activities Training, including Athletics, Aquatics, Badminton, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Equestrian, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Kayaking, Pitch & Putt and Table Tennis.
Commenting as the Games drew to a close, Matt English, CEO, Special Olympics Ireland said: “The 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games were a huge success and on behalf of the organisation, I would like to thank our athletes for their incredible commitment, energy and enthusiasm; not just over the course of the three days but over the many months that they have been preparing and training for these Games.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to the families and supporters that turned out in such amazing numbers and to each and every volunteer who went above and beyond their roles to make sure that our athletes had the time of their lives. And to our athletes, you are the reason for everything we do and it's no less than you deserve, I hope you are going home happy and proud."
Eoin O’Beara, regional director for Special Olympics Munster said: “Our congratulations go to all of the athletes that took part and represented Munster so well over the course of Games - we’re so proud of each and every one of them. For many of our Team Munster athletes, the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games in Dublin were their first chance to compete on a national stage; to represent their region at these prestigious Games is, in itself, a phenomenal achievement.
“Bringing home 536 medals and personal bests from a competition of this level is a huge achievement. They are also returning home with memories and new friendships that will last a lifetime. I would also like to thank all the families, coaches and volunteers from across Munster, who all played their part in making these Games such a huge success; it would not have been possible without them.”
Selected athletes from these Games will go on to represent Team Ireland at the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi.
The 2018 Games were supported by 600 coaches and official delegates and 2,500 volunteers, with thousands of spectators turning out to cheer on athletes in venues across Dublin.
Special Olympics Ireland is a year-round sports training and competition programme for people with an intellectual disability. The benefits of participation in Special Olympics extend beyond the physical benefits of sport; it’s about team spirit, friendships and fun; it’s about a feeling of belonging and a sense of being part of a community. Special Olympics changes lives in so many different ways, enabling people with an intellectual disability to achieve and win not only in sport but in life too.
The public can follow further news and updates from the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games on Twitter, @SOIreland using the hashtag, #IrelandGames. Further updates and highlights from the Games will be posted on the Special Olympics Ireland Facebook page, Facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIreland
For further information about the Special Olympics Ireland programme, visit www.specialolympics.ie