Success for Ormond athletes at Special Olympics Ireland Games
The Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games took place recently at various venues across Dublin, Kildare and Meath, providing four days of excitement, inspiration and unforgettable moments.
They were a celebration of inclusion, ability and community, bringing together athletes from across the island of Ireland to compete, connect and take centre stage.
Four local athletes from Ormond Special Olympics Sports Club, Nenagh were selected as part of the Munster team. Rachel Ryan, Ann O’Meara and Martha Jones competed in Athletics at Morton Stadium, Santry, while club colleague, Aife Dalton, competed in Swimming at The National Aquatic Centre, representing Limerick City Special Olympics Club where she also trains.
OPENING CEREMONY
Day 1 saw the Opening Ceremony take place at Tallaght Stadium. President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, officially opened The Games, kicking off an unforgettable celebration of sport, inclusion and community.
Comprising 12 sports, some 1,300 athletes from across Ireland proudly marched into the stadium to a rapturous welcome from families and supporters.
The Torch Run, the lighting of the Flame of Hope, a spectacular flyover by the Air Corps and incredible entertainment had athletes, families and supporters up on their feet and dancing.
DAY 2 - DIVISIONING
Friday was the first full day of competition and saw athletes from all over Ireland representing their provinces with commitment and discipline as they kicked off the Games with Divisioning Events that determined who each athlete would be up against in the hard-fought Finals for medals and Ireland Games glory.
The multiple venues were fully supported throughout by excited parents, relatives, coaches, volunteers and spectators.
For local Nenagh athletes the months of hard training sessions paid off, as they celebrated their performances and basked in the cheers from spectators, coaches, family members and volunteers. The next two days of competition were to bring huge success for each of them.
DAYS 3 & 4 - FINALS
In what she is still saying will be her last Games before retirement, Ann O’Meara from Nenagh performed superbly in her Divisioning, topping the podium and winning the Gold medal in the 400m Walk, followed by fifth place in the MiniJav final.
Ann intends to continue attending Ormond Club training sessions as a volunteer to pass on her wealth of experience to fellow athletes, and aspires to gain her coaching qualifications in the next few years.
Martha Jones from Moneygall achieved the full complement of medals in her Finals Events, striding forward to beat all competition and take the Gold medal in the 100m.
She then demonstrated her faultless Shot Putt technique against a strong field to win the Silver medal, and wrapped up a superb Games performance by running a brilliant leg to help her team to the Bronze medal placing in the 4x100m Relay.
The most decorated Club Athlete, Rachel Ryan from Templemore, once again used all her years of experience at this level, having progressed from her achievements as a top sprinter in previous years to her current middle-distance prominence.
She mounted the top of the podium to win the Gold medal in a highly competitive 800m, following that up with a Silver medal in the 1500m. To add to her already impressive haul of medals over the years, she contributed a fine performance to win a Bronze medal in the 4x400m Relay.
A past member of Special Olympics Squads at regional, national and international level around the world over the last twenty-plus years, Rachel summed up the hard work put in by herself and her fellow competitors when she said: “It isn’t an easy road getting to The All-Ireland Games no matter what sport you take part in. I certainly learned along the way that it takes years of commitment and hard work during each qualifying cycle. What happens next, who knows but I will continue to challenge myself whatever happens. “
Aife Dalton from Ballina was competing in her second Games but her first time representing Munster in Swimming. Previously Aife was a Gold and Silver medal winner in Athletics, and was also an international medallist representing Ireland in Judo.
At the National Aquatic Centre, Aife won a Silver medal in a very close finish in the 50m Backstroke. She followed this up with a Bronze medal in the 50m Front Crawly, rising from fifth to third with a very strong final fifteen metres which almost took her to the lead in another close finish.
Aife’s finals finished with further success in the Front Crawl Relay, adding another Silver medal to her collection.
Afterwards Aife wished to thank her brilliant Coach/Chaperone at the Games, Tanya, and said how delighted she is to have made so many new friends over the three days of competition.
Liadhan Hassett, Head Coach of Ormond Special Olympics Sports Club, Nenagh and Coach/Chaperone within the Munster Squad said: “I am delighted to see our Ormond Club Athletes do so well competing at National level and achieving the rewards they deserve for all the dedication and commitment they and all their fellow Athletes here in Nenagh put into their training.
“Indeed, it is a tribute to the efforts put in by every one of the athletes in our local Club, as well as all of our local coaches, volunteers and family members on a weekly basis that we have many local Club Athletes capable of competing so strongly at National level.”
She also mentioned that Ormond Special Olympics Sports Club, Nenagh has been celebrating 30 years in existence this month. Celebrations were marked by a dinner party at The Abbey Court Hotel, and the present Committee is delighted to have welcomed some of the original founder members, as well as past and present members to the event.
Behind every Special Olympics medal is a story of Courage and determination and every athlete represents their club and province with enormous pride. The Special Olympics oath was felt in every race, every routine, every match, every medal and every smile.
“Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”