Ireland secures nine medals in Idaho

Ireland has today won nine medals in the Alpine Skiing category at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Boise, Idaho, US.

The additional six inches of snow and pristine slopes in Boise gave Ireland excellent form, as the Irish athletes hitting personal bests at every turn on the world stage.

So far, Team Ireland has secured four bronze, two silver and three gold medals. Ryan Hill from Richill, Co Armagh won gold in Alpine Intermediate Giant Slalom and Wicklow woman Lorraine Whelan won gold in both her competitions.

The two silver medals were secured by Rebecca McGonagle, 11, the youngest member of the team, from Clontarf in Dublin and by Cathal Murphy from Scarriff, Co Clare in the Alpine Novice Giant Slalom.

Dublin girls Katherine Daly from Dalkey, Clara Keoghan from Ballsbridge and Rebecca Mc Gonagle from Clontarf each won Bronze in their competitions while Ben Purcell from Dalkey and Charlie O Reilly from Sandycove won ribbons in their races.

The eight Irish athletes and their five coaches competed alongside 2,500 other athletes from more than 100 countries.

The victorious team will return home on Monday, February 16 at Dublin Airport at 8.15am to a welcome party from Irish supporters.