More success for Ireland at Special Olympics

Team Ireland’s winning streak at the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens continued today, scooping ten medals.

The youngest athlete on Team Ireland, Fergal Gregory from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh was in action in the 25m butterfly where he won a gold medal.

There were some fantastic performances in athletics track and field with Irish athletes securing five medals between them.

Martin Mahood from Bangor, Co Down won silver in the men’s shot put competition. Amy Quinn from Bray, Co Wicklow also won silver in the women’s softball throw event.

Ciara O’ Loughlin from Inagh, Co Clare won silver in the women’s shot put competition. Eileen O’Loughlin came 4th in the event.

John McKiernan from Bawnboy, Co Cavan won bronze in the softball throw while Gary O’ Brien shot out of the blocks to secure a silver in the men’s 400m event, a personal best for the man from Portmarnock, Co Dublin.

In equestrian, Conor MacGearailt from Athy, Co Kildare was the only Irish athlete competing today winning a bronze in the English Equitation event.

In bocce, five of our athletes were in action today. Mary Kirby from Newcastle West in Limerick came fifth in the ladies singles event while Lisa Maher from Waterfall, Cork won a bronze medal and fellow team mate Mary McDermott from Swinford won a silver.

In aquatics Caitriona Kearney from Bagnelstown, Co Carlow came fourth in the 50m backstroke, while Diarmuid O’ Flynn from Kilkenny finished fifth in the men’s 50m backstroke event.

Ciaran Mallon from Newry, Co. Down won a gold in bowling – his second of the Games.

Meanwhile Michael Hardiman from Tallaght, Co. Dublin came 4th in the singles event and Deirdre Gannon from Westport, Co. Mayo came sixth in her competition.

The women’s basketball team had a convincing win over their French counterparts in a game that finished with a score line of 17 – 3.

In football the men’s 11-a-side team were involved in a hugely exciting game against Australia. Belfast man Kenny Irvine scored a brace which were matched by Australia.

It was down to Michael Neville from Sixmilebridge, Co Clare to secure the win for the team with a superb goal in the final minute.

The team will face Great Britain on Saturday in a hotly anticipated match. Both the men’s and women’s five-a-side teams were in action today.

The men overcame East Timor 2-0, while the women’s team were just pipped by the host nation Greece.

Today was the first day of competition for our golfers who had an early start on Glyfada Golf Course. They will be back there tomorrow for day two.

The current medal tally for Team Ireland stands at 44 (12 Gold, 24 Silver and eight bronze).

Team Ireland will be in action once again tomorrow. To follow their progress or to leave a message of support, visit www.specialolympics.ie/athens.

Fans can also download a free iPhone App from the Apple iStore which will enable you to track your local athlete while on the go. Team Ireland are proudly supported by eircom.