Team Ireland arrives back home from the 2014 Special Olympics European Games in Belgium this morning.
The 46 Irish athletes are due into terminal 2 at Dublin airport at around 11:30 this morning, bringing with them 12 gold, 21 silver, and 24 bronze medals.
Ireland competed in seven sports during these games, and won medals in all, making it one of the most successful Irish showings at the European Games to date.
On Friday the Irish men’s seven-a-side football team played a great match to secure gold in their match against Israel. Captained by Cork native Wayne O’Callaghan, the team were also awarded the prestigious Fair Play Award in recognition of their exemplary conduct on the pitch. 18-year-old Wayne, who is an athlete with Ballincollig Special Olympics Club, commented: “It is such an honour to represent your country. Not everyone gets a chance like this, so you have to take it. All my friends at home are delighted for me.”
There was also medal success for gymnast Colleen Flood from Rosslare, Co Wexford. 18-year-old Colleen was the first Irish athlete to secure gold and did so in fine fashion on the uneven bars. Another excellent display on the vault meant Colleen returns home with a silver medal as well.
50-year-old table-tennis athlete, Pat Dorgan, from Cork City was sensational in his two events, taking gold in the singles competition and silver in the doubles with his partner, Carrie Doyle (26) from Dun Laoghaire Co Dublin. Pat said it made him feel “important and special” to be competing for his country at the Games.
In all Team Ireland took home 12 gold, 21 silver, 24 bronze, 18-4th place ribbons, 11-5th place ribbons and 2-6th place ribbons.
The full breakdown is as follows. Please note placement ribbons are awarded to athletes finishing 4th place through to 6th.
Aquatics: 1 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze (1 for relay), 2 - 4th place, 1 - 5th place and 2 6th place.
Athletics: 4 gold, 5 silver, 1 bronze (relay), 6 4th place and 1 5th
Badminton: 2 silver, 5 bronze and 1 5th place
Bocce: 3 gold, 1 silver, 5 bronze, 3-4th place (1 female team event) and 6-5th place.
Football: Gold and the team also received the Fair Play Award
Gymnastics: 2 gold, 3 silver, 9 bronze, 7-4th place, and 2-5th place.
Table-Tennis: 1 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze
Commenting on the Games, Matt English, Special Olympics, CEO said: “Team Ireland did themselves and the country proud at the European Games in Belgium. Across the board, there were fantastic performances and the fact that the Fair Play Award was given the Irish men’s seven-a-side football team really shows what a tremendous job the coaches and management team did with all the athletes. Ireland should be very proud to have such inspiring athletes representing us at the highest level.”
