County Roscommon athletes have returned home with a haul of 30 medals from the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games in Dublin, where they were part of a 221-strong Team Connacht delegation.
A total of 1600 athletes across Ireland took part in the Games, which took place last weekend (15th to 17th). The Games were one of the largest and most prestigious sporting events to take place in Ireland in 2018.
Roscommon athletes achieved 30 medals (11 gold; 10 silver and 9 bronze), contributing to Team Connacht’s impressive tally of 311 medals (150 gold; 92 silver and 69 bronze).
Roscommon Town swimmer, Aoife Hegarty, who was selected as a flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the Games, was amongst the local champions, claiming Gold in the 4X100M Freestyle Relay and two Bronze medals in the 50M and 100M freestyle events.
The winning streak continued in the pool as Anne Marie Donnelly (30) from Four Roads, Co. Roscommon; Shaun Mullen (15) from Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon; Chelsea Phillips (26) from Castlerea, Co. Roscommon and Aidan Thomas (16) from Roscommon collected 10 medals (2 gold, 7 silver and 1 bronze) between them.
Roscommon athletes also enjoyed success across a range of sports, bringing home medals in Athletics (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze); Basketball (1 Gold, 2 Bronze); Bowling (3 Golds, 1 Bronze); Equestrian (1 Silver, 1 Bronze); and Table Tennis (2 Gold, 1 Bronze).
“Myra Merrick, regional director for Special Olympics Connacht commented: “Bringing home 311 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, 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.
