- Team Ireland Secure 11 medals on day three at LA2015 (Four Gold, Two Silver & Five Bronze), bringing tally to 15.
- Team Ireland gymnasts romp home with nine medals and an array of ribbons
- Team Ireland’s first gold won by Team Ireland gymnast Kirsty Devlin from Belfast
- Team Ireland Bocce player Peter Malynn from Mullingar, Co Westmeath also wins gold
- Team Ireland Bowling Team celebrate bronze in the doubles
- Ireland football captain Robbie Keane on-hand to support 11-a-side footballers
- Team Ireland’s tally (end day three): 15 medals: Four Gold, Three Silver and Eight Bronze)
Day three of competition at the Special Olympics World Summer Games saw Team Ireland’s medal haul climb to an impressive 15, with 11 medals won by Irish athletes over the course of a busy third day in Los Angeles. There were also a host of placement ribbons and personal bests achieved by the athletes as they continue to perform well at the World Games.
Team Ireland’s first gold was won by 21 year old gymnast Kirsty Devlin from Belfast. Talented Kirsty was competing in the Rope competition in Gymnastics Rhythmic Level 1 in Collins Court Wooden Centre in UCLA where she put in a fine performance to secure her first gold.
Kirsty, who trains with SALTO Gymnastics Club in Belfast, had a great day of competition, taking a total of four medals: two gold, two silver and a fourth place ribbon (full breakdown below) in various sections of the Gymnastics Rhythmic Level 1 competition.
Elizabeth Devlin, mum of Kirsty, was thrilled with her daughter’s efforts: “I’m absolutely so proud – the tears were in my eyes, watching Kirsty. She’s just amazing. The whole family is so proud of her. There are four of us out here in LA supporting Kirsty – myself, my brother and his wife and my son. She’ll be a celebrity when she gets home – everyone will shake her hand and congratulate her. They all love her back in Belfast – everyone loves her!”
There was further success in gymnastics for Limerick City athlete Ashleigh O’Hagan (21) who won two bronze medals and three place ribbons in the Rhythmic Level 1 Gymnastics (full breakdown below). Tying up a fantastic day for the Team Ireland gymnastics team, Aoife O’Sullivan from Cork City clinched one Gold and Two bronze medals, as well as two place ribbons.
Unbelievable Ashleigh finishes the day with 2xbronze, 4th & 2x 5th #teamireland#LA2015 @SOIreland pic.twitter.com/ayxGxKjYfG
— SOI_Brian McG (@SOI_BRIANMCG) July 28, 2015
Meanwhile, Westmeath man Peter Malynn (57) also won a gold medal in a tense final in the singles bocce competition, which is a ball sport similar to bowls. The final score in his match was 9-7 and the Mullingar man was thrilled with the outcome.
And there was further success for the Team Ireland Bowling team, with a bronze in the Doubles event for Martina Walsh from Castlebar, Co. Mayo and Ruth Geerah from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
The 11-a-side footballers had a very famous fan in their corner as they took on Bangladesh in their first group game. Team Ireland ambassador Robbie Keane came to cheer the players on and also delivered a pre-match pep talk. However, in what was a tough game, the footballers recorded a 4-1 loss. Yet there were many positives in the performance and the Irish and LA Galaxy captain offered the players some words of encouragement after the final whistle. “The scoreline didn’t do the lads justice. They are obviously disappointed but it’s important they pick themselves back up now,” said Keane.
Team Ireland’s current medal tally (end day three) is 15 medals: Four Gold, Three Silver and Eight Bronze.
On the first day of competition (Sunday 26th July), Team Ireland athletes win one silver and two bronze medals. Ulster’s Sarah Jane Johnston, aged 35 from Lurgan, Co. Armagh (Ripples Special Olympics Club) clinched the first medal for Team Ireland, winning a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke. Team Ireland swimmer, Sean Coleman, aged 22 from Youghal, Co. Cork (Cork Special Olympics Swimming Club) went on to win a silver medal in the 25m backstroke; and Gary McEnroe, aged 20 from Tallaght, Dublin (St John of God Menni Services) bagged a bronze medal in the 25m backstroke
Day two of the competition saw further success in the pool for Sarah Jane Johnston from Lurgan, Co Armagh, when she won a second bronze medal, after finishing third in the 100M Freestyle on Monday (27th July).
Commenting on Team Ireland’s day at LA2015, Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland said: “Day three has been exceptional and very exciting for Team Ireland, with our athletes continuing to put in great performances across all 12 sports. It’s fantastic to secure the first gold medals and the excitement is palpable both here in LA and at home. The atmosphere in every venue has been fantastic and the travelling Irish support is certainly helping our athletes rise to the occasion. I know that everyone at home is cheering on every medal and personal best and joining us in celebrating this fantastic event.”
Shaun Cassidy, regional director, Special Olympics Ulster said: “It’s incredible to hear news of the fantastic success of Team Ireland at LA2015; securing 15 medals in three days is just amazing. Our congratulations go to all of the athletes and particularly Ulster’s Kirsty Devlin who won the first gold medal for Team Ireland today and four medals in total, which is a sensational achievement. We wish the whole team continuing success as the Games continue this week.”
The World Games run until August 2nd 2015. Team Ireland will compete in 12 different Olympic style sports. Their selection comes after four years of training and competition.
Twelve local Special Olympics Ulster athletes are competing in the Special Olympics World Summer Games, Los Angeles 2015 (LA2015) as part of Team Ireland: Christopher Kane, aged 19, from Lisburn and Peter Fitzpatrick, aged 20 from Ballynahinch, Co. Down (5-a side football); Carole Catling, aged 37 from Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim (table tennis); Kirsty Devlin, aged 20 from Belfast and Patrick Quinlivan, aged 32 from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (gymnastics); Oliver Doherty, aged 38 from Buncrana, Co. Donegal, Jill Connery, aged 29 from Scarva, Co. Armagh & playing partner, Ursula McDonnell, aged 71 from Belfast (all golf); Sarah Jane Johnston, aged 35 from Lurgan, Co. Armagh (aquatics); Déarbháil Savage, aged 14 from Mowhan, Co. Armagh (equestrian); Sean Campbell, aged 30 from Coleraine (ten pin bowling); and Nuala Browne, aged 38 from Strabane, Co. Tyrone (kayaking).
A 40-strong coaching and management team are supporting the athletes in Los Angeles, with 155 Team Ireland volunteers working at the Games. Over 300 family members have also made the trip to the World Games to support Team Ireland athletes.
Follow Team Ireland at the World Games:
Twitter: @SOIreland use the hashtags, #TeamIreland #LA2015 & #SupportanAthlete
Facebook: Special Olympics Ireland
Website: specialolympics.ie
Special Olympics is a year-round sports organisation for athletes with intellectual disabilities and is supported by the Irish Sports Council and Sport NI. Team Ireland sponsors include Eircom, Aer Lingus and Gala who all pledged significant funds to help send Team Ireland to Los Angeles.
In home of Hollywood Stars, I met the real deal: #TeamIreland's Kirsty Devlin from #Belfast 2 Gold & 2 Silver #LA2015 pic.twitter.com/oYydthrDF6
— Sinead Doyle (@SineadDoyle) July 29, 2015
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