Tag Archives: Special Olympics

WARM tributes have been made to an East Clare native whose charm and generosity touched all who knew her, and whose sporting abilities earned her a medal at the Special Olympics World Games last year. Mairéad Moroney of Gort Road, Ennis, and formerly of Kealderra, O’Callaghan’s Mills, passed away earlier this month, just a few weeks before her 71st birthday. A champion golfer, Mairéad made history last year, as the oldest contestant – and medal winner – at the World Games in Abu Dhabi. Along with her playing partner Jean Molony, she took picked up silver medals in the Level 2 Alternate Shot Team Play in March of last year. Despite the fact that she had only a few years of play under her belt, Mairéad earned a place on Team Ireland, and was unfazed when she discovered she was the oldest of an estimated 7,500 global competitors. She and Jean were among four high-achieving athletes honoured with a Civic …

TWO Ennis men have been formally unveiled as Special Olympics athletes who will represent Ireland in golf at the World Summer Games is Los Angeles in July. They are 29-year-old, Paul Kirrane and 72-year-old Patrick Rutherford. Playing golf for four years, Paul is currently training with Ennis Golf Club. Patrick has been playing golf for 25 years and he also enjoys triathlons and athletics. Patrick’s a golf coach at his local club where Paul also trains. One of Ireland’s most successful golfers, Christy O’Connor Junior, and three-time Olympian and former 5,000m World Champion, Senator Eamonn Coghlan joined Patrick Rutherford at the launch of the Team Ireland Golfing Squad, where it was also announced that Gala, has joined Special Olympics as one of Team Ireland’s Official Sponsors. Hailing from across Ireland, the full line-up for the Team Ireland golfing squad is: Margaret Carr from Sligo; Rosemary O’Reilly from Meath; Trudy Hyland from Cork, Paul Kirrane from Ennis, Oliver Doherty from Buncrana, …

There was great success for Clare athletes at the Special Olympics National competitions in Limerick. Robbie McNamara won gold in the 200m and bronze in the 1200m, while he was a member of the 4 x 100m relay team which took sixth spot. In Division 2 soccer, Stephen McInerney and Patrick Spellissey won gold medals while in Division 3 soccer, Barry O’Regan, John Fitzgerald and Stefan Davis were gold medal winners. In Division 4 soccer, Kieran Whelan, Sean O’Neill and John Madden won silver medals. In basketball Division 2, Martin Cusack and Declan Clohessy were silver medal winners. Adrian O’Neill won a gold medal in the table tennis singles competition and he also won gold in the doubles competition. Patrick O’Leary also won gold in the doubles, while he was fifth in the singles. All of these athletes are members of the Brothers of Charity in Ennis. There was great excitement at the Gort Road headquarters of the organisation as their …

THE IFA has unveiled its partnership with the 2014 Special Olympics Games Ireland. IFA is a bronze partner of the equestrian competition at the Games, which will be held in Limerick from June 12 to 15. IFA president Eddie Downey and the organisation’s national treasurer, Jer Bergin, said, “We’re proud to partner with 2014 Special Olympics Ireland Games and all that they represent. IFA chose to get involved with the Games to support participating Irish farm families and our members volunteering at the Games. With their drive, determination, commitment and passion, Special Olympic athletes are incredible role-models for all’. More than 1,500 athletes will compete in the Games and will be supported by 500 coaches, 3,000 volunteers and 3,000 family members. Meanwhile, a coach company owned by a West Clare man and which recently launched an Ennis-based service, has been appointed as official transport partner for the Games in Limerick. Dublin Coach have progressed through a lengthy tender process over …