Latest news with #SpecialOlympicsIreland
Irish Independent
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Limerick hurling legend Declan Hannon urges public to try exciting ‘once-in-a-lifetime' challenge
The 'once-in-a-lifetime' fundraising event, which takes place on Friday, June 20, invites participants to abseil 150 feet from the iconic Hogan Stand in Croke Park. All funds raised will support over 6,800 athletes with intellectual disabilities across 230 Special Olympics clubs nationwide, including many in Limerick and the wider Munster region. Declan, a four-time All-Ireland winning captain with Limerick, is backing the event alongside Special Olympics medallists Anita Forde and Emma Costelloe. Speaking at the launch, he encouraged individuals and businesses to sign up and take part. 'Sport is something that everyone should be able to enjoy and experience,' Declan said. 'By taking part in this event, you'll be helping to promote inclusive sport for people with an intellectual disability right across the country. I would encourage everyone to get out of your comfort zone and take on this challenge for a great cause,' he added. The challenge is part of Eir's 40th year of continuous support for Special Olympics Ireland. Denis Maher, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Special Olympics Ireland, said: 'Taking part in the Croke Park Abseil Challenge is a fantastic way to raise funds and support our athletes while also enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 'We're so grateful to Eir and Declan Hannon for helping us launch this event during such a special anniversary year.' Those looking to make a difference and take on the unique experience can sign up now at
Irish Independent
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Special Olympics heroes honoured in Mansion House after World Winter Games success
Dublin Lord Mayor Emma Blain hosted a ceremony honouring the 14 athletes who competed in the Turin Games in floorball and alpine skiing. Team Ireland secured a total of 11 medals at the Games, comprising five gold, three silver, and three bronze. Máire Connolly took one gold, while Lucy Best and Caolan McConville won two golds each, all for skiing. Donal Brennan and Clive Healy took silvery medals for skiing, while Clive Healy, Máire Connolly and Lucy Best also won bronze medals. Ireland's men's floorball team also won bronze. Matt English, Special Olympics CEO, said: 'I was really excited to see the whole team again this evening. While it was great to see the team perform so well, it's nice a month later to reflect on what they achieved. Both the athletes and the coaches and the whole management team.' 'For our athletes, unlike professional athletes that may have a 10- or 15-year career where there is a limelight on an ongoing basis, for some of these athletes this might be the only time they will compete on a world stage like this. It is a huge honour for them.' Mr English also hailed the importance of the charity's volunteers, who give up their time to support the 6,200 Special Olympics athletes across the country. 'It's really inspirational. I have met so many volunteers over the years, I have heard consistently that they would have said they would try volunteering for three months and then many are still involved 20 or 30 years later. What they invariably find is they get more back themselves for being involved than they put in,' Mr English said. For athletes who are considering getting involved at the grassroots level, there is an abundance of choices and benefits, he said. 'They experience inclusion and a feeling of community when they join. We now offer 15 different sports, meaning we have athletes participating in the Young Athlete programme learning the ABCs of support, ' Mr English added. "We also have older athletes in their 70s, and a few in their 80s, who are involved in bowling and bocce or even volunteering themselves. ADVERTISEMENT "Then we have the more competitive athletes too. So depending on what your level is we make sure there is something for everyone.' The charity's all-Ireland collection day will take place on Friday May 2 with Special Olympics Ireland urging the public to donate and give as little as €2, which can make all the difference for the organisation. Mr English said: 'It is a critical day for us. As a charitable organisation, we receive state funding along with donations from our valued sponsors and corporate partners, but it is also essential we raise money from the general public.' The Lord Mayor said she was 'honoured' to host the event. Ms Blain said: 'I am super proud on behalf of the citizens of Dublin to recognise the athletes' achievements. And not just the athletes but the volunteers that take part and their families and friends. We all know the effort it takes to be an athlete but you can't do that without support. The Special Olympics only functions with the amazing efforts of the volunteers that are involved.'
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Special Olympics: McConville and Best triumph at World Winter Games
Northern Ireland - no snow, no piste, no the ethos of double gold medallists Caolán McConville and Lucy Best who returned home this week after competing for Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in topping the podium in the giant slalom final, they also dominated the Super G event, with Caolán securing gold in the advanced division with a time of 33.10 seconds and Lucy claiming victory in the novice division at 41.39 from more than 100 countries competed in eight sports through the Piedmont region of Italy in the first World Winter Games since 2017. Caolán, 21, from Aghagallon in County Antrim, made history by becoming the first athlete to compete for Team Ireland in the advanced division in alpine skiing, having originally been entered in the intermediate section. "The second I heard I was in advanced I wasn't worried, but I was more doubtful of winning because I wasn't really trained for advanced, so coming out with two golds was definitely unexpected but definitely welcomed."Caolán's Dad Peadar said he wasn't in the least bit shocked that he won."I knew the confidence was there, I knew he was in control and I knew he had it in the bag," he said. 'We train on the artificial slopes of Craigavon and Kilternan' Describing his success as a "huge achievement" for Team Ireland, Caolán explained how training in Ireland had its challenges but also benefits. "We train on the wee artificial slopes of Craigavon and Kilternan, he artificial slopes are "definitely not the best place to train" but they provide "more training time" with the flexibility of year-round access. Lucy Best, 33, from Ballinderry, has been involved with Special Olympics Ireland for more than ten years, having previously competed at the World Winter Games in South Korea in county Antrim athlete won two gold and one bronze medal in Italy."I never expected to win anything, but I was so happy when I won the medals. "When my name got called out I was just so impressed and happy that I nearly burst out in tears," she said. 'Lambing season on hold' Lucy balances ski commitments with working on the family farm, where this year's spring lambing has been carefully planned. Lucy's mum Jo said: "Once Lucy was selected last year we realised that [the Games] were prime, bang in the middle of our lambing time, so we held the rams back for three weeks in October."She added that, since returning home on Sunday, "the sheep have gone crazy" with 70-80 lambs born in the last few said being part of the Special Olympics Ireland team has been hugely beneficial for Lucy."People with special needs don't always have an awful lot to look forward to. "She's really had a focus and now she's been so successful she's beaming with confidence," she said. 'Relax and enjoy it' Having experienced success at the highest level in Turin, Lucy and Caolán have no plans to retire just yet. Lucy said: "I'm just going to relax and enjoy it for a while."I'll go back into training slowly and hopefully get picked for the next Games, but I also want to give others a chance," she said: "I'm going to keep at it. I'm going to train for the next one and not quit until I'm 50 years old!"Switzerland is set to host the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2029.
