IRELAND’S SPECIAL OLYMPIC athletes were in danger of weighing down the plane coming back to Dublin, such was the haul of medals they brought home from the world games in LA.
As well as 41 placement ribbons and 31 personal bests, Team Ireland’s 88 strong group of athletes were blinging with medals as they touched down in Dublin this morning.
26 gold, 28 silver and 28 bronze medals were on display at Dublin airport, to a hero’s welcome from the large crowd.
Three Wicklow medalists shared the limelight, as John Rowan (bowling), Laura Reynolds (basketball), and Leo O’Brien (golf) hold the tri-colour aloft.
Table tennis gold medalist Francis Power from Navan raised the roof…
Before celebrating with his personal fan club…
After a difficult couple of weeks for the Rebel Army, Youghal’s Sean Coleman finally gave Cork something to smile about with his two swimming medals.
You could hear Letterkenny gymnast Patrick Quinlivan coming from a mile away, with all those medals jingling.
And the Dubs were also celebrating, with swimmer Keith Butler from Walkinstown showing off his gold.
The Sunday Game’s Des Cahill was double-jobbing as photographer for Bray’s Amy Quinn, who won medals in badminton.
Dundalk’s James Meenan cleaned up on the track in athletics.
While soccer player David Carrick from Lucan celebrated his medal with his sister Lisa.