COME ON IRELAND!
The Special Olympics World Summer Games begin in LA this weekend and Team Ireland will be there in force.
88 athletes in 13 disciplines plus management and coaching team of 40 will wing their way to the US west coast today before the 25 July opening.
The excitement was palpable as Team Ireland checked in at Terminal 2 today.
Footballers Sean MacDonald and Leon Keogh took the opportunity to pose with Aer Lingus cabin crew
And they weren’t the only ones…
Sean Campbell from Coleraine.
Swimmer Sean Coleman from Cork.
Equestrian athlete Dearbhail Savage.
Bags checked, boarding cards ready?
Sure if the captain’s not on the plane yet, there’s still time for more photos
Captain Padraic Maye, Bocce athlete Ann Hoey, Kayaker Ian Staunton and Aer Lingus CEO Stephen Kavanagh.
Gymnast Billy Kane.
Watch some more of the excitement here
Sportsfile / Vimeo
Originally published 13.35