Special Olympics receive hero's welcome

TEAM Ireland received a hero’s welcome from family members and supporters in Dublin Airport today they returned home from their victorious performance at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

The eight athletes and their five coaches had just stepped off their return flights from Boise, Idaho but there was no sign of tiredness when they arrived to an explosion of cheers and applause from the large crowd which had gathered to greet them.

TEAM Ireland had an outstanding performance at the Games winning a total 14 medals and eight ribbons in the Alpine Skiing category.

Matt English, Chief Executive Special Olympics Ireland said: 'To see these athletes compete on a world stage was truly inspirational. TEAM Ireland did themselves, their families, their Special Olympics clubs and Ireland proud.

'Each one of them was a true ambassador for Ireland and sport at the games and I know everyone shares my delight in their achievements.'

The eight athletes on TEAM Ireland who represented Special Olympics Ireland in Alpine Skiing were:
Ben Purcell (Dalkey, Co Dublin ) ; Cathal Murphy (Scariff, Co Clare), Charlie O’ Reilly (Sandycove, Co Dublin); Clara Keoghan (Ballsbridge , Dublin 4), Katharine Daly (Dalkey, Co Dublin), Lorraine Whelan (Delgany, Co Wicklow), Ryan Hill (Richill, Co. Armagh) and Rebecca McGonagle (Clontarf, Co. Dublin).