Team Ireland have finished the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles with an incredible 86 medals.
On the final day of competition alone Irish athletes won six gold, five silver and five bronze medals. This leaves the team with a final medal tally of 26 gold, 29 silver, 31 bronze, 31 personal bests and 43 placement ribbons.
The final day proved extremely successful for Co. Donegal gymnast Patrick Quinlivan, who won a silver medal in Vault, three bronze medals (Horizontal Bar, Rings and Parallel Bars) as well as three fourth place ribbons.
Inspiring 15-year-old equestrian athlete, Déarbáil Savage from Mowhan, Co. Armagh rounded off the Games by securing her third medal – a gold in Team Relay, adding to her gold and silver won earlier this week.
The Irish ladies’ basketball team delivered their best performance of the World Games, beating Mexico by 19-17 to take gold.
Basketball coach Vicki Ronning said she was “blown away” by her players. “I am immensely proud of the girls and all the hard work they put in over the last nine months. Despite the strong competition they proved themselves to be the best.”
Clondalkin player Sarah Bryne, 18, was stunned by her team’s achievement and explained how her team mates had to fight back to claim the victory.
Byrne said: “I can’t believe it. It was my dream to get a gold medal. We went to sleep for a little while but towards the end our defence picked up and our shooting got a bit better.”
At the Drake Stadium in UCLA Ireland’s 11-a-side footballers put in a huge performance to beat Iceland 5-4 on penalties.
The victory meant the Irish players will leave Los Angeles with a bronze medal.
Head coach Paul Martyn said he was delighted for his players:“We had to play five games in five days. In the final game we got the equalizer with three minutes to go. That just epitomised the determination to bring home a medal. The respect the lads showed after the missed penalty was sportsmanship of the highest order.”
On the athletics track there was silver medal joy for the relay team of 25-year-old Aoife Beston from Claremorris, Co Mayo, 42 year-old Donal O’Mahoney from Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, 26-year-old Timothy Morahan from Rathmines, Dublin and 20-year-old James Meenan from Dundalk Co Louth.
In badminton there was a gold medal in the mixed doubles for Amy Quinn (30) from Bray, Co Wicklow and her partner Brian Hooper (33) from Gorey, Co Wexford.
In the bocce mixed doubles, Mullingar man Peter Malynn (57) and playing partner Anne Hoey (51) from Drogheda, Co Louth took a silver medal after a series of great displays in the bowls-type sport.
Speaking on the final day of competition Team Ireland, CEO Matt English said: “Each and every member of Team Ireland has put in an extraordinary effort here in Los Angeles. From medals, ribbon placements and personal bests, this has been one of the most successful World Games ever.
“A huge debt of gratitude must go to the coaches and management team who have led and assisted our athletes on every step of the way. And I know the people of Ireland will welcome back our athletes and give them the hero’s welcome they rightly deserve.”
The curtains come down on the 2015 World Games today with a closing ceremony at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum featuring appearances from singer songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen and Victoria Arlen – a Paralympic gold medallist.
