Celebrating Medal Success
July 20, 2018
Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee has congratulated local athletes from Lisburn 2gether after their successful medal tally at the Special Olympics Ireland Games in Dublin last month.
The Club won a staggering 13 medals across a number of closely contended singles, pairs and doubles events in the sports of Badminton, Bocce and Football.
Bocce athletes Claire O’Neill and Oliver Magee won well-deserved Gold medals in both the singles and pairs events with Theresa McMahon also winning Gold in the pairs as well as collecting a Bronze in the singles. Christopher Parker was also awarded Gold in the pairs and a 4th place in the singles.
In badminton, Sarah Louise Rea and Ben Hayward topped the table with Gold medals in the singles and mixed doubles with Adam Smyth winning Gold in the men’s doubles and 4th in the singles.
Footballers Daniel Tennyson and Joe McVarnock then rounded off the medal success with a keenly contended Bronze medal and 4th place.
Alderman Porter, said, “As Chairman of the Leisure & Community Development Committee, I would like to congratulate all the athletes and volunteers for their tremendous achievements at the Special Olympics Ireland Games. Everyone has performed to the highest standard and has proudly represented Team Ulster and Lisburn & Castlereagh at such a prestigious competition.
“To come away with so many medals highlights the hard work and dedication that goes into preparing for major competitions by both the athletes and the many helpers and volunteers who support the team. The Council are extremely proud of your achievements and I am delighted to meet the team again and see such a display of medals proudly worn around the necks of our athletes today.
“I know everyone has enjoyed the competition and I hope the experience will encourage more people to get involved with the Club and enjoy a shared love of sport. I have no doubt that I will hear many more success stories in the near future as the Club grows from strength to strength.
“It has been a pleasure to congratulate all the athletes today and thank the team of coaches and volunteers for their dedication and support, and on behalf of the Council pass on a massive well done!”
Lorraine Foster, Chairman of Lisburn 2gether added, ““The Club is extremely proud of the athletes who took part in the Ireland Games. They have all worked hard over the past three years competing and progressing through Area and Regional Games followed by a selection process to represent Ulster in Special Olympics 2018 Ireland Games. The success, dedication and commitment of athletes and coaches is reflected in the medals and ribbons brought back from these Games. On behalf of Lisburn 2gether Special Olympics I would like to thank Alderman Porter and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council for their continued support of the Club.”
