Champions of the world!

THE Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Sarah Holland, was one of the first to congratulate Kilnamanagh Olympian Gary McEnroe who bagged a bronze medal in the 25m backstroke on the first day of the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles

“Everyone here in South Dublin County is thrilled with Gary’s win,” the Mayor said. “We have a rich diversity of sports clubs here in the county and Gary is one of our top athletes.

“We take our health and wellbeing seriously here and have a full week of activities planned for Health and Wellbeing week which takes place from September 14 to 19 this year.”

Congratulations were also extended from Sean Crowe TD who said:

“Gary McEnroe is a bright young star from Kilnamanagh and has done us all proud in Los Angeles this year.

“Well done to Gary and to all of the Special Olympics team who are bringing home a treasure hoard of medals this year.”

Gary (19) whose club is the Menni Services said he had started swimming in school.

He lives with his mam, dad and sister Emma and he has a dog called Buster.

“My sister likes to swim and she sometimes goes swimming with me,” he said before the games.

Gary was just one Southsider who has been helping Team Ireland with their medal tally.

At time of going to press on Friday, the Team Ireland Equestrian athletes had won four medals on Day Four with 37-year-old Elizabeth Mair, from Rathfarnham, bringing her personal tally to two golds after taking top spot in the dressage section of the competition.

Over at the athletics in USC, 21-year-old Timothy Morahan, from Rathmines, a member of South Dublin Special Olympics Sports Club claimed a bronze medal in the 800M, while Keith Butler (23) from the D6 Special Olympics Club won Fifth Place Ribbon in 1,500M Open Water Swimming

A fellow Tallaght man, Francis Bilardi, who is a member of Cheeverstown Special Olympics Club, is also competing and there was another Tallaght connection as the 11-a-side footballers had a very famous fan in their corner when they took on Bangladesh in their first group game.

Team Ireland Ambassador Robbie Keane, who is originally from the Southside suburb, came to cheer the players on and also delivered a pre-match pep talk.

However, in what was a tough game, the footballers recorded a 4-1 loss. Yet there were many positives in the performance and the Irish and LA Galaxy captain offered the players some words of encouragement after the final whistle.

“The scoreline didn’t do the lads justice,” he said. “They are obviously disappointed but it’s important they pick themselves back up now.”

Ireland has competitors participating in 12 sports, and Team Ireland has 128 members, made up of 88 athletes and 40 coaches and managers.

Last week, the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring TD, congratulated Team Ireland on their continued success at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Minister Ring said: “Winning a gold or any medal for your country at a world games is a tremendous achievement and I want to congratulate all the athletes on their success so far.

“I am sure their family, friends and supporters are delighted and I want to add my voice to all those who are wishing them well and willing the rest of the team on. The 88 Irish athletes have put so much work in and I want to wish them all the best for the rest of the games.”

The minister added: “I want to particularly thank the volunteers and managers who are supporting the athletes at the games. Without volunteers in all codes and sports throughout the country we would have no sport. I am sure they are all very proud of the competitors who continue to do the country proud. I want to wish the whole team all the best for the rest of the games.”

Team Ireland’s success at the games has led to an outpouring of support across Ireland.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is the latest to add his voice to messages of goodwill. In a special video message, Mr Kenny said: “I want to send my best wishes to all the athletes, mentors and trainers at Team Ireland. I saw the clips from the Opening Ceremony; it was magnificent seeing all our proud athletes parade into the stadium. I saw you with Colin Farrell and Claudine Keane – neither will mind when I say that you were the real superstars on the night.

“To represent your country at Olympic level is a fantastic achievement; very few people get a chance to pull on an Irish shirt at Olympic Games – enjoy that moment. Your family and friends are very, very proud of you. We here at home are also very, very proud of you. You are representing your country with pride and distinction and we are all cheering you on. So, go on Team Ireland, do the job.”

A 40-strong coaching and management team supported the athletes in Los Angeles, with 155 Team Ireland volunteers at the games. Over 300 family members made the trip to support Team Ireland athletes.

Over 6,500 athletes from 165 countries also took part, making the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games one of the largest sporting events staged anywhere in the world this year .

It was also the single biggest event held in Los Angeles since the city hosted the 1984 Olympic Games.