Representatives of the five Kerry Special Olympics clubs, with Mayor of Kerry, John Brassil at the Special Olympics civic reception in Kerry County Council buildings were, From left: Orla Murphy, Cliodhna Palmer, Eoin O’Sullivan, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council John Brassil, Brendan O’Sullivan and Bronagh Enright. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
THE five different Special Olympics groups in Kerry were honoured with a civic reception at Kerry County Council buildings on Monday afternoon.
They were gathered to acknowledge their outstanding contribution to the sporting life of Kerry.
“This means an awful lot to us. There is a lot of work that goes into the clubs. I’d like to thank the county council for this civic reception,” said Kate Ryan, who spoke on behalf of all the Kerry Special Olympics groups.
The Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr John Brassil, was the first speaker to pay tribute to the groups.
“For many, the sports they provide coaching on has given a lease of life to some of the athletes to give them a goal and a purpose which has driven them to great success” said Cllr Brassil.
The civic reception proposal was put forward by Tralee Cllr Norma Foley and was voted for unanimously by councillors.
“A civic reception is the highest honour a county council can bestow upon a person or group and to my mind there is no group more rewarding than the Special Olympics,” said Cllr Norma Foley.
“The motto for Special Olympics is ‘let me win, but If I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt’. I think that is a terrific motto for anyone in any walk of life could actually embrace. It is that spirit of involvement that we laud here today,” said Cllr Norma Foley.
The groups that received the civic reception were, Tralee Together, Kerry Fairways Golf Society, Kerry Stars, North Kerry Eagles and the Skellig Stars.
The Tralee Together, Special Olympics club at Kerry County Council buildings for a civic reception were, front row from left: Liam Purcell, Hugh O’Brien, Laoibhse O’Connor. Back row, Lorna O’Sullivan, Eoin O’Sullivan and Kit Ryan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
The Kerry Stars, Special Olympics club at Kerry County Council buildings for a civic reception were, front row from left: Cliodhna Palmer, Siobhan Loony, Timothy O’Sullivan. Back row, Liz O’Connell, Breda O’Sullivan, Brendan O’Connor and Pat Looney. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
