Tag Archives: special olympics

News

Brendan Hopes You’ll Join Him For ‘Fenit Polar Plunge’ This Weekend

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Special Olympics athlete Brendan O’Connell braves the water at Fenit Beach with Mascot ‘Bear Chills’ for the launch of Kerry’s first Polar Plunge on December 9th, 2017.

SPECIAL Olympics Ireland are issuing a final reminder about the Fenit Polar Plunge on Saturday December 9 at 11am.

The Kerry fundraiser for local athletes takes place at Fenit Harbour for the first time in this year.

Special Olympics Munster are looking to build on a successful plunge in Cork last weekend as it is a critical fundraiser for people with intellectual disabilities in the province.

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Tralee athlete Brendan O’Connell and Garda Siochana Representative Aidan O’Mahony were on hand to launch the event and Brendan will be using his experience as an open-water swimmer to give advice to first time plungers on the day.

“Swimming is my life,” says the Tralee native. “I train in Fenit in the summer five to seven days a week and it’s often really cold in that water. Also it makes me look like a mad person to do this without a wetsuit. And it makes me a toughie too,” he joked.

Brendan has high hopes for the Special Olympics Ireland Games in Dublin next year. His is a World Games gold medallist and is training hard for an event which only comes around every four years.

2018 is a massive year for Special Olympics in Munster. 387 athletes and 148 coaching and management volunteers from the region will head to Dublin for four days in June for the Special Olympics Ireland Games. 13 sports will feature in venues such as the National Indoor Arena, the National Aquatic Arena and Morton Stadium. Munster’s representatives were selected from regional advancement events over the past 12 months – a lucky few will go on to compete at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

Special Olympics Munster Regional Director Eoin O’Beara says Saturday’s Polar Plunge brings everything that’s good about Special Olympics together in Fenit:

“Athletes are at the heart of the event, with volunteers making sure fans, families and fundraisers have a great time. Sea temperatures are 11.1 degrees which is why we are asking people to get ‘Freezin For A Reason’. The air temperature is forecast to be less than five degrees, so technically it will be warmer in the water!”

Special Olympics athlete Brendan O’Connell (Tralee) with Garda and quintuple All-Ireland Champion Aidan O’Mahony at Fenit Beach for the launch of Kerry’s first Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ireland on December 9th, 2017.

Eoin also acknowledged the role of the Garda Siochana in the event, who are behind the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The LETR is the awareness and fundraising programme of An Garda Síochána and the PSNI supporting the Special Olympics movement in Ireland.

“This event just wouldn’t happen without them,” he said “and they have been involved with Polar Plunge since the very beginning. This Saturday is primarily about fundraising, so we’d encourage anyone who has yet to sign up to register online or just join us on the day.”

Those who think they are brave enough to take the Polar Plunge can register at www.specialolympics.ie/polarplunge. Registration costs just €20 with plungers asked to raise an additional €50.

All money raised goes directly to supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities in sport and competitions. Plungers who raise more than €50 will also receive a complimentary Polar Plunge T-Shirt.

News

PHOTOS: Table Quiz For Special Olympics In Sean Og’s

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Ann Ni Chiobhain and Dermot O'Hanlon at the Special Olympics table quiz. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Ann Ni Chiobhain and Dermot O’Hanlon at the Special Olympics table quiz in Sean Ogs. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

QUIZ fans convened on Sean Og’s Pub on Tuesday night to test their knowledge and raise a little cash for Special Olympics Ireland.

Behind the night was Special Olympics volunteer, Deirdre Lyons, who must raise €3,000 so she can continue her good work at the Winter games in Austria next March.

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Dee is a veteran volunteer of two Special Olympics, first in Athens in 2011 and again in Los Angeles for last year’s summer games.

In Kerry there are a number Special Olympic teams that are doing the county proud. Last year, Oakpark man Brendan O’Connell, returned home with a gold medal from Los Angeles for Ireland.

It was a great night and friends helped Deirdre raise more funds towards her goal. Scroll down for photos…

Kunle Owolabi, Aisling O'Callaghan, Jacqueline O'Callaghan and Aidan Conlon at the Special Olympics table quiz. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Kunle Owolabi, Aisling O’Callaghan, Jacqueline O’Callaghan and Aidan Conlon at the Special Olympics table quiz. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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Tadhg Foley, Kay Lyons and Denis Lyons at the Special Olympics table quiz. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Tadhg Foley, Kay Lyons and Denis Lyons at the Special Olympics table quiz. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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Deirdre lyons, Dawn Mitchell, Mary Kinsella and Eilish Teehan at the Special Olympics table quiz. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Organiser Deirdre Lyons, Dawn Mitchell, Mary Kinsella and Eilish Teahan at the Special Olympics table quiz. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
News, Sport

Civic Reception For Special Olympics Hero Brendan

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Brendan O’Connell, receiving a citation to mark his civic reception from Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Pat McCarthy. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Brendan O’Connell, receiving a citation to mark his civic reception from Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Pat McCarthy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

A TRALEE gold medal winner at the Special Olympics was awarded a civic reception at Kerry County Council buildings on Monday afternoon.

With family and the Kerry Stars Special Olympics team filling up the chamber, Brendan O’Connell, from Oakview was honoured for his gold medal and 4th place ribbon performances at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles during the Summer.

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Brendan landed gold in the 800m freestyle swimming event and was unlucky not to finish on the podium when he swam 1,500 metres in the open water event.

Speaking at the event, Brendan especially thanked his parents and his Kerry Stars teammates and mentors.

Mayor of Kerrry, Cllr Pat McCarthy, congratulated Brendan on his achievements; “It really, really is an unbelievable achievement” he said.  “I know how difficult it is to win even a county championship, never mind how difficult it is to win a world title.”

A civic reception is the highest honour that a local authority can bestow on any individual or group of individuals in recognition of their achievements.

Brendan O'Connell, with family, friends and teammates at his civic repeption at Kerry Council Buildings on Monday. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
(click photo to enlarge) Brendan O’Connell, with family, friends, Special Olympics club teammates and councillors and at his civic repeption at Kerry Council Buildings on Monday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
GAA, Sport

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Gold Star Brendan Returns A Special Olympics Hero

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Special Olympian, Brendan O'Connell with his grandmother, Bridie and well wishers at his homecoming in the Meadowlands Hotel. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Special Olympian, Brendan O’Connell with his grandmother, Bridie and well wishers at his homecoming in the Meadowlands Hotel. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

A TRALEE gold medal winner got a hero’s welcome home last night.

There were joyous scenes when Oakview man, Brendan O’Connell, returned home with the gold medal and 4th place ribbon he won at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club member, landed gold in the 800m freestyle swimming event last Saturday and was unlucky not to finish on the podium when he swam 1,500 metre open water event last week. 

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It’s been an incredible few weeks for Brendan and his family, but the man himself is still glad to be back on home soil.

“As I said to the guy who put the medal around my neck ‘yeah, I get to go home now!’,” said Brendan.

The over 100 strong welcome party at the Medowlands hotel was organised by The Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club. In total, Ireland brought home 82 medals from L.A.

“I’m a little bit shocked because I wasn’t expecting this at all, although I probably should have known this was going to happen,” he said.

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Speacial Olympian, Brendan O'Connell, who won a gold medal and a 4th place ribbon at the Special Olympics in Los Angelos. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Speacial Olympian, Brendan O’Connell, who won a gold medal and a 4th place ribbon at the Special Olympics in Los Angelos. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Mother, Elizabeth O’Connell, was overjoyed by the reception at the Meadowlands Hotel.

“It was such a shock when we came around the corner, oh my gosh this is unbelievable!” said Elizabeth..

“Brendan really and truly put his heart and soul into it. For us as parents, watching the swim seemed to go on forever, but he kept a lovely pace, he was amazing, we are so proud of him.”

“He trained, really, really, hard so it was lovely to see it pay off for him,” she added.

To win gold in the 800m, Brendan shattered his previous best time 27 seconds, swimming 32 lengths of the pool in 11 minutes. Although with no one around him coming into the home stretch, he was unsure how well he was doing.

“When I was in the last two lengths, I remember breathing to the right and thinking, ‘uh-oh, there’s no one around me I’m either really far ahead or really far behind!'” he said.

“When I got to the wall and touched it, I thought someone had got their before me and I had come second, It’s only when someone told me I’d won, I knew,” he added.

So with an Olympic gold medal in the back pocket what’s next for the L.A King of Oakpark?

“I’m going to chill out for the next few days and that’s it,” Brendan said.

See a short video of his homecoming at the Meadowlands and more photos below…

Special Olympian, Brendan O'Connell and family, with the gold medal and 4th place ribbon he won at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles, from left: Bridie, Claire, Michael Jr, Michael, Brendan, Elizabeth, James and Jia O'Connell. Front row, Aisling and Aoife O'Connell. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Special Olympian, Brendan O’Connell and family, with the gold medal and 4th place ribbon he won at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles, from left: Bridie, Claire, Michael Jr, Michael, Brendan, Elizabeth, James and Jia O’Connell. Front row, Aisling and Aoife O’Connell. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Some of the crowd that waited Brendan O'Connell arrival outside the Meadowlands Hotel. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Some of the crowd that waited Brendan O’Connell arrival outside the Meadowlands Hotel. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Brendan O'Connell with his mother Elizebeth and sister Claire. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Brendan O’Connell with his mother Elizabeth and sister Claire. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
News, Sport

Tralee Man Wins Gold Medal In Special Olympics

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Special Olympics Ireland Squad and Portraits
Brendan O’Connell.

A TRALEE man has won a Gold Medal at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles.

Brendan O’Connell from Oakpark won in the 800m freestyle event today.

Yesterday the 29 year old Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club member, from the Oakview area performed well in the 1,500 metre open water swimming event, but sadly just missed out on the medals.

Today though, he enjoyed glory. Well done Brendan!

News, Sport

No Medal For Tralee Man But Brendan’s Still An LA Star

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Special Olympics Ireland Squad and Portraits
Brendan O’Connell secured the fourth place ribbon at the Special Olympic World Games in LA recently.

THERE was to be no medal this time around for Tralee man Brendan O’Connell after he secured a fourth place ribbon at the Special Olympics World Games currently taking place in Los Angeles.

The 29 year old Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club member, from the Oakview area performed excellently in the 1,500 metre open water swimming event, but sadly just missed out on taking home a coveted medal.

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He formed part of the Irish Aquatics Delegation and was the sole representative from Kerry competing for Team Ireland and was no doubt an experienced veteran of the team, having already claimed one Special Olympics Gold Medal back at the 2006 Games.

Brendan will no doubt still be out and about cheering on his fellow athletes taking part in the rest of the Games.

News, Sport

Tralee Man Brendan Jets Out To LA For Special Olympics World Games

 

Brendan O'Connell will be competing in the 1500m swim event at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles in July. Photo by Gvain O'Connor.
Brendan O’Connell will be competing in the 1500m swim event at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles in July. Photo by Gvain O’Connor.

A TRALEE man is today making his way to Los Angeles (LA) to take part in the Special Olympics World Games.

Twenty-nine year old Brendan O’Connell is heading over as part of the Irish Aquatics Delegation and is the sole representative from Kerry that will be competing for Team Ireland.

The ‘Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club’ member will be taking part in the 1500m swim event at the Games, which are all set to be officially launched by Michelle Obama this coming Saturday.

Brendan will be hoping for more Olympic success again this time around, having already claimed one Special Olympics Gold Medal back at the 2006 Games.

Best of luck to Brendan and all of Team Ireland in the games.

News, Sport

Brendan’s Going To LA For Special Olympics

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Brendan O'Connell will be competing in the 1500m swim event at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles in July. Photo by Gvain O'Connor.
Brendan O’Connell will be competing in the 1500m swim event at the Special Olympics in Los Angeles in July.

FLYING the Kerry flag at the Special Olympics this summer in LA will be Oakview swimmer, Brendan O’Connell.

The member of Kerry Stars Special Olympics Club is the sole representative from  Kerry who will compete for Team Ireland.

Brendan will be gunning for gold in the 1500 metres swim. No stranger to the big stage, the 29 year old swam at the 2006 Belfast games and was part of a winning relay team.

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“I am very honoured to represent my family and friends and my country,” said Brendan, who is the son of Liz and Michael O’Connell.

The multimedia and graphic design student in Tralee Community College, will be upping the ante in training over the coming months in preparation for for the games which get under way at the end of July. Until then, Brendan will be in the pool three nights a week, doing 90-100 lengths a session.

In total, 88 athletes will head to the summer games in Los Angeles, which will also welcome 7,000 athletes from 177 countries to compete.

Over 30,000 volunteers, including 200 from across the island of Ireland the Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2015, and the single biggest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Olympic Games.

Sport

Special Olympics Groups Honoured By County Council

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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: Cliodhna Palmer, Eoin O'Sullivan, Cllr John Brassil, Brendan O'Sullivan and Bronagh Enright. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
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 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,
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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

News, Sport

Special Reception For St Ita’s And St Joseph’s Golden Girl

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Cliona Palmer, shows off her European Special Olympics with her Mom, Pat Palmer. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Cliona Palmer, shows off her European Special Olympics with her Mom, Pat Palmer. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

THERE was a fantastic reception at St Ita’s and St Joseph’s school in Balloonagh today (Wednesday) for the return of student, Cliona Palmer, who scooped gold and silver medals at the European Summer Special Olympics in Belgium.

Cliona picked up gold in the shot-putt and a silver medal in the 100m event.

“Coming home it has been strange dealing with all the attention, but I have been enjoying it. I was delighted when I won the medals,” said Cliona from Killarney.

Proud mother, Pat Palmer, was “over the moon” at her daughter’s success for Ireland in Belgium.

“The atmosphere was electric, there was just so much to take in, we had excitement and tears as well! said Pat Palmer.

“I was nervous, but also immensely happy to see my daughter represent her country,” said Pat.

St Ita’s and St Joseph’s Principal, Grace Sheehan, spoke about the happiness in the school following Cliona’s successes.

“She put an awful lot of time and effort into her training and it has paid off, we’re all very happy to congratulate her for what she has achieved,” said Grace.

There was also the added bonus for Cliona that while she was out flying the flag in Belgium, Mom Pat, collected Cliona’s Junior Cert results and relayed the message to that she had done “fantastic”.

“All round she has put in a lot of effort over the last few years, she’s a credit to her mom and she is a credit to the school,” said Grace.

Winner of a Gold and a Silver medal at the 2014 European Summer Olympics in Belgium, Cliona Power, gets a heroes welcome at St Ita's and St Joesph school. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
Winner of Gold and Silver medals at the 2014 European Summer Olympics in Belgium, Cliona Palmer, gets a great welcome at St Ita’s and St Joseph’s school. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
News, Sport

Fantastic Five Take Part In Special Olympics Events

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By Danielle Courtney

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Members of the Special Olympics Tralee Together Team in Limerick on Thursday morning. Photo by Danielle Courtney

FIVE very excited athletes set off bright and early on Thursday morning to represent Munster in the 100m, 500m and Shot-put in the All Ireland Special Olympics Games 2014 in Limerick.

Hugh O’Brien, Liam Purcell, Maurice Moriarty, Eoin O’Sullivan and Christopher Courtney all had their new Munster red uniforms and enthusiasm for this weekend’s events in the University of Limerick campus.

This is another brilliant year for local club, Tralee Together, who have been hugely successful in the past with several other players representing Munster, and Mark Bolger returning with a gold medal from 2010’s European Games in Warsaw.

This is the first time the club has five athletes representing Munster at the same time, and all were hugely excited for the four day event as they met on the morning.

Our boys, along with 1,500 other athletes paraded through Limerick on Thursday afternoon to the People’s Park to open the 2014 games, and the opening ceremony took place at 6.30pm featuring a performance from Paddy Casey and rugby star David Wallace took part in the flag ceremony.

Best of luck to our own stars, we’re immensely proud and can’t wait to see them in action.