Medals for local Special Olympics athletes

Local athletes featured prominently amongst the medals at the 2026 Ireland Summer Games in Dublin this past weekend.

Ten athletes represented the Athlone Special Olympics Club and Connacht in athletics, basketball and bocce events with proud podium places secured at the national finals which concluded on Sunday.

The basketball team comprising Sarah Kilmartin, Shauna Stewart, Lucy Connaughton, Sophie Finnerty and Áine Naughton won a silver medal, while silver was also the medal colour for Margaret Dunican in the bocce single and doubles events.

Jayden O'Reilly was also to the fore in bocce, claiming a silver medal in the individual event and placing fourth in the doubles competition. Paul Dalton also competed in bocce at the national finals, achieving a fourth place individual event finish and securing a silver medal in his doubles competition. Francis Durkin completed the medal haul in bocce, winning a bronze award in the individual competition and placing fourth in the doubles event.

Tara Phelan also represented Athlone Special Olympics Club on the podium at the national games, winning a silver medal in the walk event and achieving a fourth place finish in the javelin throw.

Reflecting on the success at the national finals, Athlone Special Olympics Club said it was so proud of the athlete's achievements.

"You did Athlone Special Olympics Club and Team Connaught proud. What a fantastic collection of medals and ribbons. More importantly, you all showed determination, sportsmanship, teamwork and friendship throughout the national finals. You are all champions in our eyes," the club said.

All five athletes from St Hilda's Special School in Athlone achieved podium places at the Ireland Summer Games.

Competing in the Motor Activity Training Programme, Lexi Cassidy claimed gold medals in both the wrap row challenge and basketball throw events, while Peter Joyce also claimed a gold medal in his wrap row challenge competition and complemented this success with a silver medal in the basketball throw event.

Camila Da Silva returned from the national finals with two medals, a gold for her running exploits and a silver honour in the softball throw competition. Bryan Soares Da Silva claimed a bronze medal in the 50 metre run final and added to his collection with a bronze medal in the javelin throw event.

Finally, Abbie McKnight won a silver medal for her gymnastics floor routine and a bronze medal in the spring board jump competition.

Lecarrow's Josh Byrne, a member of the Roscommon Special Olympics Club, was also a medal winner at the 2026 Ireland Summer Games.

Representing his club and Connaught, Josh won a swimming silver medal at the National Aquatic Centre. He was one of nine athletes from Roscommon Special Olympics Club to participate at the national finals.

An athlete with an Athlone connection also achieved medal honours at the national finals. Zoe O'Hanlon, the daughter of Athlone native Feidhlim O'Hanlon and his wife Maeve, won a bronze medal in the 50 metre sprint and complemented this podium place finish with silver medal success in the ball throw competition. Zoe, who competed for the Eastern region at the 2026 Ireland Games, is the grandaughter of Eiver and Rose O'Hanlon.

This was the first hosting of the Special Olympics Summer Games in eight years and saw over 1,200 athletes compete in 12 sports over four days at various venues across Dublin.