Special Olympics Club represented at Ireland Summer Games

Ten athletes and one volunteer will represent Athlone Special Olympics Club at the 2026 Ireland Summer Games taking place in Dublin from June 18-21.

The athletes will represent their club and Connacht in athletics, basketball and bocce events over the course of the national finals which started today (Thursday).

Athlone Special Olympics Club is proud of their athletes and called on the ten participants to 'enjoy the experience', 'make lasting memories' and 'give the very best on the national stage'.

The ten athletes who will participate at the 2026 Ireland Summer Games are Sophie Finnerty, Aine Naughton, Lucy Connaughton, Sarah Kilmartin, Shauna Stewart, Tara Phelan, Paul Dalton, Margaret Dunican, Jayden O'Reilly and Francis Durkin.

Athlone Special Olympics Club has also expressed its gratitude to all the businesses in Athlone 'whose generous support has helped the ten athletes and three coaches/chaperones attend the Ireland Summer Games.'

It mentioned Bank of Ireland, McDonalds, Russell Brennan Keane, Medtronic, Athlone Credit Union, The Hodson Bay Hotel and The Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Cunniffe Construction, Tesco, McSharry's Pharmacy, Corrib Oil, Specsavers, Supermac's and the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.

Meanwhile, the club will also have volunteer representation, for the first time in its history, at the 2026 Ireland Summer Games, with long-time member Aideen Harkins chosen for the role.

Aideen has been a valued member of Athlone Special Olympics Club for the past 22 years and has proudly represented both Athlone and Connacht at numerous games and national finals.

One of Aideen’s greatest achievements was in 2003 when she represented Ireland at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin.

Aideen is currently completing her Gold Athletes Leadership Award, demonstrating her commitment to the Special Olympics ethos which highlights dedication on and off the field of play.