World Winter Games 2017 Athlete & Coach Profiles
1
Head of Delegation
Karen Coventry
Dublin 6
Assistant HoD
Medical Co-Ordinator
Julie O’Dwyer
Ruth Morrow
Mallow, Co. Cork
Newtowngore, Co. Leitrim
Floorball Team 1
Paul O’Callaghan
Caroline O’Donnell
Declan O’Connell
Bandon, Co. Cork
Ballyclough, Limerick
Mallow, Co. Cork
Head Coach
Coach
Coach
Floorball Team 2
Michael Lynch
Michael Keenan
Mark McInerney
Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Longford
Dublin 20
Head Coach
Coach
Coach
2
Alpine Skiing
Jill Sloan
Glyn Williamson
Derek Bolger
Lurgan, Co. Armagh
Lurgan, Co. Armagh
Co. Dublin
Head Coach Skiing
Coach
Coach
3
Contents
World Winter Games 2017 Athlete & Coach Profiles .................................................................... 1
Connaught ........................................................................................................................................ 5
John Paul Shaw ............................................................................................................................ 5
Raymond McClearn...................................................................................................................... 6
Ulster ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Sean McCartan ............................................................................................................................. 7
Cyril Walker ................................................................................................................................... 8
Caolan McConville ....................................................................................................................... 9
Munster ........................................................................................................................................... 10
Brian McDonnell......................................................................................................................... 10
Roy Saville ................................................................................................................................... 11
James Healy ................................................................................................................................ 12
Joe McCarthy Hayes .................................................................................................................. 13
Michael Minogue........................................................................................................................ 14
Thomas O’Herlihy ...................................................................................................................... 15
George Fitzgerald ...................................................................................................................... 16
Clive Healy................................................................................................................................... 17
James Upton ............................................................................................................................... 18
Willie McGrath ............................................................................................................................ 19
Richard Moran ............................................................................................................................ 20
Eastern............................................................................................................................................. 21
Thomas Caulfield ....................................................................................................................... 21
Lorcan Byrne ............................................................................................................................... 22
Patrick Tunstead ........................................................................................................................ 23
Niall Flynn.................................................................................................................................... 23
Stephen Lee ................................................................................................................................ 24
Laoise Kenny ............................................................................................................................... 25
Lj Byrne (Lee) .............................................................................................................................. 26
Anthony Murray ......................................................................................................................... 27
Matthew Colgan......................................................................................................................... 28
Lorraine Whelan ......................................................................................................................... 29
4
Connaught
John Paul Shaw
Home Town:
Longford Town
Age:
37
Years Involved in 15 years
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments: Gold Medal 2011 World Games – soccer
Bronze 2003 World Games – soccer
4th 2007 World Games Shanghai – soccer
How has Special Representing Ireland makes him very
Olympics changed happy
your life?
John Paul from Longford won a gold medal at the World Games in Athens in 2011
where he competed as part of the Irish soccer team, he also competed in the World
Games in Ireland 2003 and Shanghai in 2007. Austria however will be his first World
Games for Floorball and he is training hard to make sure he is fit and ready. As well
as Floorball he swims and plays soccer with a local Special Olympics club.
Special Olympics has been a great opportunity to travel the world and meet new
people and this is what John Paul is looking forward to the most in Austria.
5
Raymond McClearn
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in Special
Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Loughrea, Co.Galway
39
8 years
Won Bronze, Gold and Silver in 3
Ireland Games 2010, 2014, 2016
How
has
Special Shown that sport can be fun, you
Olympics changed your can try new things and be good at
life?
them
Raymond (39) from Loughrea is busy preparing for his first World Games. He goes
for a 30 minute walk every morning before breakfast and trains with his soccer and
floorball teams to make sure he is fit and ready for the Games. He is hoping to add
a world Games medal to his already impressive tally of medals from the Ireland
Games in 2010, 2014 and 2016.
When he is not training Raymond watches lots of sport including Formula 1 and
supporting his favourite team Manchester United. On top of all this sport, Raymond
attends Loughrea Community workshop and works on various projects including
computer skills, gardening and woodwork. He also volunteers at the Annual
Collection Day and helps fundraise for Special Olympics.
6
Ulster
Sean McCartan
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Carryduff, Co. Antrim
16 years
9 years
2 Gold medals Slalom and Giant
Slalom in Ireland Winter Games
2012 and 2016
5 medals Ireland Games 2014
How has Special Made great friends
Olympics changed
your life?
Other Interests or Gymnastics, cycling, gaming, Lego,
Hobbies:
Swimming, watching movies and
superheroes.
At just 16, Team Ireland skier Sean McCartan from Carryduff, Co. Antrim is a real
rising star. Having joined the Special Olympics programme aged just seven years old,
he has grown to become a very confident skier over the last nine years, notching up
quite the collection of medals, including two golds from the Special Olympics Ireland
Winter Games in 2016.
Flexibility is very important when it comes to skiing and off the slopes, Sean is also
a talented gymnast and has been competed in Special Olympics Ulster and Ireland
Games. Most recently, he won five medals (four silver and two bronze) for various
gymnastics events at the Special Olympics Ireland Games in Limerick in 2014.
Special Olympics aside, Sean enjoys cycling, gaming, Lego, swimming, watching
movies and is a big fan of superheroes.
Sean says: “I love skiing and have made great friends through being involved in
Special Olympics. I am looking forward to competing for Team Ireland in Austria and
meeting athletes from all of the other countries.”
Sean's parents, Mark and Joan, and his brother Ross will travel to Austria to cheer
him on. Sean’s mum, Joan says: “We are so happy that Sean has been selected and
are looking forward to seeing all the athletes from all around the world.
7
Cyril Walker
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved
in
Special
Olympics:
Other Interests
or Hobbies:
Markethill, Co. Armagh,
46
15 years
Music, Dancing, Pool and Snooker,
Playing games on my tablet, bocce club
and gateway club.
Cyril won a Bronze medal for Alpine Skiing at the World Winter Games in Japan in
2005 and is looking forward to representing Ireland again in Austria. It is a
wonderful opportunity to travel and it will be a way for him to show the world
what he can do.
Special Olympics has given Cyril the confidence to believe that he can do anything
he wants to if he tries really hard His family and friends are so proud that he has
been picked to represent Ireland and will be cheering him on during the Games.
Special Olympics has given Cyril the opportunities to make new friends – through
meeting and training with other athletes and volunteers. It has also helped him to
improve his sporting abilities, plays Bocce and Football as well. Through Special
Olympics “I have always been encouraged to try really hard and always do my
best”.
Cyril has won Pool competitions at his Gateway club and medals in various dancing
competitions.
8
Caolan McConville
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved
Special Olympics:
Craigavon, Co. Armagh
13
in 3 Years
Accomplishments:
Learning to ski
Other Interests or Supporting his sister’s and
Hobbies:
their Camoige team,
Caolan took up skiing with Skiability in Armagh 18 months ago and quickly began to
excel and win medals. He is even told to slow down sometimes in training as he goes
too fast! He enjoys the training and gets on really well with all his team members
and coach. He was over the moon to be picked to represent Ireland and trains
regularly both on and off the slopes to ensure he is ready for the Games. A team of
16 family and friends will travel to Austria to support Caolan in March, including his
mum and dad and 3 sisters. Caolan’s family is heavily involved with Camoige and he
supports them at all of their matches. They are really excited to see Caolan compete
in Austria and represent his country.
9
Munster
Brian McDonnell
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved:
Cork City
41
5
How has Special I have experienced new sports
Olympics
changed
your
life?
Other Interests Soccer, basketball, floorball
or Hobbies:
Brian is training hard for his first World Games in March and is looking forward to
representing Ireland on the Floorball team. His training is aided by his involvement in
basketball and soccer and he is also taking part in a 10 week fitness and training
programme starting in January which is supported by local GAA players and former field
hockey player Ivan Bateman. He is very excited to be travelling to Austria with his team
mates and representing the country.
Since joining his local Special Olympics club 3 years ago Brian has tried many different
sports and credits Special Olympics with changing his life.
10
Roy Saville
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved:
Mayfield, Co. Cork
25
10 years
Accomplishments: Developing from an athlete to a coach
in his athletics club
Special Achievement Award at the
Mayfield Community Awards in 2013
for his performance in Floorball in
World Winter Games Korea 2013
From Mayfield in Cork, Roy (25) is interested in many sports and has been involved
with Special Olympics for 10 years. Over the years he has competed in Basketball,
Football, Athletics and Floorball. He has also started coaching with his athletics club
and supporting other athletes.
Roy has already competed on the world stage in Floorball when he was part of the
team representing Ireland in the Floorball in Korea World Winter Games in 2013
where he won a bronze medal, beating the hosts Korea. On his return to Cork, he
was presented with a Special Achievement medal at the Mayfield Community
Awards.
Roy loves being involved in Special Olympics and enjoys travelling to events with his
family and friends. He will be supported in Austria by his proud dad Pat, his mum and
two sisters, one of whom is flying in from Holland for the Games.
11
James Healy
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Ovens, Co. Cork
24
6 years
Competed in basketball in the
Ireland games in Limerick in 2014
and won
How has Special Special Olympics has given James
Olympics changed the opportunity to try lots of
your life?
different sports and make new
friends.
Other Interests or Enjoys watching and partaking in all
Hobbies:
sports and will try everything once.
James has completed all three
Gaisce awards – Bronze, Silver and
Gold.
James has taken part in many
sports in the past 6 years with Special Olympics but especially loves basketball,
football and floorball. He won medals in Limerick in 2014 as part of the Munster
basketball team and is really excited to be representing Ireland in Austria. He will do
his very best “to make Ireland proud” and is delighted to have the opportunity to be
part of the team.
In preparation for Austria James is making sure he stays fit by walking and eating
well. He is supported in his preparations and competitions by his mum Dolores and
4 brothers and sisters; they are all really looking forward to seeing James in his
Ireland kit on the world stage.
Outside of sport James enjoys going to the cinema with his friends or playing
PlayStation and he has also completed all three levels of the Gaisce awards – bronze,
silver and gold.
12
Joe McCarthy Hayes
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Midleton, Co. Cork
28
5 years
Represented Ireland in
Floorball in World Winter
Games Korea in 2013
How has Special Great opportunity to meet
Olympics changed people, learn new sports
your life?
and travel.
Joe (27) represented Ireland in the World Winter Games in Korea in 2013 and beat
the hosts to win a bronze medal. He is excited to get the opportunity to travel to
Austria to join his team mates on the Floorball team and represent Ireland again.
As well as Floorball, Joe plays basketball and soccer and is a member of a mixed
ability rugby team in his native Cork. The team has travelled to matches in Scotland
and Wales and are experiencing great success in the sport.
Outside of his training Joe also works in the transport department of Cope
Foundation Cork, assisting his colleagues on their deliveries. He has the support of
all his family and friends and colleagues in Cope as he prepares for the Winter Games
and is really excited to be representing Ireland.
13
Michael Minogue
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Ballingarry, Co. Limerick
28
10 years
being selected for Team Ireland was
a big achievement
How has Special Opportunity to meet people and
Olympics changed make new friends.
your life?
Met his wife of 8 years through
Special Olympics
Other Interests or soccer (Man Utd fan), painting, loves
Hobbies:
going to Club and training every
week
Michael (28) from Ballingarry, Co. Limerick has already represented Ireland in
Floorball at the European Games and this will be his first World Games for Ireland. It
was a great achievement for him to be chosen and means the world to him. He is a
very dedicated sports man and never misses training rain, hail or shine. Special
Olympics has given Michael the opportunity to meet new people and make new
friends, he met his wife Christine through Special Olympics.
“Michael is a genuine, serious and honest sportsperson, he gets on well with coaches
and athletes and is very committed to all his sports – athletics, basketball and
floorball” (Phyllis Naughton, Club Coach). Michael is an avid Man Utd. fan and enjoys
music, in particular Nathan Carter.
14
Thomas O’Herlihy
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved
in
Special
Olympics:
How has Special
Olympics
changed
your
life?
Other Interests
or Hobbies:
Churchfield, Co. Cork
32 (33 on 16 March 2017)
10 years
Keeps Thomas healthy in mind and
body
gym, running, football, basketball
Thomas (32) from Cork City is training hard for his first World Games. He was
delighted to be chosen to represent Ireland in Austria and immediately set his mind
to training and improving his fitness. He trains in his local gym a few times a week,
attends training for soccer, basketball and athletics and runs regularly with the
Wibbly Wobbly Wonders Running Club in Ballyvolane.
All of this training has to be fit in around his job as a gardening assistant with Cope
Foundation in Cork. He loves this work as it gets him out and about in the fresh air
and meeting new people.
15
George Fitzgerald
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Waterford City
35
14 years
Bronze
medal
in
Floorball in European
Games 2010 and in
2013 World Winter
Games
How has Special Chance to try new
Olympics changed sports,
meet
new
your life?
people
and
make
friends. Has helped
gain confidence and
the
experience
of
travelling to different
countries
and
experiencing different
cultures.
Other Interests or cooking,
travelling,
Hobbies:
reading, sport, movies
George (35) from Waterford City is
no
stranger
to
Floorball
competition and has won Bronze at the European Games in 2010 and the World
Winter Games in Korea 2013. Being selected for Austria Winter Games means so
much to him and he is looking forward to representing Ireland at the highest level
in this sport.
Over the past 14 years Special Olympics has helped George experience many new
sports, meet new people and make great friends. It has given him confidence and
the opportunity to travel to different countries and cultures and he has loved every
bit of it. A prolific footballer, George is also a coach at his local 7-a-side football club.
16
Clive Healy
Home Town:
Waterford City
Age:
23
Years Involved in 12 years
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments: Happiest day of his lift to be
chosen for Team Ireland
Other Interests or Darts
Hobbies:
Clive (23) from Waterford City is training hard for his first World Games. He is
training with his Floorball team and also plays basketball and soccer. To ensure he is
at peak fitness for the Games in March he is involved in a fitness programme led by
WIT students.
Special Olympics has helped Clive grow in confidence and make him more outgoing.
Being part of a team is great, I am able to help my team mates out when they need
it. It is great being able to travel with my club and stay away from home with no
fears.
An avid Arsenal fan, Clive is delighted to be representing his country in Austria and
will be supported in Austria by his proud family.
17
James Upton
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Passage East, Waterford
34
10 years
Has helped me make great
friends and allowed me to
travel to many new places
Other Interests or Hurling and rugby, Waterford
Hobbies:
GAA, Liverpool
Like all of his team mates, James (34) from Waterford City is training hard in advance
of the Games in March. On top of Floorball he also trains regularly in Basketball and
Football. He is part of a fitness programme run by students of WIT and is working on
general fitness in preparation for the Games. James has completed many courses in
the past years in the areas of computing, manual handling and horticulture.
Special Olympics has helped James make great friends and see new places and he is
looking forward to adding Austria to this list. James was ecstatic to be chosen to
represent Ireland and will be cheered on in Austria by his proud family.
Sport is a massive part of life for James and when he is not playing he is supporting
his favourite teams – Liverpool and Waterford GAA. He is waiting patiently to
celebrate a Waterford All Ireland win!
18
Willie McGrath
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford.
36
18 years
Bronze in Korea World Winter
Games 2013, silver medal in Austria
European games 2010
and
competed in the 2003 World Games
Soccer
Willie is no stranger to competition as he competed in the World Games in 2003, the
European Games in 2010 and the World Winter games in 2013. He is looking forward
to returning to Austria and representing his country.
Over the past 18 years he has competed in soccer and floorball and trains most days.
On top of all the training he also finds time to work as a Green Caretaker in
Waterford Golf Club.
19
Richard Moran
Home Town:
Crosshaven, Co. Cork
Age:
30
Years Involved 12 years
in
Special
Olympics:
Other Interests music, movies, 10 pin bowling
or Hobbies:
Richard (30) from Crosshaven in Cork is preparing for his first World Games and is
delighted to be goalkeeper on the Irish Floorball team. Richard keeps fit and ready
for competition by swimming, playing badminton and attending an outdoor gym. He
loves the outdoors and training outside, all of this will help him prepare for the cold
in Austria!
When he is not training Richard likes to listen to music or watch movies and enjoys
singing and dancing. He will be supported in Austria by a group of 10 or more
including his 3 brothers and sister who are all really looking forward to cheering on
their brother and all of the other Irish athletes.
20
Eastern
Thomas Caulfield
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
25
6
Member of Irish soccer team in
LA2015
How has Special I wouldn’t be playing sport if it
Olympics changed wasn’t for Special Olympics
your life?
Thomas (25) from Dublin represented Ireland last year in the 11 a side Soccer at the World
Summer Games in LA and is busy training for his first Winter Games in March. Along with his
Floorball training he also plays Basketball with Palmerstown Wild Cats, Soccer with United
Warriors as well as swimming and athletics. He enjoys keeping fit and is very athletic with
an interest in any and every sport possible.
Thomas himself says if it wasn’t for Special Olympics he wouldn’t be playing sports and so it
has changed his life. It has also allowed him to meet people from all around the world.
Being a part of Team Ireland means a lot to Thomas and he was over the moon to be
selected. He will be travelling to Austria with his fellow club and team member Lorcan Byrne
and is very excited to be part of the Winter Games.
21
Lorcan Byrne
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
35
9
All Ireland Medals in aquatics and
Floorball
How has Special Helped me get fit, meet people and
Olympics changed make new friends
your life?
Other Interests or Cycling, swimming, playing xbos
Hobbies:
and socialising with friends
Dublin native Lorcan (35) is looking forward to representing Ireland in Floorball at his first
World Winter Games. However, he is no stranger to competition having won 4 gold medals
in Aquatics in 2010. He started playing Floorball after being introduced to the sport by his
club the Palmerstown Wild Cats and has loved it ever since. Lorcan is a big fan of team
games and floorball is a great way of being part of a team, especially as he had to stop
playing football following an ankle injury. Training is Lorcan’s priority at the moment and in
between basketball, athletics, bowling and swimming he makes sure he is going to the gym
regularly to be fit for the Games. He is being helped in this fitness regime by his sisters who
are making sure he is eating healthily and training hard.
Time also has to be found for his work as a receptionist at the INMO. Lorcan will be
supported in Austria by his proud parents and sister who is able to travel with him.
22
Patrick Tunstead
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Julianstown, Co Meath
42
5 years
won Gold in Pitch and Putt at the
Ireland games in Limerick
How has Special Keeps me fit and helps me meet
Olympics changed new people
your life?
Means “everything” to be on Team
Ireland
Patrick is training hard for The Games in Austria. This will be his first World Games
and it means everything to be representing his country. Special Olympics is a great
way to meet new people and to stay fit and over the past 5 years Patrick has made
so many new friends and tried lots of different sports. He is making sure to eat
healthy in preparation for the games.
Niall Flynn
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
How has Special
Olympics changed
your life?
Other Interests or
Hobbies:
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
30
9 years
Competed in 2010 games
It has been a great social outlet and
helped promote health and well
being
hill walking, music, films and video
games
Niall (30) from Dun Laoghaire is looking forward to representing Ireland in Alpine
Skiing in March and is training hard. He really enjoys hill walking and finds it a great
way to get ready for the Games. Niall has been involved with Special Olympics for 9
years and it has been an excellent social outlet for him. It has also promoted health
and wellbeing which is a great benefit. When he is not training Niall really enjoys
playing video games and watching movies.
23
Stephen Lee
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Navan Road, Dublin 7
23 (24 February 2017)
10 years
Currently working on his Bronze ALPS
award
How has Special Stephen is more active, fitter and has
Olympics changed made lots of new friends
your life?
Other Interests or Tag Rugby and ALPS
Hobbies:
Stephen from Dublin is looking forward to his first World Games and is training hard
for Austria. He fits his training in around his work in a shop in Blanchardstown and
Leinster Rugby matches. Stephen also cycles, plays Basketball with the Cabra Lions
and Tag Rugby with Coolmine Rugby Club.
On top of all this sport, Stephen is also involved with his local ALPS club and is
mentored by his sister Jennifer. They get on really well together and he is currently
working towards his Bronze medal. Special Olympics has helped Stephen become
more active and fitter and most importantly of all make new friends.
He will be supported by his proud family including 'his Mum and Dad, Brothers,
Sister, Aunties and his godson Darragh who are all travelling to Austria to cheer him
and Team Ireland on.
24
Laoise Kenny
Home Town:
Monkstown, Co. Dublin
Age:
16
Years Involved in 8 years
Special Olympics:
How has Special I have the opportunity to meet new
Olympics
people and make new friends
changed
your
life?
Other Interests Sports, music and dance
or Hobbies:
Laoise has been involved in Special Olympics for 8 years and participates in
swimming, skiing and tennis and is also part of a Glee Dance Club. She loves music
and dance and practices her moves at home to Katy Perry music or her favourite
song Summer Nights from Grease the musical. Not only does Laoise sing and dance
but she plays the bodhran, is a member of her school choir and wants to write her
own songs. Special Olympics has helped Laoise make new friends and she loves
meeting them at training and events throughout the year. She has tried lots of
different sports and won loads of medals.
Laoise started skiing with her family and travelled to America, France and Austria on
ski holidays. There is a lot of training in preparation for Austria and Saturday’s are
spent on the slopes in Kiltiernan and also works with Emma, her personal trainer
twice a week to make sure she is fit and ready for the Games. Laoise will be
supported in Austria by some of her biggest fans – her family, with over 20 family
members travelling to cheer her and Team Ireland on. She is very excited and proud
of being a part of Team Ireland.
25
Lj Byrne (Lee)
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Mulhuddart, Dublin 15
19 (20 in March 2017)
9 years
How has Special
Olympics changed
your life?
Other Interests or
Hobbies:
Has helped improve fitness and
provided a great social life and
opportunity to make new friends
cinema with friends, Connect
Club, sport
Participating in the Ireland
Games in Limerick: Gold Javelin,
Gold 100m, Bronze Relay
Lj is involved with lots of different sports with Special Olympics and won Gold in
Javelin and Bronze in the 100m Relay at the Ireland Games in Limerick 2014. He is
training hard for Austria at the moment, luckily he loves his training and has great
friends in the various clubs.
Special Olympics has helped Lj become more independent over the years and he has
made a lot of good friends and socialises regularly with them. He is really looking
forward to travelling to Austria and to represent his country. He will be supported
in Austria by his proud mum.
26
Anthony Murray
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved
in
Special
Olympics:
Other Interests
or Hobbies:
Balbriggan, Co. Dublin
46
15 years
Singing and dancing, Nathan Carter
Anthony has been involved with Special Olympics for 15 years and participates in
athletics, basketball, golf, badminton and football. Two years ago he took up
Floorball for the first time and has represented his region and will now represent
Ireland in Austria along with his two close friends Paddy Tuntstead and Mathew
Colgan. Anthony loves being part of a team and travelling with his friends to training
and competitions around the country. He is so excited to be travelling to Austria and
is proud to be representing his country. Despite all the training and competitions
Anthony still finds time to be involved in the Eve Centre XFactor and entertains the
crowds with songs and dances from Natan Carter and Grease the Musical!
27
Matthew Colgan
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Swords, Co. Dublin
45
12 years
Multiple medals in lots of sports.
Competed at the Ireland Games
twice
How has Special Loves it, always something on
Olympics changed
your life?
Very proud to be representing
country, means the world to
Matthew
Other Interests or all sports, music and art
Hobbies:
Matthew is training hard for his first World Games. Having already represented
Eastern Region at the Ireland Games he is ready for Austria and looking forward to
representing his country in Floorball. Floorball is only one of the sports that
Matthew enjoys, he is also involved with bocce, football, pitch & putt, cycling and
tennis. He is also a big fan of music and has won various different art competitions.
In the past Matthew has also volunteered for Special Olympics and helped others at
events.
28
Lorraine Whelan
Home Town:
Age:
Years Involved in
Special Olympics:
Accomplishments:
Delgany, Co. Wicklow
36
20 years
Competed in Alpine Skiing in 3
World Games and 1 European
games
How has Special Made me more confident and
Olympics changed allowed me make loads of
your life?
new friends
Other Interests or Works in Bank of Ireland as an
Hobbies:
assistant.
Swimming,
socialising with friends.
Lorraine (36) has been skiing
since she was very young. Although she found it very difficult at the start and didn’t
enjoy it she quickly began to love the sport and has since competed in 3 World
Games and a European Games. Training includes regular gym sessions as well as
swimming and preparing for upcoming swim competitions.
Training for the Games must fit in around Lorraine’s work as an Assistant in Bank of
Ireland. Special Olympics and the ALPs programme which she was a part of up until
recently, have helped Lorraine grow her confidence and meet lots of new people.
She is so excited to be representing Ireland and the Eastern Region again in Austria.
29