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Nine Medal Haul For Team Ireland in Shanghai

On day three of the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, Team Ireland won a total of nine medals including three Gold, four Silver and two Bronze. Highlights of the day’s competitions were in swimming, bocce and equestrian.

Back in the swimming pool for a second day, Irish athletes were in outstanding form racking up three more medals. Ryan Archibald (Ballymoney, Co. Antrim) achieved a personal best today, 1 minute 21 seconds in the 100m freestyle resulting in Bronze for the 18 year old. Next in the pool was Ruth Swann who flew along to finish in the 50m Butterfly resulting in Silver while Dublin man, Paddy Monaghan (Ballyfermot) came second in the 100m freestyle.

Across the city in Shanghai Jiading Stadium, Carol O’Rourke won 12-9 against an Indian opponent and went on to win Gold in the Bocce final. After Gary Diamond’s win yesterday, Patricia McNicholas secured a second medal to bring home to Mayo, coming third in the sport.

At the Shanghai Equestrian Field, Kieran Buckley from Kanturk, Co. Cork got the day off to a flying start when he scooped a Gold medal in the ring while Sarah Kate Jordan, 18 from Carlow secured Silver in the Equestrian competition. West of Ireland athlete, Mary Henry from Westport romped to Gold in a thrilling performance, while Ann O’Brien from Donegal brought home a Silver medal.

The Irish soccer teams got off to a mixed start today, the mens 11 a side had an excellent 12-0 win over Austria. However, in the mens 5 a side, Slovenia racked up 5 goals against Ireland’s two. Despite a good first half, the Polish womens 5 a side team defeated Ireland 5-0.

The mens Basketball were beaten by a very strong Indian team who put 18 points on the scoreboard, answered by scores from Michael Cummins (Bunclody, Co. Wexford) and Mullingar man, David Corroon.

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