Cllr. Mick Dollard, Chairman of Westmeath County Council, pictured with the four Westmeath sporting heroes, who were recognised by the local authority with a civic reception in Mullingar on Monday evening. From left: Ruth Geerah, Cllr. Dollard, Ken Whitelaw, Gerry Duffy. Front: Mark Rohan.

Civic honours granted to Westmeath sporting heroes

Published: Wed 20 Oct 2010, 4:30 PM

The county’s top political and official brass turned out in force on Monday evening last, to honour four of Westmeath’s newest sporting heroes, their families and friends after another magnificent sporting year.Westmeath County Council hosted a civic reception at the County Buildings Ballinahown paracyclist Mark Rohan, Special Olympics badminton star Ruth Geerah (Mullingar), and Mullingar marathon men Gerry Duffy and Ken Whitelaw.Each sporting hero was presented with a memento of the occasion by Cllr. Michael Dollard, Chairman of Westmeath County Council.Cllr. Dollard told the audience that the achievements of Mark Rohan were something that the people of Westmeath could be very proud of.A former Under 21 footballer with Westmeath, Mark sustained serious injuries in a road accident in 2001, as a result of which he was confined to a wheelchair.He took up handcycling in 2008, after representing Ireland in wheelchair basketball, and in mid-August, he secured Ireland’s first ever gold medal at the Paracycling World Championships in Canada, winning the H1 Handcycling Road Race.Ruth Geerah, meanwhile, won a silver medal at the Special Olympics European Games in Poland last month, representing Ireland in her beloved sport of badminton.Ruth, a member of the Shoot “n” Stars Special Olympics Club in Mullingar, has been involved with the club for twelve years, Cllr. Dollard said.Finally, the marathon double act of Ken Whitelaw and Gerry Duffy were also lauded for their phenomenal success in taking 32 Marathons, 32 Counties, 32 Days challenge in July, to raise €500,000 for Irish Autism Action.Cllr. Dollard said that the challenge, which garnered national attention when it concluded in Mullingar in early August, was an outstanding achievement by the two Ironmen.Monday’s civic reception was attended by the County Manager, Danny McLoughlin, and members of Westmeath County and Mullingar Town Councils, and guests were treated to some terrific tea and refreshments courtesy of the Council’s catering staff.