Cheering on Shoot ‘N’ Stars athletes at All Ireland Games
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Members of Shoot ‘N’ Stars ready for the Special Olympics All Ireland Games next week.Image 2 of 15
Westmeath senior footballers – here with Thomas Hanlon – Ian Martin, Kevin O’Sullivan and Charlie Drum joined Shoot ‘N’ Stars for a training session last week.Image 3 of 15
Adam McGee, swimming.Image 4 of 15
James Fisher, swimming.Image 5 of 15
Amanda Butler, swimming.Image 6 of 15
Monica O’Gorman, basketball.Image 7 of 15
David Hogg, basketball.Image 8 of 15
David Corroon, basketball.Image 9 of 15
Sean Geraghty, basketball.Image 10 of 15
Robert Strutynska, basketball.Image 11 of 15
John Matthews, basketball.Image 12 of 15
Jamie Cooney, basketball.Image 13 of 15
Thomas Daly, basketball.Image 14 of 15
Jamie Kavanagh, football.Image 15 of 15
David Corroon, basketball.On Thursday of this week, June 18, the people of Mullingar will have an opportunity to cheer the Shoot ‘N’ Stars Special Olympics athletes on their way to the All Ireland Games as they catch the 10.58 train from Mullingar Station to their accommodation in Maynooth.
The competition venues are Gormanston (basketball), Blanchardstown Aqua Centre (swimming) and UCD (football), and all are open and free to attend.
The All Ireland Games is a huge event for these athletes, not only because of the competition as, for many, it’s the first time away from home for three nights, so it also builds social skills and friendships as well as competition at a high level.
Shoot ‘N’ Stars athletes are competing in four of the 12 sports on offer at the games, where they will join 1200 Athletes from all provinces of Ireland.
Reaching the All Ireland Games has taken dedication and hours of training, both here in Mullingar, and in Roscommon, Galway and Sligo (Shoot ‘N’ Stars is part of the Connaught setup) from the athletes, and their parents as well.
The road to qualifying is three years long, from area to regional games, and then getting picked for All Ireland Games, which is done on a quota of athletes per region.
There may be an opportunity to be selected for World Games 2027 in Chile, depending on the sport and the allocation Ireland receive.
The games have brought great enthusiasm and buzz to club members, their families and friends, and it is wonderful to see the support and how proud all the athletes in the club are of their team-mates.
The club have been assisted in training by Coláiste Mhuire, Loreto College and the Community Garda, all who have helped with facilities and transport.
Last Tuesday night at training three of the Westmeath senior footballers, Charlie Drum, Kevin O’Sullivan and Ian Martin, visited, chatted to the Shoot ‘N’ Stars athletes, and answered questions on the importance of nutrition, sleeping and training.
They then played a game of basketball – unfortunately they were outplayed on the court! They are going to stick to the football pitch.
We all wish Westmeath well on Sunday in Galway. The Special Olympics motto is ‘Let me win, but if I cannot, let me be brave in the attempt.’