SPECIAL OLYMPICS EASTERN REGION BASKETBALL GAMES

In the Special Olympics calendar the Regional Games are an important event as they determine the qualifiers for the Ireland Games and from these games athletes are chosen to represent their country at the World Games.

The Eastern Regional Games were held in DCU on May 9th and 10th. Killester Mens and Womens teams were both in action and both got through to divisional finals.

On the Women’s team were Jordan Cooney, Louise Cummins, Sheeragh Delaney, Sinead Friel, Sile Maguire, Laura Malone, Cliodhna McGrath, Christina Montague and Tara Mooney. The girls played South County Dublin in their final and played with great spirits.  Laura, Christina Tara and Sheeragh scored some great baskets and all of the girls defended well. After a tight first half the pressure was really on in the second half. The girls responded well to coaches Debbie, Matt and Christina and won the gold medal with a single point to spare: 19 - 18.

The Men’s team consisted of Micheal Byrne, Jude Dennis, Nathan Finney, Tony Gray, Justin Hawkins, Adam Howard, Hugh O Callaghan, Barry O’Reilly and Brendan O Reilly had already won the Division 1 title in the ERB League and were hoping to add to their silverware.  On Saturday, Justin had a  bad fall and hurt his ankle and had to be taken to Beaumont Hospital.  Luckily the ankle was only sprained and he returned on the Sunday to assist Martin, Garry and Ann in coaching the team.  The team kept their unbeaten record for the season and beat Prosper Fingal in the final to secure a second gold medal for the club.

Overall it was  a very successful games with the success of the teams and our skills athlete Greg McCann also winning silver in his competition.

Thanks to all the athletes, coaches, volunteers and parents for making it such a great weekend for the club.