Mississippian wins gold in the Special Olympics

On Tuesday, Belfast gymnast Kirsty Devlin won two gold and two silver medals at the Games as the medals started to flow for the 88-strong Ireland team.

Alongside Carole, Team Ireland added 11 medals across various sports in the LA games on day five, bringing the medal total to 33.

37-year-old Dubliner Elizabeth Mair also came first in her section of the event to claim gold for Ireland.

“It’s fantastic to secure the first gold medals and the excitement is palpable both here in LA and at home”.

There was further medal joy at the LA Equestrian Centre for 38-year-old Sligo man Thomas Connolly who clinched a silver medal and 38 year-old John Deevy from Waterford who won bronze.

Over at athletics in USC 21-year-old Timothy Morahan from Rathmines in Dublin claimed a bronze medal in the 800M while 36-year-old Lisa O’Brien from Charleville, Co.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny sent his best wishes to Team Ireland by video on Thursday, saying it was “magnificent” to see Ireland’s proud athletes parade into the stadium at the Opening Ceremony. Ruth Geerah from Co Westmeath won gold in the bowling singles.

The ladies basketball team produced a fine display to beat Ecuador 19-12, while the 11-a-side football team also recorded a victory putting two goals past Bharat.

“Pakistani athletes also impressed with their performances as Ramail Irshad bagged gold in 200 meter race final with 29:26 timing in division 46 competition. She’s just awesome. The whole family is so proud of her,”. 20-year-old James Meenan from Dundalk also took a bronze medal in the 200M. “She [Aqsa] has made all of us so proud by helping the country”, said her mother, Shazia Waseem.