Offaly Special Olympics Heroes Honoured At Co. Council Civic Reception
Thursday, 8 December 2011
John Michael Gannon is presented with silver plate by County Council Chairman, Cllr. Danny Owens. TT496275
THREE young athletes who joined the pantheon of Offaly's sporting heroes due to their success on the international stage were honoured by Offaly Co. Council at a civic reception in Aras an Chontae last week.
The three athletes - Patrick Moore [soccer], John Michael Gannon [gymnastics]and Gary McCabe [basketball] - all captured medals at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens earlier this year.
The trio were presented with special commemorative plaques by the Cathaoirleach of Offaly Co. Council, Cllr Danny Owens at the reception on Thursday evening last.
The Killoughey based councillor also made presentations to representatives of five Special Olympics clubs which are scattered throughout the county.
Cllr Owens explained that a civic reception was the highest honour which the Co. Council could confer and the decision to bestow such an award was not taken lightly.
In the past, he recalled, civic receptions had been held to honour the All-Ireland winning Offaly camogie team and golfer Shane Lowry following his success at the Irish Open.
The Cathaoirleach said it was 'great to see such a lively young crowd' in the council chamber. 'Some of what normally goes on in here is all doom and gloom,' he reflected.
Cllr Owens explained that the occasion was not just to honour the three medal winners but to mark the achievements of all Special Olympics athletes and their families, the clubs, coaches and the volunteers. 'They are all winners,' he stressed.
Cllr Owens noted that there was almost 1,150 registered Special Olympics athletes in Leinster and over 3,000 willing volunteers.
'Tonight let's us salute everyone involved in Special Olympics,' stressed Cllr Owens.
He also recalled the successes of other Special Olympics athletes who he described as trailblazers in Offaly, including Dessie Gonoude [equestrian] and Katie Troy [swimming].
'All these athletes have great competitive spirit and do this county proud,' added Cllr Owens.
Referring to the achievements of the three Olympic medal winning athletes, Cllr Owens said there had been a great sense of pride when they were welcomed back to Tullamore following their achievements in Athens.
He outlined that John Michael Gannon had won two gold and two silver medals in gymnastics, Patrick Moore captured a gold in five a side soccer while Gary McCabe returned home with bronze from the basketball event.
After presenting commemorative plaques to the trio Cllr Owens also presented scrolls to representatives of a number of Special Olympics clubs in the county - Yvonne Tierney - Ballinamere N.S. Special Olympics], Jim Smyth [Offaly School of Special Education], Suzanne Burke [Camcor Warriors Special Olympics], Karen Purcell [South Offaly Special Olympics] and Marie Garry [Tullamore Special Olympics].
Concluding he paid tribute to the corporate services staff of Offaly Co. Council, Veronica Francis and Gerry Bruton, who had organised the reception and the council's disability officer, Claire Grehan.
Afterwards refreshments were served in the impressive reception area of Aras an Chontae.
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