Four Cork Men are amongst the 14 athletes who will represent Ireland at 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games 14 athletes from Ireland are busy preparing to compete at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games. The Games, which will run from 29th January to 5th February, will take place in PyeongChang, South Korea. Team Ireland consists of 14 athletes; 6 who will compete in the Alpine skiing event and 8 who will compete in floor ball (floor ball is similar in style to floor hockey). This is the first time that Ireland will be represented at this level in floor ball and hopes are high for a great performance from the team. All of the athletes on the floor ball team are from Munster and are involved in Special Olympics through The Cope Foundation in Cork, The Daughters of Charity in Limerick and The Brothers of Charity in Waterford. Lining out for Ireland in floor ball will be Sean Murphy from Gurranabraher in Cork; Joseph McCarthy from Midleton, Co. Cork; Roy Saville from Mayfield, Co. Cork; ; Brendan O’ Sullivan from Rathmore, Co. Cork, Aidan Cross from Cahir, Co. Tipperary; James Murphy from Corbally, Co. Clare; George Fitzgerald from Waterford City; and William McGrath from Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford. The athletes’ have been busy training for the past number of months to ensure that they are fully prepared and ready for what lies ahead in South Korea. Team Ireland will depart for South Korea on Friday 25th January. You can follow their progress at the Games on www.specialolympics.ie/wintergames Team Ireland will take their place at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games alongside 3,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches from more than 100 countries. Competition will take place in seven Olympic-style sports: alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, short track speed skating, figure skating, floor hockey and floor ball.
14th January, 2013