Henry McKean is reporting from the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi
Winning ways
There were emotional scenes in Kayaking at the Abu Dhabi Special Olympics World Games, as Team Ireland won multiple medals on the water in the Gulf. Henry McKean watched them battle it out in the Middle East.
Watch: “We are immensely proud of Oisin taking Gold & a Bronze in Kayaking.” @NewstalkFM @SeanMoncrieff hear the Feery Tullamore story from 2pm. @SOIreland #AbuDhabi2019 #MeetTheDetermind pic.twitter.com/Pdp3aCKX8L
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) March 19, 2019
Exciting scenes yesterday @WorldGamesAD as #Team Ireland got their Games off to a winning start
GOLD for the @BocceSoi Team
GOLD for @soiswimming 25m relay♂️
Bronze for Emma Carlisle 200m backstroke♀️@sportireland @SportNINet #PlayYourPart pic.twitter.com/RA8EENbAQd
— Special Olympics Irl (@SOIreland) March 16, 2019
We’re thinking these guys are ready to celebrate #StPatricksDay today at @WorldGamesAD today! pic.twitter.com/4f3TjHB5pi
— Special Olympics (@SpecialOlympics) March 17, 2019
Ireland 1 - 0 Estonia
On Friday, Team Ireland beat Estonia one nil in football. Former Chelsea Star Didier Drogba and Minister for Sport Shane Ross discuss the World games.
Watch: Didier Drogba opens up about why he loves the @SpecialOlympics #AbuDhabi2019 #PlayYourPart @NewstalkFM @offtheball @SOIreland filmed by @ryannugent93 @didierdrogba #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/gEwG3HYrXp
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) March 15, 2019
Capture the warmth and love
Henry McKean brings you on a journey of heroes and success against the odds.
Medals in the Desert from 7am a special @SOIreland documentary with all the highlights from the first @SpecialOlympics in the Middleeast. @NewstalkFM @SpecialOlympics @SOIreland #TeamIreland #AbuDhabi2019 #MeetTheDetermined @didierdrogba @AongusatDell pic.twitter.com/rbl6SlxrAV
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) March 17, 2019
Rave in the desert
A spectacular desert rave took place to mark the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi. 91 Team Ireland athletes took part with another 7,000 athletes in the United Arab Emirates.
Did anyone spot our #TeamIreland reporter @HenryMcKean on stage @WorldGamesAD Opening Ceremony?!#PlayyourPart@NewstalkFM @PatKennyNT pic.twitter.com/PJarqqXqcu
— Special Olympics Irl (@SOIreland) March 14, 2019
Here We Go
There were emotional scenes at Dublin Airport last night as 91 athletes from across Ireland jetted off to Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi Do! It’s the final countdown to #SpecialOlympics go #TeamIreland @SOIreland jumping on @EtihadAirways now join me on @NewstalkFM over the next week for all the latest. #AbuDhabi2019 pic.twitter.com/ITNkO9oFIN
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) March 13, 2019
Full #TeamIreland photo album from yesterday's departure event now available here: https://t.co/FQMaStumDF Please tag and share #TeamIreland #PlayyourPart pic.twitter.com/7b5UAcQ170
— Special Olympics Irl (@SOIreland) March 8, 2019
Team Ireland's 86 medals & counting at the Abu Dhabi Special Olympics
At this year’s Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi, Team Ireland’s medal haul has risen to over 86.
After several days of heated competition, Team Ireland’s seven-aside football team claimed a bronze medal. The team features athletes from Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and Wicklow.
Furthering Team Ireland’s success in the pool, Aisling Beacom (38) from Wicklow swam her way to success with a gold in the 800m freestyle.