It’s hard to argue with 86 medals.
That’s the haul that the Irish Special Olympics team brought home from this year’s World Games in Los Angeles, a truly remarkable performance from everyone involved.
That medal haul included 26 gold medals, 29 silver medals and 31 bronze medals, with 16 of those medals collected on the final day of competition alone.
Described by Team Ireland CEO Matt English as “one of the most successful World Games ever”, Team Ireland arrived home to a rapturous reception at Dublin Airport early August.
Their efforts in LA were enough to earn them the JOE Sports Star of the Year Award ahead of an illustrious list of nominees that included Shane Lowry, Michael Conlan, AP McCoy and Conor McGregor, collecting more than 40% of over 8,000 votes.
Well deserved.
Winners ! Team Ireland tops the poll ! JOE Men of the Year Awards 2015 https://t.co/vm30vNLYhE via @joedotie pic.twitter.com/jFexyFoYZa
— Special Olympics Ireland (@SOIreland) December 9, 2015
