TEAMS.. The team members for athletics and football teams along with their coaches. Back: James Farrell (Athletics Coach), Leigh Johnston, Shane Swift, Mark Colgan, Fiona Keenan (Athletics Coach) and Joseph Wilson. Front: Vida Johnston (Football Coach), Barry Cox, Brian Whittendale, Conall Corrigan and Laura Keenan.
EIGHT athletes from Lakeland Special Olympics Club have been selected to compete as part of Team Ulster in the Ireland Games.
It what is a huge honour for the local competitors, five will take part in athletics, while three will represent Ulster in football.
Brian Whittendale (400m wheelchair race, wheelchair shotputt 2kg), Joseph Wilson (25m run; softball throw), Barry Cox (50m run; softball throw), Conall Corrigan (25m run; softball throw) and Laura Keenan (25m run; softball throw) will fly the flag for Fermanagh in athletics while Mark Colgan, Leigh Johnston and Shane Swift will provide representation in footbll.
In a further accolade three coaches from the club have been selected as Coach/Chaperones for the Ireland games.
They are Vida Johnston for football and James Farrell and Fiona Keenan for Athletics
The journey to the 2014 Ireland games began with the area games, which took place in June 2012 in Cavan.
From there the athletes progressed to the Ulster games in June 2013 at the Antrim Forum. The football competitors began with the regional event (Ulster) grading in Cookstown in May 2013.
The Ireland games will take place over a four day period from June 12-15 in Limerick and in addition to weekly training with the club, the athletes and coaches have been travelling approx every 3 weeks to the Antrim Forum to train with the Ulster team.
The athletes and coaches and their families have also been busy fundraising to meet the (circa) £4000 fees payable to the governing body for participation in the games.
The club would like to thank all those who have supported the effort to date; Fermanagh Arsenal Supporters Club and Kerry Foods Sports and Social Club for their generous donations and the families, friends and communities who have supported athletes in their fundraising activities.
If anyone wishes to donate to the Ireland games fundraising effort you can contact the club by email at: lakelandsoc@hotmail.co.uk.
