More than 1,200 athletes will take part in the Special Olympics Ireland National Summer Games 2026, which begin with the opening ceremony today, Thursday, at Tallaght Stadium, Dublin, and continue with four action-packed days before the games draw to a close on Sunday.
Of those 1,200-plus, who will compete across 12 sports in ten venues, North Cork is well represented this weekend with 25 athletes taking part, across a number of events. The athletes are supported by North Cork clubs Mallow United, Mallow Marlins, Doneraile Rockets and Copstown Golf.
The competing athletes are: Nathan Sheehan (Swimming), Thanh Diem Coleman and Kathleen McMeel (Basketball), Aoife Casey, Mary Kate McPartlan, Nicola Dwyer, Cian Kelleher, Shane Chisholm and Nicholas Tarrant (Badminton), Jack Buckley and Colm O’Mahoney (Kayaking), James Hunter, Stephen Hunter, Gavin Guerin, Brian McDonnell, Billy Gallagher, David Mullins, David O’Sullivan and Shane Reidy (Football), Kevin O’Connor (9 hole) with partner Pius O’Callaghan, and Jeremy Brosnan (skills) (Golf), Jamie Carroll, Nathan Aherne, Roxie Smith and Ronan Ducey (Athletics).
The above athletes are complemented by a group of outstanding coaches and volunteers from Mallow Special Olympics, some of whom have also been selected to be part of Team Munster, namely: Mags Curtin (Head Coach, Badminton), Declan O’Connell (Head Coach, Kayaking), Mick Buckley (Assistant Coach, Kayaking), Niall Ducey (Assistant Coach, Athletics), John Chisholm and Mariana McElligott Assistant Coaches, Badminton), Mike and Maria Mullins (Assistant Coaches, Football).