There was no shortage of success for the Lakeland Special Olympic competitors who were representing Ulster at the Special Olympics Ireland Games which were held in Dublin last weekend.
Local competitors returned home with seven medals in all and a number of superb performances as they made their mark at the games in Athletics, Kayaking and Football.
The Opening ceremony was held in the Tallaght Stadium last Thursday evening with each delegation parading into the stadium. 
The Ulster spectators were definitely the noisiest in the crowd and it was a fantastic welcome for the athletes and coaches.
The ceremony was compered by Ian Dempsey and Des Cahill with entertainment which included the fantastic Hudson Taylor and Jake Carter. 
The games were officially opened by President Michael D Higgins while the highlight of the night, the lighting of the Olympic flame, was followed by a flyover from the Irish Air Corps.
It was then down to action for the competitors over the next three days with a hectic round of divisioning and finals in all sports.
Athletes had very early starts to be at their respective competition venues by 8.30am each morning.
Football took place at the FAI National Football Stadium at Blanchardstown, Athletics at the Morton Stadium (National Sports Campus), Blanchardstown and Kayaking at the Salmon Leap Canoe Centre at Leixlip.
It was in the water at the Kayaking that the Fermanagh competitors enjoyed their greatest success as they came away with six medals.
Chloe Hamilton, Lakeland SOC Kayaking Coach, and Chair of Erne Paddlers, had her first taste of the Ireland Games.
“Nervous excitement levels were running high on Thursday morning when we met at the Forum, this was my first Special Olympics Ireland Games and I soon realised everyone felt the same, even seasoned athletes who have been to a few games before.
“Salmon Leap Canoe Club was a great venue with sheltered water and the club house only metres away,” she said.
First up was the divisioning, which is done at the games to avoid weather or water conditions skewing results. 
Athletes paddled in three person races over 200m and really did themselves proud putting every ounce of energy into getting the best times.
There was then 200m and 500m finals to go over the next two days of racing. 
Ulster finished with an amazing haul of 24 medals in Kayaking that included three goal and three silver for the Fermanagh trio of Laura Keenan, Joseph Bradley and Conor Morris. 
Laura claimed gold in both the 220m Sprint and the 500m Sprint, Joseph picked up silver in the 200m Sprint and the 500m Sprint while Conor had silver in the 200m Sprint and gold in the 500m Sprint. 
The performances delighted their coach Chloe.
“It is completely unprecedented success for paddlers who have had only 18 months paddling experience,” she explained.
“As coaches we always want to see effort and to give time on the water and enjoy watching the skills develop. 
“We are very proud of our Ireland Games champions, Joseph, Laura and Conor and hope we can inspire more paddlers for four years’ time at the next Ireland Games!” said Chloe.
In Athletics, Joseph Wilson competed over three days at the Morton Stadium and his performances earned him a silver medal as well as a fourth place ribbon. 
“I had an incredible time from start to finish,” said Joseph. 
“The Opening Ceremony was fantastic with the parade, the speeches, the lighting of the Olympic Flame and the music and dancing. I had a wonderful coach, Mary, though I missed my Lakeland coaches! 
“I had a brilliant time and was delighted to win the silver medal in the softball throw and the fourth place ribbon in a very tightly contested race. I want to thank all my coaches for encouraging me always and of course my mummy; it was nice getting to know athletes and coaches from some of the other clubs.”
There was also a number of Fermanagh competitors taking part in the football section. 
Mark Colgan and Andrew Wylie played divisioning day at Level 2; the team put in exceptional performances to secure wins which resulted in the team being promoted to Level 1 for the league games. 
This was a very toughly contested division, where they faced the top teams from across Ireland; they fought hard and drew in three matches to enter into the play-off for the Bronze medal. The team gave it their all but unfortunately this time it wasn’t to be and the Ulster Level 1 team finished in fourth place with a final score of 2-0.
Malcolm Trimble played in goals for the Level 4 Ulster team. Malcolm was on top form on divisioning day and ended the day as Number one goal keeper. 
In the league games, Malcolm continued to impress with some outstanding saves. As Sunday progressed, the team faced Munster in the Bronze medal final game; after extra time, the score-line sat at 1-1 and the atmosphere was tense as it went to penalties watched by family and friends, Lakeland’s kayakers, the Ulster staff and many others, but unfortunately, Munster pulled it out of the bag and Ulster again finished in fourth place.
“As a club, we are extremely proud of the efforts and sportsmanship of our players and their coaches, James and Gavin throughout the three days of competition; they have a great future ahead of them,” stated Lakeland Special Olympics Club secretary Fiona Keenan.