Ireland continue gold rush at Special Olympics

Ireland have added three further golds to their impressive medal tally as the fourth day of the Special Olympics draws to a close…

Ireland have added three further golds to their impressive medal tally as the fourth day of the Special Olympics draws to a close.

With Team Ireland having secured six gold and a host of silver and bronze in yesterday's competition, Pamela Hayes continued the medal drive today, taking first in her division in the bocce singles to swell the host nation's haul even further.

It was also a memorable day for the Irish at the Equestrian Centre in Kill, where Dessie Gonoude of Tullamore and Stephen Roche topped their respective fields.

Meanwhile, the excitement at the National Aquatics Centre in Abbotstown showed no sign of abating where, after the preliminaries in the morning, the action in the pool hotted up for this afternoon's finals.

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Despite the lack of any Irish involvement in the finals, another healthy crowd turned out to witness the 50 metre backstroke and 50 metre breaststroke deciders and they were treated to some heart-stopping finishes.

Among those enjoying the spectacle was Special Olympics board member Rita Lawlor - a former Special Olympic athlete - who was on hand to lend her support to the finalists.

On a day of brilliant summer's sunshine, there were more than a few envious glances from the crowd towards from cool blue waters until the serious competition started shortly after midday with the first of nearly 40 medals won, Poland's Katarzyna Lukaszewska holding off a late surge to top the podium.

Too exhausted for frantic celebrations, the cheers from her family and friends resonated around the arena prompting the 18-year-old to punch the air in delight.