Special Olympics: ‘Tough as nails’ Irish golfer becomes oldest medallist

The receipt of some friendly advice from a three-time major winner will seldom hamper a golfer before they enter a competition.

Mairéad Moroney, who celebrates her 70th birthday in May, harnessed the words of Pádraig Harrington as she went from being the oldest competitor in this year’s Special Olympics World Games to the oldest medal winner at the event in Abu Dhabi.

The Co Clare woman shouted “Up the Banner” after she stepped down from the winners’ podium at the Yas Links golf club, having picked up a silver medal for Team Ireland on Wednesday.

Wearing a pair of white golf shoes signed by Harrington, whom she met at a workshop at Portmarnock Golf Club last month, Moroney described herself as “tough as nails” as she proudly showed off her prize.

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Despite only learning to play golf in recent years, and being identified as the eldest of the 7,500 competitors at the games, Moroney took advantage of her chance in the alternate shot competition.

“I’m very proud of my country,” she said. “It was a big surprise when I found out I was coming out [to the games], I couldn’t get over it.”

With the games set to finish on Thursday, Moroney said she was sad to be leaving Abu Dhabi. But lifting up her arms, she declared, “I think I’ve got a bit of a colour” to go with her silver medal.

‘Fantastic achievement’

Her niece Mary Kennedy, who lives in nearby Dubai, travelled to Abu Dhabi to support Moroney last week.

“We’re so proud of her. It’s just a fantastic achievement,” she said. “We weren’t aware that she was the oldest athlete when the competition started but then the news started filtering out after the first couple of days.

“She’s full of health and full of life and she was just so excited to come out and play here for the week. It’s been fantastic.”

Jean Molony, Moroney’s partner in the alternate stroke game, said Harrington’s advice stood to them during the competition.

“One of the things he told us to do is to get used to a particular [golf] club and become fond of a club. That’s exactly what Mairéad has done: her favourite club is the seven iron, she does wonders with it.”

The sun beamed down as the final day of sporting events played out in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, with Team Ireland’s total exceeding 80 medals, with more results still to be confirmed.

No olés

The Irish men’s seven-a-side football team collected bronze medals on Wednesday, with one player, Omer Teko, telling his teammates: “If you’s sing ‘Olé, olé’ again I’m going home!”

Among the vocal members was Daniel Byrne, from Lucan, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Saturday. Although he missed out on playing in the final game due to a suspension, which followed his collecting two yellow cards in earlier matches, Byrne said winning a medal was “a great birthday present”.

“The first card I got against Estonia, even the coaches said it was a bit harsh. But my second card against Aruba wasn’t – even the team said it,” he laughed.

The football team’s head coach, Graham Hillick, said support from friends and family had been crucial to the team’s success, with many making the “expensive journey over” to watch on.

“I think support for Irish football, regardless of what level it’s at, is always amazing. Fans will travel anywhere in the world. It goes to show over the last week and especially today. I mean, we’ve taken over the two stands with fans,” he said.

The Special Olympics World Games closing ceremony takes place on Thursday evening with performances by Nicole Scherzinger and Keala Settle. Team Ireland’s 91 athletes will arrive into Dublin Airport on Friday afternoon.