Galway Golfer meets Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington Ahead Of Special Olympics World Games

Local golfer, Simon Lowry from Loughrea, Co. Galway, received
the opportunity of a lifetime to meet with Irish golf champion, Padraig
Harrington as he prepares to tee off in Abu Dhabi for the 2019 Special Olympics
World Summer Games this March.

In a moment that every golfer would wish for, Irish golfing
legend Padraig Harrington offered some words of wisdom to the team, who are in
the final stages of preparation for their unforgettable trip to Abu Dhabi.
Wishing the golfers luck, he also took the time to sign the golf balls that
Team Ireland will use in the World Games.

Hailing from across Ireland, the Team Ireland golfing squad
also features Dubliners, Mark Claffey (29) from Blackrock; John Keating (26)
from Templeogue; Andrew Simmington (30) from Dalkey and playing partner, Phyl
Kelleher (80) from Rathfarnham; Mairead Moroney (69) and her playing partner
Jean Molony (73), both from Ennis, Co Clare; and Jill Connery (33) from Scarva,
Co. Armagh.

There are high hopes for the team, not least due to the
soaring interest in golf as a result of the continuing success of Irish golfers
on the world stage. Irish golfer Shane Lowry recently won the championship in
Abu Dhabi, setting the bar for success for Team Ireland.

The golfers are part of a 91-strong
Team Ireland squad that will compete on the world stage at the Games. Taking
place between 14-21 March 2019, Abu Dhabi 2019 will be the largest sporting and
humanitarian event in the world this year. Supported by a volunteer management
team of almost 40, Team Ireland will join 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from
170 countries at the Games. 

Padraig Harrington, a
long-time supporter and worldwide ambassador of Special Olympics commented:
“Irish golfers are now rated as some of the best in the world. This March, all
eyes will be on Abu Dhabi when our inspirational Team Ireland athletes will be
teeing off to achieve personal bests on a world class golf course.

“To represent Ireland
is a phenomenal achievement and I would like to wish all of the athletes the
very best of luck at the World Games.”

Special Olympics
Ireland is first and foremost a sports organisation and charity that supports
children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As the World Games gets
closer, Special Olympics Ireland is calling on the business community and
individuals to help them raise much-needed funds to send the athletes to Abu
Dhabi. To cover the cost of sending Team Ireland to the Games, Special Olympics
needs to raise a total of €455,000 (€5,000 per athlete).

Matt
English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland, said: “2019 is shaping up to be a huge
year for our athletes having worked so hard over the past three years to
qualify for these Games. Meeting Padraig Harrington and hearing his words of
support was a huge boost to our athletes as they prepare to compete on the
world stage.

“As the build up to the Games continues, we
still have a funding gap to bridge. The support we receive from our partners at
eir and Gala Retail Services is invaluable and I urge companies large and small
to come forward to show their support for Team Ireland by visiting www.specialolympics.ie and
getting involved in our Support an Athlete campaign. The Irish community have
been so generous towards us and we are calling on you again to play your part
and help make the dreams of our athletes come true.”

For further information about Team Ireland and the Support
an Athlete programme, visit www.specialolympics.ie

To keep up to date with Team Ireland’s preparations for the
Special Olympics World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, follow Special Olympics
Ireland on Twitter @SOIreland and
Facebook, facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIreland
and follow the hashtags, #TeamIreland and #PlayYourPart.