The Special Olympics Ulster League Finals and Skills Day was held in Antrim Forum and the Shimna Stars were there to pick up the silver!
Following xa0this success, local participants from the Shimna Stars Special Olympics Club also enjoyed a great end of season social event hosted at Newcastle Golf Centre with a barbecue prepared by the staff from Golf Links House and Face Painting by Marion Forbes from ‘Cool Kids’.
Shimna Stars spokesman Laurence McAlinden said: “Antrim Forum was once again the venue for the annual Individual Skills and League Finals Day forxa0athletesxa0participating inxa0Basketball.u2028xa0Shimna Stars SOC had six athletes participating in the skills event while the men’s team played in the league final.
“There was a great buzz in the arena as the clubs were introduced to those present. Shimna Stars were represented in the opening ceremony by Sean Brannigan, opening ceremonies completed the day began for the various grades.u2028u200bA full morning and afternoon of skills produced results for all competing.
“Congratulations to our athletes who gained success in the skills:-u2028Kit Gotto – Goldu2028Emma Clendinning – Goldu2028Martin Trimble – Silveru2028Conor O’Hare – Silveru2028Joshua Mallon – Silveru2028u200bMichelle Crawford – 4th Placeu2028Well done to everyone for the effort put in over recent weeks.
“u2028League Finalsu2028u200b. Althoughxa0guaranteed runners -up spot in thexa0League, Shimna Stars still had much to play for in the final 2 league games. Despite a slow start against Coleraine Cougars, some words of wisdom and encouragement from coaches Mark and Laurence soon had Shimna back on track to produce some magnificentxa0basketballxa0which enthralled those present.u2028u200bSuch was the Shimna dominance, with speed, movement and accurate passing that Cougars could not withstand the pressure as Shimna eased to axa0comfortable win 26 -7.
“Game 2 was a cagier affair between the top 2 teams in thexa0League. Shimna put all the early pressurexa0xa0on Northwest SOC but failed on capitalise on their early scoring opportunities and eventually were made to pay the price as Northwest scored on the break to once again take the league title.u2028As usual all the Shimna players showed great determination and a willingness to enjoy the games and with a little more luck and better pass selection they would have been a match for Northwest.
Final Score: Northwest SOC 26 – Shimna Stars SOC 4u2028Shimna Stars: Patrick Hennessy, Glenn McBride, Niall Rogan, Liam Hennessy, Peter Watts, Sean Brannigan, CJ Hennessy, Joseph Crawford, David McCrumu2028u200bThe games were not without their lighterxa0moments: when much to the amusement of the spectators and the opposition but to the consternation of their coaches several Shimna players decided to play into the wrong basket!!
A great day out was had by all. Congratulations and many thanks to the athletes, volunteers, family members and supporters who travelled on the day. Enjoy the summer break.u2028u2028xa0The Special Olympics motto says it all:u2028u2028u200b
‘LET ME WIN,u2028 BUT IF I CANNOT WIN, LET ME BE BRAVE IN THE ATTEMPT.’
