Ballyfermot men to contest 2017 World Winter Games

By Stephen Leonard

BALLYFERMOT lads Lorcan Byrne and Thomas Caulfield are among the eight Dublin athletes included on the Team Ireland squad of 26 that will contest the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Graz and Schladming, Austria from March 14-25.

Both competitors will be competing in Floorball, a sport similar in format to that of ice hockey but not played on ice.

It will feature as an official sport for the first time at the Special Olympics World Winter Games and Ireland will be one of more than 20 teams competing in the sport in Austria.

Caulfield is no stranger to competing at the highest level having been part of the Ireland Men’s 11-a-side soccer team that won bronze in the World Games in Los Angeles last year.

A member of Palmerstown Wildcats Special Olympics Club, he is new to floorball, but his proficiency in the sport has not gone unnoticed and he has just been appointed captain of Floorball Team 2.

“I’m not playing that long and I got picked -for the floorball team already so that’s good” said Caulfield.

“There’s four people on the court – one keeper and three outfield players. I have new team mates as it’s my first time doing this” he added.

Byrne is relishing the prospect of representing his country on the World Winter Games stage saying “When I got the letter saying I had been selected to play floorball at the World Winter Games I was delighted.

“I was nearly crying about representing Ireland because it is such a big achievement.

“I have won a few medals before and any time I have, my mam and dad have been there and been very proud.

“Paul O’Connell put a medal around my neck during the Summer Games two years ago and that was a highlight for me because he is my hero.

“I am training four days a week but I love it” he pointed out.

Team Ireland will join almost 3000 Special Olympics athletes from 107 countries for the Games and Speaking at Team Ireland’s launch, Matt English, Chief Executive, Special Olympics Ireland, said: “Team Ireland represents hard work, commitment and dedication.

“I am extremely proud of the 26 athletes who will represent both their country and their local communities at the 2017 World Winter Games next March. Each selected athlete has shown unwavering motivation, strong discipline and tremendous skill in getting this far.

“The entire country will be cheering on and celebrating Team Ireland throughout the compe-tition” he insisted.