Limerick native flies the flag for Ireland at 2025 Special Olympics Opening Ceremony

Fourteen exceptional athletes are flying the flag for Ireland at this year's Special Olympics World Winter Games as the competition got underway on Saturday in Turin, Italy. One of these talented sports stars hails from Limerick. 

The week-long contest will see 102 countries and over 1,500 athletes take part and attract over 100,000 spectators. Eight of Ireland's athletic stars will compete in floorball which is a fast-paced team sport, while six athletes will compete in alpine skiing. 

Frank O'Dwyer from Ballylandis, County Limerick is a member of Team Ireland's floorball squad at the competition this year. The 30-year-old has been with Tipperary Special Olympics Club for 12 years and has won 10 medals in basketball, swimming, athletics, football and floorball with Team Munster and Team Ireland. 

The sports enthusiast is a huge fan of Manchester United, Limerick hurling and Munster rugby. Sharing his advice before the commencement of the competition, Frank said: "Be a good team leader, support each other, and respect coaches and volunteers—they make it possible."

Frank will be joined on Team Ireland's floorball squad by Waterford men Niall Corcoran, James Upton and Damien Kirwan as well Cork natives James Hunter, Jack Buckley, Joseph Sheehan and Gavin Bourke.

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Peter Merrins is the team's Head Coach and Dorothy Kavanagh and George Fitzgerald are the Assistant Coaches.

On Team Ireland's Alpine Skiing team is Clive Healy from Waterford, Lorraine Whelan from Wicklow, Donal Brennan from Dublin, Maire Connolly from Galway, Lucy Best from Belfast and Caolan McConville from Antrim.

The team's Head Coach is Jill Sloan while Glyn Williamson and Jane McDowell are the Assistant Coaches. 

The Opening Ceremony commenced on Saturday at the iconic Inalpi Stadium in Turin. Team Ireland proudly marched into the arena in their vibrant green jackets to a wave of clapping from the crowd. The phenomenal show set an exciting tone for the week ahead. 

In his opening speech, 2025 Special Olympics World Games President Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo said: "I know that each one of you has carried a spark of the flame inside you, preparing and training, day after day. The ‘Flame of Hope’ is the hope in little things: a smile, a snowfall, a happy day. It is also the hope in bigger things: a welcoming community, an equitable society, a world at peace. You are the ‘Flame of Hope.’ Carry it forward. We will be with you."

Good luck Team Ireland!