TEAM IRELAND ENJOYED its best medal haul to date on day three of the Special Olympics World Games in Athens taking 20 medals in total.

Having won three medals on the first two days of the games in Athens, Ireland significantly increased its tally on day three.

Among the big winners of the day were Limerick’s Alan Quinlan in gymnastics. He took home one gold and five silver medals and a fourth place position in the men’s artistic gymnastics.

Fellow gymnast John Michael Gannon from Co Offaly won two gold and two silver medals in his competition. Lisburn’s Pauline Connell won two gold and three silver medals in her gymnastics competition.

There was more success in women’s doubles bowling with Deirdre Gannon from Wesport in Co Mayo and Mary Quigley from Tullow, Co Carlow winning silver in their event.

Joyce Haughian from Warrenpoint in Co Down and Deirdre Garvin from  Claremorris in Co Mayo won silver in a different category of the women’s doubles bowling event.

In aquatics, Dublin woman Lorraine O’ Halloran scooped gold in the 100 metre freestyle whilst setting a new personal best time in the race. Her fellow Dub Mary Gavin won her second medal of the games taking a silver in the 100 metre freestyle while Peter Oxley from Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath set a personal best time while coming fourth in the 100 metre freestyle.

In equestrian, Down man Steven Yetman won bronze in the dressage event while Kildare man Conor MacGerailt took fifth place position in the Prix Caprilli competition – the first time for an Irish athlete to compete in this event.

In Bocce, a bowling-like sport, the Irish Team of Simon Darragh, Oliver Magee, Mary McDermot and Conor Ryan came in fourth position in their competition.

And finally, in football the men’s five-aside team claimed a 2-0 victory over Cyprus in the first stage of this highly competitive competition. In the Women’s event Ireland beat Italy 3-0.

Follow Team Ireland’s progress on its website or download the free iPhone app to track your local athlete while on the go.

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