VIDEO: Special Olympics athlete retiring
Mickey Myers has retired from Special Olympics sports, he has told the Westmeath Examiner.
A veteran of three games, the Mullingar man says age is a factor, and he feeds he has done his bit.
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“I’m happy with what I achieved. I’ve been involved since 2006 and as well as football, I played golf, bowling, pitch and putt, and I did some equestrian too,” said Mickey last week.
He was delighted to meet Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh at this year’s games in June.
Mícheál is a patron of the Special Olympics Ireland and he presented the footballers with their medals at the closing ceremony at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown.
Mickey received a silver medal as a member of the Connaught team.
They beat Ulster 4-2 in the semi-final, when he scored twice and helped set up the other two goals.
They team lost the final 4-1 to Munster, but Mickey was happy with how the games went nevertheless.
A member of the Shoot ‘N’ Stars club in Mullingar, he says he has 20 Special Olympics medals – mostly gold.
“I would like to wish everyone in the club good luck,” said Mickey.
“I will miss everyone and being involved, there is always a good buzz. Being up in Dublin this year was the best laugh ever.”
Mickey is thinking of pursing his interests in guitar, singing and drama now that he is stepping back from sport.
Mickey Myers, with photos of himself and Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, and with the Connaught Special Olympics football team