Cillian Dunne of Mid-West Spina Bifida at the:
IWAS World Junior Games, Dubai, 14th to 21st April 2011.
A team of 9 athletes from Ireland travelled to Dubai to compete with 21 other countries from around the world at the IWAS World Junior Games. On Thursday 14th the team arrived at Dublin Airport at 7am for their flight to Abu Dhabi followed by a 2 hour car journey to Dubai. The IWA Sport squad included experienced athletes and newcomers all competing in field athletics.
On Friday and Saturday the team used the facilities at the Dubai Club for Special Sports to set up their throwing frames, do some training and get used to the heat. On Sunday His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and patron of the Games, welcomed all the athletes at the opening ceremony. Each team paraded around the stadium behind their country's name and the Games were declared officially open, followed by a fantastic fireworks display.
Cillian competed in the javelin on Monday where he finished 8th, the shot putt on Tuesday finishing 5th and in the discus on Wednesday where he again finished 5th. The Irish team won a total of 8 medals, 2 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze at the Games.
The Irish delegation was made up of Seamus Wall, Team Manager, Pat Furlong, Head Coach, Maria Furlong Assistant Coach, Orla Barry, Cork, Ray O Dwyer, Kilkenny, Lorraine Regan, Offaly, Keith Armstrong, Wicklow, David Berry, Cork, Yvonne McCloskey, Dublin, Daniel Riordan, Kildare, Jamie Strappe, Tipperary and Cillian Dunne, Tipperary.
In the Photo below: The Irish Team leaving Dublin Airport-please see our Photo Gallery for more pictures, of Cillian and the Irish Team.
