Special Olympics Gorey (SOCGA) announced on Thursday, October 9 that four members of the clubs would be taking part across both swimming and badminton.
Among the participating athletes are Poppy O’ Neill (15), Misha Brehoff (18), Brendan Carroll (35), and Jack Kenny (14), who are preparing to compete for a spot at the World Games.
Hilary Davis has been a volunteer for the club for 13 years, and was thrilled to see so many athletes selected, as athletes are chosen on a lottery base. “To have four athletes pulled out of a hat is fantastic.
“It’s a great accomplishment to be representing Leinster as well,” Hilary said.
“They’re all so happy to get to the Ireland games, so we want them to achieve their full potential.”
Poppy, Misha and Jack will all take part in the Ireland Games for the first time, while Brendan has some experience after being previously selected to compete in bocce and badminton. “He’s the veteran,” Hilary said.
“He was actually selected for Bocce and Badminton this year, but you can only take part in one sport to give everybody a fair chance,” she added.
SOGCA Club with their Coaches . PHOTO: Sabrina Ffrench
Hilary praised the athletes and members of the club for their hard work and dedication to the sport. “All of them play like four sports with the club, so they’re heavily involved.
“It’s a great club, with great community spirit, you know the guys all get along with each other and it’s a great bit of fun – as well as hard work of course,” Hilary added.
She said the preparations have begun to train athletes but added that the club are looking for some coaching support. “We’re actually looking for a badminton coach because while we have swimming coaches, we don’t have any actual coach player.
“At the moment, I coach badminton, but we need somebody who’s more experienced – we want the guys to get the best they can to do their best,” she added.
Although the club has celebrated the selection of the athletes, Hilary said the club delayed the start of the new season, following the tragic passing of the club’s chairman, Aidan Kelly in August 2025.
“We normally start back in the first week of September, we were all devastated and wondering where we go from here – because at the end of the day its all about the athletes and you need to give them the best that you can give them,” she said.
“In order to do that you have to be in the right place yourself.”
Aidan was the son of Beryl Kelly, who founded Special Olympics Gorey 20 years ago. Hilary praised Aidan for his commitment to the club, and his dedication to support its members.
Aidan was awarded a Leinster Volunteer Award but sadly passed before receiving the award. Hilary and members of the club accepted the award on his behalf, and said it was bittersweet. “He was so excited about going to Dublin to collect it.”
The club will be hosting a fundraiser event to support the athlete’s journey to the Ireland Games, with a table quiz on Friday, November 14 in Naomh Éanna at 8.30pm.
Hilary said that Special Olympic Gorey’s door is always open to welcome volunteers who would like to support the club.