Ennis swimmer Emma Barrett has won a Gold Medal at the Special Olympics.
In the first day of competitions in Abu Dhabi, Clare’s Emma Barrett was among the gold medal winners in Team Ireland’s 25m freestyle relay team. Damien Breslin (23) from Birr, Co. Offaly, Chelsea Phillips (26) from Castlerea, Co. Roscommon and Edel Armstrong (23) from Navan Road, Dublin 7 were Emma’s teammates and at 22 she was the youngest member of the swimming outfit.
Ireland’s bocce competitors also secured gold medals on day one while Co Down swimmer Emma Carlisle not only bagged a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke, but also achieved a personal best, shaving 12 seconds off her time.
Clare’s champion Emma Barrett showed her capability in July of last year winning gold in the 200m breaststroke and in the 4x100m relay while representing Team South Galway in the Special Olympic Ireland Games.
Her performance here caught the eye of Team Ireland’s coaches. She swims once a week at the Brothers of Charity pool in Kilcornan and has previously done work experience at The Clare Crusaders Clinic.
*Emma Barrett with Lorraine Mahon. Photograph: Martin Connolly
