Pictured at the celebration were, at front, from left: Aoife Beston, athlete, Linda Heraty, Miriam Judge, volunteers, Myra Merrick, director, Special Olympics Connaught, and Martina Walsh, athlete. At back: John Beston, Natasha Langdon, Ian Canavan and Louise Gill, all volunteers. Missing from photo

Mayo athletes bound for la

MAYO athletes Martina Walsh and Aoife Beston have been given a big send-off ahead of the Special Olympics in Los Angeles.

Castlebar Strikers Special Olympics Tenpin Bowling Club held a celebration night for Martina (tenpin bowling) and Aoife (athletics), as well as coaches Mick Fahy (kayaking) and Tommy Canavan (swimming), and nine volunteers - Paul Behan, Linda Heraty, John Beston, Ian Canavan, Natasha Langdon, Miriam Judge, Helen Shannon, Louise Gill and Louis O’Hora - who are heading off to LA this week.

Cora Mulroy of Mayo Leisure Point wished them all the best of luck and said she hoped they would enjoy the whole experience of the event.

Myra Merrick, director, Special Olympics Connaught, also wished them well and said it was a great honour to represent your country.

Martin Sammon, chairperson, Castlebar Strikers, was delighted that Martina Walsh would represent the club with distinction. Both athletes were presented with a token from the club.