Supporters and well-wishers take to the streets of Gorey to welcome home dual medal winner Shona Gregan. Pic: Christy Farrell.
Gorey has a pride in its achievers and they turned out in force on the Main Street last Sunday afternoon to welcome home the new heroine, Shona Gregan, who won silver and bronze for Ireland at the Special Olympics European Summer Games in Antwerp, Belgium, last week.
The 6th year student at Gorey Community School won silver in the badminton singles last Tuesday, on the first day of competition, and followed up with a bronze medal in the badminton doubles on the final day.
Known as the ‘Games of the Heart’, Shona had been travelling to Dublin for intensive training at weekends for the past six months, separated from her family and staying on her own in Dublin with the team.
This was a huge commitment for Shona and her family, but it off handsomely when she was selected to Team Ireland, comprising 46 athletes, and the icing on the cake was returning to her native town proudly wearing two European medals.
Sunday’s homecoming saw Shona, accompanied by her proud mother, Margaret, paraded through the Main Street in a horse and trap, with the members of An Garda Siochána leading the way with flashing blue lights.
There was strong support from the Special Olympics Club Gorey Area (SOCGA), with Bernie Kennedy, who brought World and European medals to Gorey in 2011, acting as flag bearer for the club.
The local Cycle Against Suicide group delayed the timing of their scheduled event to join with family and friends in making the occasion truly memorable.
Cllr Malcolm Byrne, Chairman of Wexford County Council, told Shona; “The people of Gorey and the people of County Wexford are extremely proud of you.”
Cllr Robbie Ireton said Shona’s success was “great for Gorey,” and added “You make us so proud and you make your parents so proud.”
Full report in THE GOREY ECHO this week.
