Johnny from Bawnboy is walking to gold

Smiling Johnny McKiernan from Bawnboy looked the essence of happiness when he confidently declared to great applause: "A star in the making." Speaking at his farewell bash in the Cavan Rehab Centre at Drumalee, Johnny told The Anglo-Celt that he has high hopes of picking up two gold medals at the World Special Olympic games in Athens. The Irish team leaves Ireland on June 19 for the games and will return on July 5. Johnny will be participating in the 100-metre walk and the shot putt throw and has been training very hard in these disciplines. As the affable Bawnboy man expanded on his training routines in recent months, a myriad number of medals of various colours including glistened in the sunlight as they dispersed at various angles on his chest. The training for the walking race went on during the hail, rain and sunshine and he declared that "the weather does not stop me". He really enjoys his time in the Rehab centre in Cavan and also enjoyed his time in the Ballinamore Centre for many years. The manager of REHAB Care Centre in Cavan, Bernard McVeigh, told The Anglo-Celt that both himself, all the staff and the service users and indeed the centre in Bailieborough are sending all best wishes with Johnny. "Johnny has been building up to this great occasion for many months and I know he is going to do very well. He has been training very hard and it is a great honour for him to be heading to Athens to keep the Cavan flag flying high. We are all looking to him bringing back the medals and we will have another party for him here in Cavan." Margaret Doonan the programme facilitator in the centre described Johnny as a very happy man who actively participates in all the sports organised by the centre. "He loves participating in the various sports and he also lives in our supported accommodation and has a great relationship with all the service users." The service users take part in diverse programmes including swimming, soccer, outdoor gym, bowling, dancing, computers, independent living skills and music and a back to work type programme. Johnny also loves the drama and they all enjoy the day trips. Arthur Brett from Poles in Cavan is the Irish national ladies table tennis coach and he is also head coach for table tennis for the Irish Special Olympics Team. They will be away at the Special Olympics for two weeks and three days - 19 days in total. He says you get a wonderful reward from watching special Olympians achieve their goals. "They are not into glory hunting or showing off. They prefer to progress and better their performances. Essentially they want to do the very best they can in their chosen sport." Whether that means finishing first or eight, they will still possess the same joy and happiness because participation is their real goal, explained Arthur. He is coaching table tennis for over 30 years and has been coaching with the Special Olympics' teams for eleven years. Arthur who is a food distributor is originally from Sligo, lived for 27 years in Dublin and has been residing at Poles for the past ten years. He was also actively involved in the establishment of the Castlerahan Table Tennis in Ballyjamesduff, which is now run by Ollie Reilly. Sean Brady and Dane Reilly who honed their skills there evolved into Irish international table tennis players. Both play for Castlerahan and of course Sean played for Cavan. Both Ronan Flanagan and Cian Mackey played table tennis as well. Table tennis is one of the most played sports in the world and is one of the fastest reflex sports, as you have less than a half second to move and play a ball at speed. The special olympics team have been training since January and they have changed their diets and are preparing for the heat in Athens. They have also prepared very well for their individual sports. They have been training three times a week for the table tennis and they completed their last training session at the weekend. In 2003 the table tennis squad won 34 medals in the World Special Olympics with 20 plays. This time there are only six players travelling because it is away from home. When Special Olympians motivate themselves towards a goal like this massive occasion in Athens, "they will walk on water for you", said Arthur. They are very conscious of bringing pride to themselves and their families and they hope for everyone to share in their happiness in the aftermath of their success.