Special Olympics World Winter Games. Cork athletes feature as Team Ireland Floorball team win brilliant bronze medal

Cork athletes feature as Team Ireland Floorball team win brilliant bronze medal after fantastic display of sportsmanship and grit in the Special Olympics World Winter Games today

James Hunter of Team Ireland, a member of Mallow Special Olympics Club, Mallow, Cork in action against David Avalos Rivera of Special Olympics Costa Rica. Pic: Sportsfile

Team Ireland’s floorball team had amazing success in their campaign in the Special Olympics World Winter Games today, as they battled through two matches to win a bronze medal.

The deciding match against Switzerland was a tough and hard-fought contest against a skilled side – and each Irish goals was won by breaking through excellent defence.

The winning goal in the deciding match against Switzerland was shot through the goal in the last 40 seconds, and the victory was intensely emotional after testing matches earlier in the week.

The first match against Costa Rica was fierce and unrelenting, with Ireland captain Gavin Bourke sustaining an injury and being taken off the court before returning in the second half to support his team and play on.

Gavin Bourke of Team Ireland, a member of Mallow Special Olympics Club, Doneraile, Cork, races down the wing. Pic: Sportsfile

Costa Rica won this contest by 4 goals to 1, but the goal-scorer Damien Kirwan (aged 38, Waterford City) was named Man of the Match as his fierce attacking and sustained attempts at goal marked him out as standout on the court.

The second match against Switzerland to decide the medal victory was incredibly fast-paced, with every ball and goal contested. The confidence of the floorball team was on display with well-honed attack and defence.

Ireland fought hard for a commanding victory of 3 goals to nil. The third and final goal was attempted multiple times before hitting the mark, showing the persistence and will to win of the Irish side.

Joseph ‘Joe-Joe’ Sheehan (aged 22, Doneraile, Co. Cork) put in a brilliant performance, scoring goals with skill, and was named Man of the Match.

The bronze victory secured Team Ireland a full tally of 10 medals across floorball and alpine skiing.

Team Ireland floorball’s bronze medal win comes after playing 13 matches over four days, with six wins and seven losses.

Man of the Match for the Switzerland game, Joseph ‘Joe-Joe’ Sheehan said: “Man of the Match feels like the best thing I’ve ever had in my life. It’s like if someone got Man of the Match in a soccer match – the feeling’s the same. The goal I got was my second-best goal in the Winter Games. The celebrations when we get home will be massive! When we get off that plane, the supporters will go mad – and I mean mad! It’s a pleasure being on this Ireland team with my team-mates and my coaches, and everyone else on the team – thank you!”

After being named Man of the Match for the Costa Rica match, Damien Kirwan said: “It was a tough match, but I’m happy I got a goal today – on my bad hand - and a goal yesterday. I’m happy I got player of the match, which I wasn’t expecting. We did our best in this match, and we have another chance now against Switzerland. We’re feeling confident.”

After the bronze medal victory against Switzerland, Damien said: “I’m delighted to bring home a medal, to show my family, my girlfriend, and all my friends around Waterford. I want to thank all the supporters and volunteers – without them, we wouldn’t be here today. We wouldn’t have got to third, we wouldn’t have got a medal, only for their support. And I wouldn’t be here without all my friends that I played with, and the coaches for all their support, training, the hours they put in – it’s an honour. I’m glad I got to do this for my country.”

Julie Dwyer, Chairperson of Mallow United Special Olympics Club which numbers four Team Ireland floorball athletes among its membership, said: ”We started floorball in Munster when nobody was doing it in Ireland, around 20 years ago. George Fitzgerald, the Assistant Floorball Coach for Team Ireland, would have been on many a team I travelled with as a player. It’s lovely to see the buildup of skill and ability being developed and coming back in. I’m very proud of them – they’ve done so well, and I’ve seen them come from beginners to the world stage – it’s fabulous.”

Team Ireland players and officials celebrate in front of Irish supporters after winning the Bronze place play off, in Floorball, between Special Olympics Irelaand and Special Olympics Switzerland during day six of the Turin 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in the Inalpi Arena, Turin, Italy. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Mags Curtin, coach at Mallow United Special Olympics Club, said: “We’re ecstatic about the boys winning. The effort they’ve put in over the last year has been amazing – they played out of their skin, and they deserve their medal! Well done Team Ireland.”

Head Floorball Coach for Team Ireland, Peter Merrins, said: “The victory was a real lift, they were incredible. They were really up for it. They wanted to do it for all the families and supporters. They’ve been so brave and so strong – they had a few rough days, but showed so much heart.”

Damien Kirwan of Team Ireland, a member of Waterford Special Olympics Club, Waterford City celebrates his goal

Willie Conlon, Assistant Head of Delegation for Team Ireland, said: “We’re so proud of the team. We came together nine months ago as a group of strangers, nobody had met each other. You see them today, and they’re a team all pulling together for each other – it’s just fantastic. For these guys, it means the absolute world.”

“I was asked to volunteer at the Ireland Games in 2018, got involved and really enjoyed it. When you see how much the athletes enjoy it and what it means to them, it makes you want to come back and do it again and again! The opportunity to come to these Games in my role and to see the team be so happy and coming back with medals, is brilliant.”

Special Olympics Ireland Director of Sport Karen Coventry said: “Passion, courage and true sportsmanship has been in abundant display this week from Team Ireland. I’m unbelievably proud of the team, such determination and grit. Every ball mattered, they pushed right to the end – they truly deserve the success.”

Today's games

Team Ireland’s floorball team had amazing success in their campaign in the Special Olympics World Winter Games today, as they battled through two matches to win a bronze medal.

The deciding match against Switzerland was a tough and hard-fought contest against a skilled side – and each Irish goals was won by breaking through excellent defence.

The winning goal in the deciding match against Switzerland was shot through the goal in the last 40 seconds, and the victory was intensely emotional after testing matches earlier in the week.

The first match against Costa Rica was fierce and unrelenting, with Ireland captain Gavin Bourke sustaining an injury and being taken off the court before returning in the second half to support his team and play on.

Costa Rica won this contest by 4 goals to 1, but the goal-scorer Damien Kirwan (aged 38, Waterford City) was named Man of the Match as his fierce attacking and sustained attempts at goal marked him out as standout on the court.

The second match against Switzerland to decide the medal victory was incredibly fast-paced, with every ball and goal contested. The confidence of the floorball team was on display with well-honed attack and defence.

Ireland fought hard for a commanding victory of 3 goals to nil. The third and final goal was attempted multiple times before hitting the mark, showing the persistence and will to win of the Irish side.

Joseph ‘Joe-Joe’ Sheehan (aged 22, Doneraile, Co. Cork) put in a brilliant performance, scoring goals with skill, and was named Man of the Match.

The bronze victory secured Team Ireland a full tally of 10 medals across floorball and alpine skiing.

Team Ireland floorball’s bronze medal win comes after playing 13 matches over four days, with six wins and seven losses.

Team Ireland showed their genuine sense of sportsmanship and fair play when they gave the Switzerland side a guard of honour when both teams arrived back to the same hotel, after travelling on the same bus - showing camaraderie and a great appreciation for the skill and determination of all participants.

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