Shimna Stars shining

Shimna Stars shining

16 October 2013

MEMBERS of the all-conquering Shimna Stars Special Olympics Club basketball team began the defence of their 2012 league title with a ‘’Divisioning Day’’ at Antrim Forum on Saturday.

The day will be used to decide on the league format for 2013/14. Shimna were placed in Section One with Antrim Borough Special Olympics Club and North West Special Olympics Club ‘A’ team.

This proved to be a very tough section and may well form Division 1 for the 2013/14 league. Shimna were successful in their opening game, defeating Antrim, and were very competitive in the second game, despite losing against possibly the best Special Olympics team in the province.

There were excellent performances from all in attendance and the skills and commitment displayed augurs well for the new season.

Team panel: Glenn McBride, Patrick Hennessy, Niall Rogan, Aaron Watt, David McCrum, Liam Hennessy, Peter Watts, Sean Brannigan.

Meanwhile, Shimna Stars Special Olympics Club has been honoured by the selection of four athletes to the Team Ulster panel for the 2014 games. The four players selected are Glenn McBride, Liam Hennessy, Sean Brannigan and Peter Watts.

Glenn has previous experience of the Ireland Games, having participated in the 2010 games in the basketball individual skills competition.

Team preparations will commence in the near future and all athletes shall be informed of the time, date and venue.

On the social scene, club members are busy organising fund-raising events to off-set expenses. Two major events are in the pipeline before Christmas and it is hoped that they will be well supported.

The first event is a race night on Friday, November 1, in Mourne Golf Club. The second is ‘The Polar Plunge’ on Saturday, December 7, at Newcastle harbour.