Team Ireland Announced for World University Games

28 Jul 2011


The Colleges and University Sports Association of Ireland (CUSAI) have announced the 26 athletes who will be competing at the World University Games in Shenzhen, China, August 12th to the 23rd.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Biwei and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring TD were in attendance to meet the athletes as well as give encouragement in their medal quests.

Ambassador Biwei opened the ceremony by welcoming the athletes and expressed his delight at the opportunities that the Games bring to Ireland.

"With over 180 countries attending the games in Shenzhen, this is a chance for the athletes to be ambassadors for Ireland in China," said Ambassador Biwei.

"Shenzhen will be a place that they can win together, learn about each other and to understand others better as well as experience Chinese culture."

Minister of State Michael Ring echoed the Chinese Ambassador as he expressed the honour of representing your country abroad.
"Not only is it a great honour to represent Ireland but it is an even bigger honour to represent your country abroad."

"We want to wish these 26 athletes the very best of luck and hope they will be returning with medals in hand," said Minister Ring.
CUSAI Chairman, Kieran Dowd closed the ceremony by giving a special thanks to all those involved as the Irish Delegation and competitors are set to depart for Shenzhen beginning August 8th.

This event will mark the 26th International University Sports Federation (FISU) Summer Universiade and 26 Irish athletes will be competing in six different sports including Archery, Athletics, Golf, Swimming, Taekwondo and Weightlifting.

Ireland begins its medal quest on the 13th of August with weightlifter Kevin D'Arcy competing in the 85kg class in the Snatch, Clean and Jerk event.

The following day will open the Archery and Swimming events with nine Irish athletes taking part.

The official opening ceremony of the World University Games takes place on Friday, August 12th.

 

 

Archery

  • John Smith, Co Meath

 

Athletics

  • Amy Foster, Co Down
  • Brendan Boyce, Co Donegal
  • Darren McBrearty, Co Donegal
  • Jessie Barr, Co Limerick
  • Justine Kenny, England
  • Kourosh Foroughi, Co Meath
  • Laura Reynolds, Co Leitrim
  • Micheلl Doyle, Co Dublin

 

Golf

  • Emma O'Driscoll, Co Cork
  • Louise Mernagh, Co Wicklow
  • Lucy Simpson, Co Antrim
  • Barry Anderson, Co Sligo
  • John Greene, Co Dublin
  • Kelan McDonagh, Co Roscommon
  • Stephen Walsh, Co Dublin

 

Swimming

  • Aisling Cooney, Co Dublin
  • Bethany Carson, Co Antrim
  • Fiona Doyle, Calgary, Canada
  • Karl Burdis, Co Dublin
  • Lorna Cummins, Co Cork
  • Ryan Harrison, Co Derry
  • Niamh O'Sullivan, Co Cork
  • Niall Wynn, Co Dublin

 

Taekwondo

  • Niamh Buffini, Co Dublin

 

Weightlifting

  • Kevin D'Arcy, Co Galway