The Starbreakers Special Olympics Club was founded in 2002 by Margaret Kerr and had it's official launch the following year. Starbreakers became a recognised Special Olympics Club with Special Olympics Ulster and Special Olympics Ireland following the launch night in the Patrician Hall in Carrickmore. In the early days the club had around 9 members and proved a great social outlet as well as a physical activity for those suffering with a learning disability, the club had no boundaries with age or gender and enjoyed many successful competitions and social evenings. Other people of note in the early days included Margaret's sisters, Eileen Mullin, Rosemary Fox, Marissa McKernan and Una McCallon plus a host of family members and volunteers. At the official launch night in 2003 Sammy Jo Sweeney was invited along as a guest of honour as she had just competed at the Special Olympics World Championshps in Dublin. Sammy Jo was so taken by he hospitality and kindness of the Carrickmore Cub she joined as an athlete at the start of the new season.
The club enjoyed successful runs under the guidance of Coach Margaret from 2002 untl 2007 culminating in Orla McCartan, Stefan McKernan and Sammy Jo Sweeney all qualifying for the Irish Natioal Championships in Antrim Forum and Sammy Jo's selection for the World Finals in Shanghai, however due to a heavy workload and other commitments Margaret stood down as club coach.
In 2007, although the bulk of the club remained in place there were changes Paul Sweeney and Michelle Mullin took on the mantle of coaches, new members came on board (Edel Kelly, Connor McMahon and Jarlath Mullin) and some other members left (Stefan McKernan, Cian McCallon and more recently Paddy Kelly) The club would hope to have these athletes back in the future. The club also had more volunteers on board now (especially the young ladies who gave of their time on Saturday mornings) and the numerous tasks faced with running a club were shared around.
In June of 2007 the Starbreakers entered the area games at Templemore in Derry city and came away with a host of Gold medals and a chance at the first ever Ulster Regional Games held in Letterkenny in 2009. The Starbreakers performed well at these championships winning 5 Gold, 5 Silver and 2 Bronze medals in Athletics and Aquatics. In July of 2009 the selection process took place and at this time the Starbreakers Special olympics Club have no less than 5 representitives on Team Ulster for the Irish National Games in Limerick in 2010 and the hope of going to Athens, Greece in 2012.
The Starbreakers Special Olympics Club have enjoyed massive support from the local communityboth financially and in every other capacity, the have had umerous social evenings and they have always been well supported.
If you are interested in becoming involved with Starbreakers in any way then please do come along to any of the training sessions at the Youth Centre Carrickmoe or speak to any committee. member
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