Ian Sheils Returns To Hero’s Welcome   You are in · RoscreaOnline · Community · People Profiles

Roscrea has a new sporting hero. Ian Sheils of Kennedy Park returned home from America last week to a rapturous welcome from his family, friends and legions of fans that lined the streets to greet the town’s latest success story.

After sixteen days in New York Ian arrived back in his homeland last Thursday with a fabulous haul of five gold and four silver medals, which he won while competing at The Physically Challenged Irish American Games Ian who attends Colaiste Phobal Roscrea is just fourteen years of age. He lives with his brothers Thomas and Gary and his achievements deserve widespread applause and recognition.

At the games Ian gave an unrivalled display of his many talents taking part in a breathtaking array of events which included running, the long kick, table tennis, the shot putt, the position throw, the soft shot and the heavy discus etc.

Ian was part of a twenty-one strong Irish Squad, which really put it up to the Americans on their home turf. The return leg takes place in Ireland in July and Ian say's he is really looking forward to competing once again and taking on the Americans in a number of eagerly awaited return contests.

Speaking to the Tipperary Star this week, Ian said he made many new and great friends in America. He said he enjoyed the camaraderie of the event and that he looked forward to meeting his new friends once again, in a few weeks time.

Outside of the competitions, Ian had plenty of time for sightseeing. He said he will never forget the atmosphere of Yankee stadium where he saw the world famous New York Yankees play, in the company of his uncle Trevor Fletcher, former Roscrea hurler and Tipperary Minor now resident in the Big Apple. When asked by his good friend and neighbour Pat Joe Whelan how Yankee stadium compared to Croke Park, Ian said he would take Croke Park any day of the week, over the famous baseball ground.

During his visit, Ian also took time out to visit the Statue Of Liberty. Time was also left aside for lunch in down town Manhattan and for Dinner on the 32nd floor in one of New York's and indeed the world's largest restaurants.

When asked what was his fondest memory of his trip to New York, it was testament to Ian's great character and selflessness that he replied; his greatest moment was watching his teammate Joseph Lawler break the 1500 meters record. Ian also said he would never forget his meeting with an Ambassador of the WWE who presented Ian with a fantastic collection of Wrestlemania badges dating back over three decades. The collection will undoubtedly become a collector's item and a treasured piece of memorabilia in the years to come.

Ian and his mother Yvonne together with Ian's Father Thomas and Grandmother Lizzie would like to say a very special word of thanks to both John Brophy who organised the event and to Craig Phelan who was Ian's minder on his travels. Thanks also to the Tipperary family that was a host family to Ian during his stay in New York.

A special word of thanks must also go to Lua Ryan who organised a surprise homecoming party on Ian's return. A huge crowd gathered for the party to give Ian their best wishes and celebrate his unprecedented success.