Gold Medal winner receives hero's welcome upon return to Dundalk

There was huge excitement all around the Greenacres Estate as their Gold medal winning hero from the Special Olympic Games made his triumphant return to Dundalk earlier this afternoon.

James Meenan was part of the victorious Irish Soccer team that returned home from the Games in Berlin having secured first place following a hard-fought final.

Played in the shadows of the iconic Olympic Stadium in Berlin, the home to World Cup and Champions League Finals in the past and the venue for next year's European Final, it was the perfect backdrop for such a huge event.

Standing in their way of glory was Morocco. And their dreams took a hit early when a Moroccan player managed to get free in the Irish box and tapped home a goal. This by all accounts was against the run of play, following a strong start from the Boys in Green.

Despite trailing at the break, this determined group of athletes were desperate to bring the Gold home and pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half.

Their efforts, on and off the ball throughout the field, were rewarded when a dangerous cross from the wing was belted into the net by a Moroccan player for an OG, forcing the game into extra time.

With time running out and a penalty shootout looking imminent to decide this final, Meenan’s teammate Raymond Singleton fired home a header to wild scenes in Berlin. Ireland had secured a gold in the dying moments of a tensely fought affair in the German sunshine.

Family and friends were on hand to greet Meenan as he came home to a house decked in Green and white bunting, in what is a moment that he will never forget.

He becomes the latest Louth superstar to taste international success wearing the famous Irish jersey.