Gold for francis in la

Navan athlete Francis Power (34) has added to Ireland's big medal haul at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles by winning a gold medal in table tennis.

Francis, a member of Navan Arch Club, put in a very strong performance to take the gold in the singles competition when he beat his Swiss opponent Julien Arcoria.

He is one of three competitors from County Meath taking part in the World Games this week. The others are golfer Rosemary O'Reilly from Skryne and Liam Foley from Hill of Down, who will take part in the badminton competition.

They are part of an 88-strong Irish team which has to this point collected some 22 medals among them.

Francis has been congratulated by Junior Minister Damien English who said:“I join with all of Navan and Meath in congratulating Francie on his achievement for himself personally, his family and friends, and for Ireland. Francie’s victory highlights all that is best about the competitive hard working spirit of Meath people. It is a great honour for the Navan Arch Club, and its many hard-working volunteers and supporters who can and will be so proud of their colleague.'

Deputy Mayor of Navan Cllr Wayne Forde added his own congratulations, saying everyone in Navan and County Meath is 'very proud of Francis for his fantastic success'.