California, United States. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Kirsty Devlin captured gold for Team Ireland

Kirsty Devlin captured gold for Team Ireland

There was a gold, silver and bronze rush for Team Ireland on Day Three of the Special Olympics in Los Angeles.

Gymnasts were the heroes of the day as they collected medal after medal, including the country’s first gold of the Games.

Eleven medals were shared by three Irish gymnasts who all basked in the glory of their achievements at an outdoor award ceremony.

The first two days of action were very much focused on the swimming pool for Team Ireland but with an increasing number of athletes now reaching the final stages of their competition the medals came fast.

Kirsty Devlin (21) from Belfast won the first gold in the theSaturday Night chat show when she talked about her wish to meet Hugh Hefner in the LA.

However, the 21-year-old got what she really came yesterday with two bronze medals and three place ribbons.

“It’s absolutely fantastic and a great achievement. I’m proud as punch,” she told independent.ie.

The day at the gym was rounded off with Aoife O’Sullivan from Cork City winning one gold and two bronze medals, as well as two place ribbons.

Away from gym there was more medal success with Peter Malynn (57) taking gold in a tense final of the singles bocce competition, which is a ball sport similar to bowls.

The final score in his match was 9-7 and the Mullingar man was thrilled with the outcome.

The Team Ireland bowling squad also took bronze in the Doubles