Carlow’s most celebrated athlete, Gabriel Shelley was treated to a civic reception last weekend to honour the sportsman for his bronze medal medal in this year’s paralympic games.
The people of Bagenalstown took the oppotunity to meet with Gabriel and congratulate him on his remarkabe sporting achievements over the past decade on Friday night at Doyle’s Railway Bar in Bagenalstown.
His outstanding achievement in winning a Bronze medal at the Paralympics held in Beijing this September was remembered and Gabriel wore his medal to display to the crowds who turned out to greet him.
Gabriel was joined by his family including his mother Patricia and sister Toni. He was treated to a presentation of a piece of crystal by Arthur McDonald, chairman of Bagenalstown Town Council and was supported by several members of the council who were all in attendance.
The reception was organised by Bagenalstown Town Council who wanted to honour the captain of the Boccia team who led the way as the first Irish competitor to win a medal during the two week Olympic Games competition.
Gabriel and his team-mates made the country even more proud by bringing home five medals in total from the 13th Paralympic Games.
Gabriel's Bronze medal in boccia brings his total Olympic medal tally to two, having previously won Gold in Sydney eight years ago.
