A PROUD town gave a rousing welcome to a new hero this Monday night and it was no more than he deserved.
High achieving high jumper Jordan Lee (18) arrived back in town with the bronze medal he won at the European Para Athletics Championships in Berlin.
With the medal around his neck and a tricolor draped over his shoulders, he travelled on the back of a cherry red open top Mercedes – courtesy of local man Sean O’Donoghue – and a great cheer went up when it pulled up outside Killarney Cultural Centre where a crowd had gathered.
Organised by the Killarney Valley Athletics Club with support from the Killarney Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, music and song filled the air and people queued to congratulate Jordan on his wonderful achievement.
Deputy Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Niall Kelleher, said Jordan brought tremendous joy to his parents, his family, his friends and to the entire country through his achievements in Berlin.
“It is an exceptional achievement for an 18-year-old, not least given that it was held such a short time after you completed your Leaving Cert examinations,” he said.
“Your triumph is all the more significant given that you are a relative newcomer to the high jump and this was your first European Championships. You have represented your town and county and the whole country so well,” Cllr Kelleher stated.
Other speakers included Tom Doherty and Jerry Griffin of Killarney Valley Athletics Club and his brother, Tomás Griffin, who is Jordan’s athletics coach.
He commented on Jordan’s dedication and remarkable commitment and noted that he was so driven he didn’t even go out socialising with friends on the night of his Leaving Cert results.
Being born with just one full arm has never hindered the Killarney teenager from chasing his sporting ambitions and Jordan has already made his mark on the basketball courts having been selected for the Irish Under 15 squad for the European Championships in 2014.
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