From Cork to the World: Recognising Cork's Deaflympians

As the Olympic Games in Paris came to an end at the end of August, we extend special recognition to the remarkable achievements of Cork's Deaflympians who have proudly represented Ireland on the international stage.

The upcoming Congress of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) took place on Thursday and yesterday in Paris in conjunction with the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the inaugural International Silent Games, now known as the Deaflympics. Today, delegates from various countries will embark on a day trip to revisit the historic sites where the first games were held, offering a unique chance to honour and reflect on this rich heritage. Guided tours will further explore the various locations significant to the inaugural Games, deepening the connection with the past.

Deaf Sports Ireland will be represented by two delegates, highlighting their commitment to commemorating this significant milestone in the history of Deaf sports.

From 1973 until 2024, 10 Cork Deaflympians have represented Ireland at the WGD/Deaflympics. 40 Irish International athletes, including Paul O’Callaghan, have collected medals. Notably, O’Callaghan is the only Cork athlete to have earned medals at the Deaflympics.

John O'Connor, hailing from Blarney, made a significant mark in Irish sports history by becoming the first athlete from Cork to compete in the World Games for the Deaf, now known as the Deaflympics. His journey to this historic achievement began in 1972, when he debuted for the Irish team in the Qualifying Games for the WGD, held at Glenmalure Park (Shamrock Rovers FC Ground) in Dublin. Despite a valiant effort, the team narrowly lost to Belgium 3-2, preventing Ireland from making Ireland's first-ever WGD appearance with various sports in Malmo, Sweden 1973.

Four years later, in 1976, they achieved a milestone by qualifying for the WGD for the first time. This qualification came after impressive victories against Great Britain (3-0) in Dublin on May 8, 1976, and Holland (5-2) in Amsterdam, Holland, on September 4, 1976.

John's participation in the 1977 Deaflympics, held in Bucharest, Romania, was historic. As a right-back, he played in all the games against formidable teams such as Bulgaria, the USSR, Turkey, and Argentina. Despite facing tough competition, the Irish team secured a 1-0 victory over Turkey and ultimately finished in 6th place. This performance not only marked a significant achievement for the Irish team but also solidified John's place in history as Cork's first Deaflympian.

Richard O'Mahony from Cill na Martra represented Ireland in long-distance running events at the World Games for the Deaf, a prestigious multi-sport event for deaf athletes. In the 1981 World Games for the Deaf held in Cologne, Germany, he competed in the 10,000m event, finishing 10th with a time of 34:00.68. He also participated in the 25km race, where he was placed 11th with a time of 1:30:22.

Four years later, at the 1985 World Games for the Deaf in Los Angeles, USA, O'Mahony took part in the marathon. He finished 8th with a time of 2:55:20. His performance in these demanding conditions showcased his resilience and athletic ability.

Patricia Breen, née O'Leary, from Skibbereen, made notable contributions to the Ireland Deaf Basketball Team during the 1993 World Games for the Deaf held in Sofia, Bulgaria. Playing as a ball carrier, Breen participated in seven games against tough competition from top-ranked countries including the USA, Sweden, and Lithuania, as well as middle-ranked teams such as Belarus, Latvia (twice), and Great Britain.

Despite the challenges, the Ireland Deaf Basketball Team achieved a commendable 6th place and received a diploma for their performance. Breen’s efforts and the team's achievement highlighted their skill and determination on the international stage.

Desmond Murphy from Ballincollig had a notable performance in the 1993 World Games for the Deaf in Sofia, Bulgaria. He participated in athletics, focusing on the 100m and 200m sprints.

In the 100m, Murphy finished 4th in his heat with a time of 11.70 seconds, which allowed him to advance to the 2nd round. In that round, he finished 6th with a time of 11.82 seconds, which was not sufficient to progress further. Overall, there were 48 competitors in the 100m event.

For the 200m, Murphy was eliminated in the 1st round with a time of 24.14 seconds, competing among 45 athletes. His performances highlighted his skill and dedication in athletics, despite not advancing to the final rounds.

The trio of Paul O'Callaghan, Eoin Burns, and Christopher Corcoran from Cork City made a significant impact on the Irish Deaf football team, proudly representing Ireland at the Deaflympics and contributing greatly to the sport.

Paul O'Callaghan had a distinguished career in international deaf football. His most notable achievement was securing a bronze medal for Ireland at the 2001 Deaflympics in Rome, making him the only Cork athlete to win a Deaflympics medal. In Rome, Paul played three matches, showcasing his talent and determination. He played a crucial role in several qualifiers, helping Ireland secure victories in 2004 that led them to qualify for the 2005 Deaflympics in Melbourne. 

In that tournament, he participated in four matches, aiding Ireland in reaching the semi-finals for the second consecutive time. Over his career, Paul earned a total of 25 caps. After retiring as a player, he continued to support the sport as kitman for the Irish team at the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei.

Eoin Burns had an exceptional career representing Ireland in three consecutive Deaflympics — 2005, 2009, and 2013 —amassing 35 international caps. In the 2005 Deaflympics in Melbourne, he played four matches, contributing significantly to Ireland’s journey to the semi-finals, where they finished fourth. 

At the 2009 Deaflympics in Taipei, Eoin played five of six matches, helping Ireland achieve clean sheets in the group stages and secure a 7th-place finish. In 2013, he participated in two matches during the tournament held in Sofia. Although used sparingly, he still played a role in Ireland’s 6th-place finish, marking the end of his international career.

Christopher Corcoran, renowned for his powerful left foot and dead-ball expertise, made his debut for the Irish Deaf football team in the 2005 Deaflympics in Melbourne, where he played in just one match against Australia. Though his international career was brief, Christopher's talent as a multi-sport athlete and his participation in various Cork clubs made him a notable figure in Irish football.

Together, these Cork athletes — Paul O'Callaghan (25 caps), Eoin Burns (35 caps), and Christopher Corcoran (1 cap) — combined for a total of 61 international caps. Their dedication and achievements have left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring future generations of athletes from Cork and beyond to pursue excellence in Deaf football.

Liam Kelleher from Mallow, a swimmer, competed in six events at the 2017 Deaflympics in Samsun, Turkey: the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle, and the 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke. Although he did not advance to the finals, he set personal bests in some of the events.

Futsal was introduced as a new sport at the Winter Deaflympics for the first time in 2023, with the event rescheduled to March 2024, in Erzurum, Turkiye. This marked a historic debut for futsal at the Winter Deaflympics. Ireland's women’s futsal team, featuring Rebekah Grant from Carrigaline and Nathalie O’Brien from Cork City, participated in all six matches against strong opponents: Spain, Japan, Brazil, Italy, Poland, and Turkiye. Ireland's 7th-place finish reflected their competitive spirit and the tough nature of the tournament.

This participation was a notable milestone for Deaf Sports Ireland, an organization founded in 1968, which had not previously competed in the Winter Deaflympics. The Ireland Ladies Futsal team's performance in their debut was both impressive and promising for future tournaments.

The next Deaflympics will take place in Tokyo, Japan, from November 15th to 26th, 2025. Deaf Sports Ireland are currently seeking interest from Deaf or Hard of Hearing athletes who are competing competitively at the following sports, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cycling Road, Mountain Bike, Football (Men’s & Women’s), Golf, Handball, Judo, Karate, Orienteering, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Ten Pin Bowling, Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling Freestyle & Wrestling Greco-Roman.

For further information about the Irish Team Deaflympics, please contact admin@deafsportsireland.com.