Aer Lingus First Officer Kerrie Jolley, centre back row, with her cabin crew members and Team Ireland athletes and coaches pictured at Dublin Airport prior to their departure for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. Dublin Airport, Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

TEAM Ireland’s largest ever delegation for a Special Olympics World Winter Games has departed from Dublin Airport for the 2017 games in Austria.

A 26-strong squad made up of six alpine skiers and two floorball squads took Air Lingus Flight EI660 to Vienna this morning amid emotional goodbyes from families and supporters.

Three Ulster skiers are amongst the hopefuls that will compete for Team Ireland at the Games: Sean McCartan (16) from Carryduff, Co. Down, Cyril Walker (46) from Markethill, Co. Armagh and Caolán McConville (13) from County Antrim.

Twelve support staff in coaching, medical, logistics and mentoring roles accompany the athletes including Team Ireland Head of Delegation Karen Coventry.

“This morning was the first time our athletes were together in their official Team Ireland kit and the excitement was just incredible,” she said.

 “The athletes will soon refocus on competing to the best of their abilities in their chosen events, but this morning was just about celebrating them and giving family members and supporters a chance to wish them well.”

The squad will stay in the host town of Gallneukirchen for acclimatisation and cultural exchange ahead of Saturday’sOpening ceremony.

Aer Lingus First Officer Eric Jones with Team Ireland’s Cyril Walker, a member of Skiability Special Olympics Club, from Markethill, Co. Armagh, pictured at Dublin Airport prior to their departure for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. Dublin Airport, Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

The floorball squads depart for Graz on Thursday ahead of divisioning rounds against Russia and Croatia on St. Patrick’s Day while the alpine skiers decamp to Schladming in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s home state of Styria.

Schladming has twice hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships and will welcome all 2,700 participating athletes for Saturday’s Opening Ceremony featuring US recording artist Jason Mraz.

The 2017 World Winter Games will be the largest sports and humanitarian event anywhere in the world in 2017.

Special Olympics Ireland is raising funds to compete at the event through the Support An Athlete Campaign and with the help of the organisation’s commercial sponsors including eir, Gala Retail and Aer Lingus.

Commenting at the Team Ireland departure for the World Winter Games, Aer Lingus CEO Stephen Kavanagh said:

“Aer Lingus’ partnership with Special Olympics Ireland began in 2003 when the Special Olympics World Games were held in Ireland for the first time.

“Since then we have been an extremely proud partner, transporting Team Ireland to European and World Games and this year are delighted to be sending a group of Aer Lingus staff as volunteers to the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games.

“Our crew are delighted to welcome Team Ireland on board their flight to Vienna today and we wish Team Ireland the best of luck from all their friends and supporters at Aer Lingus.”

Businesses and individuals in Northern Ireland that would like further information on how to support Team Ireland, should visit www.specialolympics.ie or call the Special Olympics Ulster office on 028 9089 2996.

To keep up to date with Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Winter Games, follow the Special Olympics Ireland and Special Olympics Ulster on Twitter, @SOIreland  @SO_Ulster and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsIrelandand www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsUlster and search the hashtags, #TeamIreland #Austria2017

Special Olympics Ulster is a year-round sports training organisation and is supported by Sport Northern Ireland.

Aer Lingus First Officer Kerrie Jolley with Team Ireland’s Cyril Walker, a member of Skiability Special Olympics Club, from Markethill, Co. Armagh, pictured at Dublin Airport prior to their departure for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria. Dublin Airport, Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile