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(© Reuters) |
Following the remarkable exploits of Lord Clifton Wrottesley in last week's Skeleton final, it may come as a surprise to learn that Ireland's first ever Winter Olympic Gold medalists had escaped the glare of the media spotlight.
Until now.
Lord Clifton Hugh Lancelot De Verdon Wrottesley was Ireland's greatest ever Winter Olympian until, that is, ireland.comreceived news of grandiose 'Irish' performances in the US over the last few days.
History was made in Salt Lake City when ourOwen 'Buster' Nolan and Geraldine Heaney became the first Irish nationals to win gold.
Come again?
Born in Belfast in 1972, Nolan can safely be described as an ice-hockey legend. The San Jose Sharks right winger has enjoyed 12 fruitful seasons at the summit of America's premier National Hockey League and last night assisted his adopted country Canada to their first Olympic ice-hockey Gold medal since 1952 -defeating the USA 5-2.
Heaney was born in Lurgan, Co Armagh in 1968 and snatched gold for Canada in Thursday’s women's final - also against the USA.