Irish downhiller Glyn O'Brien is celebrating having scooped a silver and two gold medals at the World Police and Firefighter Games, which were held in Canada last week.

Thirty-one year old, Glyn O’Brien, from the Newry, took first place in both the mountain biking dual slalom and in the downhill mountain biking events.  Although up against extremely tough competition, Glyn managed to complete the downhill course five seconds faster than second place.

He was also a member of the Northern Irish Firemen’s Gaelic football team that won silver at the event.

Many will know, Glyn is a full-time fireman and is stationed in Armagh city.  Last week he joined over 100 competitors from the PSNI, Fire & Rescue and Prison Service and travelled to Vancouver to participate in the prestigious event.

Delighted at representing his profession as such a high level, Glyn expressed his jubilation at the success he and his fellow colleagues from Team Northern Ireland achieved at the World Games.

“To be selected to represent Northern Ireland on behalf of the Northern Ireland Fire Service was an honour and being able to combine my hobbies and career was an opportunity I felt I couldn't miss,” Glyn said, adding, “and to bring home two gold medals is definitely the icing on the cake.”

Glyn, who rides for Revolution Cycle store in Newry, thanked the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue in Armagh for supporting him, and for the messages of congratulations he has received from the cycling community in Ireland, including its parent body, Cycling Ireland.

2013 GAMES

In four years time, the 2013 World Police and Fire Games will be held in Northern Ireland and the Assembly’s Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland, was in Vancouver to promote here as a worthy host venue.

“In just four years time our athletes will have the opportunity to compete on home soil. We in Northern Ireland started this journey in 2005 after the Quebec Games and a considerable amount of determination and effort has already been put into making the 2013 Games in Northern Ireland a World Police and Fire Games of which the Federation and all associated with the Games can be immensely proud,” the Minister said.  “It will also be our opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to the world as it has never been seen before.”

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