Team NI has completed the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with 16 medals, one more than its target before competition began. The final return comprised three gold, four silver and nine bronze medals across athletics, lawn bowls, boxing and swimming.
Kate O'Connor won the heptathlon, Jon McConnell took boxing gold at 70kg and Gary Kelly partnered Adam McKeown to win the men's bowls pairs. Kelly also collected a bronze in the singles, making him one of the team's multiple medallists.
The four silver medals went to swimmer Barry McClements, swimmer Daniel Wiffen and boxers Michaela Walsh and Kaci Rock. Bronze medals were secured by Ellie McCartney, Bethany Firth, William John McCartan, Jude Gallager, Garyn McAllister, Chloe Wilson and Shauna O'Neill, Joshua Green, Rachael Hawkes and Kelly.
The spread of results is significant because the team was not dependent on one sport or one day. Swimming and boxing built the medal total through several sessions, while athletics and bowls supplied headline golds and late additions to the final count.
Selection and qualification planning will now move towards the next major-games cycle. Before that longer review, the Glasgow result provides a clear benchmark: 16 podium finishes, three champions and a final total above the performance target set for the team.