He was widely praised following the announcement.

Cassin's highlights included being part of the Irish squad that won a bronze medal at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona.

"Medals, Cups, International Caps are lovely memories to have but these tributes and quotes from your peers is the absolute pinnacle of my long career," he said.

"To be recognised by these people is the best gift I could ever have hoped to receive and I thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart."

Cassin will continue to be involved in Paralympic sport, however, as the high performance manager for Cerebral palsy athletes in Ireland.

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