PARALYMPICS Archer Sean Heary Shoots his way to Paralympic Quarter Final on day five for the Irish in Beijing

12 Sep 2008


On day five of the 13th Paralympic Games archer, Sean Heary produced a wonderful performance to advance to the quarter-finals of his open compound event. The Navan man who qualified for the direct elimination phase ranked 20th of the twenty competitors upset the form book by pulling off a surprise 113-112 victory over Korea's Sung Kil Go, who was ranked fourth at the start of competition, to advance to the quarter-finals.

There was little between the pair for much of the contest which was played over four ends with three arrows each per end. With the score all square at 84-84 going into the final end, the late wildcard entry for the Games Heary produced some wonderful shooting, registering 29 out of a possible 30 from his last three arrows to win by a single point in a thrilling finish.

Speaking after today's competition, Heary said: "I'm stunned, thrilled and delighted. I kept a complete focus on my own performance."

Sean's Archery coach, former international Jim Conroy said: "Mental preparation for today was huge and credit must be given to the team sports psychologist, Alan Ringland. The Paralympic Council of Ireland has provided an excellent team support structure over here for us and Sean is reaping the rewards in competition."

Heary will now face Switzerland's Philippe Horner in tomorrow's quarterfinal match.


In the Water Cube today, Dublin teenager Ellen Keane was in action in the 200m Individual Medley (SM9 Class). In her heat Keane finished sixth clocking a time of 2.47.35, impressively shaving over two seconds off her previous best, and setting a new Irish record in the process. Finishing in tenth place overall, this brings to a close a very successful debut Paralympic Games for the talented young Dublin teenager who has her gaze firmly fixed on London 2012.


Visually impaired swimmer Stephen Campbell from Cookstown, Co.Tyrone was also in action today in the 400m Freestyle event (Class S11). In the second of two heats, Campbell reached the 200m mark in 2.37.99, and maintained this electric pace to clock a new Irish and personal record in 5.28.43 destroying his previous best by over six seconds. Campbell's wonderful swim was good enough for sixth in his heat and tenth overall.


At the Paralympic sailing venue in Qingdao Ireland's Paul McCarthy, Paul Ryan and Richard Whealey produced the best sailing result for the Irish so far with a positive performance in the Sonar (3 person keelboat) placing fifth in race six to leave them lying 11th overall with five races remaining.

In the Skud 18 (2 person keelboat) class Amy Kelehan and John Twomey remain in tenth place overall after another tenth place finish in race six of their campaign also. Races seven and eight in both classes were also scheduled for today but with a distinct lack of sufficient wind in Qingdao today those races could not take place.


In Boccia the combined BC1-BC2 Irish team of team captain and individual bronze medalist here in Beijing Gay Shelly, Tom Leahy, Bobbie Connolly and Padraic Moran faced home favourites China in their eagerly anticipated quarter-final match in front of the vocal home crowd today. Unfortunately the Irish team was unable to reproduce its form in team event, and suffered a 12-2 defeat to the home favourites. This brings to an end what has been a thrilling and successful Paralympic campaign for the Irish Boccia team.


Team Ireland had two competitors in action in the track and field competition today; Patrice Dockery in the 100m (T53 Class) and Athens Silver medalist, John McCarthy in the Discus (F32/51 Class). Dockery clocked a time of 18.90, agonisingly just missing out on a place in tomorrow evening's final. The Irish flag bearer will now focus her attentions on her heat of the T53 200m on Sunday. Cork man, John McCarthy took to the field this evening in the Discus (F32/51 combined class) competition in front of a capacity crowd in this cauldron of noise that is the Bird's Nest stadium. McCarthy threw 9.48m which was good enough for a finish of ninth overall, just outside a place in the final.


Day seven of these Games sees Stephen Campbell and Hannah Clarke in action in the swimming cube while cyclists Enda Smyth & Cathal Miller will begin their road campaigns in the individual time trial event at Ming Tombs Reservoir road. Sean Heary features in his quarter-final of the Archery competition against fifth ranked Switzerland's Philippe Horner. The Irish sailors will hope to complete races 7, 8 & 9 of the respective series on the water in Qingdao.


Finally for the Irish tomorrow, the 7-a-side football team will take on Great Britain in their final group game of the competition hoping for a win to see them through to the favoured classification match against the Chinese on Sunday.


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