PARALYMPICS More Irish Records Tumble on the Day Ireland's First Medal of the 2008 Paralympic Games is Won

10 Sep 2008



On a day that will be remembered at these Games for the bronze medal winning performance of Gabriel Shelly in the individual Boccia competition, Ireland's other Paralympians were not to be outdone setting new Irish records in the veldrome, and the Water Cube.


At tonight's session in the infamous in front of a capacity crowd, Dublin's Ellen Keane displayed considerable composure for her tender thirteen years in her first ever Paralympics, in the final of the women's 100m Breaststroke (SB8 Class). Keane touched the wall in sixth position overall with a time of 1:29.72. Another Paralympic debutant; Tyrone's Johnny Cummings saved his best ever performance for this evening's final of the S6 100m backstroke laying down an Irish record time of 1.29.26, finishing eighth overall.


Dubliner Cathal Miller was back in the velodrome today competing in the Men's 1km Time Trial (LC1) class. As was the case in the individual pursuit yesterday Miller excelled to set a new Irish record of 1:11.824, shaving over one second off his previous mark to place seventh overall. This ends Miller's tremendous track campaign as he now turn his attention to Thursday's road events.


Both Irish sailing crews were on the water again in Qingdao today with reportedly light conditions. In the Sonar class, Paul McCarthy, Paul Ryan and Richard Wheeley finished 13th, 12th & 11th in races three, four and five respectively, leaving the team lying in 10th place overall with six races left. Meanwhile, in the Skud 18 (2 person keelboat) class, Amy Kelehan and John Twomey placed 10th in races three, four and five and lie 10th overall, also with six races remaining. Tomorrow is a rest day and the crews will be back on the water on Thursday.


Patrice Dockery commenced her sixth Paralympic campaign in damp conditions at the Bird's Nest Stadium finishing fifth in the second heat of her 400m (T53 Class) with a time of 1:08.95. With the first three to qualify plus two next fastest, Dockery did not progress to tomorrow's final and now looks forward to the heats of her favoured event; the 100m on Thursday.


Ireland's sole Archer Sean Heary, was in action this morning on the Olympic Green Archery Field in the Men's Individual Compound Open event. Heary progressed through the ranking round and will face Arenz of Germany in the direct elimination round in the morning.


Kathleen Reynolds was in action twice today in the Table tennis event at Peking University facing Korea's Hyun-Ja Choi in the first of her two pool matches. The Korean proved too strong, coming through to win 3-1. Despite a valiant performance Reynolds was defeated in five sets by Yenelis Silva of Cuba bringing to an end her individual campaign. Kathleen will pair up with fellow Dubliner Eimear Breathnach for the team event this coming Saturday.


Day four of these Games (Wed 10th) sees Ireland's Equestrian representative Eilish Byrne in her favoured event of the Dressage competition; the freestyle test, Grade 2. Michael Delaney and sighted pilot rider David Peelo will contest the men's sprint (B & V1 1-3 class) qualification in the Laoshan Veledrome. The 7-a-side football team faces a massive challenge to get a result in their second pool match against reigning world and Paralympic champions Ukraine at the Olympic Green Hockey field.


Three time Paralympic medalist and Irish swim team captain Dave Malone swims in the heats of the S8 class 100m backstroke bidding for a place in the evening final. The Boccia team led by individual bronze medalist and their captain fantastic Gay Shelly begin their quest for more glory with their two opening pool matches in the BC1-2 team event.


Tommorrow night in the Bird's Nest three Irish athletes will be looking to feature. Sydney Paralympian Catherine Wayland goes in the F32-34/51-53 discus with three time Paralympian Lisa Callaghan contesting the F35-38 combined javelin final. T37 800m world record holder and reigning world champion; Antrim teenager Michael McKillop will compete in the final of the event just before 8pm local time tomorrow night bidding for glory.


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