With 25,000 fans reportedly travelling from the USA, Dublin was awash with the gold and white of Georgia Tech and the garnet and gold of Florida State.

Background

The Florida State University Seminoles, who won 10 games in 2022 and 13 games in 2023, are the only team in the ACC and one of just 12 nationally to reach double-digit wins in 2022 and 2023. Prior to kick-off today, Florida State has won 12 consecutive conference games, the 3rd-longest active conference win streak in the nation.

Georgia Tech returned 16 starters from last year’s team, which went 7-6 overall, 5-3 in ACC play (good for a tie for fourth place in the 14-team conference standings), earned its first bowl berth since 2018 and its first bowl victory since 2016 with a season-ending 30-17 triumph over UCF in the Gasparilla Bowl.

The last meeting of the sides, at Tallahassee, Florida, on November 5^th 2022 saw the Mike Norvell-coached side come out on top, on a score line of 41-16. Florida State who lead Georgia Tech 2-0 in games played at neutral sites

Early lead for Florida State

A 28 yard rushing touchdown from Lawrance Toafili at the end of his side’s first drive of the game, put Florida State, the number 10 ranked US college team, into the lead. A two-point conversion attempt was successful when Brian Courtney successfully crossed to give his side an 8-0 advantage.

The designated home team, Georgia Tech, immediately responded with a 79 yard 6-play drive which saw quarterback Zach Pyron rush over from one yard out, before Aidan Birr had little difficulty in adding the conversion to leave just a point between the sides with 7:26 remaining in the first quarter.

Backup Q̶B̶ Bulldozer

@espn
pic.twitter.com/iJnFez6pRL

— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) August 24, 2024

Shanahan sees early action

Kerry’s David Shanahan came on to punt with just over a minute remaining in the opening quarter. The Georgia Tech kickers punt went 44 yards, to the Florida State 25, where it went out of bounds. A second punt later from the Irishman – in the third quarter – travelled further, this time 49 yards to the Florida State 33 yard line.

Exactly as they had done at the start of the game, Florida State began the second quarter sprightly. A scoring dive of 8 plays, covering 41 yards and taking 5:11 minutes gave Ryan Fitzgerald the opportunity to kick for points. He duly obliged, increasing the Seminoles’ advantage to 11-8 with 11:06 to play to half-time.

Georgia Tech take the lead

The Brent Key-coached Georgia Tech finally took the lead in the game with over three minutes to play to the half-time interval. Wide receiver Jamal Haynes was push over by his team for a rushing touchdown at the end of a 7:53 drive, which covered 75 yards and involved 14 plays. An Aidan Birr kick dissected the posts to put the Bobby Dodd Stadium-based side into a 14-11 lead with 3:13 still on the second-quarter clock.

Just when Georgia Tech looked as those they would head to the half-time locker room with the lead on the scoreboard, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked an incredible 59 yard field goal as they clock was running out, to level the scores. The Fitzgerald kick, his second successful attempt matching his haul in the last clash between the sides, was a fitting end to a 9-play 34 yard drive.

Half-time score: Georgia Tech 14 Florida State 14

The first and only score of the third quarter came early in the period saw an Aidan Birr field goal attempt for Georgia Tech from 51 yards drift right and wide of the posts, leaving the score at 14-14 heading into the deciding 15 minutes of the opening game of the 2024 college football season.

Final Quarter

Georgia Tech, who had ended the previous quarter camped on the Florida State line, ran in for a touchdown through Jamal Haynes on the resumption of play. His two yard run in touchdown was converted by Aidan Birr, to seven points [21-14] between the Yellow Jackets and the Seminoles.

HAYNES HAYNES@GeorgiaTechFB TAKES THE LEAD.

@ESPNCFB x @cfbireland

pic.twitter.com/v1lExEqYFf

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) August 24, 2024

A one-yard rushing touchdown scored by Roydell Williams was the the final of 15 plays in an 8:18 drive by Florida State. Ryan Fitzgerald stepped up again to deliver a successful conversion, tying the sides with 6:33 minutes remaining in the game.

In the dying second of a tight game, Aidan Birr kicked a 44 yard field goal for Georgia Tech go give them a tight 24-21 win in a game which had a great atmosphere throughout.

Final score:  Georgia Tech 24  Florida State 21

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According to equiratings, Tipperary rider Denis Lynch has jumped five clears from six round in this class since 2012 and has most podium finishes with three during this time.

Sligo’s Richard Howley won the Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes last year with Equine America Consulet de Prelet Z. His winning margin was 2.33 seconds.

Other Irish riders to have tasted success in this class since 2012 include in 2018 Shane Sweetnam with Indra van de Oude Heihoef; 2017 Bertram Allen with Izzy by Picobello; 2015 Paul O’Shea and Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu and 2012 Alexander Butler aboard Will Wimble.

Equiratings rate the following as the top-three contenders for today’s Cashel Palace Hotel Stakes: Kevin Staut [FRA] with Beau de Laubry Z, Conor Swail [IRL] and Count Me In and Ben Maher [GBR] and Point Break

The French combination arrive in Dublin following a five-star Grand Prix success at Dinard, which earned a prize of €125,000. Their career best performance together was their last outing in July.

Conor Swail and Count Me In were the home heroes in the Nations Cup of Ireland two years ago. At 17 years of age, Count Me In is the joint-oldest horse in the field today. His last three rounds at today’s height of 160cm were all clear.

Briton Ben Maher and his original Olympic horse Point Break, have the second highest expected round one clear chance (56%), according to equiratings, behind Conor Swail and Count Me In (57%). The British combination have already jumped 10 five-star 160 clears from just 18 career attempts.

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The main International class on day one, the Sport Ireland Classic, saw a field of 50 combinations take to the Main Arena.

This class brought further success for the home combinations, with Offaly’s Darragh Kenny and Chic Chic leading the victory lap after a clear round in 69.17 seconds.

Mikey Pender and HHS Los Angeles, who really went for Kenny’s time, were slightly slower – coming home clear in 70.20 seconds for the runner-up position.

American McLain Ward, last of the 50 combinations to go, took third on the podium, after a 70.96 clear round with First Lady.

Cian O’Connor and Fermoy, who had lead the class for a while, eventually finished in fourth place – 71.83 seconds.

There will be 15 international classes throughout the five days, including the Underwriting Exchange Nations Cup of Ireland for the award of the Aga Khan Trophy.

The highly anticipated Defender Puissance will be the main attraction in the Main Arena on Saturday evening, while the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, part of the Rolex Series, will the the final international event in the Main Arena on Sunday, 18 August, 2024, the final day of the 2024 Dublin Horse Show.

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The runner-up spot went to Niamh McEvoy and Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick – stopping the timers in 53.46 seconds.

Derry’s Daniel Coyle and Lena VDL were also clear in a slightly slower time of  54.53 seconds – good enough for third place.

The Minerva Stakes by LHK Insurance was the second International class in the Main Arena on Wednesday. This class went the way of Belgium through Emilie Conter and Ocean Quality. Their clear round in 56.42 was unbeatable.

Julien Gonin of France, riding Estrella De La Batia, claimed the second spot, with a clear round in 57.91 seconds.

Best of the Irish combinations in this class was Olympian Cian O’Connor, who took the third position with Fox Chapel – they went clear in 58.15 seconds.

There will be 15 international classes throughout the five days, including Friday’s Underwriting Exchange Nations Cup of Ireland for the award of the Aga Khan Trophy.

The highly anticipated Defender Puissance will be the main attraction in the Main Arena on Saturday evening, while the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland, part of the Rolex Series, will the the final international event in the Main Arena on Sunday, 18 August, 2024, the final day of the 2024 Dublin Horse Show.

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The previously unbeaten Kodiac filly maintained her 100% record when taking the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs, the highlight of an eight-race Saturday card at flat racing’s headquarters.

Sent off the 5/2 second favourite behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained son of No Nay Never, Whistlejacket (8/13 favourite), Babouche gave Tally Ho Stud stallion Kodiac an eighth individual Group 1 winner.

The Ballydoyle runner, Whistlejacket, in the hands of Ryan Moore was second, one and a half lengths behind the winning filly, with the Adrian Murray-trained, David Egan-ridden 16/1 chance Arizona Blaze coming home third, a length and three-quarters behind the runner-up.

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The champion National Hunt conditioner training the winner of a major race at an Irish racing festival was no surprise, but what was a shock was the 50/1 price of the winner in the hands of English amateur rider David Dunsdon.

Right at the bottom of the handicap, carrying 10-13, Dunsdon came late and wide on the eventual winner in the colours of Coldunell Limited to take victory in the opening day feature by three and a half lengths.

Another big-priced runner, Baltic Bird (25/1), ridden by County Cork jockey Johnny Barry for owner/trainer Bill Durkan. Spasiba (8/1), another Closutton runner, this one the mount of Jody Townend was third one and a half lengths behind the runner-up.

Eleven-year-old Lord Erskine was fourth for trainer Harry Rogers at 33/1 another one and three-quarters of a length back in fourth place.

Lot Of Joy (4/1f), another Willie Mullins-trained runner, ridden by his son, Patrick, eventually finished in 9th place.

Danny Mullins and Richard O’Brien claim 2024 Festival opener

The well-supported Feud (16/5) was an easy winner of the opening The Galmont Hotel and The Galway Bay Hotel Novice Hurdle.

Ridden by Danny Mullins for Richard O’Brien, the winner was well placed throughout the 2 miles 130 yards contest, before putting three and a half lengths between himself and the runner-up Mordor (15/2), the mount of Sam Ewing for the Gordon Elliott stable. Pigeon House (4/1), who was close to the front of the field throughout crossed the finishing line in third place, a further six and a half lengths behind.

The race favourite, the French-bred Willie Mullins-trained Sysko (9/4f) was never a threat, and finished in fourth place on his Irish debut.

County Meath-trained double on day one

Father and son Matthew and Kevin Smith teamed up to easily win the Easyfix Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 130 yards.

The Co Meath outfit claimed the win Son Of Hypnos (16/1) who was a facile 10-length winner over Clonburg Bridge (16/1), with Vischio (10/1) and Harley Street (17/2) taking third and fourth places respectively.

Smith’s fellow Co Meath-based conditioner Jack Davison also returned to the winner’s enclosure, with Artful Approach (7/1), in The Clayton Hotel Galway Handicap.

In the hands of five-pound claimer James Ryan, the chestnut gelded son of Mehmas came on the outside of the field in the dying stages of the 7-furlong 50-80 Handicap, to take the win by one and a half lengths, with a short-head separating the runner-up and third, Cuban Confusion (10/1) and Louiescall (10/1). The 100/30 race favourite, Avatar Jet, crossed the line back in 12th place.

Rock Of Cashel loses maiden tag

Rock Of Cashel (3/1), eighth on debut at The Curragh last month, broke quickly at Ballybrit today, and was at the head of the field for the duration of the seven furlongs race.

When Wayne Lordan asked the son of Wootton Bassett to take his race, the two-year-old colt powered up the Galway hill and take a two and a quarter length win from another 3/1 shot Admiral Churchill under Billy Lee for the Paddy Twomey stable, with Joseph O’Brien’s Viking Invasion (7/1) next home, a further length behind.

The Dermot Weld-handled favourite Truth Be Told (13/8) finished fourth, another length and a half back.

Tony Mullins and Rory Cleary teamed up for success in The Grá Chocolates Handicap over 1 mile 4 furlongs and 84 yards at 7.45pm.

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The Irish golfer signed for a one over par final round of 71 to finish 13 under par for the tournament, one stroke clear of overnight leader Joakim Lagergren on a dramatic final day.

The 27-year-old climbs to fourth in the season-long Road to Mallorca Rankings with a win and was delighted to come out on top after going shot-for-shot with Lagergren across the entirety of the weekend.

“I’m over the moon and kind of lost for words,” he said. “I’ve waited a long time for this and for it to happen, with all my family out here today, is just amazing.

“The support out there calmed me down. Knowing that they were all there to support me made a difference.

“Joakim is a fierce competitor and a proven winner, and he’s won here before, so I knew not to take him lightly. I’m just pleased because I putted terribly today but I managed to get the job done.”

Purcell started the day one stoke behind Lagergren, but after mixing two birdies with five bogeys on the front nine, made the turn searching for a spark to kick-start his round.

An eagle on the par five tenth did just that, with Purcell joining Lagergren at the top of the leaderboard, before a dropped shot at hole 13 saw him one adrift with five holes to play.

Purcell then birdied the 15th, and when Lagergren bogeyed the same hole, a two-shot swing saw Purcell move into the solo lead for the first time on the final day, before he parred his way home for a memorable victory.

“On 18, it was the calmest I felt all day”

“I knew it was going to be tough but that there were chances on the back nine,” he added. “It was a big momentum swing when I held the putt on the tenth for eagle.

“I missed a chance on 14 to get back level, but made a nice birdie to go one ahead on 15 and then played really good golf coming in.

“On 18, it was the calmest I felt all day. After a few loose shots at the start of the day, I got into the flow of things and felt very in control and knew the job I had to do.

“Every time you can have a win, you can shoot up the Rankings, but there’s still a lot of golf to play over the rest of the year.”

Englishman Jack Senior posted a three under par round of 67 to finish in third, with Frenchman Robin Sciot-Siegrist two shots further back in fourth. Dane Hamish Brown and South African Robin Williams finished in a share of fifth on eight under par.

Purcell now fourth in Road to Mallorca rankings

Purcell climbs 20 places to fourth in the Road to Mallorca Rankings on 683 points, while Dane Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen remains in pole position on 1,061 points. Englishman John Parry sits second on 1,007, and Spaniard Joel Moscatel remains in third place on 870 points.

The Road to Mallorca continues next week with the Irish Challenge taking place at The K Club in Co Kildare from August 1-4.

Select scores after round four with Irish players in bold:

267 C PURCELL 66 65 65 71,
268 J LAGERGREN (SWE) 63 71 61 73,
269 J SENIOR (ENG) 67 69 66 67,
271 R SCIOT-SIEGRIST (FRA) 65 71 65 70,
272 R WILLIAMS (RSA) 69 69 67 67, H BROWN (DEN) 69 68 66 69,
273 L BJERREGAARD (DEN) 68 68 70 67, A QUIROS (ESP) 68 69 67 69, P PINEAU (FRA) 69 66 67 71,
274 R MCGOWAN (ENG) 68 72 67 67, A HALVORSEN (NOR) 72 69 66 67,
275 J FREIBURGHAUS (SUI) 72 69 68 66, O GUILLAMOUNDEGUY (FRA) 67 69 72 67, A CHESTERS (ENG) 68 72 66 69, W BESSELING (NED) 70 64 71 70, T HUNT (WAL) 67 69 68 71,
276 M LINDBERG (SWE) 68 72 71 65, M GIBOUDOT (FRA) 73 68 67 68, L VAN MEIJEL (NED) 71 70 66 69,

281 G HURLEY (IRL) 67 70 69 75,
282 J CALDWELL 70 71 71 70,

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Main Headlines

Three of the five Irish boats in action this morning, including reigning Olympic champions Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan, qualified directly through to the semi-finals of their respective events.

The women’s lightweight double qualifying for the repechage tomorrow where they will have a second chance to secure a semi-final spot, and the women’s four also going to the repechage of their event.

Sligo’s Sligo swimmer Mona McSharry set a new Irish record of 1:05.51 in the semi-final of the women’s 100m breaststroke as she qualified in style for tomorrow night’s final ranked second on times.

Tokyo bronze medallist Aidan Walsh lost out to his hometown opponent Makan Traore of France in the preliminaries of the welterweight division (71kg).

Sarah Ennis was the first of the Eventing trio to tackle the cross country course at the Palace of Versailles and got them off to a great start with a clear round and only a minor time penalty.

Susie Berry also with a clear round and just some time penalties.

Austin O’Connor was the final Irish rider out and recorded a clear round without any time penalties.

Eventing Team Ireland have been forced to replace Sarah Ennis and Action Lady M with Aoife Clarke and Sportsfield Freelance as a result of a minor injury to Ennis’ horse after this morning’s effort.

Sailors Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove impressed to win the third of their 12 qualifying races in the Skiff this afternoon, having earlier placed  fourth in the second race.

Boxing Offaly welterweight (66kg) Grainne Walsh was beaten by Hungarian opponent Anna Luca Hamori in the preliminaries 4-1.

The first ever Irish Women’s Rugby Sevens team at an Olympic Games bounced back from an earlier 21-12 to Britain with a 38-0 win over South Africa.

 Swimming

“I can’t ask for anything better”

Earlier in the day, McSharry had impressed on her Paris debut with her second fastest time ever in the 100m Breaststroke to advance to this evening’s semi-final in third place overall. Out in 30.82 and home in 34.92, the Tokyo finalist in the event clocked 1:05.74, just outside her Irish Record of 1:05.55 from the 2023 World Championships.

McSharry was second in her heat behind China’s Qianting Tang (1:05.63), with South Africa’s Tatijana Smith posting the fastest time of the heats in 1:05.00.

Rowing

Day two was very successful, with the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls in the Repêchage tomorrow and the Women’s Four on Wednesday, while the remaining five boats go straight through to the semi-finals later in the week.

Women’s Pair (Fiona Murtagh & Aifric Keogh)
Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh demonstrated their strength and synergy, finishing 2nd in their heat. Their performance secured them a place in the Semi Final on Wednesday, starting at 9:54 am GMT.

Men’s Pair (Ross Corrigan & Nathan Timoney)
In a nail-biting photo finish, Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney clinched 3rd place in their heat, ensuring their progression to the Semi Final on Wednesday, beginning at 9:34 am GMT.

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (Mags Cremen & Aoife Casey)
Mags Cremen and Aoife Casey fought hard to secure 3rd place in their heat. They will compete in the Repêchage tomorrow, Monday, at 10:00 am GMT, aiming for a spot in the Semi Final.

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (Fintan McCarthy & Paul O’Donovan)
Reigning Olympic Champions Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy opened their Paris campaign with another convincing win in the heats of the LM2x. Moving up into first place after 600 meters, there was no catching the Irish double as they increased their lead stroke by stroke. Cruising through the finish line, there was never a doubt on their progression to the next round. They take to the water next on Wednesday morning where they will need to be in the top three to make it to the final.

Women’s Four (Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, Imogen Magner)
The Women’s Four team of Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, and Imogen Magner put in a solid performance, securing 3rd place in their heat. They will compete in the Repêchage on Tuesday at 10:30 am GMT, seeking to advance further in the competition.

Garth Young, Rowing Ireland High Performance Chairperson said of the Irish rowing squad:

“The absolute belief, drive, dedication, and commitment of our athletes and coaches are truly inspiring. It is this unwavering determination that fuels their pursuit of excellence on the world stage. The athletes have shown incredible resilience and strength, not just in their physical training but also in their mental preparation and focus.

“We are confident in our team’s potential to perform to their very best at these Games, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.”

Boxing

Aidan Walsh’s dream of winning a second Olympic boxing medal ended with a 4-0 defeat by France’s Mahan Traore in the preliminary round of the 71kg at  the North Paris Arena. The Tokyo bronze medallist got off to a great start, winning the first round unanimously on a 5-0 score.

Traore got in a big right hand early on the re-start and won the second round 4-1, leaving everything hinged on the final round. The Belfast man’s hopes of progressing were dealt a hammer blow early in the third when he got an official warning for ‘holding’, which automatically docked him by a point, resulting in victory for the home boxer on a 4-0 decision.

Afterwards Walsh said: “When you win the first round so clearly you just keep doing what you’re doing and it just usually goes for you. I know I got a warning in the third, I don’t really know why because I’ve been doing that all my career, hitting and holding. Usually you get a few cautions before you get a proper warning, but the referees seem to be clamping down on that in the last few months.

“I’m obviously bitterly disappointed”

There was huge disappointment for Offaly boxer Gráinne Walsh whose Olympic debut ended in a 4-1 split decision defeat by Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the preliminary round of the 66kg welterweight division.

Afterwards Walsh said: “I’m obviously bitterly disappointed. I just feel like I didn’t get a flow at all. I’m a fighter that relies very much on getting into my flow and using my reflexes and stuff. Anytime I got close she was leaning on me. I was trying to set my hands free. “I’m not blaming her for it. She did what she had to do to win the fight. I’m just frustrated,”

Monkstown BC’s first ever Olympian Jack Marley have Ireland a first victory in the ring at Paris 2024 when defeating Bereznicki of Poland in the last 16 of the heavyweight division (92kg) this evening.

“I knew I had to start as I mean to go on”

Equestrian

Sarah Ennis got the Irish team off to an almost perfect start on Eventing day two in Versailles. After a slightly disappointing score in her dressage test yesterday, Ennis and Action Lady M came home on a score of 41.2 after a clear round with just 3.2 time penalties to bring the Irish back into contention with Susie Berry and Austin O’Connor to come later. Pathfinder Ennis set off fourth of all competitors and superbly navigated the track coming home just outside the allowed time.

“She was incredible – where the crowds didn’t help in the dressage ring, they actually helped out there today. I’ve never seen so many people! She can be a little spooky and she actually backed away from the crowds, and I could ride around the turns. I stuck to the plan, and she was on it all the way. The ground hasn’t dried overnight and I nearly slipped in the woods but that was the only real scare. She actually lost a couple of shoes out on the track so fair dues to her – it really was a brilliant performance.”

Susie Berry followed up with another clear round on board Wellfields Lincoln, finishing with 15.2 time penalties. After a score of 33.0 in dressage yesterday, Berry moves to 48.2 after day two and, with the complexion of the competition ever changing with eliminations and retirements to riders from fancied nations, the Irish remain optimistic.

Cork’s Austin O’Connor delivered a foot-perfect clear cross country round within the time on board Colorado Blue to lie 14th individually in the Eventing. O’Connor and his grey came home one second under the limit to remain on his dressage score of 31.7 – leaving Ireland on a team total of 121.10 in eighth place. O’Connor was delighted and relieved in equal measure with his performance.

“He was electric … he’s just phenomenal”

“He was electric, even with his reputation on the cross country it’s a massive mighty relief to have it behind us. He was super the whole the whole way around. He was quick, he was good, he did what he’s good at – clear inside the time for the second time at an Olympics. He’s just phenomenal, and I’m beginning to hope he stays around forever. He’s an incredible horse, whatever he does from here on, he’s been the horse of a lifetime for me and he’s feeling as good as ever.”

Sailing

Ireland’s Robert Dickson (Howth Yacht Club) and Seán Waddilove (Skerries Sailing Club) started their second Olympic Games as they did their first in Tokyo three years ago with a race win on their opening day in Marseille in the Men’s Skiff event.

The Dublin pair were ninth in the first race but then scored a fourth in their second, with both races sailed in very light winds. After a move to a different course for the third race of the day, the breeze picked up and Dickson and Waddilove led for the entire race. The last race win put them into second place overnight with a further three days of fleet racing to sail.

“Probably three firsts would have been nice,” commented Waddilove when asked if a better opening day could be scripted. “But it was very tricky – the first two races – so we’re really happy to come away with the results we did.”

Their standout performance was in the third and final race where they finished first as conditions improved and the breeze strengthened. Dickson and Waddilove.

Women’s Rugby Sevens

Ireland Women’s Sevens made history on Sunday afternoon as they ran out for their long-awaited Olympic Games debut at Stade de France, but their Paris opener ultimately ended in disappointment as they suffered a 21-12 defeat to Britain.

A first-half double from Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe had given Ireland a half-time lead against familiar rivals Britain, but two quickfire tries at the start of the second half put GB in the lead and they showed composure to see the result out and claim the first win of Pool A.

Speaking afterwards, captain Lucy Mulhall Rock said:

“That result means we’re not where we want to be after game one but I’m extremely proud of the team for the fight we showed throughout. Unfortunately we lost possession at key moments at the start of the second half and that cost us, but we need to take our learnings from that and move on quickly now. 

Team Ireland Results Sunday, 28th July 2024

Rowing, Women’s Pair (W2-), Fiona Murtagh & Aifric Keogh, 2nd in heat in 7:28.22, straight through to semi-finals (31stJul)

Rowing, Men’s Pair (M2-), Ross Corrigan & Nathan Timoney, 3rd in heat in 6:32.69, straight through to semi-finals (31stJul)

Rowing, Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls (LW2x), Margaret Cremen & Aoife Casey, 3rd in heat in 7:12.89, through to repechage tomorrow (29Jul)

Boxing, Men’s 71kg, Prelims (Rd of 32), Aidan Walsh Beaten by Traore (FRA) 4-0

Swimming, Women’s 100m Breaststroke, Mona McSharry, 2nd in heat in 1:05.74, through to semi-final tonight, (S/F 2/2)

Equestrian – Eventing Cross Country – team and individual, Sarah Ennis, on a score of 41.20

Rowing, Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls (LM2x), Paul O’Donovan & Fintan McCarthy, 1st in heat in 6:34.12, through to semi-finals (31stJul)

Rowing, Women’s Four (W4-), Emily Hegarty, Natalie Long, Eimear Lambe & Imogen Magner, 3rd in heat in 6:51.75, through to repechage (30thJul)

Equestrian – Eventing Cross Country – team and individual, Susie Berry, on a score of 48.2

Sailing, Men’s Skiff, Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove, 9th in race 1

Equestrian – Eventing Cross Country – team and individual, Austin O’Connor, on a score of 31.70, team currently 8th overall with show jumping tomorrow

Sailing, Men’s Skiff, Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove, 4th in race 2

Sailing, Men’s Skiff, Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove, 1st in race 3, lying 2nd with 9 qualifying races to go

Women’s Rugby Sevens, Pool B, Ireland 12-21 Great Britain

Boxing, Women’s 66kg, Grainne Walsh Beaten by Anna Luca Hamori (HUN) 4-1 split decision

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With five of the 28 starters going through to a jump-off, Sally Goding and Spring Willow set the pace with a clear in 40.51seconds.

Three poles fell for Gemma Ellison with Helsinki VDL, before the 2009 winner Laura Renwick and Iron Lady Van De Kranenburg knocked almost 2 seconds off the lead time.

Allana Clutterbuck and Vykinbay then had a fence down, leaving Galway’s Jessica Burke to chase the top prize.

First Queen Elizabeth II Cup Win

The Irish rider took 0.83 seconds off Laura Renwick’s time to land the Queen Elizabeth II Cup for the first time.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet to be honest!” said a delighted Jessica. “When you look back on all the days I spent at home watching Hickstead on the TV, you grow up dreaming of things like this, so to put my name on the trophy is very special.”

Former maths teacher Burke moved to England from her native Galway five years ago to ride for the Arion Stud in Hampshire. She immediately made an impact in the sport, winning her first international Grand Prix soon after making the move across the water.

The Horse of a Lifetime

With Liam Nicholas’ 14-year-old Irish Sport Horse Express Trend, Jessica has gone on to have five-star success and represented Ireland on Nations Cup teams. The pair were also the winners of the LeMieux All-England Grand Prix at Hickstead’s September Tour in 2023.

“He is amazing, I don’t really have the words for him. He is the horse of a lifetime for me, he’s changed my life in a lot of ways and taught me some good lessons, so to win this with him is really special,” she added.

Jessica now has her sights set on a new Hickstead ambition – to be selected for the Irish team for the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain. “I definitely want to jump on the team next year – that’s the next target for sure. It’s an amazing arena and an amazing show,” she said.

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Main Headlines

Two of Ireland’s seven rowing crews raced this morning; the men’s and women’s double sculls, with both qualifying directly for the semi-finals on Tuesday.

The Men’s Hockey team faced the ultimate test against reigning Olympic champions Belgium in their opening game ultimately losing 2-0.

In swimming Ellen Walshe raced in the heats of the 100m butterfly finishing 22nd overall, with the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team placing 16th overall in their event; notably the first Irish female relay to compete in over fifty years.

In Equestrian, the Eventing team got underway with the dressage element. Sarah Ennis and Susie Berry performed in their respective tests, with the last of the trio Austin O’Connor in action later.

 Rowing

The Men’s Double of Phil Doyle and Daire Lynch set the tone on a positive note, finishing with a comfortable win in the last of the three heats. The top three crews gained direct qualification into the semi-finals, meaning Doyle and Lynch have now bypassed tomorrow mornings Repechage.

Speaking afterwards Philip Doyle said: ‘It was good, we got a lot of confidence from it, it was nice to just work on our race and then we came through in the middle just as we had planned. We knew that they would come off hot, and we just focused on ourselves and worked through the middle.

“Daire made some nice calls to push in the middle and we just started moving away from the other boats and that just gave us more confidence and then we kind of knew it was done and sealed from the 1500. It’s only the first step of three, so we just need to take some confidence from this going forward and bring that into the Semi-final.”

Olympic debutants Fermoy’s Alison Bergin and Killorglin’s Zoe Hyde advanced directly into the Women’s Double semi-finals after a third-place finish in their heat. Bergin, 2023 U23 World Silver medallist, sitting in stroke of the boat led the Irish double through the race, winding it up as they came through 1,300 metres.

Sitting in fourth place through the opening half of the race, Alison and Zoe needed to make a move to get into the top three qualification places. Doing just that, Ireland stepped up in the second half, cruising through to qualify for Tuesday morning’s semi-finals.

Hockey

Despite a battling defensive performance, Ireland Men’s Hockey opened their Paris 2024 campaign with a 2-0 defeat to defending Olympic champions Belgium at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, the original site of the 1924 Olympic stadium.

The Irish side; captained by Seán Murray, returned to the Olympic stage for the first time since Rio 2016 and produced a determined display against the world’s third-ranked side, but Belgium’s superior possession and territory eventually told on the scoreboard, as Tom Boon and Alexander Hendrickx notched goals in the second and third quarters.

Ireland battled resolutely until the final hooter; goalkeeper David Harte producing a string of brilliant saves, and there will be plenty of positives for Tumilty and his players heading into Monday’s crucial Pool B encounter against world number #4 Australia at 9am Irish time. The Irish team have a world ranking of #11.

Head Coach Mark Tumilty said after the game:

“It was a difficult start but Belgium were very well set up today and we probably struggled to break them down. At the same time, we defended well and while they had a lot of opportunities in the final third, our defence stood up to that and our goalkeeper was excellent. Australia next up will be a challenge as well as they can play the game a number of different ways and we need to be better with the ball.”

 Swimming

Swimming got underway with Ellen Walshe and Ireland Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay diving into action on the opening morning. In the 100m Butterfly, Ellen Walshe, competing in her second Olympic Games, clocked 58.70 for sixth place in her heat.

Speaking after the race the Templeogue swimmer said

‘I don’t think the time is great but considering I’m trying to race the 400m (Individual Medley) on Monday, I have to keep a bit of mileage in my belt and my legs a bit fresh too; but it felt good going in and I just enjoyed it to be honest, it was great to be out there and first up for Ireland.”

Walshe’s main events come later in the week with the 400m Individual Medley on Monday and 200m Individual Medley on Friday.

Érin Riordan, Victoria Catterson and Grace Davison, making their Olympic debuts, joined Tokyo Olympian Danielle Hill in the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, Ireland’s first female relay at a Games since Munich 1972. The quartet were just outside the Irish record of 3:41.75 in 3:42.67, for eighth in their heat, after a great battle with Hong Kong in the next lane who touched just ahead in 3:42.42.

Equestrian

Sarah Ennis and Action Lady M began Ireland’s Team Eventing competition with a dressage score of 38.0 at the Palace of Versailles this morning. Fourth into the arena, Ennis looked to be on her way to a score in the low to mid 30s before the 10-year-old mare, competing at her first Olympics, made a slight error in front of the big screen.

It means that the combination will have work hard in tomorrow’s cross-country phase to make up ground ahead of Monday’s show jumping.

Commenting on her opening phase Olympic experience, Sarah Ennis admitted:

“When she came to the bottom of the arena she was in awe. The trot work was very nice but it’s that corner – and even when I went in there the other day, I was riding square into the corner. “Maybe it’s the big screen, the cameras or the clocks but she spotted something. She’s a sharp mare – not sharp that she would do anything to you but she’d have a look. I call her the gawker, once she spots something she’s locked into it, you can’t soften her. “She saw the cameras moving across the diagonal and she just stopped on me but she’s only 10 – very young and she’s an incredible mare – and it’s her first Olympics, she’ll get used to it and grow from it and will get another one when she’s 14 so I’m very proud of her. I love her!

Ireland’s second Eventing rider Susie Berry was very satisfied with her dressage test, scoring 33.0 on board Wellfields Lincoln. The Banbridge 28-year-old, who is making her Olympic debut, admitted that there was a different feel to the competition – and even Wellfields Lincoln knew that there was something extra special about the Games:

“It’s a surreal experience but I’m thrilled with him – he can be a spooky horse but he felt quite alert today. It was like he knew there was something different about today. His trot work felt beautiful in there and maybe in his canter he felt a little tense through his back so we maybe lost a few moves that would ordinarily come naturally to him.

“It’s his first time being in an atmosphere like that so I’m very happy with him. It’s very dense in there, very atmospheric, and the grandstands are so tall that the horses seem to be looking up a lot, but it’s an incredible arena.”

Saturday, 27th July 2024 Team Ireland Results

Equestrian, Eventing – team and individual Dressage, Sarah Ennis, score of 38.00

Men’s Hockey, Pool B, Ireland 0 – 2 Belgium

Swimming, Women’s 100m Butterfly heats, Ellen Walshe 6th in 58.70, finished 22nd overall

Rowing, Men’s Double Sculls (M2x), Philip Doyle & Daire Lynch, won heat in 6:13.24, through to semi-finals

Rowing, Women’s Double Sculls (W2x), Zoe Hyde & Alison Bergin, 3rd in heat in 6:52.61, through to semi-finals

Swimming, Women’s 4x100m Freestyle, Danielle Hill, Erin Riordan, Grace Davison & Victoria Catterson, 8th in heat in 3:42.67, finished 16th overall

Equestrian, Eventing – team and individual Dressage, Susie Berry, score of 33.00

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