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Mona McSharry qualifies for 100 Breaststroke semi-final

Team Ireland’s swimmer Mona McSharry secured her slot in the 100m Breaststroke semi-final in Tokyo Aquatic Centre today.

The Sligo native’s strong swim of 1:06.39 for third place in her heat was just shy of her PB of 1:06.29. Her 9th place finish overall qualifies her for tomorrow’s semi-final.

 “I really burned coming up the last 25m,” McSharry admitted. “I could see the Swiss coming up the right of me. I thought she almost had me, but I really pushed the last 10m. It’s really nice to be competing against great swimmers that are breaking records like that and say that you were in the same race as them.”

Danielle Hill was also in action on Sunday in the Women’s 100m Backstroke heat. She posted a time of 1:00.86 for 3rd place in her heat. She finished in 25th position overall.

Speaking afterwards, Hill said:

“I’m a little disappointed with how it went. I would have liked to perform a little bit better, especially given that it is an evening swim. At the same time, I’m proud to put the Irish hat on and represent Larne as well.”

Boxing

Emmet Brennan was the only Irish boxer in action on Sunday. The Dubliner lost out by unanimous decision in his Men’s Light Heavy Round of 32 bout against Dilshod Ruzmetov of Uzbekeztan.

World silver medallist, Ruzmetov, had a strong opening round, and though Brennan put the pressure on in the second round, Ruzmetov finished strong to progress to the next stage.

Speaking after the fight, Brennan said:

“I’m gutted. It’s an Olympic Games, you come here to win and ultimately, I was beaten in the first fight. He was a good opponent, but a loss is never easy – especially on the biggest occasion in the world. You want to go as far as you can, you know you need a best night every fight and I didn’t have my best night – it’s as simple as that.”  

Difficult start for Annalise Murphy at Olympic Sailing regatta

Annalise Murphy opened her Olympic Sailing regatta in challenging light weather at Enoshima on Sunday.

Challenging light winds marked the start of the Tokyo Olympic Sailing regatta at Enoshima on Sunday where Annalise Murphy was the first Irish competitor into action.

In the women’s single-handed event, what was looking like a good starting position became a missed opportunity. Another competitor snagged a control line on the Irish sailor’s boat, delaying her start into ‘clear air’.

Conditions remained at close to near calm levels for the opening race. Murphy had to accept 35th place in the 44-strong fleet.

Race 2 went better for the National Yacht Club sailor who rounded the first mark in 24th place. She spent the next three legs steadily picking off other boats to place 12th. Her combined score for day one leaves her 23rd place overall.

Reaction

Murphy was frustrated with the race one incident but resolved to improve for the second race.  “I’m glad the first day is done and I’m looking forward to moving up from here – no more mistakes,” she stated.

With eight more races to decide next Sunday’s medal race finale, normal weather patterns over Sagami Bay are being influenced by the development of a neighbouring typhoon.  Depending on how the weather system develops in the coming days, windier or lighter conditions equally could result.

Ireland’s second boat features the Olympic debut for Rob Dickson and Seán Waddilove from Howth Yacht Club and Skerries Sailing Club respectively in the Men’s 49er skiff event.  Their series is scheduled to begin on Tuesday 27th July with a medal race on Monday 2nd August.

World Champion Sanita Pušpure through to semi-final

Current World Champion in the Women’s Singles Sanita Pušpure won her quarter-final in impressive style in Sunday’s race in Tokyo. She will now compete in the semi-final A/B next week.

Sanita Pušpure finished first in the Women’s Single Sculls Quarter-Final. She faced competition from Hong Kong, Serbia, USA, China and Paraguay. Sanita won the Heat comfortably with a time of 07:58.30 finishing ahead of Kara Kohler (USA) and Yan Jiang (China). She will now race in the A/B Semi-Final on Wednesday morning.

The Women’s Pair of Monika Dukarska and Aileen Crowley and the Lightweight Women’s Double of Margaret Cremen and Aoife Casey also progressed to the semi-finals from their repechages.

They competed against USA, China and Greece. The Irish women finished with a time of 07:31.99. They will race in the A/B Semi-Final in the coming week.

Margaret Cremen and Aoife Casey finished third in the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls Repechage. The Irish pair finished with a time of 07:23.46. They have now qualified for the A/B Semi-Final during the week.

Ronan Byrne and Philip Doyle finished sixth in the Men’s Double Sculls A/B Semi-Final. They raced against against Poland, New Zealand, Britain, France, and Germany. The Irishmen finished with a time of 06.49.06. They will now race in the B Final on Wednesday morning.

Heike Holstein and Sambuca sixth in Tokyo Olympics Dressage Grand Prix

An excellent performance from Irish Dressage combination Heike Holstein and the Irish-bred mare Sambuca finish sixth in Tokyo on Sunday.

Their score of 68.432% meant they finished sixth of 10 competitors in their Grand Prix Group D test at the Olympic Games.

Their score ultimately wasn’t enough to see them qualify for Wednesday’s Individual Final however. It was another impressive display from Holstein who was competing at her fourth Olympics while 12-year-old Sambuca, whom Heike bred herself, was making her Olympic debut.

Speaking after their performance, Heike said:

“I was really happy with her [Sambuca]. She went into the ring and really concentrated. We had a few little errors that were my fault. In the first medium trot I had her back a bit too much. I was really happy with the passage and the piaffe has improved a lot. She was really relaxed in the walk and the changes were good.”

The Irish dressage competitor continued:

“I am really proud of her. When she was a little foal I never thought that we would get this far. It is a long road and lots of things can happen. In 2019 I finally thought, this might happen!”

All Irish equestrian athletes at the Games are wearing yellow ribbons in commemoration of the loss of a highly talented young Irish athlete, Tiggy Hancock, in June.

The Irish Eventing team get their Olympic campaign underway on Friday while Ireland’s Show Jumping team will be in action at the Games on Tuesday August 3rd.

Football – Mayo v Galway – Starting News, Live Scores, Betting; TV Coverage

Connacht Senior Football Championship Final – Mayo v Galway – Croke Park -1. 30 pm – RTE

Click here for live scores on Galway v Mayo

Mayo will go head to head with Galway at Croke Park in Dublin this coming Sunday at 1.30 pm in the Connacht Senior Football Championship Final live on RTÉ.

In their last outing, Mayo thrashed Leitrim in the semi-finals of the Connacht championship. Winning by 5-20 (35) to 0-11 (11) in a 24-point winning margin at MacHale Park in Castlebar.

Now, the Connacht Senior Football Championship Final – Mayo v Galway will be live on RTÉ 2 as part of a double header.

Throughout their league campaign, Mayo has been on tip-top form, after their shock relegation. They have bounced back to Division 1 in style.

Since their promotion, James Horan’s side has steamrolled through their provincial rivals, stomping Sligo by 20 points in the quarter-final and them Leitrim in the semi’s.

They now face a rejuvenated Galway side, who are coming into this game on a high after toppling Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park with a score of 0-12 (12) to 2-11 (17) to book their place in Sunday’s final.

This will be Galway’s fourth consecutive Connacht final, winning only one title in those final appearances.

Their opponents, Mayo, will compete in their first back-to-back Connacht finals after completing a historic five-in-a-row from 2011 to 2015. Four of which were under James Horan’s management.

Both counties are the dominant force in their province, with a combined total of 93 titles between the two rivals, with Mayo winning one more title (47) to Galway’s (46) to make them Connacht’s most successful team.

This final will be a repeat of last years Connacht decider where Mayo prevailed to reclaim their first title since 2015, in a 0-14 to 0-13 victory at Pearse Stadium in Galway.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Looking at both team’s, they do possess a lot of advantages and disadvantages coming into this game.

Many questions have been asked of Mayo’s firepower going forward without their talisman Cillian O’Connor after the Ballintubber man suffered an Achilles injury against Clare. Since then Mayo has scored a combined total of 8-43 (67 points) in their past two games.

Now, this is more than likely down to the poor level of quality faced, but with Tommy Conroy and Ryan O’Donoghue improving game by game, and with the addition of Aidan O’Shea in the full-forward line, he has shown in the past that he can cause damage if given the proper service.

The Tribesmen on the other hand lack that winning mentality, even if they do beat Mayo on Sunday, come to the big games in the All-Ireland they often fail to impress. Only reaching the semi-final of the All-Ireland once (2018) since their last All-Ireland victory back in 2001.

Conclusion

On any given day, Galway can beat Mayo, especially this Mayo side who are still in a transitional phase.

Mayo will be more than confident in getting one over their rivals for the second year in a row and with their forward line looking sharp if Galway does overcome this Mayo side, they will be darkhorse’s for the remainder of the championship season.

All in all, I see James Horan’s side coming out winners in this one. Looking sharper in their past two games, and seemingly wanting to prove they can compete in O’Connor’s absence, claiming a 48th Connacht title will set up a mouth-watering tie against Dublin.

Prediction: Mayo by 5 points

Starting Teams

Mayo

Galway

 

Betting

Mayo: 4/6

Galway: 13/8

Draw: 15/2

Michelle O’Neill is first Irish referee to officiate at Olympics

Wexford’s Michelle O’Neill is making history as she becomes the first Irish referee to officiate at the Olympic Games. She is one of 99 match officials from 51 countries who will take charge for the men’s and women’s Olympic football tournaments.

Michelle, who was an assistant referee for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup final between the USA and Holland in Lyon, said of her appointment.

“I am absolutely over the moon, thrilled to bits. It is such an honour for me to represent Ireland out in Tokyo this year at the Olympics Games. Even saying that in the one sentence, I still have to pinch myself. What an honour to be representing Irish referees and Irish football in Japan,” Michelle told FAI TV.

“The World Cup final is the biggest honour that you can get as a referee but the Olympics tournament is something extra special. I am so honoured to be going to Tokyo.”

Irish referee Michelle O’Neill prepares to make Olympic history at Tokyo Games.

Video courtesy of FAI TV.

Darren Clarke three behind Stephen Dodd at The Senior Open

Stephen Dodd posted an eight under par round of 62 to tie the lowest round in the history of The Senior Open. As a result, the Welshman will head into the final day with a two-stroke lead at Sunningdale Golf Club.

Half-way leader Darren Clarke is three shots behind the leader, after carding a 70 on Saturday. In between is American Jerry Kelly, whose 68 today puts him a shot ahead of Clarke and two behind Dodd.

“I suppose I got lucky once or twice”

Dodd leads on 11 under par after a scintillating third round. He signed for nine birdies and just a single dropped shot.

Commenting on his round Dodd said:

“Well, after yesterday, I wasn’t really sure what was going to happen today because it was pretty poor yesterday. So good night’s sleep, I suppose I got lucky once or twice early on. They weren’t very good shots, but it went close, and I started to hit some good shots in the back nine.”

Dodd’s history equalling effort sees him join South African Harold Henning and American Jim Colbert as holders of the lowest Senior Open rounds. Both posted eight under par rounds of 62 at Turnberry Resort in 1990 and 2003 respectively. The 55-year-old also tied Sunningdale’s Old Course record which was set by Nick Faldo at the 1986 European Open and tied by Shane Lowry in 2010 Open Qualifying.

Former Senior Open winners in contention

One stroke behind Darren Clarke are a trio of past Senior Open winners in defending champion Bernhard Langer, 2016 winner Paul Broadhurst and 2018 champion Miguel Ángel Jiménez.

South Africa’s Ernie Els sits five shots off the lead in seventh place on six under par and still with a chance of picking up his first Senior Major Championship to add to his two Claret Jugs and two U.S. Open titles.

Round three select scores

199 S DODD (WAL) 66 71 62,
201 J KELLY (USA) 67 66 68,
202 D CLARKE 65 67 70,
203 M JIMÉNEZ (ESP) 69 67 67, P BROADHURST (ENG) 69 65 69, B LANGER (GER) 66 67 70,
204 E ELS (RSA) 67 67 70,
205 Y TSUKADA (JPN) 71 65 69,
206 W SHORT JR (USA) 67 70 69, R GONZALEZ (ARG) 66 71 69, J SANDELIN (SWE) 69 67 70,
207 T LEHMAN (USA) 68 71 68, D SHACKLADY (ENG) 69 68 70.
208 C MONTGOMERIE (SCO) 68 72 68, J REMESY (FRA) 68 69 71, I WOOSNAM (WAL) 68 68 72.
209 A CEJKA (GER) 71 71 67, R BEEM (USA) 71 70 68, P BAKER (ENG) 73 68 68, G DAY (USA) 75 65 69, M GOGEL (USA) 68 72 69, P WILSON (ENG) 68 71 70, J KINGSTON (RSA) 65 74 70, P PRICE (WAL) 67 72 70, M MARTIN (ESP) 70 67 72, T BJORN (DEN) 68 69 72,
210 P GOLDING (ENG) 71 70 69, B SOWARDS (USA) 71 69 70, T PERNICE JR (USA) 70 68 72, P FOWLER (AUS) 67 70 73.

215 A RAITT (ENG) 71 74 70, C WILLIAMS (RSA) 72 73 70, D GILFORD (ENG) 73 72 70, S MICHEEL (USA) 69 75 71, M MOULAND (WAL) 72 71 72, P MCGINLEY 69 73 73, T FOSTER (AM) (ENG) 72 70 73, P EALES (ENG) 69 70 76.

Rhys McClenaghan is first Irish gymnast to make Olympic final

Rhys McClenaghan today became the first Irish gymnast to qualify for an Olympic final.

Following his incredible performance on the Pommel Horse earlier today, McClenaghan had a long wait for the completion of the three subdivisions to receive the exciting news.

McClenaghan sat comfortably in 1st place throughout the first and second subdivision with the hopes of qualification set firmly in his sight.

After the day’s competition, McClenaghan finished in joint 2nd place alongside Kohei Kameyama of Japan, on a score of 15.266.

Gymnasts are judged on a combination of Difficulty (D) & Execution (E) for their performance and both gymnasts were awarded the same score as Taiwan’s Chih Kai Lee in 1st place.

Lee was declared the winner by achieving a higher execution mark. He was awarded 6.400 for Difficulty (D) and 8.866 for Execution (E). He beat both McClenaghan’s and Kameyama’s Execution (E) mark of 8.766. The runners-up were awarded 6.500 for Difficulty (D).

“I am so proud to be the first Irish gymnast to make an Olympic final,”McClenaghan stated. “I am looking forward to going out and representing Team Ireland once again.”

Meanwhile, the Irish women’s hockey team beat South Africa 2-0 in their Olympic opener today. Read the report here.

Ireland 2 South Africa 0 in Olympic hockey opener

Ireland 2 (R Upton, S Torrans) South Africa 0

Ireland made a dream perfect start in the women’s Olympic hockey team as they beat South Africa at the Oi Stadium.

Róisín Upton’s powerful low drag-flick in the ninth minute meant they held the lead from the outset. The eventually doubled their lead before the end of the third quarter via Sarah Torrans.

Reaction

“You could see the smiles when we walked out,” Torrans said after the win, scoring in what was her first senior ranking tournament game.

“It was just fun; it was a long day waiting to get out on the pitch and it still feels so surreal. To do it with this group of girls is incredible It is just a pity we can’t do it with family and friends but hopefully we are doing them proud. It is nice to get on the score sheet in the first game; it is what an attacker dreams of and hopefully we can bring that into the next few games.

“Netherlands next, the best in the world. It’s always a fun game but we will come out fighting.”

Ireland got off to a fast start with Torrans and Nicci Daly storming down the right flank. Deirdre Duke’s trickery duly earned the first penalty corner of the match which Upton duly whipped into the left corner past the stick of Phumelela Mbande.

After that, it was a case of when rather than if Ireland would score again as they held the vast majority of the play against South Africa, the lowest ranked side in the tournament at number 16.

Three more corner chances came and went in the first half while Naomi Carroll pinged the post with a rasping shot from close range.

The African champions showed their threat in fits and starts with Nomnikelo Veto the danger player.

It was the Green Army who always looked the more likely to push on. Torrans missed out from a great chance created by Katie Mullan’s driving run and diagonal ball into the danger zone. Anna O’Flanagan also stung the pads of the goalkeeper and Sarah Hawkshaw chipped one over.

The insurance goal eventually arrived in the 44th minute when Loreto team mates Hannah Matthews and Torrans connected. The former provided the pace on the ball into the circle which saw the ball deflected high in the air and Torrans instinctively batted down and into the net.

After that, there were further corner chances which went incomplete but goalkeeper Ayeisha McFerran never looked unduly troubled in a composed defensive outing. Matthews was denied a third by Mbande’s brilliant diving stop but Ireland content to win 2-0. 

Ireland next meet the Netherlands on Monday morning (2am Irish time). The Dutch eased to a 5-1 win over India with four second half goals.

Teams

Ireland: A McFerran, C Watkins, S Torrans, R Upton, H McLoughlin, D Duke, K Mullan, S Hawkshaw, L Tice, S McAuley, A O’Flanagan

Subs: H Matthews, N Daly, S McCay, N Carroll, L Holden

South Africa: P Mbande, C Seerane, N Walraven, K Paton, R Johnson, O Zulu, L-M Deetlefs, E Hunter, L du Plessis, Q Bobbs, T Glasby

Subs: E Molikoe, T Mallett, N Veto, C Maddocks, L Mahole

Umpires: E Yamada (JPN), K Hudson (NZL)

Heike Holstein and Sambuca first Irish equestrians in Olympic action

Heike Holsten and her Irish-bred mare Sambuca will be the first Irish equestrian combination in action. They begin their Olympic campaign at 9.36 am Irish time on Sunday morning.

The pair will compete in the Dressage competition at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Sixty competitors that take part in the opening Grand Prix. The top 18 will qualify for the individual final on Wednesday, July 28th.

Eventing

The Irish Eventing team is Sam Watson, Cathal Daniels, Sarah Ennis and Austin O’Connor (reserve). They will get their Olympic campaign underway on Friday, July 30th, with the opening Dressage phase. Next, the Cross Country takes place on Sunday, August 1st. The Eventing team and individual Olympic medals will be decided after the jumping phase on Monday, August 2nd.

Showjumping

The Irish Show Jumping team arrive in Tokyo hoping to challenge for the team gold medal. The team of Bertram Allen, Darragh Kenny, Cian O’Connor and Shane Sweetnam (reserve) will first compete in the individual competition on Tuesday, August 3rd.

Thirty of the 75 starters are set to qualify for the individual final on Wednesday, August 4th. The first round of the Show Jumping team competition takes place on Friday, August 6th, with 10 of the 20 teams looking to book a place in the team final on Saturday, August 7th.

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