Double Bronze Bonanza for Team Ireland on Day Six of Paralympic Games
In a thrilling evening for Team Ireland at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, two bronze medals were secured within a span of just five minutes, doubling the team’s medal tally and igniting celebrations among Irish fans.
Róisín Ní Riain Continues Her Parisian Prowess
Limerick’s own Róisín Ní Riain added a second medal to her impressive Paralympic campaign, claiming a bronze in the Women’s SM13 200m Individual Medley. The 19-year-old swimming sensation blazed through the La Défense pool, finishing with a time of 2:27.47. This marks her second Paralympic medal, and her first in Paris, further cementing her reputation as one of Ireland’s brightest swimming stars.
“It’s a final swim,” Ní Riain remarked after her performance. “I’ve been on the wrong side of the IM touches for the last three years, so to finally get on the right side—I couldn’t be happier. The support from the Irish fans here has been incredible, and to do it with my coach, John, by my side is just amazing.”
Orla Comerford’s Electrifying Sprint to Bronze
Hot on the heels of Ní Riain’s triumph, Orla Comerford stormed down the track in the T13 100m Final, capturing her first-ever Paralympic medal. The 26-year-old, competing in her third Games, clocked in just outside her personal best at 11.94 seconds, securing the bronze medal.
“It feels insane!” Comerford exclaimed. “I was initially disappointed, but seeing my family in the stands reminded me of how special this moment is. It’s such an honor to have them here. This medal means the world to me, and I’m excited for what’s next.”
Other Highlights from Day Six
Earlier in the day, Barry McClements faced fierce competition in the Men’s 100m Backstroke S9 Final. Despite finishing in eighth place with a time of 1:50.56, McClements remained upbeat, focusing on enjoying the experience and gearing up for his favored 100m Butterfly event.
In the 50m Butterfly S6 Final, Dearbhaile Brady and Nicole Turner both delivered strong performances. Brady set a new personal best, finishing fifth, while Turner, a silver medalist from Tokyo 2020, finished sixth. Both athletes expressed satisfaction with their races, despite missing the podium.
Para Equestrian Success
On the dressage stage, Michael Murphy and his horse Cleverboy delivered a stellar performance, finishing ninth in the Grade 1 Individual competition. Murphy, who was thrilled to improve on his Tokyo performance, described the ride as the “ride of my life.” The pair will be back in action in the team event later this week.
In the Grade III event, Wicklow’s Kate Kerr-Horan and Cork’s Jessica McKenna both narrowly missed out on the Freestyle Final, finishing ninth and tenth, respectively. Both riders were ecstatic with their performances, especially given their significant improvements since Tokyo.
Looking Ahead to Day Seven
Team Ireland will be back in action tomorrow, with athletes competing across Para Cycling, Para Athletics, and Para Equestrian events. Richael Timothy kicks off the day in the C1-3 Individual Time Trial, while Shauna Bocquet will aim for the final in the T54 100m.
As the Games progress, the excitement and anticipation continue to build for Team Ireland, with the athletes determined to bring home even more medals in the days to come.