Ní Riain and Turner Secure Finals Spots on Day One of Team Ireland’s Paralympic Campaign in Paris
Team Ireland’s Paralympic journey in Paris kicked off with a strong performance in the pool, as swimmers Róisín Ní Riain and Nicole Turner secured their places in their respective finals on the first day of competition.
Róisín Ní Riain impressed in her S13 100m Butterfly Heat, finishing fourth with a time of 1:06.40. Her efforts earned her a spot in the final, which is scheduled for this evening at 19:10 Irish time. Reflecting on her performance, Ní Riain expressed satisfaction, saying, “I’m happy with that and to get out there for the first swim. It’s a good time, and I’m into the final, so it’s job done this morning.”
Nicole Turner also delivered a solid performance, finishing third in her S6 50m Freestyle Heat with a time of 35.35, securing her place in the final at 18:17 Irish time. Competing in her third Paralympic Games, Turner, who was ranked fifth overall heading into the event, shared her thoughts on the experience: “I’m quite happy; it’s a nice opener. The crowd is a lot different from Tokyo, but it drives us on that extra bit. The time is just outside my personal best. The aim for this evening is to get closer to that, if not better.”
Turner also emphasized the importance of enjoying the competition in Paris, adding, “Tokyo was quite special for me, but it’s been a long three years. I’ve learned to enjoy the sport as serious as it is. I want to enjoy myself and see what happens after that.”
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Dearbhaile Brady made her Paralympic debut in the S6 50m Freestyle, posting a personal best time of 36.45 to finish fifth in her heat and tenth overall. Although she narrowly missed out on the final, Brady was thrilled with her performance: “I’m really happy; it went well. It was a personal best. I came out today very nervous; I think it’s good to have them. With it being my first Games and first event, I was hoping to make the final, but it didn’t happen. I still have one more event, so I’m going to put my head down.”
In Para Cycling, Richael Timothy also shone on the track, advancing to the C1-3 3000m Women’s Individual Pursuit Final after recording a personal best time of 4:05.247 in her heat, placing seventh overall.
Day 1 Paralympic Games Results:
• Dearbhaile Brady: Para Swimming, S6 50m Freestyle Heat – 36.45 (PB)
• Nicole Turner: Para Swimming, S6 50m Freestyle Heat – 35.35 (3rd Place, progresses to final)
• Róisín Ní Riain: Para Swimming, S13 100m Butterfly Heat – 1:06.40 (4th place, progresses to final)
• Richael Timothy: Para Cycling (track), C1-3 3000m Women’s Individual Pursuit Qualifier – 4:05.247 (PB, 7th place overall)
Day 1 Paralympic Games Afternoon Schedule:
• 12:00 (ongoing): Kerrie Leonard, Para Archery, W2 Individual Compound Open
• 12:58: Damien Vereker & Mitchell McLaughlin, Para Cycling (track), B4 Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit Qualifier
• 12:58: Martin Gordon & Eoin Mullen, Para Cycling (track), B4 Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit Qualifier
• 14:04: Martin Gordon & Eoin Mullen, Para Cycling (track), B4 Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit Final*
• 16:40: Damien Vereker & Mitchell McLaughlin, Para Cycling (track), B4 Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit Final*
• 18:17: Nicole Turner, Para Swimming, S6 50m Freestyle Final
• 19:15: Róisín Ní Riain, Para Swimming, S13 100m Butterfly Final
*Pending qualifying results
As Team Ireland continues to make strides on the first day of the Paralympic Games, all eyes will be on Ní Riain and Turner as they compete in their finals later this evening.