Olympics 24: Mixed fortunes for our Olympians in Paris
MIXED fortunes for South Dublin County Olympians in Paris today (Saturday, July 27), but much to look forward to over the coming days.
Ellen Walshe from Templeogue Swim Club, failed to make the cut in the 100m butterfly heats on Saturday morning, but she said the experience was invaluable ahead of her main event on Monday – the 400.
Speaking to RTE, two-time Olympian Walshe said the atmosphere was incredible and that it was great to get a swim under the belt.
“It’s not a great time for me, I’ve been consistently low this year but considering I’m racing the 400 on Monday I have to keep a bit of mileage under the belt, it’s probably not a bad time.
“Getting the opportunity to swim that race today ahead of doing my main event is definitely a positive,” said Walshe who is coached by her mentor Brian Sweeney.
In May, Ellen broke a huge barrier by setting a new Irish record in the 400m Individual Medley at the Leinster Championships. She swam an incredible time of 4:37.94, knocking over a second off than the previous record of 4:39.18, set by Michelle Smith at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Walshe finished 22nd in the 100m butterfly heats on Saturday morning in Paris after swimming 57.80.
That’s two places better and 1.5 seconds faster than she swam in Tokyo but over a second outside her Irish record (56.67) and not enough for spot in the semi-finals.
Ellen is also the Irish record holder in the 200m and 400m medleys and will be back in action on Monday in the 400 heats.
Glenanne’s Shane O’Donoghue
In hockey, Glenanne’s Shane O’Donoghue starred for the Irish mens hockey team, but unfortunately they were beaten 2-0 by a strong Belgium side.
Two-time Olympian O’Donoghue is Ireland’s leading hockey goal scorer and has had a busy year preparing for the Olympic Games along with juggling work, managing Glenanne up to last month and recently getting married.
Meanwhile, in Rugby Sevens, a last-gasp try from St Mary’s Rugby Club Chairman Terry Kennedy sealed a super 17-14 comeback win for Ireland over the USA in their 5th-8th place semi-final.
St Mary’s Rugby Club Chairman Terry Kennedy
Ireland, who agonisingly lost to Olympic champions Fiji 15-19 in the quarter-final, next play New Zealand in the 5th/6th-placed play-off at 5.30pm.
Kennedy, a member of the Irish squad at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has had a great tournament in Paris, undoubtedly one of the star Irish performers over the course of their five matches so far.
Kennedy is a member of the Sevens squad since 2016, has won an All Ireland 1B title in 2017 with St Mary’s and has plenty of experience at this level having played for his country at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town. His father Terry is a former Ireland international and are supporters of St Mary’s Rugby Club.
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