Advertisement

Who'll fly the flag in London? 8 of Ireland's Olympic hopefuls

With 12 months to go until the London Games, we look at some of the Irish athletes who could challenge for podium honours.

THE COUNTDOWN TO the London Olympic Games reached a milestone on Wednesday, with less than a year now remaining until the opening ceremony on 27 July 2012.

For Ireland’s medal hopefuls, the next twelve months will be all about fine-tuning their preparations and — in most cases — securing qualification and a place in the national Olympic squad.

We take a look at eight of the athletes, some better known than others, who have every chance of claiming podium honours in London next summer.

Annalise Murphy (Sailing)
1 / 8
  • Annalise Murphy (Sailing)

    Source: Hannah Johnston/Getty Images
  • Katie Taylor (Boxing)

    Source: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
  • Joe Ward (Boxing)

    Source: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
  • Paddy Barnes (Boxing)

    Source: ©Russell Pritchard / Presseye.com
  • Derval O'Rourke (Athletics)

    Source: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
  • Nicolas Roche (Cycling)

    Source: ©INPHO/Gerry McManus
  • Rob Heffernan (Athletics)

    Source: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
  • Gráinne Murphy (Swimming)

    Source: ©INPHO/Andrea Staccioli

READ - The 2012 London Olympics will have the biggest gold medals ever >

READ - Who would you cast in RTE Sport: The Movie? >

Close
Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aidan Kearney
    Favourite Aidan Kearney
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 7:38 PM

    Have no lessons been learned since Cian O Connor lost the Gold medal! Dont blame the horse.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcgoo
    Favourite mcgoo
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 8:13 PM

    Irish showjumping is poxed

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Victoria Power
    Favourite Victoria Power
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:03 PM

    Please post a link to the statement Denis made on his web site in the spirit of fairness http://www.denis-lynch.com
    The behaviour of the HSI committee is deplorable after the dedication he demonstrated to secure an Olympic individual place. A member of the committee who decided to remove his ratification was the team vet that examined his horse 2 hours before the competition and advised team manager that the horse was sound to compete despite his concerns.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Reynolds
    Favourite Johnny Reynolds
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:17 PM

    If what Denis has said is true, there is something seriously wrong going on there

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adam Pamplin
    Favourite Adam Pamplin
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 9:26 PM

    He shouldn’t even have figured as a contender to go to the Olympics 2012 having been sent home from Beijing in 2008 for the very same thing.

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Stack
    Favourite Tony Stack
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 9:28 PM

    A bit harsh, it might be naturally occurring, and its within the rules of the horsejumping body. Like the UK rule with Millar and Chambers that was overturned, the national association should not rule like this, as he was not banned by the IOC . Any thoughts on this or am I wrong?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Reynolds
    Favourite Johnny Reynolds
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:03 PM

    What a joke, why would Denis risk it when he’s got one of the best show jumpin horses in the world. Surely, with the amount of money involved in horses, they can come up with a clear test for drug taking. One that shows a very clear difference between natural and artificial hypersensitivity in the horses legs. Seen as he got kicked out last time on disputable grounds, why would he try it again and risk his lively hood. Something doesn’t smell right

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oonagh Fitzgibbon
    Favourite Oonagh Fitzgibbon
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:20 PM

    Disgraceful….heartbreaking for him & his team….read his statement…something v odd going on!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Killian Maher
    Favourite Killian Maher
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 11:25 PM

    Title should be “Unintroducing Denis Lynch”

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roy Scott
    Favourite Roy Scott
    Report
    Jul 9th 2012, 10:12 PM

    Pity, wonder of other nations have same issues?

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt12
    Favourite Matt12
    Report
    Jul 10th 2012, 5:31 AM
    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Scattered Showers
    Favourite Scattered Showers
    Report
    Jul 10th 2012, 12:13 PM

    i think there is something in the wording here.
    why use disqualified instead of withdrawn for health reasons…..
    Other questions are how widespread is the problem of horses being illegally Hypersensitive? How easy is this to administer to a horse and what are the benefits as a result?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.