Beijing 2008

Ireland's sole show jumping competitor at the 2008 Olympic Games, Denis Lynch, is drawn 64th in the start order of the First Jumping Qualifier at Hong Kong later today (Friday).

Ireland's Track and Field athletes get under way this evening with Alistair Cragg first off in heat two of the 1500m . Fionnuala Britton and Roisin McGettigan also run this evening in heats 1 and 2 of the Women's 3000m Steeplechase.

Ireland Men's Lighweight four have failed to make the Olympic final. The crew rowed well in their semi-final heat but lost out to Denmark, France and Great Britain in the race for qualification. More in Nigel Ringland's daily update later.

Ireland's David O'Loughlin failed to progress out of the first heat in todays 4k Individual Pursuit in the Laoshan Veledrome in Beijing.

Ireland's boxing team has suffered its first defeat of the Games after light-welterweight John Joe Joyce was cruelly beaten on countback after his bout with Felix Diaz ended 11-11.

Melanie Nocher has won her heat in the women's 200m backstroke. She set a new Irish record in the pro but it was not enough to see her through to the semi-finals.

Irish Team Day 6 – Thursday August 14th (all times local)

Kenny Egan led by example again today by qualifying for the Olympic quarter-finals with an impressive 10-2 dismissal of Turkey's Bahram Muzaffer.

The men’s heavyweight four were sixth in a tough semi-final won by defending champions Great Britain. They will now race in the 'B' final.

The Olympic Team Chef de Mission Dermot Henihan praised the Irish Olympic three- Day Eventing team of Austin O'Connor, Louise Lyons, Capt. Geoff Curran, Niall Griffin and Patricia Ryan after they finished eighth overall (Tuesday) after the completion of the show jumping phase in Hong Kong, on a total of 276.10 penalties.

Eoin Rheinisch finished in a superb 4th place in the Canoe Slalom K1 at the Shunyi.

Eoin Rheinisch finishes in a superb 4th place in the Canoe Slalom K1 at the Shunyi.