Vancouver 2010

Aoife Hoey, Claire Bergin, Pat Shannon and Chef de Mission Siobhan Hoey returned to Dublin this afternoon after their amazing Olympic Games experience in Canada.

After 17 days of thrilling athletic competitions the Vancouver Organizing Committee have produced initial statistics showing the extent and impact of hosting the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. Ireland for its part sent a team of 6 athletes in four disciplines, based in Whistler and raised the profile and performance levels of Irish Winter sport during the Games.

Ireland’s Shane O’Connor improved to 45th despite a slower second run in the men’s slalom at Whistler Creek last night. The Malahide man was 51st after a first run of 60.83 seconds in testing conditions and clocked 64.31 secs later in the evening.

Ireland's Kirsty McGarry finished 50th in the women's giant slalom at a foggy Whistler Creekside this evening. McGarry was 50th out of the 85-strong original field heading into this evening's action and clocked one minute, 24.28 seconds for a final combined time of 2mins, 45.20secs.

The Olympic Council of Ireland has announced that Malahide, Co Dublin, downhill skier Shane O'Connor has been chosen to carry the Irish flag at the closing ceremonies of the hugely successful Vancouver Winter Olympic Games on Sunday next (Feb 28th).

The Ireland women's bobsleigh team finished 17th at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, winning their personal duel with Australia in the process.

Ireland’s Kirsty McGarry will have to wail until later today to complete the Giant Slalom after dense fog led to the postponement of the second run last night.

Ireland lie in 20th position after the first two heats of the Women's Bobsleigh at the Winter Vancouver Games.

Kirsty McGarry will compete today in the Giant Slalom event in Whistler. McGarry's Olympics begin with the Giant Slalom, 24th February, with her first run approximately 6pm Irish time with her second run at around 9pm ( racing starts at 5pm). McGarry is bib 61.

Ireland slalom skiers Kirsty McGarry and Shane O'Connor have been training under the supervision of coaches Ken Ellis and Colin Gaffney.

Shane O'Connor gives an insight into the days before the big race and talks through his practice runs.