GOLD ON THE WATER

What is rare is precious and Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, both from Skibbereen in County Cork delivered Ireland’s first-ever Gold medal in rowing this morning and only our tenth of all time.

Leaving aside the three won by Michelle Smith in Atlanta, this is the first since Katie Taylor in 2012 and only the third, after Michael Carruth in 1992, since Ronnie Delaney in 1956.

Judging by social media it was a moment savoured by many Irish sports fans live in the small hours and it was dramatic with the lads having to chase down and then hold off a spirited German duo over the 2km course.

O’Donovan becomes only the second Irish person to win medals at two different games, after Pat O’Callaghan did just that in 1928 and 1932.

A very special occasion.

FOLLOWED BY TEARS FOR PUSPURE

Sport rarely lets you get too far ahead of yourself and within an hour the ecstasy of Ireland’s first-ever Rowing Gold was replaced by the agony of pre Games favourite Sanita Puspure coming up short in the semi-final of the Women’s Single Sculls.

She never looked comfortable after a slow start and despite George Hamilton’s hopes of a surge on the commentary line, it never materialised and she came home in fifth. That means a B Final rather than a medal race and disappointment for the best rower in the World but not on the day in Tokyo.

TIMMY IN AN OLYMPIC WONDERLAND

Timmy McCarthy is a basketball commentator who grabs his moment on the national broadcaster in style every four years. His is an energetic style and one that rarely fails to raise a smile.

In the first minute of yesterday’s 3×3 Men’s final between Latvia and the Russians who can’t be called the Russians, he had worked Sundays Well and Bishopstown into the commentary.

It’s unlikely many of those in action had been to either but that wasn’t going to stop our Timmy from bringing a very local flavour to proceedings.

A FIRST FOR GEORGE

In his 11th Olympic Games, George Hamilton has commentated on his first Gold Medal. He found the words as he so often does and here is how his commentary unfolded over the closing stages.

GOLFERS UNDER WAY

The Men’s golf tournament is underway with both of Ireland’s contenders posting early birdies through their opening holes.

Rory McIlroy’s hair is on display in a rare outing for golfers normally ‘lidded’ with a sponsors cap.

The two lads seem to be enjoying themselves out in Japan and will hopefully stay in contention for the full four days of competition.

49er BOYS GRAB SECOND PLACE

It is still only race 5 but the medal hopes of Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove are rising after a second-place finish to add to the 1st in the first race and three more in 11th, 12th and 13th.

 

Is it time to take your place alongside the 250+ members of the Sport for Business network of sporting and business organisations working together across a number of key areas in the commercial world of Irish Sport?

Download our latest membership brochure here.

Sport for Business Partners