Paralympic heroes return home

The 2024 Paralympic Games have come to a close with team Ireland taking home six medals.

The final tally for the Irish was one gold, three silver, and two bronze, leaving us in 55th spot in the overall ranking.

Unfortunately, there will be no medals coming to Cork this time despite strong performances by Jessica McKenna and Michael Murphy in their respective equestrian events.

McKenna finished 10th in the Grade III Individual event, falling just short of qualification for the Individual Freestyle Event which went to the top eight finishers.

She also finished 10th in the team event with teammate Michael Murphy whose grandfather is from Cork.

Murphy finished 9th in his individual Grade I Individual event, missing out on 8th place qualification by an agonising margin of less than half a second.

Ireland’s only gold was secured by Katie George Dunlevy piloted by Linda Kelly in the para cycling road race B time trial. The pair put in a fantastic effort, covering 28.3km in a time of 38.16.58.

“It was a really, really challenging course. Really technical,” said Dunlevy after the race.

“I thought we were going to come off a few times but that’s racing for you. You’re on the limit,” the vision impaired athlete added.

Dunlevy was also responsible for two of Ireland’s three silvers, taking second place in the Women’s B 3,000m Individual Pursuit with pilot Eve McCrystal, and in the Women’s B Road Race, piloted once more by Linda Kelly.

Ireland’s third silver medal was won by vision impaired swimmer Róisín Ní Ríain in the Women's 100m backstroke S13.

Ní Riain stormed to second place in a time of 1:07.27 to win her maiden Paralympic medal.

The Limerick native said after the race: “I’m delighted with that swim and it makes it extra nice with my friends and family here to watch as well.”

Ní Riain also won bronze in the Women's 200m Individual Medley SM13.

Ireland’s second bronze medal was secured by vision impaired runner Orla Comerford in the Women's 100m T13.