AT THIS STAGE, it feels almost greedy to express hope that Ireland will win more medals.
However, there remains a definite possibility that it could happen on Day Six of the Paralympics, with numerous athletes competing in final events.
Moreover, Ireland’s silver-medal winner, Helen Kearney, is in action again today.
And given what Kearney has achieved already, it would hardly come as a surprise if she triumphed for a second occasion at these Games.
Who’s flying the flag?
First up at 9am, James Dwyer competes in the Individual Freestyle Test – Grade IV. At the same time, Sean Baldwin takes part in the Mixed R6-50m Rifle Prone-SH1 event.
Shortly thereafter, or at 9.47am to be precise, 18-year-old swimmer Darragh McDonald features in the Men’s 50m Freestyle – S6 Heats.
James McCarthy‘s big moment arrives at 10am, when he competes in the Men’s Shot Put – F57/58 Final.
The Irish sailing team of John Twomey, Anthony Hegarty and Ian Costello will be in action today in the Mixed Sailing Final 7 at 11.20am and the Mixed Sailing Final 8 at 12.50pm. Keep in mind that sailing events were delayed yesterday as a result of a lack of wind at Weymouth and Portland, so don’t be too surprised if such problems arise once again.
Helen Kearney, who already has one silver medal to her name, will be hoping for further success, as she participates in the Individual Freestyle Test – Grade Ia at 4pm today, along with her horse, Mister Cool. Meanwhile, fellow Irish rider Geraldine Savage and her horse (Blues Tip Top Too) also feature in the event.
Finally, in athletics, Orla Barry is in the Women’s Discus Throw – F57/58 Final at 7pm, and Raymond O’Dwyer partakes in the Men’s Shot Put – F34 Final at 7.01pm.
Do not miss…
Swimming
One of the big success stories of these Paralympics has been Team GB’s Ellie Simmonds, who has already broken her own world record twice. She attempts to continue this momentum in the 50m freestyle event at 5.50pm this evening.
Equestrian
Given her well-documented success at the Paralympics so far, Helen Kearney is the obvious must-watch Irish athlete today. Team Ireland have been phenomenally successful already in London, and a ninth medal would make the side’s journey all the more remarkable. Her event starts at 4pm.
Wheelchair Fencing
It’s a fascinating sport to watch and one athlete, in particular, who is worth keeping an eye on is Pal Szekeres. The Hungarian is the only Paralympic athlete to have won a medal at the Olympics (in Seoul) and – after his involvement in a bus crash – at the Paralympics (in Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Athens and Beijing).
He’ll thus be hoping to continue his astonishing record of winning medals at every Paralympics in which he has competed, with the finals getting underway at around 6.30pm.
