THE IRISH PARALYMPIC team have been set a target of eight medals ahead of this summer’s Games.
Ireland will be represented by 44 athletes across nine different sports in Rio after the team was officially announced at Dublin City Hall this morning.
There are three reigning world champions and two defending Paralympic champions included in the party.
Jason Smyth and Michael McKillop will both be aiming to defending their respective titles in September after taking home gold four years ago in London.
While 44 athletes have been confirmed to fly the flag for Ireland at the Games, there is the possibility of two further additions to the team in triathlon and swimming.
Performance Director Dave Malone says a medal haul of eight is a ‘challenging but realistic’ target for a group of athletes which includes representatives in athletics, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, football, sailing, shooting, swimming and table tennis.
“Irish athletes will go to Rio this September and compete for glory against approximately 4,350 athletes from all parts of the world over the course of 11 days,” Malone said this morning.
“The team is ready to achieve great personal and collective success at the Games, and their performances throughout the qualification process for Rio indicates that a medal target of eight for the team is achievable.
“We also anticipate a large number of finals from the team, and we are seeking career best performances from as many of the team as possible on the biggest stage of all.
“We have ring fenced all available supports around the athletes in order to ensure that they can produce their optimum performance on the international stage.”
The team will leave Dublin for a training camp in Uberlandia – a city 900km north of Rio – on 23 and 25 August before the Games begin on 7 September.
Ireland Paralympic Team 2016
Athletics
- Orla Barry (F57 discus)
- Orla Comerford (T13 100m)
- Paul Keoghan (T37 400m)
- Noelle Lenihan (F38 discus)
- Niamh McCarthy (F41 discus)
- Michael McKillop (T37 1500m)
- Patrick Monahan (T53 800m and Marathon)
- Deirdre Mongan (F53 shot put)
- Jason Smyth (T13 100m)
- Greta Streimikyte (T13 1500m)
Cycling
- Eoghan Clifford
- Katie-George Dunleavy
- Colin Lynch
- Ciara Staunton
- Declan Slevin
- Damien Vereker
Equestrian
- Helen Kearney
Football
- Luke Evans
- Tomiwa Badun
- Cormac Bitt
- Joseph Markey
- Brian McGillivary
- Carl McKee
- Gary Messett
- Ryan Nolan
- Eric O’Flaherty
- Dillon Sheridan
- Aaron Tier
- Conor Tuite
- Jordan Walker
- Ryan Walker
Sailing
- John Twomey
- Austin O’Carroll
- Ian Costelloe
Shooting
- Sean Baldwin
- Phillip Eaglesham
Swimming
- Ellen Keane
- Ailbhe Kelly
- James Scully
- Nicole Turner
Table tennis
- Rena McCarron Rooney
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